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| From: | CL |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Josephs |
| Date: | Monday, 02/14/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Honorable Legislators,
Your job is to write the laws that we Pennsylvanian are to live
by. If the law that you write is not good enough to put your
name to it, maybe is should not be a law. If you have to sneak
your bill through, you do not have the courage to represent the
people of Pennsyvania. We do not deserve cowards in our
legislature.
| From: | J |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Oliver |
| Date: | Friday, 02/11/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Dear Pennsylvania Representatives:
It is time to vote for good legislation that will make people
proud of Pennsylvania instead of embarrased by the corruption.
Please support the following minimal strictures.
*Legislators have 24 hours to
review bills such as HB 1954.
*A short summary of the Bill be read.
*Legislators be present in-person to vote.
This vote is crucial to the self-respect of all Pennsylvanians,
and I will be watching the outcome.
Thanks for your time.
| From: | MW |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Youngblood |
| Date: | Monday, 02/07/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
STOP "STEALTH LEGISLATION" !
Please support the following:
*Legislators have 24 hours instead of just a single hour to
review bills such as HB 1954.
*A short summary of the Bill be read. As things are now, a bill
number with no explanation whatsoever is sometimes all that
legislators have to go on.
*Legislators be present in-person to vote and not be permitted
to give their vote to leadership to vote for them
Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.
| From: | K |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Please put an end to "stealth legislation". To muzzle is to take
away the right to debate. Through debate, we can learn what we
may not have known...or perhaps seek out the reason why some
things get pushed through the way they do.
If legislation is to be in the best interest of all, then I urge
you to put an end to what is happening.
| From: | |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Shapiro |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Democracy must remain an open process at all stages.
| From: | JH |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative McGeehan |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Please stop stealth legislation in Pennsylvania. This is an
immoral, sneaky way to pass legislation.
| From: | DF |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Pyle |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I have been following the "stealth legistlation and ghost voting
issues" and hope that when the House votes today on "House
Rules", you will support the following:
*Legislators have 24 hours instead of just a single hour to
review bills such as HB 1954.
*A short summary of the Bill be read. As things are now, a bill
number with no explanation whatsoever is sometimes all that
legislators have to go on.
*Legislators be present in-person to vote and not be permitted
to give their vote to leadership to vote for them
I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to be asked to vote
on something that you have no idea what the complete text is!
It must also be frustrating to have folks around you "voting"
when they can't be bothered to show up in person for the vote!
Therefore, I hope you will support these three items today when
the "House Rules" are decided to level the playing field for all
concerned.
Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.
| From: | BAB |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Washington |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Dear Representatives:
It is time to vote for good legislation that will make people
proud of our legislature. You have a bill before you wish
includes the following minimal strictures.
*Legislators have 24 hours to
review bills such as HB 1954.
*A short summary of the Bill be read.
*Legislators be present in-person to vote.
This vote is crucial to the self-respect of all Pennsylvanians,
and I will be watching the outcome.
| From: | DP |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Rubley |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Dear Representative Carole Rubley:
I have been following the "stealth legistlation and ghost voting
issues" and hope that when the House votes today on "House
Rules", you will support the following:
*Legislators have 24 hours instead of just a single hour to
review bills such as HB 1954.
*A short summary of the Bill be read. As things are now, a bill
number with no explanation whatsoever is sometimes all that
legislators have to go on.
*Legislators be present in-person to vote and not be permitted
to give their vote to leadership to vote for them
I can't imagine how frustrating it must be to be asked to vote
on something that you have no idea what the complete text is!
It must also be frustrating to have folks around you "voting"
when they can't be bothered to show up in person for the vote!
Therefore, I hope you will support these three items today when
the "House Rules" are decided as they will ease both your own
stress level and the stress levels of those you represent.
Thank you for your time and attention to this issue.
| From: | JS |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Lederer |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Please support Gerg Vitali's reccommendations for rules changes
which will guarantee openness and accountability in the
legislative process. No legislator should be required to vote on
a bill which has been amended without adequate time to read the
final form!
| From: | GNK |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Josephs |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Dear Representatives,
A net set of house rules is urgently needed.
Because of the existing situation, there are serious
inequities that result in:
1. Loss of the public's architectural heritage (example, #1954)
2. Absence of a Mechanic's Lien law that protects contractors
from unpaid bills (example, Sports Stadium)
3. Lack of practical and logical Building Codes that pertain
to both existing and new construction (example, like New
Jersey's recognition of historic buildings' needs).
None of these governmental omissions or commissions is
in the public interest. Indeed, they cause the public economic
hardship, and lower quality of life. Jobs and tax revenues are
at stake.
Pay-to-play and ignore-the-rules -and-the-public must
stop before the people mount a statewide protest against
Construction without Representation and political favoritism.
Even Russia and Iraq are beginning to listen to the public's
needs.
Thank you.
| From: | BE |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Washington |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I hope you will stand up today against stealth legislation by
working hard for the adoption of House rules which will provide
you and other legislators with adequate notice of the content
of bills on which you are voting.
