The State of Democracy in Western Pennsylvania
The political environment of Western Pennsylvania and the health of its democratic system were under the microscope last March when a panel of GSPIA alumni explored “The State of Democracy in Western Pennsylvania,” as part of the Wherrett Lecture Series in Local Government. Discussion was centered on citizen involvement, the changing dynamics between state and local governments, public expectations of legislators, and county governmental issues.
Panelists included Jake Wheatley Jr. (MPA ’00), Pennsylvania State Representative (D-19th District); David J. Mayernik (MPA ’82), an attorney with Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellot, LLC, in corporate and government relations, who had served as a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly for 20 years; GSPIA Associate Dean David Y. Miller; Tom Michlovic (MPA ’76), commissioner, Pennsylvania Securities Commission, who had been a state representative for the Mon Valley for 24 years; and Eugene Ricciardi (MURP ’79), district magistrate and former Pittsburgh City Council president.
New data on major trends of Southwestern Pennsylvania municipal boards were presented by Assistant Professor George Dougherty, who underscored a key feature of the democratic process—that citizens appoint managers to make decisions for the entire citizenry, and invest their trust in their representatives’ knowledge. But “what citizens don’t know can hurt us,” he said, pointing to the value of GSPIA within the community in preparing individuals to spread political knowledge, either as government managers or elected officials.
Panelists pointed to advances in technology as one way in which the public can become more personally involved in and influence the political processes that directly affect them. Mayernik recalls that it was the technology-fueled media outlets that brought to light the early-morning pay raise vote by the Pennsylvania General Assembly in July 2005. Public awareness and anger over the pay raise led to the defeat of 17 legislators in the state’s 2006 primary elections.
Interim Dean Dave Miller, panel moderator, asked the panelists how they felt schools like GSPIA could best prepare students to be active in political processes, given all of the demographical and institutional changes at the local and national levels.
Ricciardi, recalling his time at GSPIA, emphasized the importance of gathering, organizing and presenting meaningful research when studying, making and administering public policy. “I think this is an appropriate time for academia and students of public policy to realize that they can now have an impact—that the system is wide open,” he said, adding that with university instruction and practical experience, citizens become equipped to make a difference.
“We need people with stability, with institutional knowledge and a thoughtful rationale, people who will keep the ship righted—and those are GSPIA students,” Mayernik said. “It’s the people in this room … and people who come out of GSPIA who keep government running and help set policy for how the government should continue to run. GSPIA lays the educational foundation for the practical experience that is essential to be an elected official.”
Tony Mottle (MPA ’79) was pleased that the panelists represented all areas. “They gave a perspective of government in general from their own specific viewpoints,” he said. “I enjoyed hearing all sides of the issues.” Several other graduates in attendance echoed his sentiments, all remarking that the discussion illuminated the complexities of political decision making and the democratic process.
|
