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House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
House of Representatives
Session of 2023 - 2024
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | September 25, 2024 01:21 PM |
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| From: | Representative Malcolm Kenyatta |
| To: | All House members |
| Subject: | Keeping Candidates and Public Officials Safe |
| From the shooting of former United States Representative Gabby Giffords in 2011 to the assassination attempts against former President Donald Trump this year, security threats to political candidates and public officeholders have only increased and have been targeted at Democrats and Republicans alike. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, “[m]ore than 40 percent of state legislators experienced threats or attacks within the past three years…The numbers balloon to 89 percent of state legislators… when less severe forms of abuse — insults or harassment such as stalking — are included.” More and more, we are finding that security details are necessary to protect the safety of candidates and officeholders, as well as those members of the public who interact with them. In April of this year, the Federal Election Commission proposed a rule to allow federal candidates and officeholders to use campaign funds on professional security personnel and services. However, this proposed rule does not include state candidates and officeholders. To extend such protections to state-level candidates and officeholders, I will be introducing a legislative package that allows for the utilization of campaign funds and compensation for these services. These measures will ensure that public servants in our state have access to security services if needed, regardless of their means. Political violence threatens the free and fair functioning of democracy at every level of government. As we approach Election Day in November, I hope that you will sign on to support this important public safety measure. Bill 1: This bill will clarify that a campaign expenditure may include professional security personnel and services, thereby allowing candidates to use campaign funds for security. Bill 2: This bill will allow for additional security for the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pro-Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, Pennsylvania Auditor General, and Pennsylvania Treasurer by adding professional security personnel and services to the compensation of these officials. |
Document #1
| Description: | Bill 1: This bill will clarify that a campaign expenditure may include professional security personnel and services, thereby allowing candidates to use campaign funds for security. |
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Document #2
| Description: | Bill 2: This bill will allow for additional security for the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Pro-Tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate, Pennsylvania Auditor General, and Pennsylvania Treasurer by adding professional security personnel and services to the compensation of these officials. |
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Memo Updated: September 25, 2024 01:22 PM