Accomplishments

Government Reform

One of the Senate's first official acts of the 2007-08 legislative session was to adopt seven reform proposals designed to make the legislative process more open and accessible to the public.

The rules changes were developed with bipartisan input and represent a good first step in the push for greater transparency in the Senate. Learn More

No Lame Duck Session in 2008

Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson) and Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) announced that the Senate will not convene for a regular "lame duck” session in 2008.

The days between the general election 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. At least six new members were elected to the Senate in 2008, replacing retiring members.

Major Expansion of Opens Records Law Enacted

Legislation to rewrite and strengthen Pennsylvania’s 50-year-old Open Records Law, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware), and co-sponsored by Senator Folmer, was signed into law.

Act 3 of 2008 makes dramatic changes in the records available from various government agencies.  For state agencies and local agencies, Senate Bill 1 reverses the presumption of access to records and puts the burden of proof on a government agency denying access to a record.

This was the one change that many advocates of open government consider the most essential. Legislative records and financial records of the judiciary are subject to the same presumption and the same burden of proof.

It provides exceptions for such things as criminal investigations, Social Security Numbers, personal financial information and individual medical records.

Legislative agencies, including the Senate and the House, are required to provide access to 19 categories of records, and judicial agencies are required to provide financial records.
Senate Bill 1 also makes many important improvements to the process of obtaining public records in Pennsylvania, including the creation of an independent Office of Open Records to hear appeals regarding access to records of state and local agencies.

Protection of Families and Individuals

In his first legislative session, Senator Folmer had two bills signed into law.  Act 127 of 2008 strengthens the child custody rights for military personnel deployed overseas and Act 76 of 2007 establishes rights for foster children and foster parents.

2007-2008 Senate Accomplishments