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COLUMN |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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CONTACT:
Nicole Reigelman |
State Rep. Elisabeth Bennington |
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April 30, 2007
Reform movement rocks Harrisburg, sets pace for new session
By state Rep. Lisa Bennington
I am proud to be serving the people of Ross Township and the surrounding communities at the state Capitol. Adjusting to Harrisburg has been a challenge, but one I enjoy, and my colleagues and I in the state House are making progress in answering the call of Pennsylvanians everywhere for heightened public accessibility and visibility.
Many community members I spoke with before and since being elected expressed a desire for more accountability from their elected officials and more transparency in the workings of state government. In March, the Pennsylvania House adopted reforms that were packaged by the Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform after holding weeks of hearings on potential reform proposals.
Many of the reforms I fought for and that were adopted include:
· barring representatives from claiming per diem reimbursements, intended to cover meals and lodging while on state business, when more than 90 days have passed;
· requiring all bills and amendments be posted on the Internet;
· voting sessions are to occur between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m., with a three-quarters vote required to waive this rule;
· banning ghost voting; and
· requiring all votes to be posted on the Internet by the close of business on the day they are cast.
With these reforms in place and more sweeping measures being considered, I now believe it is easier for the people from my district to see what their representative does on a day-to-day basis. I want my constituents to trust that theirs is a government by the people and for the people, not a bastion for cronyism and lobbyist control.
In addition, I am co-sponsoring a bill to put an end to redistricting that creates a partisan subdivision and not a reasoned demographic boundary. I remain committed to the idea that the citizens of Ross should not have four state representatives with districts extending into the city of Pittsburgh. I hope to see a reunified Ross culminating from the 2010 census!
As your representative I will keep an open dialogue with you, even if we disagree at times. I value the voices of reason which lead us to responsible decisions as we consider the challenging issues in the coming years. I will not shy from the tough calls: it isn’t my style. I care deeply about the families I
represent and I assure you that I will continue to fight for the reforms that the citizens from the 21st District want.
I invite the residents of Ross to stop by my local office or call or send me an e-mail through my Web site: www.pahouse.com/Bennington. I would love to hear from you.
State Representative Lisa Bennington
21st Legislative District
1808 Chislett St., Pittsburgh
412-361-2040
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