Bill Keller

Echoing remarks made a day earlier by two Democratic colleagues, a western Pennsylvania lawmaker is asking House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) to step down.

"Whether the Democratic Leader was knowledgeable of the alleged corruption or ignorant of it, he should be held accountable that it evolved under his leadership," said state Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny County).

"The most honorable approach would be for the leader to acknowledge that gross error and step down."

Two reports offered by Capitolwire.com and The Associated Press indicate support in the House Democratic Caucus for House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D-Greene County) is fading.

State Reps. John Yudichak (D-Luzerne County) and Bill Keller (D-Philadelphia) have called on DeWeese to resign, the news organizations report. 

"For him personally and for the good of the institution and the good of the Democratic caucus, I hope he steps aside,"  Yudichak told The AP.

Capitolwire reported state Rep. Dan Frankel (D-Allegheny County, Yudichak and Keller asked DeWeese to step down in January at the HDC's retreat. 

Although that effort failed, the three lawmakers think last week's widespread charges against the caucus will push more legislators to call for DeWeese to step down.