Letter to the editor: We need new rules for our legislators

I’m sick of newsletters from my state legislators saying they’re “honored” to represent me. They don’t represent me or you! They can’t because of procedural rules voted on at the start of each new session.

Rules pushed through by a handful of majority leaders determine who can schedule bills and what does or doesn’t get a hearing or vote. These rules allow a tiny minority to control the whole legislative process in our state. They strip our elected representatives of their ability to represent us.

Ours is one of the largest, most expensive, least effective legislatures in the country. It passes less than 7% of the bills introduced. Bills with substantial bipartisan support are blocked. School funding, broadband access, property tax reform, lead in drinking water, legislative ethics and corruption bills are stalled.

This is a breeding ground for corruption. Pennsylvania has no gift bans for legislators. When a mere handful of people need to be “influenced,” you question how concerned they are about ordinary tax-paying citizens.

It’s time to tell our legislators we know what’s going on. They need to say “NO” to the current procedural rules process. It’s time for new rules honoring the responsibilities we’re granting them. I urge my representative, Abby Major, to retain her responsibility to represent us in the 60th Legislative District. Please urge yours to do the same.

Jeanne Passarelli

Allegheny Township, Westmoreland County