Reforming Government

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.

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.
• 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.

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.

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.