A former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor discussed the complexities of today’s political climate during a visit to Shippensburg University on Friday.

Fresh off the release of his latest book, “A Year of Change and Consequences,” former Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Mark Singel hosted a discussion in SU’s Grove Hall Forum. The talk began at 10 a.m. and was sponsored by SU’s political science department.

The event was a round-table discussion between Singel and several SU political science students. Each student was allowed to ask Singel several questions, with a total of four topics discussed and approximately 10 minutes spent on each subject.

In his book, released in June 2016, Singel discussed topics including his relationship with former Pennsylvania governor Robert Casey as well as a comparison of past and present political systems.

Singel said one of the key denominators in the past success of Pennsylvania was a level of cooperation between Democrats and Republicans. He said the state first began to experience challenges after the Democrats seized majority control of the state senate in 1993.

“1993 began in a fog of partisanship — the Democrats received control of the Senate by virtue, much to the consternation of the Republicans,” Singel said.

Although friction existed between the two groups during this time, Singel said the “bickering and harsh campaign” of 2016 was not always that way. Singel said, during his terms in office, Democrats and Republicans were more willing to establish a working relationship.

“I got respect from Democrats and Republicans because we were able to leave our guns at the door and get stuff done when it mattered,” Singel said.

One particular Republican with whom Singel established a working relationship was former politician Robert “Budd” Dwyer. Dwyer served as a member of the state senate from 1971 until 1981, then as state treasurer from January 1981 to 1987.

In late December 1986, Dwyer was found guilty of 11 counts of conspiracy, mail fraud, perjury and interstate transportation in aid of racketeering.

Before sentencing could begin Dwyer shot himself during a public news conference in Harrisburg. Singel said he received what he later realized was a suicide note from Dwyer shortly before his death.

“To this day, I do not believe he was guilty of anything,” Singel said. “Politics can be deeply personal. It’s a business where relationships matter and friends die.”

Despite the manner in which his term had begun, Singel said he found success lobbying for issues such as the use of natural gas in Pennsylvania.

“At the time there was this embryonic interest in developing our natural gases,” Singel said. “Pennsylvania is now on the verge of being as strong an energy state as Texas with its natural gases.”

Singel concluded his time at SU by stressing the importance of becoming knowledgeable of, and involved with, local government.

“Because I hold public service in such high esteem, I really expect people to take their positions seriously,” Singel said. “For me it’s a tremendous asset to have some experience in the public sector.”

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