Local Representatives Don’t Like To Answer Questions

This page was last updated on September 7, 2004.

State Reps. Mike Veon (D-14) and Frank LaGrotta (D-10) and State Sen. Gerald LaValle (D-47) and their offices refuse to answer what should be easy questions to address. Below are three recent examples of a trend that goes back to at least January 2003.

Why don’t our representatives want to answer simple questions or provide data supporting their positions? I think we all know the answer.

In the first example, I referred to a faux press release issued by Messrs. Veon and DeWeese entitled House Democrats call for improved access to health insurance and ‘real facts’ on doctors in Pennsylvania. You can read the web page yourself, but in summary it attacks the credibility of doctors while leaving lawsuit abuse unaddressed. Because of the incredible one-sided view expressed by the press release, I asked Mr. Veon some questions he and his staff apparently didn’t want to answer.

I sent the e-mail note below on June 19, 2004, and Mr. Veon – or someone on his staff – read it on June 21^st. As of September 7^th, I have received no reply.

Sent: Sat 6/19/2004 7:53 PM

Dear Mr. Veon,

Regarding http://www.pahouse.net/pr/Veon/014061704.htm, I missed a companion bill that would require an attorney to represent a doctor. I also missed the bill that would automatically grant winning defendants legal fees just as winning plaintiffs. In other words, if you sue a doctor for malpractice and lose, you must pay the doctor's legal fees without the doctor needing to sue you. What are those bill numbers?

Yours truly,

Robert (Robin) Cox

Center Township, Beaver County

In the second example, I referred to a faux press release issued by Messrs. Veon, LaGrotta, and LaValle entitled Beaver County lawmakers announce more than $1.5 million for water and sewer projects. I felt the release was misleading and asked for follow-up information to learn if I was mistaken.

In this case I addressed my note to Mr. Bob Caton as recommended in the release. Mr. Caton appeared to be interested in responding to me when he thought I lived in one of the communities that would allegedly receive the $1.5 million. After I told him I was merely a commonwealth citizen who wanted to know how my tax dollars were being spent, I received no more responses from Mr. Caton.

Sent: Wed 7/7/2004 7:18 PM

Dear Mr. Caton,

I have a comment and a few questions.

The press release, particularly the title, makes it sound like these communities are getting $1.5 million from someone else. In reality, the local taxpayers will provide the principal plus <2.75% interest, correct? If true, the outside funding would only be the difference between the below market interest rate and the market rate.

Do the $872,250 and the $647,481 represent the principal only or the principal plus interest?

How much will commonwealth taxpayers pay to make up the difference between the <2.75% interest rate and the market rate?

Yours truly,

Robert (Robin) Cox

Center Township, Beaver County

Mr. Caton replied immediately with the following note.

Sent: Wed 7/7/2004 7:41 PM

“There will be a much more detailed letter on the way to your municipality later in the week, but, in the interim I will have someone from our office call you Thursday.”

I received no follow-up information so I sent the following note two weeks later.

Sent: Thu 7/22/2004 7:14 PM

Dear Mr. Caton,

It’s been two weeks and I have seen neither the letter you referenced nor the info from your office. Please have the “someone from our office” forward me the info via e-mail.

Thank you,

Robin Cox

Mr. Caton replied immediately with the following note.

Sent: Thu 7/22/2004 7:19 PM

“I’m sorry, Mr. Cox. Everyone whose municipality got the funding got a letter, to the best of my knowledge. I will check on thius [sp] first thing in the morning.”

I replied as below.

Sent: Thu 7/22/2004 7:30 PM

I’m not in one of the municipalities that received the funding. My interest is that of a citizen who wants to know how much of the funding and/or interest subsidy was provided by commonwealth taxpayers.

Mr. Caton or someone in his office read my message within 30 minutes, but after eight days I still had not received a reply.

Sent: Fri 7/30/2004 10:47 PM

Dear Mr. Caton,

I hate to keep pestering you, but can I expect the information I asked for?

Yours truly,

Robin Cox

Two weeks later on August 13^th I learned Mr. Caton or someone in his office deleted my follow-up note without even reading it!

In the third example, I referred to a faux press release issued by Mr. Veon entitled Beaver County Conservation District to get grant to help promote renewable pollution-free energy. In summary, Mr. Veon praised this example of “corporate welfare.” As usual, Mr. Veon tried to justify his largesse with hard-earned taxpayer wages by claiming jobs would result. I asked Mr. Veon’s office to supply the supporting data.

As in the previous example, I addressed my note to Mr. Bob Caton as recommended in the release. I sent the note below on July 22, 2004. Mr. Caton or someone in his office read the note approximately 20 minutes after I sent the note; I received no response. Eight days later on July 30^th I sent a follow-up note. Two weeks later on August 13^th I learned Mr. Caton or someone in his office deleted my follow-up note without even reading it!

Sent: Thu July 22, 2004 7:38 PM

Dear Mr. Caton,

The subject faux press release quotes Mr. Veon as saying, “I hope this is just the beginning for renewable energy in the Keystone State.” You folks realize wind farms have been operating in PA since at least early 2000, right? As of 2002, the DEP claimed PA was already the largest producer of wind-generated electricity east of the Mississippi. It’s just my opinion, but I think it's a little late to be “just the beginning.”

Can you provide the detailed info -- including the sources -- supporting the jobs claim in the following quote? “This measure would bring state-of-the-art technology - and the jobs that go with such technology - to parts of the state that desperately need it.” These days, everyone who wants to spend taxpayer dollars claims jobs as a goal. As a result, I think we deserve to see the analyses leading to these claims.

Yours truly,

Robert (Robin) Cox

Center Township, Beaver County

Sent: Fri 7/30/2004 10:47 PM

Dear Mr. Caton,

Can I expect an answer to the question I asked in the note [above]?

Yours truly,

Robin Cox