Other election news and chat

• On the ethics reform victory:
  
  
  
  1. You'd think that being pro-ethics was a no-brainer, but not only does at least one Councilperson (Blackwell) claim to be "ethic'd-out," but also a leaflet campaign in at least four wards advocated a No vote on yesterday's ballot measure -- see details in the Inquirer's overview (Marcia Gelbart).
     
     
  2. The Daily News (Dave Davies) also celebrates the outcome as a call for serious change. The article notes that the margin of passage is unprecedented, and predicts that there will be more of the public on hand for hearings for the next set of City Council bills in this arena. It also notes the new coalitions that formed around this ballot measure, and the way that ethics concerns have intruded into discussions and races around the city.
     
     
  3. The Daily News also looks at this ballot result in the context of the "10 Ways to Reform Government" that it spelled out last year. It also looks at progress and prospects on each of the possible fronts, concluding there's been some progress but much more is needed.
     
     
  4. Update: check out Dan's comments at Young Philly Politics about other fronts on which we should be fighting this battle. (There's a chewy comment to the post too.)
  
  
• From New Jersey:
  
  
  
  1. Summary of Corzine's win, along with the concrete numbers of votes for each of the (several) candidates in the race. The new governor highlighted his commitment to ending pay-to-play culture in New Jersey:

     "We'll end insider deals and no-bid contracts, and together we will restore the simple truth that public service is about serving the public."

     Amen. He's also sworn to take on the challenge of property tax reform as soon as he takes office.
     
     
  2. Voters approved two ballot measures before them, including the establishment of a Lieutenant Governor who can step in if the Governor dies or has to be replaced, rather than relying on the Senate President to fulfill that role (see prev. here).
     
     
• In other realms:
  
  
  
  1. The court case on Intelligent Design may still be pending, but the voters of Dover, PA, have spoken: they voted out the school board that had advocated the teaching of the crapulant theory. All 8 who were up for election are now out on the street. Statement of support for science, or of exasperation with being the subject of national ridicule?
     
     
  2. John Baer looks at Justice Nigro's ouster as scapegoating for the pay-hike. (His colleague Newman escaped the same fate by only a narrow margin, apparently in response to last-minute lobbying by former governor Tom Ridge.) Perhaps the voters have proven their ability to stand up for themselves -- officeholders beware! The Inquirer also offers a look at the significance of this, and offer a few additional specifics (some counties voted against Nigro by a 4-to-1 margin!).
     
     
  3. The Daily News offers a round-up of results from around the nation in high-profile races and ballot issues, with a little context given for each.