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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Dan Frankel |
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Frankel: GOP fails to provide transparency on Marcellus Shale
Republicans ram through 127-page bill in tiny hearing room that excludes public
HARRISBURG, Nov. 2 – State Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, the House Democratic Caucus chairman, said actions today show Republicans in Harrisburg are failing to provide transparency on one of the biggest issues facing Pennsylvania: Marcellus Shale natural gas drilling.
"The House Republican majority called a committee meeting with little notice to ram through a 127-page Marcellus Shale bill introduced only the day before. House Bill 1950 deals with crucial topics such as impact fees, regulation and eminent domain. They chose to hold the hearing in a room so small that it kept out many legislators, including me, and members of the public. They also chose to avoid any of the several Capitol rooms that have equipment available to put a live video feed on the Internet," Frankel said.
"And as we find out what is in the 127-page House Republican bill, it's no wonder they are trying to avoid scrutiny and transparency. For example, they would impose a statewide standard for Marcellus zoning, but not for the impact fee or a state tax that could help undo their budget cuts to education and health care. And we are attempting to clarify what the bill would do in terms of giving eminent domain power to private companies to take people's property.
"I hope the people of this state, including those in southeastern Pennsylvania, tell their state representatives loud and clear what they expect in a Marcellus Shale bill, including transparency. House Republicans' actions so far should make everyone concerned about whether our air and water would be safe under their plan."
Frankel said House and Senate Republicans also failed to provide transparency on the legislative redistricting plan they unveiled Monday, only giving Democrats 30 minutes to review the 253 proposed districts before a meeting to vote on the plan. The proposal would create highly partisan voting boundaries for the next 10 years. It received initial approval with Republican votes Monday.
"Where is the reform Republicans have promised? Where is the transparency? Where is the openness in government? People who are doing the right thing don't do business the way the Republicans have been doing it," Frankel said.
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