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KITCHEN
ENDORSES LEGISLATIVE REFORM PROPOSALS
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Kitchen |
HARRISBURG, January 31
– State Sen. Shirley M. Kitchen today
endorsed proposals advanced by state Sen.
Vince Fumo that would empower the public and
improve the legislative process in
Pennsylvania.
“The public has been removed from the
process of making the laws of Pennsylvania,”
said Kitchen (D-Philadelphia). “It’s time to
open up the process and stop playing parlor
games with our state constitution. I applaud
Senator Fumo’s leadership in offering an
intelligent plan to reform the General
Assembly.”
Kitchen announced her support after today’s
Senate Democratic Policy Committee meeting,
which was also attended by Common Cause’s
Executive Director, Barry Kauffman.
Fumo’s legislative reforms would ensure
public notice, public input, and public
enforcement.
“All too often, legislative leaders try to
stuff important bills with unrelated
amendments that would normally never see the
light of day,” said Kitchen. “It’s difficult
to prepare for important votes when you have
no idea what might be tucked away in a bill.
This is no accident, and this strategy has
become more popular in recent years.”
To prevent use of this tactic, Fumo is
proposing a 24-hour cooling-off period when
legislators and aides could completely
analyze pending bills that have been
altered. The legislative reform proposal
would also require a public hearing on any
bill before a final vote is taken if 10
percent of senators or representatives sign
onto a hearing petition. In addition, the
legislative reform agenda would authorize
any adult resident to appeal to the state
courts and challenge legislation that was
passed in an objectionable manner. |
