The manner of passage of act 71 establishing slot machine gambling in Pennsylvania violated the General Assembly’s own rules of procedures. Under the leadership of Tim Potts, known by many as the director of the Pennsylvania School Reform Network, a coalition is forming to arouse the citizenry of the Commonwealth to transform this body into the model legislative organ the citizens deserve. This project is called Democracy Rising. The Board of Directors of the LWVPA voted on October 23, 2004 to support this coalition in its activities consistent with our mission.

The following is the mission and initial strategy. The Board urges you to:

• Contact Judy Rice, judith.rice@verizon.net to obtain the full text
• Contact Tim Potts, twpotts9@kuhncom.net to arrange for a presentation to your local league or other interested group.

Democracy Rising

Mission
The mission of Democracy Rising is to transform Pennsylvania’s General Assembly into a model legislative body whose operation upholds the highest traditions of democracy through procedures that honor and affirm the rights, perspectives, and engagement of all citizens before, during, and after the enactment of laws that bind them.

Mission Strategy

1. Use a 501(C)(3) to research legislative practices in other states as the basis for creating a platform of changes to Pennsylvania’s legislative procedures. The platform would take the form of a pledge that all legislative candidates – incumbents, challengers, and candidates in open seats – would be invited to sign. The platform would require the candidate to:
   • Vote only for rules of procedure consistent with best practices in other states.
   • Vote only for candidates for caucus leadership positions who also have signed the platform.
   • Co-sponsor and vote for any statutory changes required to adopt best practices.
   • Co-sponsor and vote for any Constitutional changes required to adopt best practices.

2. Use the 501(c)(3) to educate citizens about the need for better legislative practices and to partner with local organizations (League of Women Voters, ACLU, Common Cause, United Pennsylvanians, Commonwealth Foundation, churches, etc.) in efforts to educate citizens and media.