Granted, a few idea are long shots: legalizing marijuana and taxing its sale, eliminating capital punishment, and taxing e-mail messages.
But others, like making the state liquor stores private and consolidating municipal services, are under serious discussion in the General Assembly. Even if it's too late to adopt an idea this year as part of the budget process, Santarsiero said, it could be considered in the future.
State Rep. Josh Shapiro (D., Montgomery) said he was looking into an idea about why PennDot rents construction cones.
It turns out that the state Department of Transportation owns the cones, but rents construction-site barrels, barricades, and flashing lights from contractors on each job. It is more cost effective to rent the equipment because of the maintenance involved, a spokesman said.
Spokesman Steve Miskin said House Republicans briefly considered creating a similar website but decided not to move forward with it because members were gathering ideas from constituents.
Instead, he gave rare props to a Democratic initiative.
"It's a great idea," Miskin said. "Members are showing their moxie in getting out and vetting ideas."
Miskin even offered a money-saver of his own on the site: reduce the number of state cars, particularly for upper-level administration officials.
Visitors to the site also can vote on the ideas submitted. The group will tally the results, Shapiro said, and make them public next week ahead of the June 30 budget deadline.
Prominently displayed is a disclaimer that no taxpayer money was used in creating the site. Web designers donated their time, Shapiro said.
Contact staff writer Amy Worden at 717-783-2584 or aworden@phillynews.com.
