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Senate Republicans kicked off the 2009-10 legislative session
by unveiling a
package of reform bills designed to continue changing the culture of
state government by increasing accountability and transparency.
The Senate also adopted a new set of
Rules of Ethical Conduct
for the Senate to formalize a clear set of rules regarding what activity is
permissible and what is not.
The measures are in line with the Senate Republican
effort to rewrite Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, to strengthen the
Sunshine Law, and to improve the operation of state government.
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View Lobbyist Expenditures
2009-2010
New Rules of Ethical Conduct Adopted
The Senate
adopted a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct designed to make the
division between legislative and campaign work clear, to provide
annual ethics training, and to establish strong penalties for violations.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority
Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) introduced the bipartisan rules as
Senate Resolution 228.
- No Senate employee may conduct any campaign activity
on Senate work time.
- No campaign activity may be conducted in a Senate
office or with Senate resources.
- The solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions
on Senate work time or with Senate resources is prohibited.
- No Senate employee may serve as an officer on a
campaign committee or a campaign finance committee on behalf of any
Senator or Senate candidate.
- No Senate employee may be required to perform
campaign activities or to make campaign contributions.
- No Senate employee may be required to perform any
non-work-related task.
- Senate mailing lists and email lists may only be used
for legislative purposes, and cannot be sold or given to any other
entity, including campaigns.
- Clarifies that Senate employees who are responsible
for taking or recommending official actions are required to file
Financial Interest Statements with the Secretary of the Senate.
- No Senate-funded newsletter may be sent within 60
days of an election.
More Information
Senate GOP Reform Package: Taxpayer Transparency Act Approved
This measure is part of a Senate Republican package designed to continue
changing the culture of state government by increasing accountability and
transparency.
The Taxpayer Transparency Act, a key Senate Republican
reform measure to expand the public's access to state spending records, was
approved by the Senate by a 30-19 vote.
Senate Bill 105, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), would
direct the Department of the Treasury to create and maintain a
searchable budget database-driven website that the public can access
for free.
More Information
Senate GOP Reform Package: Crackdown on Sunshine Law
Violations Approved
These measures are part of a Senate Republican
package designed to continue changing the culture of state government by
increasing accountability and transparency.
The Senate approved
legislation sponsored by Sen. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) that would
increase penalties for violating the "Sunshine Law" governing open,
public meetings.
Senate Bill 101 would increase the maximum fine for intentional
violations from $100 to up to $1,000 for a first offense, and up to $2,000
for a subsequent offense.
The Senate also approved
Senate Bill 110, sponsored by Senator Smucker, which would
improve public access to, and expand information contained in, state
plane logs. This measure was prompted by a critical audit
report from the state Auditor General.
More Information
Senate GOP Reform Package: Taxpayer-Funded Advertising
Transparency Act Passed
The Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency
Act, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer (R-Lebanon), unanimously passed the
Senate.
Senate Bill 109 would require all paid advertising by state
government (i.e. Executive, Judicial and Legislative Branches; Attorney
General; Auditor General; Lieutenant Governor; and Treasury) to include the
statement "Paid for with Pennsylvania Taxpayer Dollars."
The intent of the Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act is to educate
taxpayers about the millions of tax dollars spent each year on advertising
and start the conversation regarding the value of the investment and whether
the money could have been spent better elsewhere. Senate Bill 109 was sent
to the House of Representatives for consideration.
More Information
Sweeping Gaming Law Reform Bill Approved by Senate
The Senate overwhelmingly approved bipartisan legislation to make
significant reforms to the law governing casinos in Pennsylvania.
Act 1 of 2010 is sponsored by Sen. Jane Earll (R-Erie), who
chairs the Senate Community, Economic and Recreational Development
Committee. It would make numerous changes to the law
regulating casinos in Pennsylvania. It would reestablish the
prohibition on political campaign contributions by individuals and
entities subject to the Gaming Act, bar outside employment by members of the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), and extend the ban on felons
receiving gaming licenses.
More Information
Senate Republicans: No Lame Duck Session in 2010
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate
Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) announced that the Senate will
not convene for a regular lame duck session in 2010.
The 28 days between
November 2 and November 30 are known as a "lame duck" session because some
members of the General Assembly can vote on legislation despite the
fact that their successors have already been elected. The state
constitution prohibits a governor from seeking a third term. Because of that
restriction, if a lame duck session were held this year, the governor would
be in the position of signing or vetoing legislation after his successor was
already elected.
Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) has introduced
Senate Bill 106, a constitutional amendment which would eliminate
regular lame duck sessions. It would allow the legislature to convene if a
special session is necessary. A similar bill was approved by the Senate last
session but did not advance in the House.
GOP Legislation Would Return Funds From Legislative
Accounts
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson)
announced legislation that would transfer a significant portion of surplus
funds from legislative accounts to the General Fund.
Senate Bill 10 would
leave sufficient funds in legislative accounts to continue operations for up
to four months in the event of an emergency or budget impasse. The bill
would require that all funds in excess of this reserve be returned to the
General Fund after each fiscal year.
It is estimated that the legislation
will return over $100 million to the General Fund this year to help
balance the budget. Since 2006, the yearly appropriation to the
Senate has dropped six percent, and the number of employees in the Senate
Republican Caucus has been reduced approximately nine percent.
More Information
Senate Adopts Rule Prohibiting Robo-Call Funding
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) applauded the
Senate's unanimous adoption of a rule to prohibit Senate funds from being
used for automated telephone -- or "robo" -- calls.
Senate Resolution 6, adopted unanimously, goes into effect
immediately. Senator Pileggi and Senate Minority Leader Robert Mellow
introduced a similar resolution last session.
More Information
Senate Passes Bill to Ensure State Regulations are
Based on Reliable Data
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson
(R-Delaware) to help ensure that state regulations are based on reliable
data and sound science was unanimously approved by the Senate.
Senate Bill 136, the Data Quality Act, would expand the scope of
review by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission to include the
examination of the quality of data, studies, reports and information
underlying state regulations being implemented. The state agency seeking to
implement a regulation would have the responsibility to provide to the IRRC
a sufficient description of any data upon which the regulation is based as
well as a detailed explanation of how the data was obtained and why the data
is acceptable.
More Information
Timely Online Filing of Lobbyist Disclosure Filings
The Senate approved legislation sponsored by Senate President Pro
Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), would require the Department of State to
post lobbyist disclosure filings online within seven days of receiving
them.
Senate Bill 896 amends the Lobbyist Disclosure Act, which does
not currently set a timeframe for the posting of computerized filings.
2007-2008
Senate Votes,
Debates, Session Video and Lobbyist Reports Are Now Available Online
Senate votes, debates, consolidated statues and
live video of floor activity can be accessed online, part of the ongoing
commitment to make state government more open and accountable to citizens.
The general public can read bills and amendments, review text of
floor debates, and see how senators voted. Information is available for votes in
committee and the full Senate.
Citizens
can also track who is lobbying, who individual lobbyists are representing, and
how they are spending their money. They can also see the number of clients each
lobbyist has and what each one is spending per client.
Links to all of this useful
information can be found at the
Citizen Access Page.
Reforming State
Government: A More Open Legislature
One of the state Senate’s first official acts of
the 2007-08 legislative session was to adopt seven
reform proposals designed to make the legislative process more open
and accessible to the public.
The rules changes were developed with bipartisan
input and are a good first step in the push for greater transparency in
the Senate.
- All roll call votes are posted on the Internet no later than 24 hours after a vote and
committee votes on bills are posted within 48 hours of the vote. This allows citizens to read the
bills that are being voted on, and see how senators are voting.
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To give the public insight on why certain votes were case,
the Senate’s Legislative Journal – which includes the full
text of all floor debates – are posted on the Internet upon
Senate approval of the Journal or within 45 days, whichever is earlier.
- To prevent late-night votes, session is now
limited to the hours between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- The Senate is now required to wait at least six hours
before voting on an amended bill or a conference committee report, and
amendments are posted to the Internet before being offered
on the Senate floor. This allows legislators and the public time to
understand changes in a bill before it comes up for vote.
- An updated fiscal note is now prepared if a
bill is amended after consideration by the Senate Appropriations
Committee and if the amendment is expected to have a financial impact.
Citizens Can Now See Who is Lobbying
The Senate
passed landmark legislation requiring lobbyists to file regular
reports detailing who is lobbying the Legislature and the Governor’s
Office and on which issues they are supporting.
