While Pennsylvania remains the only state without a lobbyist disclosure law, Gov. Ed Rendell took a step in the right direction by signing an executive order last week that requires lobbyists working to influence the executive branch to report their spending.

Rendell's order is similar to the system currently used by the state Senate, but which is not a law.

With Rendell's move, the state House remains as the stumbling block to enactment of a comprehensive lobbyist reporting law — so that Pennsylvania can shed the dubious distinction of being the only state without such a law.

It is disturbing that Pennsylvanians are not being told how much lobbyists are spending — and on whom — to influence legislation. This is particularly true given the billions of dollars at stake in the soon-to-be-established gambling industry in Pennsylvania. With so much money to be made by investors at various levels, it is critically important to be able to follow the money. The same can be said of other high-stakes issues such as medical malpractice.

Rendell's action is intended to put pressure on the House to pass a lobbyist disclosure law that was approved by the Senate, which includes provisions to avoid the legal challenges that caused the previous law to be struck down by the state Supreme Court in 2002.

Pennsylvanians have a right to be suspicious about the foot-dragging by the legislature, especially the House. It's time for the House to get on board and for an effective lobbyist law to be passed so that this state joins the rest of the nation in tracking and reporting lobbyists' and lawmakers' activities.

Island neighborhood businessman Denny Offstein is one of the people who have been victimized in recent weeks by the person or persons who have been breaking windows of, or otherwise damaging, vehicles in and around Butler.An editorial in Tuesday's Butler Eagle focused on the need for the public's help in the task of trying to identify those responsible for the many incidents of damage. The editorial said "perhaps the time is right for a reward fund to be established for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons responsible for the incidents."Offstein, who already is offering a $100 reward for information leading to the arrest of those who caused damage at his particular business, called the Eagle Wednesday morning and became the first to announce that he would contribute to a reward fund, if one were established."Count me in for $50 toward the reward," Offstein said. "I'm interested in finding out who the culprit is for all this damage."Many people in the city and in surrounding municipalities have incurred inconvenience and financial challenges as a result of the ongoing incidents. Offstein is hoping that something to be gained — in this case, a reward — will provide the incentive for someone to step forward with information crucial to solving the crimes.Whether an official reward fund is established remains to be seen. However, Offstein deserves positive notice for his willingness to step forward to try to launch such an effort.

It's troubling that the Halliburton Co. has refused to release a second report dealing with its water responsibilities for America's troops serving in Iraq.Halliburton said a second review last year found no evidence of any illnesses in Iraq from water and it believes some of its earlier conclusions were incomplete or inaccurate.If so, why is it refusing public access to the report stemming from the latest review?A previous internal company report obtained by the Associated Press had raised serious questions about Halliburton's performance in the war zone. The report said the company had failed to assemble and use its own water purification equipment, allowing contaminated water directly from the Euphrates River to be used for washing and laundry.According to that report, in one instance the company had missed contamination that could have caused "mass sickness or death."If Halliburton is comfortable with its latest findings, it should be equally comfortable in sharing a report on the latest data.The company said it has "worked closely with the Army to develop standards and take action to ensure that the water provided in Iraq is safe and of the highest quality possible."The company should "go the extra mile" in proving that by releasing the report that it has chosen to keep secret.