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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 26, 2021 03:35 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Representative Joanna E. McClinton |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Emergency Remote Voting Contingency Plan Task Force |
| The COVID-19 pandemic has made it clear that the continued operation of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives is essential in providing for the welfare of all Pennsylvanians. Being able to respond quickly and pass legislation that helps the people of our state in an emergency should be of the highest importance. While we have recently come together in unprecedented ways to provide for remote operations through designated voting and eventually remote participation, we must prepare for the day where an emergency might make it impossible or unsafe for any member to be present in the House Chamber. The next emergency may occur when we do not already have temporary rules in place and we may be unable to get together to adopt new temporary rules. This is why I will be introducing legislation to create a task force to study and recommend an emergency remote voting contingency plan for the House of Representatives. The task force will consist of the legislative leaders along with the heads of our nonpartisan institutional offices most directly connected to our legislative operations: the Chief Clerks Office, the Parliamentarian’s Office, the Legislative Reference Bureau, and the Legislative Data Processing Center. We must prepare for future emergencies and ensure that the House of Representatives can continue to function uninterrupted regardless of the circumstances. The essence of our democracy lies not within the physical walls of our hallowed House, but within our collective membership and the constituents that we represent. Please join me in ensuring the uninterrupted continuation of our democratic process regardless of the situation we find ourselves in. |