2008 Priorities for the Senate State Government Committee

As chairman of the Senate State Government Committee, my priority is to improve accessibility and accountability in state government.  The people of Pennsylvania have a right to a transparent government.  My committee has taken several steps over the past year to improve access and transparency, addressing much-needed reforms that have not been tackled in decades.  Some of our accomplishments have included:

• Statewide hearings on the potential for a convening a constitutional convention;

• Passage of several constitutional amendments, including ending lame-duck legislative session and revising the congressional redistricting process;

• Passage of legislation repealing the judicial pay raise, thus removing the last vestiges of the 2005 pay raise debacle; this became law as Act 30 of 2007;

• Passage of legislation banning furloughs of Commonwealth employees in the event of a budget impasse;

• Passage of Open Records legislation;

• Passage of legislation banning bonuses;

• Voted on legislative term limits which failed by a 2-9 vote; and

• Hearings on election issues.

In 2008, the State Government Committee will be continuing its work to change the culture of the General Assembly and state government by considering a number of additional reforms, such as:

• Constitutional Convention.  I will continue to advance legislation that calls for a convention with a primary focus on reforming legislative, judicial, and executive branch procedures. 
• Initiative & Referendum.  The committee will consider legislation that will empower citizens with the ability to initiate and repeal legislative and constitutional changes.
• Legislative Reapportionment.  The committee will consider legislation reforming the legislative redistricting process for both congressional and legislative seats.
• Lobbying Disclosure & Ethics Acts Reforms.  I will be introducing legislation to tighten certain provisions of both laws by adding new prohibitions and strengthening penalties. 

In addition to these goals, the State Government Committee has oversight of the Department of General Services and the Department of State.  This Committee also handles a wide range of legislative topics, including land transfers, procurement, and eminent domain.