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Taxpayer bill in Pa.'s Bonusgate grows First, taxpayers footed large, secretive government bonuses to legislative staffers. Now, more than a year into a criminal probe known as Bonusgate, the General Assembly's cost to tighten ethical standards and cope with the scandal has topped the $1 million mark and is growing.House Democrats, who gave out the most in cash payments and who have been the main focus of a probe, have run up the largest public legal tab so far, records show. The bills include more than $710,000 in the last year to Washington consultant William Chadwick, who is billing $400 an hour.

Governor says there's no need for a gas-tax holiday Pennsylvania's Gov. Ed Rendell doesn't support a gas-tax holiday. The same savings that would be achieved through a gas-tax holiday is available to drivers by doing a few simple things, Rendell said. Leaving the task of cutting fuel costs up to consumers, he suggested drivers check their vehicle's air filters and tire pressure — and stick to the speed limit. "There is ample opportunity to cut costs without a gas-tax holiday," he said. His reason for opposing the idea is that Pennsylvania needs every penny it can get for road maintenance and bridge repair.

Veto threat scuttles smoking-ban effort, for now A veto threat, backed a number of Democratic senators, scuttled the latest attempt Monday to pass a compromise ban on smoking in public places. By Monday night, it appeared unlikely that any bill would be considered by the full House and Senate before June. What was expected to be a day of compromise started to unravel early, when Sen. Vincent Fumo, D-Philadelphia, called on lawmakers to reject any bill that would pre-empt Philadelphia's stronger, year-old smoking ordinance.

Democratic presidential hopeful Sen. Barack Obama D-Ill., left, laughs with Sen. Bob Casey Jr., D-Pa., Friday, March 28, 2008, at the Soldiers and Sailors Museum and Memorial in Pittsburgh, Pa. where Casey announced his endorsement of Obama. Casey floated as possible VP choice; most doubt it In a recent column, published in the New York Post, among other newspapers, conservative columnist Robert D. Novak, without citing a source, wrote that Mr. Casey’s endorsement of Mr. Obama during the Pennsylvania primary campaign “has propelled him to Obama’s short list for vice president.” The chances of Mr. Casey actually becoming Mr. Obama’s choice are slim and none or not that bad, depending on which political analyst you ask.

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Up & Down: Vintage...both wine and Vince....

Madonna & Young's Politically Uncorrected: Chris Matthews Ready to Play Hardball in Pa. Publicly Matthews has done little to disguise his interest in the race. Asked if he was running on a recent Colbert cable show, Matthews said this: “Did you ever want to be something your whole life…? When you grow up, some kids want to be a fireman. I want to be a Senator….There’s a difference between being a celebrity and working for the people. And it’s a greater thing to work for the people than being on television.”

Peter J. Wirs: No, No, No, Don’t Tell Me to G-- D--- America And after the Civil War, it was a Republican Congress that passed the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution. It was a Republican Congress that passed all major civil rights acts of 1870 and 1871. Even when the Democrats controlled the Congress, it was Republicans who broke the filibusters and provided the necessary votes to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Lowman Henry: Faulty Foundation Republicans are taking great delight in the street brawl that has developed over the Democratic Presidential nomination. Senator John McCain is trotting around the country and the globe acting every bit like a President-elect who is sitting in the green room just waiting to take the stage. But, looks can be deceiving and beneath the calm façade the GOP faces a smoldering problem of its own.

Roger Stone: The Stone Zone Observations and commentary from one of the Republican party's most notable operatives, Roger Stone.

"The latest rumor is Hillary's campaign is going broke, and her staff have been told that the future campaign events are gonna have to cut back on the frills. Taking out all the frills. For example, when traveling, Bill and Hillary are gonna have to share a hotel room." --Jay Leno

"This week, New York City Congressman Vito Fossella was arrested for drunk driving, then caught having an extramarital affair, then exposed for having a secret child with his mistress. Or, as it's known in Washington, the trifecta." --Seth Meyers

"The price of stamps is going up next week from 41 cents to 42 cents. Aw, that's cute, said oil." --Amy Poehler

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