Act 134 of 2006
(House Bill 700), as amended by the Senate, states that every
lobbyist, lobbying firm and the groups that hired them are required
to register and disclose their spending each quarter. The reports
must include a list of funds spent on communication, gifts,
hospitality, transportation and lodging. These reports must then be
filed with the
Department of State, which will provide a directory to the
public of all registered lobbyists by May 1 of each odd-numbered
year. Random audits will be conducted on the registrations every two
years.
Lobbyists who violate the law will be subject to civil fines of up
to $2,000 and the possibility of being prohibited from paid lobbying
for up to five years. Groups that retain lobbyists and intentionally
violate the law could receive a fine of up to $25,000.
Citizens are now able see online who is
lobbying, who individual lobbyists are representing, and how
they are spending their money. They will be able to also see the number
of clients each lobbyist has and what each one is spending per
client. The lobbyist disclosure reports can be found under “Topics of
Special Interest” at
www.pasen.gov.
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Senate Majority Policy Committee Holds Hearing on
Term Limits
The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted
Erickson (R-26), held a public hearing today on legislative term limits.
Senate Adopts New Rules of Ethical Conduct
The state Senate today adopted a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct designed to
make the division between legislative and campaign work clear, to provide annual
ethics training, and to establish strong penalties for violations.
- Senator Scarnati
- Senator Pileggi
Committee to Review Vogel Bill Reducing the Legislature
The Senate State Government Committee will hold a public hearing to consider a bill
introduced by Senator Elder Vogel to reduce the size of the state Legislature.
Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition
Honors Senator Pileggi for New Open Records Law
The Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition honored Senate Majority
Leader Dominic Pileggi for his work in enacting a strong new Open Records Law in
Pennsylvania.
Senate-House GOP Policy Committees Kick Off Two Days of Hearings State Pension
Systems
The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26),
kicked off two days of public hearings with the House Republican Policy
Committee on Pennsylvania's State Pension Systems.
Folmer Reform Bill Passes Full Senate
The Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act, a key part of Senator Mike
Folmer's "Promise to Pennsylvania," unanimously passed the Senate.
Senator Earll, Senator Costa Introduce PA Campaign Finance Reform Measure
Senator Jane Earll (R-49) and Senator Jay Costa (D-43) have introduced campaign
finance reform legislation that would place limits on campaign contributions and
prohibit the use of campaign funds for personal use.
Brubaker Introduces Legislation to Establish Two-Year Budget Cycle
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) introduced legislation today that would establish a
two-year budget cycle in Pennsylvania to promote greater efficiency and
productivity in state government.
Rafferty Calls for Reform of PA Beer Sales Laws
At a rally at the State Capitol, Senator John Rafferty (R-44) joined
consumers, grocery and convenience store owners and others who say it is time
for Pennsylvania to join 46 other states in reforming its beer sales laws.
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Fact Sheet (PDF)
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Rally
Senate Republicans: No Lame Duck Session in 2010
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25) and Senate Majority Leader
Dominic Pileggi (R-9) announced that the Senate will not convene for a regular
lame duck session in 2010.
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Senator Corman
2/3/10 - Senator Pileggi: Experts Testify on Proposed Senate Rules of Ethical
Conduct
Five experts
testified on a proposal to implement Rules of Ethical Conduct for
the state Senate, according to Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9),
chairman of the Senate Rules Committee, which held the public hearing.
 
- 2:02
Sen. Orie Continues Efforts on Government and
Gaming Reform
Continuing her push to close loopholes in the state's
gaming law and ensure accountability and transparency in the gaming industry and
state government, Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) is proposing legislation to
extend financial ownership and employment restrictions under the gaming law to
include court personnel and to strengthen ethics reporting requirements. Also
offered in the proposal will be language to include that the Judicial branch is
covered by the reporting requirements of the state Ethics Act.
Senate Hearing Explores Potential Welfare Fraud
and Abuse
The Senate Majority Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26), and
the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Sen. Pat Vance
(R-31), held a joint public hearing on potential fraud and abuse in state
welfare programs.
- (running time 1 hour 19 minutes)
Committee Holds Public Hearing on Procurement Procedures
Senator Mike Folmer (R-48), Chair of the Senate Communications and Technology
Committee, conducted a public hearing on Auditor General Jack Wagner's
recent report on state procurement procedures. Auditor General Wagner and
Department of General Services Secretary James Creedon both offered testimony.
