Accomplishments to Date in 2007-2008 Session

The caucus had two overall objectives this session: (1) legislation to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians and (2) legislation and other measures to reform the operations of the House of Representatives. 

As to the first, the caucus moved a very substantive agenda resulting in the enactment of important legislation.  Examples include legislation that will help residents and businesses save money on the high cost of energy; legislation to create a new formula for funding our public schools; a smoking ban to address health risks associated with secondhand smoke; and legislation to ensure that Pennsylvania’s coal mines are safer.

While focusing on its primary objective, the caucus also compiled a solid record on reform:

I. Open Records Legislation. The House Democratic Caucus was instrumental in ensuring the passage of a landmark Open Records Law, which gives Pennsylvania residents significantly more access to state and local government records.  This victory for taxpayers means that the records of all branches of government at the state and local level, including the state legislature, will be presumed to be open to the public unless specifically exempted in other state or federal law.  It also created a new Office of Open Records in the Department of Community and Economic Development to help people access public records and to establish a more uniform application of the law statewide.

 

II. Response to the bonus allegations.  Upon learning of the bonus allegations a year and a half ago, the leadership team brought in seasoned prosecutors to cooperate with the investigation, to assess the caucus’s internal operations, and to assist in implementing appropriate remedial measures.  Thereafter, the leadership team ended all bonus payments for caucus employees and cleaned house when it was learned that certain employees had engaged in misconduct.

 

III. Speaker’s Reform Commission.  As a result of this bi-partisan effort, the House implemented new rules that brought transparency to the operations of this chamber.  Some examples:

• Changes to promote openness and fairness in legislative process:
• Normal House session hours limited to 8 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Require at least 24 hours before a concurrence vote on a bill that has come from the Senate with amendments.

• Changes to shift power from a few House leaders to all the representatives:
• The Rules Committee may not amend bills returned from the Senate on concurrence.
• Changes to promote transparency and public understanding of House operations:
• Upon request, all House expense reports shall be available electronically from the Chief Clerk.
• Complete House payroll information shall be available from the Chief Clerk in the form of a printed annual report.
• Members must file for per diems and other expense reimbursements within 90 days of incurring the expense.
• The Chief Clerk shall post House votes on the House Web site.
• All bills introduced will be posted on the Internet with the ability for a person to comment on any bill to their representative via e-mail.
• Votes cast in committee meetings and committee testimony (if any was transcribed) shall be posted on the Internet as soon as practicable.
• Other changes:
• Private vehicle leasing was eliminated.
• Members may not form and direct non-profit organizations whose primary purpose is to receive state funds at the direction of the member.
• Public service announcements and constituent outreach telemarketing are prohibited in the 60 days before primary and general elections in even-numbered years.
• House proceedings are streamed live on the House Democratic Caucus Web site even though it is not required by House rules.

 

IV. Reform of Business Processes. Actions speak louder than words. We are the only legislative caucus to have implemented a strong Code of Conduct, a Compliance & Ethics program, and other significant financial and personnel controls.  Details are as follows:

Overhauled and Restructured Management Team

Our caucus replaced the management team and ensured shared decision-making so no one individual could wield absolute control over personnel, finance, and purchasing decisions.

1.      Overhauled the Management Team. After firing employees suspected of the alleged misconduct, the Leader brought in new management team members with reputations for integrity, excellence, and professionalism. 

2.      Restructured Human Resources. Consolidated human resources functions into a single office to enhance accountability and eliminate duplication of efforts. This ensures that HR-related functions such as determining compensation are performed consistently, according to established procedures and with appropriate approvals.

3.      Reorganized Caucus Staff.  Reorganized Caucus staff to enforce segregation of duties and afford the Majority Leader more direct oversight of Caucus operations:

a.       The Director of Administration, responsible for budget, finance and staffing, now reports directly to the Majority Leader rather than to the Chief of Staff.

b.      The Director of Information Technology now reports directly to the Director of Administration, rather than to the Chief of Staff.

c.       The Chief Counsel now reports directly to the Majority Leader, rather than to the Chief of Staff.

 

Reformed Employee Compensation, Benefits and Leave Usage

4.      Eliminated all types of bonus payments to Caucus employees.

5.      Limited the accumulation of compensatory time to no more than 20 days at any time.

6.      Further limited payments of benefits to employees taking leave without pay.

7.      Prohibited payment of benefits to employees taking leave without pay to work on political campaigns.

 

Established an Ethics and Compliance Program

8.      Adopted a strong Code of Conduct for Caucus employees.

9.      Required all Caucus employees to sign an acknowledgement of the Code of Conduct to facilitate discipline and/or dismissals when the code is violated.

10.  Established a mandatory Ethics Training Program for Caucus employees and trained more than 900 employees. 

11.  Established a Compliance Program to ensure that employees act ethically and comply with the Code of Conduct.

12.  Appointed a Compliance Director responsible for overseeing all aspects of the compliance program.

13.  Developed Standard Operating Procedures for handling inquiries and complaints by and about employees and Members. 

 

Adopted Procurement Reforms

14.  Established a requirement that Information Technology expenditures be approved by the Director of Administration prior to being sent to the House Comptroller for payment.

15.  Formalized procedures for use of the Majority Leader’s name on the thousands of documents he does not personally review. Specifically, he codified a requirement that those authorized to sign a document on the leader’s behalf must clearly identify themselves by adding their initials after the Majority Leader’s signature.

16.  Required that all contracts and leases be reviewed by legal staff prior to execution.

17.  Ensured that all contracts are solely for legislative purposes.

 

Revised Hiring Procedures

18.  Revised the Caucus employment application to require applicants to disclose any familial relationship they may have with a Member or employee of the House.

19.  Ended the practice of accepting letters of recommendation for employment from Members and staff on behalf of their immediate relatives.

20.  Consolidated job duties and eliminated any unnecessary positions.

 

Instituted Finance Reforms

21.  Initiated the development of a new accounting and budgeting system for the Majority Leader and senior management.

22.  Revised work process flows and instituted internal logging to improve the handling of administrative, personnel and spending documents.

Facilitated Open Records Compliance

23.  Appointed an Open Records Officer to facilitate compliance with the new Open Records Law.

 

Reform Agenda for Remainder of 2007-2008 Session

As demonstrated in these accomplishments, the House Democratic Caucus has a concerted commitment to reform.  Majority Leader DeWeese looks forward to including legislative reforms as a top priority for the remainder of the session.   He is consulting with Pennsylvanians and members of his caucus to determine how best to continue this reform agenda.