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For Immediate Release
February 8, 2010
Contact: Sally Kohr
(717) 787-4651

Alloway Supports Senate Republican Leadership Plan to Do Away With Lame Duck Session in 2010

HARRISBURG -- Senator Rich Alloway (R-Franklin) today commended Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi for their decision not to convene the Senate for a regular lame duck session in 2010.

"This is another way to improve transparency in government and ensure that the public's right to know is protected," Alloway said.  "This move is in line with Senate Leadership's commitment to reform including rewriting Pennsylvania's Right-to-Know Law, to strengthening the Sunshine Law, and improving the operation of state government."

The 28 days between November 2 and November 30 are known as a "lame duck" session because some members of the General Assembly can vote on legislation despite the fact that their successors have already been elected. About a dozen members of the House, and two members of the Senate, have already announced plans to retire this year.

The state constitution prohibits a governor from seeking a third term. Because of that restriction, if a lame duck session were held this year, the governor would be in the position of signing or vetoing legislation after his successor was already elected.

In even-numbered years, a lame duck session can run from the day after the General Election until November 30, the date on which the terms of all House members and half of the Senate members expire under the state constitution.

Through the years, lame duck sessions have been criticized because legislators and the Governor are less accountable to voters during this period of time. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, Pennsylvania is currently one of only 11 states that do not limit the length of legislative sessions.

Senator Alloway is a co-sponsor of legislation Senator Kim Ward (R-39) has introduced, Senate Bill 106, a constitutional amendment which would eliminate regular lame duck sessions. It would allow the legislature to convene if a special session is necessary. A similar bill which Alloway supported was approved by the Senate last session but did not advance in the House.