Office of Speaker Dennis M. O’Brien

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

139 Main Capitol Building, Harrisburg

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                        CONTACT:  Bill Patton

                                                                                                                                   717-787-4610

Speaker O'Brien Praises Work of Reform Commission

Public input still welcome via Reform@SpeakerObrien.com

HARRISBURG, Feb. 2 --- House Speaker Dennis O’Brien (R-169) complimented the 24 members of the bipartisan Speaker’s Commission on Legislative Reform for making steady progress on the special task he asked them to take on in addition to their regular legislative work.

The commission, co-chaired by Reps. David Steil (R-Bucks) and Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery), listened to six hours of presentations by House members this week and is scheduled to meet again Wednesday to begin considering specific rule changes to recommend to the House.

“We need to establish a framework for an institution that functions better and more openly,” O’Brien said. “By taking a serious approach to meeting the goals I outlined, the commission is helping to restore public trust in the legislative process.”

Evidence of the commission’s fresh approach can be seen in the use of several public e-mail addresses to solicit reform ideas. O’Brien established one of these addresses at Reform@speakerobrien.com and he is forwarding all reform ideas received in that mailbox to the two co-chairmen.

“I have full confidence in Dave Steil, Josh Shapiro and all the members of the reform commission, especially after watching how they are conducting open meetings and inviting ideas from all corners,” O’Brien said. “I believe the new rules that could result from this process are going to make the House of Representatives both fairer and more civil.”

The commission’s 12 Democratic appointees are Reps. Mark Cohen, Bob Freeman, Tim Mahoney, Kathy Manderino, Phyllis Mundy, Chris Sainato, Josh Shapiro, Tom Tangretti, W. Curtis Thomas, Greg Vitali, Don Walko and. Jewell Williams.

The 12 Republican appointees are Reps. David Argall, Kerry Benninghoff, Jim Cox, Craig Dally, Glen Grell, Jerry Nailor, Brad Roae, Sam Rohrer, Carole Rubley, Curt Schroder, David Steil and Michael Vereb.

O’Brien directed the commission to prepare a set of proposed rule changes that can be considered following upcoming budget hearings when the House returns to session the week of March 12.

The group will meet at 9 a.m. Wednesday in Room 60 of the Capitol’s East Wing. Meetings are also set for Feb. 13 and 14.

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