July 30, 2008
Back to Columns

Fixing State Government
By Senator Mike Folmer

With "Bonusgate" hanging over Pennsylvania state government, we need to fix the problems that exist; we need to do it right and we need to do it now. 

That's why I am pleased to sign onto and support Senator Jeff Piccola's petition calling for a Fall Special Session to bring needed reforms to the General Assembly and to provide for better ethics in the conduct of state government. 

While Governor Rendell could call for a Special Session on his own, he has said that "the fall schedule will be a busy one, as the vital issues of energy conservation, utility rate mitigation, and health care are the primary matters we must address." 

I see nothing more important for the General Assembly and Governor to address this Fall.  There are many items to focus on – beginning with a call for a Constitutional Convention.  To me, this is the best way to ensure that "We the People" is running Pennsylvania state government.  Several bills have been introduced calling for such a Convention, including my Senate Bill 1290, which would establish a "Citizen's Constitutional Convention." 

There are other initiatives that would help to restore the people's confidence in their government, things like:  establishing Initiative and Referendum (SB 137), redistricting reform (SB 346), banning gifts from lobbyists (SB 1488), campaign finance reform, term limits, recall, and my recently announced "Voter Choice Act." 

None of these initiatives has advanced very far in the current legislative session.  Indeed, a number of Senate-passed reforms are stuck in the House of Representatives, things like:  eliminating "sine die" or "lame duck" sessions (SB 468), posting government salaries online (SB 729), and ending legislative bonuses (SB 986). 

A few of my, modest, reforms are in the House State Government Committee:  the "Taxpayer Funded Advertising Transparency Act" (SB 1015) and instituting stricter use of state vehicles (SB 1499).  Both measures unanimously passed the full Senate. 

Pennsylvania is one of only four full-time state legislatures with an unlimited number of session days.  Fifteen other states place limits on the number of terms legislators can serve.  Twenty-four states have legislative initiative, referendum, and/or recall.  Every state will be looking at redistricting after the 2010 census. 

Pennsylvania needs to show that it is committed to "We the People."  This begins with fixing state government.  We need to do it.  We need to do it right.  We need to do it now.