Pa. House gets ethics proposals

HARRISBURG - Half the eight members of Pennsylvania's House Ethics Committee would be selected at random under one of the changes that the Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform recommended yesterday.

The commission also recommended requiring that representatives undergo two hours of ethical training every two years and giving them a handbook of rules to guide their conduct.

The Ethics Committee now consists of four Democrats and four Republicans selected by party leaders. Under the proposal, which goes to the House Rules Committee for consideration, the chief clerk would randomly pick two from each party, leaving each party's leader to choose two more.

The committee would then elect its chairman and vice chairman, who are now selected by the House speaker.

"This is a good compromise," said Rep. Thomas A. Tangretti (D., Westmoreland), whose push to have the entire committee selected randomly was defeated in February. "I think it will work and will work effectively."

Rep. W. Curtis Thomas (D., Phila.) said he would prefer to have the Ethics Committee consist of people who are not lawmakers.

"When you talk to people out in the community, they do not believe that we can police ourselves," he said. Thomas eventually cast the deciding vote to pass the compromise.

Rep. Mark Cohen (D., Phila.) said there was no evidence that "wrongdoers are being sheltered" by the Ethics Committee and was among three Democrats who voted no. Republicans supported the recommendation unanimously.

The speaker's commission, charged with overhauling legislative rules, also recommended that the House stipulate in its rules that the Ethics Committee can recommend action when it finds violations.

The Ethics Committee investigates alleged violations of lobbying regulations, House rules, or the Legislative Code of Ethics by representatives, House officers and employees. It has dismissed all seven complaints it has heard in the last four years, said Eric S. Fillman, a Democratic lawyer advising the reform commission.

The Speaker's Commission on Legislative Reform is scheduled to meet at 9 a.m. April 26 in Room 202 of the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

The commission is now focusing on access to government records, campaign financing, a code of conduct for state representatives, the legislature's size, a policy for staff bonuses, and term limits. People who register in advance will be allowed to share their opinions on those topics.

To register, call 717-787-4610.

EndText