10/10/04 - Lobbyist Disclosure Urgent Alert
From: Lora Lavin, Government Specialist, lavin@steuber.com

In late September I sent out an Action Alert on Lobbyist Disclosure requesting Leagues to contact their State Representatives and urge them to
demand that House Majority Leader John Perzel (R-172, Phila.) schedule a
floor vote on HB2080 before Election Day. At the time it was fully expected that a companion bill, SB1, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader, Robert Jubelier (R-30, Mifflin Co.) would be expeditiously approved by the Senate. Unfortunately, a vote on SB1 has been delayed until after the election. After the election, there will be only eight scheduled legislative days left to act on lobbyist disclosure. If the Legislature fails to act the new legislature will convene in January with no registration and disclosure requirement by those who spend significant sums to influence government decisions.

Your action is urgently needed. If you have not already done so contact
your State Representative and Senator immediately. If appropriate remind
him or her of their expressed support for legislation to restore lobbyist
disclosure. Ask House Members to request that House Majority Leader John
Perzel schedule a vote on Lobbyist Disclosure before the end of this
legislative session. If you live in Perzel's district your action is especially needed.

BACKGROUND
Since 2002 when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court declared Pennsylvania's
Lobbyist Disclosure Act unconstitutional, there has been no requirement
lobbyist register and disclose their expenditures. As a result Pennsylvania
is almost unique in have no law requiring disclosure by individuals and
organizations that spend significant sums of money to influence state
government. An exception is that the PA Senate adopted rules requiring
disclosure by those who lobby senators. Were it not for this rule we would
not know that, as reported in the Philadelphia Inquirer, gambling companies
spent at least $1.9 million last year to persuade senators to legalize slot
machines.

Earlier this year, in interviews conducted by members of the League of Women Voters across the state, legislators overwhelmingly said they supported legislation that would meet the court's objections and restore lobbyist disclosure. Bills pending in the House (HB2080) and Senate (SB1) would do just that. But our legislators have not been given the opportunity to vote on either piece of legislation.

HB 2080, sponsored by John Maher (R-40) and Paul Clymer (R-45) was reported out of the House State Government Committee in March, but the leadership has failed to schedule a vote by the full House. On September 22, the Senate State Government Committee approved SB1, on Lobbyist Disclosure, sponsored by Senate President Pro Tempore Robert Jubelirer (R-30), but floor action has been delayed until after the election.

To find your legislators and their contact information visit http://www.legis.state.pa.us.

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