Background[]
Some states do not allow their lawmakers to conduct voting sessions after an election. Some actually prohibit those sessions.
Senator Bob Regola, R., PA Senator, introduced legislation, Senate Bill 11, in January, 2005, to eliminate "lame duck" voting sessions by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. SB 11 was the first bill introduced in the Senate for the 2005-06 Legislative Session.
Senator Regola's bill calls for an amendment to the state Constitution. Amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution means the legislation must be approved in two separate Legislative Sessions and by the voters as a referendum.
Insights[]
The General Assembly considered a large number of bills during the lame duck portion of the 2003-04 Legislation Session.
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"Ending lame duck voting sessions would increase public confidence in state government," Senator Regola said. "In addition, the Governor would still be able to call the General Assembly into Special Session in cases of emergencies."