- Part 1 - (running time 2 hours 33 minutes)
- Part 2 - (running time 45 minutes)
Senate Leaders Introduce Rules of Ethical Conduct
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Dominic
Pileggi (R-9), and Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow (D-22) announced
that they will jointly introduce a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct for the state
Senate.
Argall Introduces Legislation to Reduce the
Size of the Legislature
Senator David G. Argall (R-29) announced legislation that would reduce the
size of the state legislature by more than 20 percent.
Senator Mike Brubaker - OP-ED: Budget Process is in Dire Need of
Changes
One of the lessons we learned during this year’s budget impasse is that the
budget process is fatally flawed. The impasse put many of our citizens in harm’s
way, and we cannot allow our social services and non-profit organizations to be
faced with the prospect of receiving no state funding while elected officials
continue to hash out their differences months after the budget deadline. Any
process that puts politics above people requires a drastic overhaul.
Scarnati: Senate Members Do Not Have Conflicts With District Office
Rentals
There are no members of the Senate who currently rent their district offices
from firms in which they or their family members have a financial interest,
according to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati.
Bill to Reform Juvenile Justice Courts Passes Senate, Heads to
Governor
Legislation that would
help to prevent corruption in county juvenile courts has passed the State Senate
with unanimous support and now heads to the Governor for his approval, according
to Senator Lisa Baker (R-Luzerne).
Brubaker to Introduce Legislation to Improve the Budget Process
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) announced that he will introduce legislation to
improve the budget process and ensure future budgets are approved before the
start of each fiscal year.
Senate Approves Senator Browne's Senate Bill 1
The Senate approved
Senate Bill 1, legislation intended to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania's
budgeting process while increasing transparency and accountability in state
government, according to Senator Pat Browne (R-16), prime sponsor of the
measure.
- Senator Browne
- Senator Pileggi
- Senator Corman
- Senator Folmer
- Senator Orie
- Senator Wonderling
Appropriations Committee Approves Senate Bill 1
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved
Senate Bill 1,
legislation intended to fundamentally reform Pennsylvania's budgeting process
while increasing transparency and accountability in state government, according
to Senator Jake Corman (R-34), committee chairman and co-sponsor of the measure.
Senate Approves Browne's Taxpayer Transparency Act
The Senate approved a measure introduced by
Senator Pat Browne (R-16) to expand the public’s access to state
spending records.
Senate Approves Brubaker Stimulus Oversight Bill
The Senate unanimously approved legislation that would
provide transparency and oversight of all federal stimulus dollars spent in
Pennsylvania, according to the bill's sponsor Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36).
Senator Lloyd Smucker: Floor Remarks – Sunshine Penalties Bill (SB 101) Although many Pennsylvanians are understandably focused on
economic difficulties, and tax and spending matters, they still want to see
action on reform.
Senator Lloyd Smucker: Floor Remarks – Aircraft Log Requirements (SB 110)
This reform bill puts into law the sort of accountability
measure that taxpayers believe should be standard across state government.
Senate Bill 1 Would Bring Transparency to Budget Process
A landmark bill drafted by Senator Pat Browne (R-16) would
fundamentally reform Pennsylvania's budgeting process to expedite the procedure
while increasing transparency and accountability in state government.
Orie Sponsors Bill to Reinstate Ban on Gaming Contributions
As part of her continued effort to reform Pennsylvania's
gaming laws, Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) has introduced legislation to
reinstate the state's ban on political contributions by gaming interests.
Auditor General's Letter on Stimulus Oversight Demonstrates Need For
Accountability, Transparency
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) issued the following statement
in response to Auditor General Jack Wagner’s recent letter to the federal
government urging stronger oversight and transparency measures for stimulus
dollars.
Senators Unveil Gaming Reform Package to Provide Stricter Oversight, Greater
Accountability
Stressing that Pennsylvania needs to take the lead now to
more tightly regulate the gaming industry and provide greater accountability and
transparency, a bipartisan group of Senators today unveiled a wide-ranging
package of reform bills.
Appropriations Committee Approves Government Disclosure Bills
The Senate Appropriations Committee approved a bill
increasing public access to state spending records. The Committee also approved
a legislative package intended to increase disclosure and reporting requirements
for environmental protection programs, according to Appropriations Committee
Chairman Senator Jake Corman (R-34).
Senate Passes Erickson Bill to Ensure State Regulations are Based on Reliable
Data
Legislation sponsored by Sen. Ted Erickson (R-26) to help
ensure that state regulations are based on reliable data and sound science was
unanimously approved by the state Senate this week.
