The Lancaster Democrat had a $250-to-$1,500-per-ticket gig at Bent Creek Country Club, in Lititz, yesterday with "special guest Paris Hilton (invited)."
Lunch at noon, tee-off at 1 p.m., prizes/drinks/hors d'oeuvres at 5 p.m.
The invitation says, "So put on some panties and let's golf!"
Since Lancaster County is among the most conservative places on the planet, I track Sturla down and ask about the "panties" line.
"Hey," he says, "if I said 'take off your panties,' but I said 'put them on.' "
I love this state.
Republicans bark about the outing after the Democratic House declines to go into session.
"I can't believe this. I coulda gone home," says Rep. Kate Harper, R-Montgomery County.
"They just ran away," says GOP spokesman Steve Miskin. "They must think they're nonessential employees."
Sturla says maybe 60 people attended his event but no other lawmakers. He says he wasn't golfing and was only 45 minutes from the Capitol if needed.
He also says Paris didn't show.
Back at the ranch, Republicans, who years ago threw the press off the House floor, invite the press onto the floor to show how they're there alone.
Rep. Jeff Pyle, R-Indiana County, at one point, leads singing "God Bless America," turning to the empty Democratic side of the chamber saying, "Take it, Democrats."
Pyle calls Democrats "irresponsible" for leaving.
Some say Democrats should be on the floor voting a stopgap budget to pay state workers. But spokesman Tom Andrews says the Democrats want to concentrate on reaching a budget agreement.
Perzel?
Well, the Philly force and former speaker, a GOP veteran of budget fights past, says this year's doings surprise even him: "I've never heard of a governor shutting down government with a $650 million surplus."
He adds that Gov. Rendell's wish list keeps changing and says the fight devolved into issues such as tax credits for Hollywood filmmakers.
"I didn't know we were here for Hollywood," Perzel says, flashing a trademark impish smile.
