WOZNIAK: LEGISLATIVE REFORM GIVES CITIZENS ACCESS TO GOVERNMENT HARRISBURG, January 2, 2007 – State Senator John N. Wozniak (D-Johnstown) today lauded new Senate rule changes aimed at making the state legislative process more open, accountable and responsive to citizens. “This bold and innovative step will bring about a new, brighter era to state government,” Wozniak said. “Now, the legislative process will be more open and accessible to the citizens of Pennsylvania. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to enforce these new rules in the upcoming legislative session.” Under the new Senate rules: Session times will be limited to between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m. Amendments will be posted to the Internet before being offered on the Senate floor. The Senate will wait at least six hours before voting on an amended bill or a conference committee report. All roll call votes will be posted on the Internet as soon as possible after a vote, but always within 24 hours of a vote. Committee votes on bills will be posted on the Internet within 48 hours of the vote. The Senate’s Legislative Journal – which includes the full text of all floor debates – will be posted on the Internet upon Senate approval of the Journal or within 45 days, whichever is earlier. An updated fiscal note will be prepared if a bill is amended after consideration by the Senate Appropriations Committee, if the amendment has a fiscal impact. “This is a wonderful first step on the road to accountability in state government,” Wozniak said. “But there are still a number of reforms that should be considered in the upcoming session.”