Baker Unveils Juvenile Justice Reforms and Remedies Senator Lisa Baker (R-20) unveiled a package of
reform measures to address corruption in the Luzerne County Courthouse affecting
several thousand juveniles and their families.
Senator Orie and Senator Eichelberger to Sponsor Legislation to Tighten State
Laws Involving Government Contracts
Seeking to strengthen state laws involving government
contracts, Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny) and Sen. John H. Eichelberger Jr.
(R-Blair) are introducing legislation that would prohibit the spouse and
children of public officials and government employees from entering into
contracts with the agencies that their spouse or parents are a member of or
employed by.
Brubaker Responds To Executive Order Creating Governor's Stimulus Oversight
Commission
Sen. Mike Brubaker (R-36) issued the following statement
in response to the governor's Executive Order creating the Pennsylvania
Stimulus Oversight Commission
Senator Orie Re-Introduces Legislation to Provide Stricter Oversight Over State
Grants
The recent scandals involving the misuse of state economic
development grants in Beaver County has prompted Senator Jane Orie (R-Allegheny)
to renew her efforts to provide stricter oversight over state grants used for
job creation and retention
Senators Pileggi, Vogel to Introduce Senate Rule Addressing Potential Abuse of
Non-Profits
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senator
Elder Vogel (R-47) announced their intention to introduce a new Senate rule
designed to address the potential abuse of non-profit organizations highlighted
in this week's grand jury presentment.
Senators Pileggi, Mellow Announce RSS Feeds, Providing Easier Access to Senate
Activity
Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9) and Senate
Democratic Leader Robert Mellow (D-22) announced the creation of seven new RSS
feeds to give the public easier access to Senate activity.
Orie and Vereb Question Gaming Control Board's Travel Decisions While Requesting
a 6 Percent Budget Increase
Sen. Jane Orie (R-Allegheny/Butler) and Rep. Mike Vereb
(R-Montgomery) led a group of lawmakers today in demanding answers from the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) regarding its travel expenses, namely
trips to Italy and Las Vegas, after the governor imposed an out-of-state travel
ban. Both legislators will introduce legislation to create a searchable database
for all state travel.
Senator Orie Introduces Legislation to Protect Against Voter Fraud
Seeking to reduce cases of voter fraud and abuse, Senator
Jane Orie (R-40) has introduced legislation to require voters to show photo
identification before they cast their ballots.
Senator Brubaker Introducing Bill to Ensure Transparency, Accountability of
Stimulus Funds
Senator Mike
Brubaker (R-36) announced that he will introduce legislation to ensure
transparency and accountability as Pennsylvania receives and spends many
billions of dollars under the federal stimulus package.
Senator Orie
Introducing Legislation to Reform "Pay-to-Play"
Procurement Process
Senate Majority Whip Jane Clare Orie (R-40) today announced that she will
introduce legislation to deal with the practice of "pay-to-play" in the area
of contract procurement.
Senate Budget
Hearings Available Live on the Internet
Senate hearings on the Governor’s proposed budget begin
Monday February 23 and for the first time will be available for viewing live on
the Internet this year, according to Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman
Jake Corman (R-Bellefonte) and Democratic Chairman Jay Costa (D-Allegheny).
Senator Yaw Introduces Bill to Stop "Revolving Door" Between Government Work and
Lobbying
Senator Gene Yaw (R-23) announced that he will introduce
legislation designed to help stop the revolving door of state
government, which allows employees to move between industry jobs and
government jobs which influence that industry.
Senators Pileggi, Mellow Applaud Senate Adoption of Rule Prohibiting Robo-Call
Funding
Senate Majority Leader Dominic
Pileggi (R-9) and Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow (D-22) today applauded
the Senate's unanimous adoption of a rule to prohibit Senate funds from being
used for robo-calls.
Senate Republicans Comment on State Vehicle Report from Auditor General Jack
Wagner
Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate
Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), and Senator Mike Folmer (R-48) commented on the release of Auditor General Jack Wagner's
Special Report on the administration's use and management of state vehicles.
Senate Republicans Introduce 10-Bill Reform Package to Change Culture of State
Government
Members of the Senate Republican Caucus announced the
introduction of a 10-bill package of government reforms intended to continue
changing the culture of state government by increasing accountability and
transparency.
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