Mr. Schenker is one of many seeking the Republican nomination for lieutenant governor next spring, but he may be the only one who states the truth that this do-little post is essentially "a public relations position."  He sees the sidekick position as a bully pulpit to push a specific reform or three and also to do some inside snooping to see which lawmakers are truly for shrinking the Legislature and who are merely paying the idea lip service to fool the voters back home.

"Win or lose the Lt Gov race, my intention is to push for two constitutional amendments in PA," Schenker e-mailed the "Outside Erie" Web site shortly after announcing his candidacy in March. "One [amendment] to have term limits on state legislators and the other to reduce the size and cost of the state legislature."

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