Mark S. McNaughton
Encyclopedia
Mark S. McNaughton is a former Pennsylvania State Representative
in the 104th District
, which covers part of Dauphin County
.
The son of a prominent regional land developer, McNaughton is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
. He graduated Central Dauphin East High School
in 1981. He earned a degree in management and finance from Elizabethtown College
in 1985 and a law degree from Widener University School of Law
in 2003.
McNaughton was first elected to represent the 104th legislative district
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
in 1996. He retired prior to the 2006 election
.
following the end of his career in the House. The appointment caused controversy because McNaughton had been a staunch opponent of the legalization of slot machines in Pennsylvania. Moreover, McNaughton had failed to list over $15,000 in gambling winnings on his ethics statements while in the House. In response, McNaughton revised those ethics statements and claimed that he had been unaware that gambling winnings must be reported. A Patriot-News editorial accused McNaughton of "cronyism" and called McNaughton, then facing a $145,000 salary for service on the board, a "salary hog."
In January 2007, further controversy erupted surrounding McNaughton's appointment to the gaming board. Al Masland
, chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State, wrote in an opinion that the timing of McNaughton's appointment was improper and that McNaughton should not be sworn in as a member of the gaming board. McNaughton had been appointed to the post both before leaving the house—in violation of a section of the state constitution barring lawmakers from being appointed to paid state offices—and he had been appointed before a vacancy on the gaming board had become official. By the middle of January 2007, McNaughton had been removed from the running for a seat on the gaming board.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in the 104th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 104
The 104th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Dauphin County and includes the following areas:* Berrysburg* Dauphin* Elizabethville* Gratz* Halifax* Halifax Township* Jackson Township* Jefferson Township* Lykens...
, which covers part of Dauphin County
Dauphin County, Pennsylvania
Dauphin County is a county in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is one of the three counties comprising the Harrisburg–Carlisle Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010 census, the population was 268,100. The county includes the city of Harrisburg, which has served as the state capital...
.
The son of a prominent regional land developer, McNaughton is a native of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. He graduated Central Dauphin East High School
Central Dauphin East High School
Central Dauphin East High School is a large, urban, public high school located in Harrisburg, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. It is one of two high schools operated by the Central Dauphin School District.-History:Central Dauphin East High school opened in 1961...
in 1981. He earned a degree in management and finance from Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College
Elizabethtown College is a small comprehensive college located in Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania in Lancaster County. The school was founded in 1899 by members of the Church of the Brethren...
in 1985 and a law degree from Widener University School of Law
Widener University School of Law
Widener University School of Law is the ABA accredited law school of Widener University. The school, founded in 1971 as the Delaware Law School, operates on two of Widener's campuses, one in Wilmington, Delaware, and the other in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania....
in 2003.
McNaughton was first elected to represent the 104th legislative district
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, District 104
The 104th Pennsylvania House of Representatives District is located in Dauphin County and includes the following areas:* Berrysburg* Dauphin* Elizabethville* Gratz* Halifax* Halifax Township* Jackson Township* Jefferson Township* Lykens...
in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
in 1996. He retired prior to the 2006 election
Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006
The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
.
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board appointment
McNaughton was appointed to a spot on the new Pennsylvania Gaming Control BoardPennsylvania Gaming Control Board
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board is a governmental agency of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, founded in 2004 as the state licensing and regulatory agency responsible for overseeing slot machines and casino gambling in the state....
following the end of his career in the House. The appointment caused controversy because McNaughton had been a staunch opponent of the legalization of slot machines in Pennsylvania. Moreover, McNaughton had failed to list over $15,000 in gambling winnings on his ethics statements while in the House. In response, McNaughton revised those ethics statements and claimed that he had been unaware that gambling winnings must be reported. A Patriot-News editorial accused McNaughton of "cronyism" and called McNaughton, then facing a $145,000 salary for service on the board, a "salary hog."
In January 2007, further controversy erupted surrounding McNaughton's appointment to the gaming board. Al Masland
Albert Masland
Albert H. Masland is a former Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.He graduated from the Peddie School in 1974. He earned a degree from Dickinson College in 1979 and a law degree from The Dickinson School of Law in 1982....
, chief counsel for the Pennsylvania Department of State, wrote in an opinion that the timing of McNaughton's appointment was improper and that McNaughton should not be sworn in as a member of the gaming board. McNaughton had been appointed to the post both before leaving the house—in violation of a section of the state constitution barring lawmakers from being appointed to paid state offices—and he had been appointed before a vacancy on the gaming board had become official. By the middle of January 2007, McNaughton had been removed from the running for a seat on the gaming board.
External links
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives - Mark S. McNaughton official PA House website (archived)