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For Immediate Release
1/21/09
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Sen. Pippy Backs 10-Bill Reform Package to Make State Government More Open, Accountable

Senator John Pippy (R-Allegheny) today joined members of the Senate Republican Caucus at a capitol news conference to unveil a 10-bill package of government reforms aimed at making state government more open and accountable to state taxpayers.

"These bills will go a long way toward restoring public confidence in public officials and the legislative process by promoting good, open government," Pippy said  "They are commonsense changes that will ensure that state taxpayers know what they are getting from their investment."

Last session Pippy sponsored legislation to reduce the size of the Legislature – a move he said could save significant tax dollars.  He said he will reintroduce the measure this session.

Among the bills introduced today are measures to change how consulting contracts are awarded, to increase penalties for violating the Sunshine Law which requires public business to be completed during open meetings, to ban bonus payments for state employees, and to eliminate lame-duck legislative sessions.

• Senate Bill 101, to increase penalties for violating the Sunshine Law.
• Senate Bill 102, to reform the procurement of consulting contracts.
• Senate Bill 103, to prohibit bonuses for Commonwealth employees.
• Senate Bill 104, to increase accountability related to the use of state-owned vehicles.
• Senate Bill 105, to create a searchable online budget database.
• Senate Bill 106, a constitutional amendment to eliminate sine die or 'lame duck' legislative sessions.
• Senate Bill 107 to post government salary information online.
• Senate Bill 108, to change the process for filling a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor.
• Senate Bill 109, to create the Taxpayer-Funded Advertising Transparency Act, to identify material prepared with tax dollars.
• Senate Bill 110, to improve access to, and expand the information contained in, state plane logs.

Nine of the 10 bills in this package passed the Senate last session with strong bipartisan support.

"We hope that the House will join us in this reform effort by approving these bills and sending them to the governor," Pippy said. "State taxpayers have made it clear that this is a top priority – particularly in tough economic times, and we need to heed their call.

More information about government reform and other state issues can be found on the Senate Republican Caucus web site, www.pasenategop.com.

CONTACT:

Carol Maravic
(717) 787-6725