Senators Robbins & LaValle Spur Action on Placing Roll Call Votes on Internet

Harrisburg – Legislation introduced by State Senators Bob Robbins (R-50) and Gerald LaValle (D-47) has spurred the Senate Committee on Management Operations to place copies of the Senate Journal -- the complete accounting of Senate proceedings -- on the General Assembly's home page.

In conjunction with the introduction of Senate Bill 1099 -- legislation which would place all legislative roll call votes on the Internet -- the Senate Committee on Management Operations voted to place the entire Senate Journal on the Internet. Prior to this decision, copies of the journals were kept at the Capitol, most county court houses, and law libraries.

"I have always told constituents how I voted when asked or provided a hard copy of an official Senate vote when requested," said Robbins. "However, it was brought to my attention that this information should be made more accessible. Senate Bill 1099 would do just that."

"While I applaud the decision by the Senate Committee on Management Operations to place the Senate Journal online, the publishing of a day's journal can sometimes take months," said Sen. LaValle. "Senate Bill 1099 would provide instantaneous feedback to constituents on their legislator's votes."

According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 36 legislative bodies in the U.S. make roll-call votes immediately available on the Internet. With the action by the Senate Committee on Management Operation and the enactment of Senate Bill 1099, Pennsylvania will join this list.

Senate Bill 1099 has been referred to the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee for its consideration.

CONTACT:

Nate Silcox
(717) 787-1322
(Sen. Robbins' Office)

Tony Rigano
(717) 787-3076
(Sen. LaValle's Office)