Posted: | March 19, 2019 03:29 PM |
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From: | Representative Christopher M. Rabb |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Fines for certain resignations that lead to special elections |
When state lawmakers vacate their seats and are ultimately convicted of felonies, Pennsylvania’s taxpayers are forced to pick up the tab for the substantial cost of ensuing special elections. My forthcoming bill will amend the Pennsylvania Election Code (P.L.1333, No.320) in order to impose fines for certain legislative resignations and establish the Special Election Fund. Specifically, this proposal will require a senator or representative in the Pennsylvania General Assembly who is guilty of a felony and resigns from office to pay a fine of $100,000. All fines collected under this provision will be placed in a restricted account for the purpose of reimbursing county boards of elections for the costs associated with holding special elections and defraying administrative expenses incurred by the Department of State. Taxpayers in this great Commonwealth should not be held solely responsible for the costs of special elections in these cases. It is time that we remedy this issue and hold future members accountable for these costly elections. |
Introduced as HB1668