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Legislative and Political Reform Citizens' Constitutional Convention In accordance with Article I, Section II of the Pennsylvania Constitution, Senator Folmer again plans to introduce legislation that would authorize a Citizens' Constitutional Convention. The bill, Senate Bill 340 is identical to last session's Senate Bill 1290 and would begin with a voter referendum for a Citizens' Constitutional Convention. If approved by the voters, three nonpartisan delegates (no party affiliation on ballots) would be elected from each state Senatorial District. Delegate candidates would need to meet requirements outlined by the Department of State as well as be a registered Pennsylvania voter at least 18 years of age and a resident of Pennsylvania for at least four years prior to the election and a resident of their respective Senate District for at least one year prior and after their election. Delegates would receive compensation and paid expenses equal to that of current members of the General Assembly. Guidelines of the convention would prohibit public officials and lobbyists from serving as convention delegates, as to ensure a true citizens' constitutional convention; ban direct lobbying of delegates by registered lobbyists; and require all recommended changes to the Constitution be approved by two-thirds majority of convention delegates. The bill would also require all recommended changes to the Constitution approved by the Convention delegates be ratified by the electorate by majority vote in a General Election. It is important to note Article I of the state Constitution (Declaration of Rights) would not be open to debate or alteration. Bill History: Unanimously reported from the Senate State Government Committee, but stalled in the House State Government Committee. Increased Accountability for the Use of State Vehicles In January 2009, Auditor General Jack Wagner released a report on the Department of General Services' (DGS) management of the state's 16,637 fleet vehicles, which details the current system's lack of accountability to Pennsylvania taxpayers. It is estimated this lack of central management of the state fleet costs taxpayers approximately $72 million a year. Senator Folmer's Senate Bill 104 would put common-sense restrictions on the use of state vehicles and establish a much more transparent reporting system. Specifically, the bill would require state employees assigned the use of a state vehicle to drive 1,200 miles or more per month on official business (excluding travel to and from work); require employees using a state vehicle to maintain a monthly mileage log and have logs posted online with employee and vehicle information; require employees assigned a state vehicle to reimburse the Commonwealth for insurance and gasoline for personal use; and require assigned vehicles to bear an "official use" license plate, unless the employee performs undercover law enforcement duties. Bill History: The bill (SB 1499 of the 2007-2008) unanimously passed the Senate, but died in the House State Government Committee. Additional Reform Measures Senator Folmer is a co-sponsor of many government reform measures, including initiatives that would:
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