Commentary: State House rules violate public's right to view legislation

By Greg Vitali

On the first day of the new legislative session, the Pennsylvania House changed its rules to make it easier for leadership to obscure the contents of important legislation from rank-and-file members and the general public.

Under the new rules, the House will no longer have to wait 24 hours to vote on bills amended by the Senate. Now, bills can be considered by the House six hours after they come into the public domain.

This rule will be most damaging around budget time. Frequently, in the back rooms of the state Capitol, House and Senate leaders surreptitiously insert provisions in large budget-related bills that many House members and the public would find highly objectionable.

For example, provisions were inserted in the fiscal code in the last term to cancel regulations to make gas drilling safer, delay measures to address climate change, and transfer millions of dollars from a fund for energy-efficient buildings for natural-gas development.

Six hours is simply not enough time for even the most diligent House member to find and bring to the attention of the public objectionable provisions - especially considering the multiplicity of other legislation in play around budget time.

The 24-hour wait rule was adopted after the controversial midnight pay-raise vote of 2005. It was among the changes recommended by a bipartisan reform commission to improve both transparency and legislative accountability.

The new rules are a step in the wrong direction. They violate both the fundamental right of House members to cast an informed vote and the right of the public to give input to their elected representatives.

When the House returns to session on Monday, it should reverse these changes.

State Rep. Greg Vitali (D., Delaware) represents the 166th Legislative District. GVitali@pahouse.net