Capitol Reform Efforts Underway

The Pittsburgh Post Gazette is reporting today on an effort by some state House members to reform the process in Harrisburg. A groups of lawmakers is proposing the following:

Requiring all bills to be in final form at least three days before any vote is taken, "so we have some time to reflect on proposed legislation and know what we're voting on," said Mr. Harhai.

For bills acted on during the three-week lame-duck sessions, held in November of even-numbered years, requiring a two-thirds majority to pass them instead of just 51 percent.

A ban on voting on bills between midnight and 8 a.m.

Requiring special-interest lobbyists to register and disclose their spending.

It's encouraging to see these efforts. I hope the leadership appreciates the urgent need for such reforms.