State of Pennsylvania secondary Archives: on Government Reform
Jeff Bartos:
Voting rights bill attempt by radical left to seize power
[On election reform]: "S.1 was a laughable attempt by beltway liberals to put Chuck Schumer, Bernie Sanders, and AOC in charge of Pennsylvania's elections," said
Republican Jeff Bartos. "S.1 was just the latest attempt by the radical left to seize more power. I'm glad it died a very public death in the Senate--our nation is better for it."
Source: Delaware Valley Journal on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Jun 30, 2021
Joe Gale:
Eliminate no-excuse mail-in voting; mandate voter ID
As Governor, I will hold bad Republicans accountable not just by naming names, but by supporting primary challenges against those who undermine a common-sense conservative agenda--which must begin with election reform.
This means eliminating Pennsylvania's 50 days of no-excuse mail-in voting and mandating that photo-identification be shown at the polls on Election Day.
Source: 2021 Pennsylvania Gubernatorial campaign website JoeGale.com
May 11, 2021
Jeff Bartos:
Election not stolen; Trump not to blame for insurrection
Bartos does not suggest that the election was stolen from Trump--Trump maintains baselessly that it was--and has said he believes Trump should have ended his efforts to overturn the outcome several weeks after the election when federal courts were
rejecting his legal challenges.But Bartos does not assign blame to Trump for the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol, unlike Toomey, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of suburban Philadelphia and Senate GOP leader Mitch McConnell.
Source: Associated Press on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Mar 8, 2021
Jeff Bartos:
For voter ID, end "no excuse" absentee ballots
Bartos is also joining a Republican movement to tighten voting laws in the wake of Trump's loss to Biden. Bartos said that he supports voter ID laws and ending "no excuse" absentee ballots, a law that
Pennsylvania passed in 2019 with near-universal support from Republican lawmakers before Trump began attacking mail-in voting, baselessly, as being rife with fraud.
Source: Associated Press on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Mar 8, 2021
Jeff Bartos:
Signed U.S. Term Limits pledge
U.S. Term Limits praises Jeff Bartos, for signing the pledge for an amendment to term limit Congress. It reads, "I pledge that as a member of Congress, I will cosponsor and vote for the U.S. Term Limits amendment of three (3) House terms and two (2)
Senate terms and no longer limit." The U.S. Term Limits constitutional amendment has been introduced in both the U.S. Senate by Senator Ted Cruz and his colleagues (SJR3) and the U.S. House by Representative Ralph Norman (HJR12).
Source: TermLimits.com blog on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Mar 7, 2021
Pat Toomey:
I think Trump committed impeachable offenses
TOOMEY: So, I think the president did commit impeachable offenses. There's little doubt in my mind about that. We're literally less than one week to go at that point. I'm also not at all clear
that it's constitutionally permissible to impeach someone after they have left office. So, there may not be a viable impeachment route at this point.
Source: CNN State of the Union on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Jan 10, 2021
Pat Toomey:
Not clear if impeachment is valid after leaving office
[On Trump's second impeachment]: One, it's not clear the Constitution permits impeachment. conviction and prohibition against ever serving again, which is a separate vote, that that's permitted after a person has left office. Number two, I would
certainly hope, and I actually do believe, that the president has disqualified himself. I don't think he's a viable candidate for office ever again because of the outrageous behavior in the post-election period.
Source: Meet the Press interview on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Jan 10, 2021
John Fetterman:
Mocked Texas AG on voter fraud accusations
He repeatedly mocked on Twitter and on television a promise Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, a Republican, made two days after the November election to pay up to $1 million for evidence of voter fraud.
Fetterman offered up three Trump supporters from Pennsylvania accused of attempting to vote for dead relatives and demanded that Patrick, whom he kept calling "my dude," pay the state $3 million.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Jan 8, 2021
Pete Buttigieg:
As mayor: ask how USDOT worked rather than make demands
Beth Osborne, a top USDOT official during the Obama administration, remembered Buttigieg "set the agency on fire" when he visited the office as mayor. What set Buttigieg apart, she said, is that he spent his time
asking agency employees questions about how the department worked, rather than making demands about what he wanted them to do for him.
Source: Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Biden Cabinet
Dec 26, 2020
Malcolm Kenyatta:
Opposed law making voting process less accessible
Kenyatta has shamed Republican lawmakers for backing legislation that he says will "intimate" people from exercising their right to vote. "This actually should not be a contentious issue," Kenyatta said. "It should be a bipartisan issue to allow every
Pennsylvanian to have access to their fundamental right to vote. But what this amendment does is make the process inaccessible for Pennsylvanians. And unfortunately, it has been driven by national politics."
