PA Democrats pass 11 resolutions, no GOP support.

The Pennsylvania Legislature is not getting much done. Since the start of the session in January, the 253 full-time elected members have gotten just one non-controversial bill passed: a measure requiring insurance companies to provide screenings for breast cancer.

It’s time for the Pennsylvania Legislature to step up and start working for the people of the state. With a Democratic governor, Josh Shapiro, a Republican majority 50-member Senate, and a newly Democrat-led House with 203-members, there’s no excuse for the lack of progress.

While in the minority, frustrated Democrats often commented about how difficult it was to get their priorities considered in committee, let alone sent to the full chamber for a floor vote. Now, committees and the House are in the hands of Democratic leadership, which sets the tone for which bills to pursue.

The people of Pennsylvania are now seeing the Democrats’ priorities in action. Unfortunately, some of the resolutions being passed are not exactly what the state needs right now.

The Resolutions

• House Resolution 32: This resolution aims to reduce the time it takes to vote by calling for a study on the current use of poll workers, polling places, voting compartments, and voting machines. While this is an important issue, the state has already conducted previous election studies and passed election reform bills numerous times. Another study is not the answer.
• House Resolution 34: This resolution seeks to urge Congress to make Patriots’ Day a federal holiday. While it’s important to recognize the battles that marked the beginning of the American Revolution, this resolution doesn’t do anything to improve the lives of Pennsylvanians.
• House Resolution 41: This resolution asks to establish an independent commission to study the history of the state song and recommend changes to it. While a different song may be better for promoting Pennsylvania tourism, this resolution seems like a waste of time.
• House Resolution 47: This resolution directs the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on voting patterns and knowledge about voting rights among formerly incarcerated qualified voters. While this is an important issue, it’s unclear how much impact this study will have.
• House Resolution 64: This resolution calls for recognizing the week of April 16-22, 2023, as National.

Minority chair Republican Rep. Brad Roae has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the legislature. “We seem to be bogged down in committees passing legislation that the House passes, and the Senate won’t consider,” he said. “We need to work together and do things for the people of Pennsylvania that will help improve Pennsylvania.”

It’s time for the Pennsylvania Legislature to start working together and focusing on bills that will make a real difference for the people of the state.