For Immediate Release
6/29/07

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-6063

Senate Approves Senator Regola's Reform Measure

Senate Bill 468 would ban "lame duck" voting sessions

Taking a major step toward true legislative reform in Pennsylvania, the State Senate today approved a measure introduced by Senator Bob Regola (R-39) calling for a Constitutional Amendment to eliminate "lame duck" voting sessions -- voting that occurs after a general election and before the start of a new legislative session.

"I am very pleased that the Senate approved Senate Bill 468.  This bill has been a long time in coming and I hope the House will act quickly to end lame duck sessions once and for all," said Sen. Regola.  "The people of Pennsylvania have made it clear that they want accountability on the part of their elected officials and that they are tired of the old business-as-usual attitude of state government."

Amendments to the state Constitution must be approved in two separate Legislative Sessions and by the voters as a referendum.

"Prohibiting lame duck sessions by legislators whose terms are about to expire and will not return to office the following year, is an essential reform measure," said Sen. Regola.  "In the past, lame duck sessions have been used to consider and vote on volatile or unpopular issues such as tax increases, state borrowing or pay raises.  This must stop."