Lawmaker calls for stricter Senate reforms, again

Force of law would be behind institutional rules HARRISBURG — State Senator Sean Logan (D-Allegheny/Westmoreland) has again introduced a package of bills that would give the public greater access and more timely information on legislative activity, while making the legislature more accountable. He introduced this package during the 2007-08 Session, but the bills were never brought up for a vote. “It has become increasingly clear that we need to bring greater transparency to the process we use to make laws in Pennsylvania,” Logan said. “While we do have Senate rules in place, it has become common practice to manipulate and get around these very rules that are there to assure openness, public access and accountability.” Logan said that the Senate approved rule reforms in 2006 that generally reflect what he is proposing now. However, those rules do not carry the force of law. “Loopholes in rules that allow behind-the-scene legislating and late night end-runs around public scrutiny prostitute the process and create wariness and mistrust among citizens,” Logan said. “This needs to be changed.” “Senate Bills 779, 780 and 781 would further open the legislative process and ensure that lawmakers and the public have plenty of opportunities to review, discuss and comment on proposed bills,” Logan said. “My reforms are intended to make it impossible to rush bills through the process.”