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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | January 13, 2021 11:48 AM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Patrick J. Stefano |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Banning Appointments for Legislators for One Year after Leaving the General Assembly |
| In the near future, I plan to reintroduce legislation that would bar public officials from accepting an appointment to any governmental body for one year after leaving the General Assembly. Under this legislation, a public official shall be barred from an appointment to any governmental body, as defined in Section 1102 of Title 65 (Public Officers) of Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, for one year after leaving office. This ban will apply whether the official retired, voluntarily resigned during his or her term, or was defeated in an election (in either the primary election or the general election). There will be an exception for those public officials who gain the position by winning either a primary election or a general election. This legislation will minimize the possibility that elected officials run for a term with the goal of positioning themselves for an appointment to a governmental body or promise a difficult vote for the prospect of an appointment in the event of an election loss. This legislation will also eliminate the possibility of legislators leaving in the middle of their term for an appointed position. When this happens, taxpayers are saddled with the cost of a special election. It has also been reported that former members have been appointed to government positions in order to maximize their retirement benefits. Public service is not supposed to be used as a revolving door or for personal enrichment, and this legislation will minimize it being used in those manners. This legislation was formerly Senate Bill 528 from last session and was co-sponsored by Senators Mensch, Aument, Langerholc, and Vogel. I hope that you will join me in co-sponsoring this legislation. If you have any questions regarding this information, please contact Jake Gery in my office at jgery@pasen.gov. |