For Immediate Release
November 28, 2007
Contact: Todd Nyquist
(717) 787-7084
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Scarnati: Open Records Bill Passes The Senate

WARREN—As Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati of the 25th District continues to make Pennsylvania government more open and more transparent, another measure to further this reform agenda passed the Senate. 

According to Scarnati, Senate Bill 1, which he co-sponsored and which would strengthen the Commonwealth's Open Records Law, was unanimously approved Wednesday. 

"We are making significant strides in reforming how we do business in Pennsylvania," Scarnati said.  "Since becoming the Senate Leader, a commitment was made to gain the trust of our constituents and I think that effort has been successful and will be on-going." 

Scarnati mentioned that changes in the current Open Records Law were needed to ensure that all public records be considered open unless they fall under certain exceptions.  More specifically, this change now flips the burden onto the government to prove that records should not be open to the public instead of the citizens having that burden. 

"This is a big win for the reform effort and I am pleased to see it finally pass with the full support of the Senate," Scarnati added.  "The public should be able to easily access public records and hold government accountable."   

Other notable reform measures since becoming President Pro Tempore on January 2 include: 

• Limiting Senate session times to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

• Prohibiting robo-calls using Senate funds

• Requiring amendments to be posted on the internet before they may be offered on the Senate floor

• Establishing a six hour waiting period before Senate votes on an amended bill or conference committee report

• Instituting a wage freeze for all Senate employees

• Eliminating private leases for Senate vehicles

• Implementing a co-pay on health insurance for senators and staff

• Passed in the Senate eliminating sine die sessions

• Passed in the Senate the strengthening of the Sunshine Law 

"I am proud of what we have accomplished in reforming the legislature, but recognize more needs to be done," Scarnati concluded.  "I believe the Senate has appropriately found the balance of moving forward with a reform agenda, while at the same time doing the business of the people."