Smart Talk Friday: Independent probe of legislative sting? Flood insurance update; Native plants and sustainable landscapes

What to look for on Smart Talk Friday:

There were two significant developments this week that won’t enhance Pennsylvania’s reputation as a good, honest, or transparent government state.

The Pennsylvania Ethics Commission found that three former Liquor Control Board members accepted thousands of dollars worth of gifts that includes visits to golf resorts and tickets to sporting events.

The trio are paying a total of more than $23,000 in restitution.

In a normal week that would be a huge story but it probably takes second place to Attorney General Kathleen Kane deciding not to pursue criminal charges against four state lawmakers who allegedly accepted from $1,500 to $7,600 in cash from an undercover informant. Kane defended her decision that was divulged in the Philadelphia Inquirer saying the operation was flawed. She indicated informant wasn’t credible and that the sting targeted only African-American legislators.

The government watchdog group Committee of 70 is calling for an independent investigation of the whole operation. Ellen Kaplan, the group’s vice president and policy director joins us on the program to explain what they’re looking for.

Also, we’ll get an update on flood insurance premiums that skyrocketed last fall and a primer on using Pennsylvania native plants to create sustainable landscapes.

Jim Enders of Enders Insurance in Harrisburg appears to discuss flood insurance changes and Dr. Donald Leopold, author of the book Native Plants of the Northeast tells us about sustainable landscapes. Dr. Leopold will make a presentation on the same topic Saturday at 2 p.m. at York’s St. Matthews Evangelical Lutheran Church, 839 West Market Street.

Listen to the program:

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