Source: Pink News (LGBT UK) on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Sep 7, 2020
Tom Wolf:
Streamline government; reduce number of state employees
We've saved billions of dollars and reduced the number of state employees--without furloughs, all while improving customer service. We've gotten rid of facilities and leases that we don't use or need while consolidating commonwealth operations
within the capitol complex. We've made the procurement process smarter and more efficient. We will continue to look for ways to streamline government so we can invest in the things that matter to Pennsylvanians while at the same time serving them better.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Pennsylvania legislature
Feb 5, 2019
Bob Casey:
Disclose political donors; Citizens United empowers wealthy
Q: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?Lou Barletta (R): No. Did not support DISCLOSE Act of 2017.
Bob Casey (D): Yes. Supported original DISCLOSE Act in 2010. Cosponsored DISCLOSE Act of 2017.
Q: Support
Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?
Barletta: Unknown.
Casey: No. Says the ruling has enhanced the power of corporate special interests & a handful of wealthy individuals.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Pennsylvania Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Bob Casey:
Protect voting rights; no voter-ID
Q: Voting Rights: Support stricter voting rules like requiring voter ID or reducing registration times, even if prevent some people from voting?Lou Barletta (R): Unknown
.
Bob Casey (D): No. Co-sponsored 2015 bill to restore Voting Rights Act of 1965 protections cut by 2013 Supreme Court ruling.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Pennsylvania Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Lou Barletta:
No disclosure of political donors
Q: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?Lou Barletta (R): No. Did not support DISCLOSE Act of 2017, which provides for these disclosure requirements.
Bob Casey (D): Yes. Supported original DISCLOSE Act in 2010 & 2017.
Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations & unions?
Barletta: Unknown.
Casey: No. Says the ruling has enhanced the power of corporate special interests & a handful of wealthy individuals.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Pennsylvania Senate race
Oct 9, 2018
Scott Wagner:
Let state lawmakers decide voting districts
Q: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?Scott Wagner (R): No. Supports current system where state lawmakers draw legislative & congressional districts.
Tom Wolf (D): Yes.
Supports independent redistricting commission. Proposed special session for redistricting reform.
Q: Tighten campaign finance rules?
Wagner: May be open to idea. Supports increased limits on lobbyists.
Wolf: Yes, limit contributions.
Add same-day voting & automatic voter registration.
Q: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements even if they prevent some people from voting?
Wagner: No public statements found.
Wolf: No. Supports same-day & automatic voter registration & modernizing absentee voting. Refused Trump Administration request for personal information of every registered PA voter.
Source: CampusElect 2018: Pennsylvania legislative voting records
Oct 9, 2018
Tom Wolf:
Same-day voter registration; automatic voter registration
Q: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements even if they prevent some people from voting?Scott Wagner (R): No public statements found.
Tom Wolf (D):
No. Supports same-day & automatic voter registration & modernizing absentee voting. Refused Trump Administration request for personal information of every registered PA voter.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide: Pennsylvania Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tom Wolf:
Limit campaign contributions
Q: Tighten campaign finance rules?Scott Wagner (R): May be open to idea. Supports increased limits on lobbyists.
Tom Wolf (D): Yes, limit contributions. Add same-day voting, automatic voter registration & nonpartisan redistricting.
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide: Pennsylvania Governor race
Oct 9, 2018
Tom Wolf:
Independent commission to decide voting districts
Q: Support nonpartisan redistricting to address charges of partisan gerrymandering?Scott Wagner (R): No. Supports current system where state lawmakers draw legislative & congressional districts.
Tom Wolf (D): Yes. Supports independent redistricting commission. Proposed special session for redistricting reform.
Source: CampusElect 2018: Pennsylvania legislative voting records
Oct 9, 2018
Ken Krawchuk:
Make voter registration easier
Q: Do you support or oppose the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?
A: Support.ÿ And make getting on the ballot easier too!
Source: OnTheIssues interview: 2018 Pennsylvania Governor candidate
May 18, 2018
Jim Christiana:
PennWATCH: Taxpayers have right to see spending details
Committed to openness, transparency and accountability at all levels of government, Jim has authored legislation to make over $60 billion in annual government spending available online to Pennsylvania taxpayers.
In 2011, his legislation to create PennWATCH, the Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub, was signed into law.
The online database of all state government expenditures was launched in 2012. Following the success of PennWATCH,
Jim led efforts to expand transparency to Pennsylvania's traditional, charter and cyber school districts. His SchoolWATCH legislation became Act 86 of 2016.
