We understand, again, that we may sound like a broken record.

We appreciate that some readers may tire of our editorializing about the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro and its shameful evasiveness on allegations of sexual harassment occurring on his staff and on perceptions that donors to Shapiro come from the ranks of businesses and entities that seek state tax dollars.

Unfortunately, a potential lawsuit by a worker in the state Department of Aging alleging that Shapiro’s office retaliated when he brought public attention to failures to address reports of abuse and neglect falls very closely to within the same framework.

Pennsylvanians expecting transparency and accountability in how state government functions can once again be frustrated that, according to a Spotlight PA report in Thursday’s edition of the Sun-Gazette, the governor seems to believe there needs to be no chance for the public to assess how the state investigates instances of potential abuse and enforces safeguards to prevent such abuse and neglect.

Specific acts of retaliation, the article notes the accuser alleges, include removal of work duties and bombardment with administrative complaints.

We remain certain that open examination and discussion of the state’s record on monitoring the treatment of elderly Pennsylvanians and holding abusive or negligent parties responsible will only improve how the state handles this monumentally serious role. Transparency is the surest way to allow elected officials to be rejected if they fall short on fulfilling that role.

Just as we remain certain that freeing government offices of sexual harassment and favoritism for donors is best achieved if voters can learn and discuss instances where the offices are free of neither, and choose other candidates in elections who better express a willingness to act when either sexual harassment or preferential treatment for donors tries to creep in.

And, as tiring as it may be, we will continue to speak on behalf of the transparency and accountability that makes our system work for its constituents.