Senate Republicans today unveiled a 10-bill package of “government reform measures” they say would improve public access to records, increase accountability and go a long way in restoring the public’s faith in Harrisburg.
The measures range from the simple (posting all government salaries online) to the complex (retooling the state’s procurement process).
“You will hear the theme of government accountability from our caucus all session long,’’ said Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R., Delaware) at a Capitol news conference this morning
Although some were tweaked a bit, all the bills were introduced last session. Nine of them passed the Senate with widespread bipartisan support only to die in the House.
Pileggi, pointing to a new House leadership team, said he was hopeful that the package would fare better in the lower chamber this two-year session that began earlier this month.
“There is an opportunity there for a fresh look,” he said.
House Majority Leader Todd Eachus (D., Luzerne) was reviewing the bills and did not have immediate comment this morning, his spokesman said.
Here is a brief description of each bill in the package:
• SB 101, sponsored by Sen. Lloyd Smucker of Lancaster would increase penalties for violating the Sunshine Law.
• SB 102, sponsored by Sen. Jane Orie of Allegheny would reform the procurement of consulting contracts.
• SB 103, sponsored by Sen. John Eichelberger of Blair would ban state government bonuses.
• SB 104, sponsored by Sen. Mike Folmer of Lebanon would restrict the use of state-owned vehicles.
• SB 105, sponsored by Sen. Pat Browne of Lehigh would create a searchable online budget database.
• SB 106, sponsored by Sen. Kim Ward of Westmoreland would eliminate lame duck legislative sessions.
• SB 107, sponsored by Pileggi would require government salary information to be posted online.
• SB 108, sponsored by Sen. Jake Corman of Centre would allow the governor to appoint his or her second in command in the event there is a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor. Now, the senate president pro tempore gets the job upon a vacancy.
• SB 109, sponsored by Folmer would require state-paid advertising to show a disclaimer saying it was funded with tax dollars.
• SB 110, sponsored by Smucker would increase the information contained on logs showing the use of state planes.
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