Respect for Openness and Transparency

By Billy McCue

Legislation in Harrisburg is an impenetrable world few understand. It is vital that we take control over the process and its results, and the first thing to do is shine the bright light of publicity on how our state really works.

Transparency is Vital How could he have gotten away with this for so long? Because few really understand what goes on in Harrisburg, and fewer care. A cozy, insular system like this survives because those who know about it earn a living from it, and it's easier to pay off outsiders than to allow the system to be changed.

It is only by shining the spotlight of publicity on what happens in the House that we can prevent things like this from happening, and save our State from further humiliation.

A First Step ... Right now, the Pennsylvania House and Senate publish their voting records on the web. Unfortunately, for someone who is not an expert on legislative procedure, it's not easy to find out what's going on.

This lets the legislators tell us they show everything while still benefitting from the dark corners of obscurity.

So my proposal, when I am elected Lieutenant Governor, is to create a system that will take the information already out there, and repackage it in a readable way that's more accessible to you, members of the public.

But then I thought, actually, we can start this right now. For a preview of how our administration will take concrete steps to make Harrisburg's solons more accountable, you will soon be able to check out Our Legislature, a new site that will let you explore Pennsylvania's legislative activities.