The recent adoption of H.B. 1954 is an example of what you must
prevent in the future. Please read that bill now. It is the
worst drafted piece of legislation I have ever seen. In
addition, at the last minute a provision was added seeking to
make it more difficult for community and public interest
organizations to gain standing for appeals from decisions of
the Zoning Board. Very few representatives -- even those from
Philadelphia -- were even aware of that provision, which they
had no opportunity to think about.
Please support Greg Vitali's proposed amendments to the rules.
| From: | JA |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Roebuck |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I find it odd (to put it mildly) that you would vote on bills
without your or your staff reading them. Rep. Vitali's common
sense changes to the rules are a modest step in the right
direction. Please support them.
| From: | EG |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Josephs |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
To my State Representative Babette Josephs:
In reviewing past rules debates, I did not see your name among
the legislators who rose to support Rep. Vitali's common sense
changes to the rules. Since you've taken courageous public
stands in the past (e.g., on the Pledge), this surprised me.
Your ability to effectively represent your district is zero if
you don't know what you are voting on. Why haven't you spoken
out on an issue which directly affects your ability to do a good
job for the people of the 182nd district?
To the House Leadership:
I want you to stop chipping away at my state legislator's ability
to do her job. In order to effectively represent me and my
neighbors she has to know what she is voting on. She has to have
enough time to make a reasoned decision about what is best for
our district.
Rep. Vitali's changes to the rules are modest and reasonable in
my opinion: 24 hours to consider bills returned from the Senate
and reading a short summary of the bill you are asking
legislators to vote on.
Please, no muzzle resolution this time. "The majority has its
way; the minority has its say." You already have your way--it's
time to give Rep. Vitali and the Democrats their say.
| From: | M |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Curry |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I can't express the importantance of passing House Rules which
guarantee that legistation know what they are voiting on. It is
important they are the one doing they voting.
| From: | BSJ |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Lederer |
| Date: | Monday, 01/31/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I'm requesting you to vote to pass House Rules which guarantee
that legislators know what they are voting on and that they--and
not the party bosses--are the ones doing the voting.
| From: | BF |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Washington |
| Date: | Sunday, 01/30/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I'm writing in regards to the proposed House rules changes. I
urge you to keep the rules as open as possible.
On Monday, I hope to see a vigorous and healthy debate on the
House Rules, and that you will stand up to the leadership if
they attempt to limit debate through a temporary muzzle rule.
1999.
I urge you to pass House rules which guarantee that legislators
know what they are voting on.
Sincerely,
Brian Fink
| From: | MT |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Bishop |
| Date: | Sunday, 01/30/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
I am writing to ask for your support for measures to improve the
House Rules and Procedures by adopting the amendments proposed by
State Representative Greg Vitali. The recent passage of HB 1954
clearly demonstrates the need for reform. This stealth amendment
was passed during a late-night, lame duck session last November
through a flawed process that denied many of our elected
representatives adequate time for thoughtful and informed lawmaking.
As citizens, we expect that our elected representatives will
make laws that preserve and protect citizens’ rights not conspire
with private interests and their lobbyists to revoke them. It
is time to establish new procedures that will restore citizen
confidence and empower lawmakers to protect the public interest.
Please encourage your colleagues in both parties to hold a
vigorous and healthy debate on the House Rules and refrain from
using the temporary muzzle rule. I urge you to pass House Rules
which guarantee that legislators not only know what they are
voting on but require them to be on the House Floor when a vote
is taken.
Sincerely,
Mary Tracy
| From: | GW |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Curry |
| Date: | Sunday, 01/30/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Dear Representative Curry:
I am requesting that you support representative Greg Vitali's
amendments to the House Rules which are scheduled for vote on
1/31/05.
As I understand, these proposed amendments will allow
legislators to have 24 hours to review proposed bills rather
than the current allotment of one hour's time. Also, a short
summary of the Bill will be included. Presently, a bill number
with no explanation of the intended legislation is often all the
information provided for representatives. The most important
provision of Vitali's amendments require that legislators be
present in-person to vote and not be permitted to give their
vote to leadership to vote for them. I cannot stress the
importance of this point. Too often constituents read of
absentee voting practices. These practices serve to harbor the
publics' feelings of misrepresentation and "behind-the-scenes
deals" in Harriburg. Again, please support Mr. Vitali's
amendments and put an end to "stealth legislation".
Thank you,
George Wylesol
| From: | AE |
|---|---|
| To: | Representative Perzel, Representative Smith, Representative Feese, Representative DeWeese, Representative Veon, Representative Cohen, Representative Williams |
| Date: | Sunday, 01/30/05 |
| Subject: | No more stealth legislation! |
Please don't allow more stealth legislation. Otherwise, rules are
being passed without careful review.
* Legislators have 24 hours instead of just a single hour to
review bills such as HB 1954 which was amended by the Senate.
* The bill's title be read so that legislators can connect what
they have been told in Caucus with the numbers flashing across
the vote board.
* Lobbyists file quarterly expense reports detailing how much
they have spent trying to influence legislation.
Please support the amendments of State Representative Greg Vitali.
Thank you.