The Valentine's Day storm that blanketed the Commonwealth in snow and ice will be remembered for years to come. We recognize that Mother Nature is unpredictable, but we also realize that thousands of stranded motorists deserve answers to their questions about how the situation was handled, particularly in the northeast along I-78, I-80 and I-81.

 

To that end, the House Transportation Committee held a joint public hearing today with the Democratic and Republican Policy Committees. The hearing was not meant to place blame, but rather an effort to find facts and hopefully to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future.

 

Reforms taking shape

 

The Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform, led by Co-chairman Rep. Josh Shapiro, held lengthy meetings this week and continued voting on suggested changes to how the House conducts business. The bipartisan group meets again at noon, Monday, Feb. 26. It will offer recommendations and a vote by the full House is expected during the week of March 12.

 

Click here and add it to your online "favorites" so that you can watch the House session LIVE via streaming video.

 

Some of the changes suggested so far by the Reform Commission include:

• ending voting sessions by 11 p.m.;
• requiring at least 24 hours to elapse before a bill can be considered on concurrence from the Senate;
• eliminating private vehicle leases for House members;
• making all House expense records available electronically from the Chief Clerk;
• requiring reimbursement for expenses to be made within 90 days of incurring the expense;
• placing all Roll Call votes on the House Web site, which House Democrats are already providing here.

 

House analyzing state budget plan

 

Chairman Dwight Evans and the House Appropriations Committee this week continued to examine Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed 2007-08 state budget. Next up for the committee are hearings with the Attorney General, Department of Education, Department of Health, Judiciary and Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board among others.

 

You can view the committee's entire hearing schedule by clicking here and you can watch the proceedings via LIVE streaming video when hearings resume on Monday.

 

For up-to-date information on the state House visit www.pahouse.com!