Source: 2018 Pennsylvania Senatorial website RepChristiana.com
Jul 2, 2017
Katie McGinty:
Constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United
Q: On Campaign Finance: Do you support the DISCLOSE Act, which requires key funders of political ads to put their names on those ads?McGinty: Yes
Toomey: No
Q: On Campaign Finance: Support Supreme Court's
Citizens United decision, which allows unlimited independent political expenditures by corporations and unions?
McGinty: No. Supports constitutional amendment to overturn.
Toomey: Yes
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Pennsylvania Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Pat Toomey:
Voter ID law protects integrity of the system
Q: On Voting Rights: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?McGinty: No. Supports extending early voting days and eliminating voter ID laws.
Toomey: Yes. Defended PA voter ID law that was later struck down by a court, arguing that requirements were minimal.
Stated that PA's voter ID law had easy-to-meet requirements that protected the integrity of the system.
Opponents argued that the law disenfranchised large numbers of otherwise eligible voters.
Source: CampusElect Voter Guide to 2016 Pennsylvania Senate race
Oct 9, 2016
Katie McGinty:
Stand against partisan attempts to disenfranchise voters
Q: In Shelby County v. Holder, the US Supreme Court invalidated provisions of the Voting Rights Act, which has led to disenfranchised voters across the US. If elected, what will you do to ensure that the voting rights of all Americans are protected?
KATIE MCGINTY: Voting is a fundamental right for Americans across this country. We must fully restore the Voting Rights Act to protect that right for thousands of Americans who are being disenfranchised. But we must also do more.
As Senator, I will stand against partisan attempts to disenfranchise voters through new voter identification laws because we should be encouraging more people to vote, not systematically denying them that right.
I also support reforms that increase accessibility and integrity in our elections like guaranteeing early voting and expanding options for voter registration.
Source: LWV's Vote411.org on 2016 Pennsylvania Senate Race
Sep 19, 2016
Everett Stern:
After whistleblower at HBSC, unable to find another job
In 2010-2011, in his work for HSBC bank, Stern] immediately found a series of deeply concerning transactions [concerning funding terrorist groups]. Every time Stern brought one of these discoveries to his bosses, they rolled their eyes at him, if not
worse. The U.S. Senate decided to target the company for a yearlong investigation into global money-laundering. The bank itself, in response to the Senate investigation, acknowledged that it had "sometimes failed to meet the standards that regulators
and customers expect." In 2012, Stern heard that the Justice Department was about to announce a settlement. Since he'd left HSBC the year before, he'd had a rough time. Going public with his allegations had left him emotionally and financially
devastated. He'd been unable to find a job, and at one point even applied for welfare. But now that the feds were finally about to drop the hammer on HSBC, he figured he'd have the satisfaction of knowing that his sacrifice had been worthwhile.
Source: Rolling Stone magazine on 2022 Pennsylvania Senate race
Feb 14, 2013
Tom Corbett:
No bumper sticker reads: "Vote to keep Harrisburg the same"
Now is not the time to be timid in our approach. Now is not the time to cling to old ideas and the status quo. Now is not the time to make small changes and expect big results.Now is the time to be truly innovative. Now is the time to embrace new
ideas. And now is the time to be bold. Pennsylvanians deserve this from us now. Every one of us has come here to make things better for all Pennsylvanians. Nobody in this room ran for office on a promise to keep Harrisburg the way it is.
Nobody displayed a campaign bumper sticker that read: "Vote for me--I want to keep Harrisburg the same." No one ran on the promise to bind Harrisburg to the status quo. We all come from different backgrounds, various philosophies, but we share the common
goal of a better Pennsylvania.
Our job isn't to explain why things can't be better. Our obligation is to make things better. We ran on the promise to change Harrisburg. Leave it to the historians to write our history. Our job is to make history--now.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Tom Corbett:
Phase the commonwealth out of the liquor business
I can think of no better use for the proceeds created by getting us out of a business we should never have been in than to put those dollars toward the essential responsibilities of state government.
That is why I have proposed that, as we phase the commonwealth out of the liquor business, we put that money toward education.Selling liquor is not a core function of government. Education is.
We need to put our liquor system into private hands.
Pennsylvanians have waited too long for the day they could buy beer or wine at the grocery store or choose from a greater variety of offerings at privately owned liquor stores.
This is our opportunity and our children's.
Source: 2013 State of the State speech to Pennsylvania Legislature
Feb 5, 2013
Fred Keller:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from legislation:If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID. ID documents must be unexpired or within one year after their
expiration date, except for military ID's, which do not designate an expiration date. The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This bill tinkers with the rules for photo ID requirements without changing the underlying requirement itself. Therefore, we interpret support of this bill as support of photo ID for voting, and opposition to this bill as
supporting more open voting.
Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; Rep. Keller voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 14, 2012
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: HB 934
Mar 14, 2012
Scott Perry:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from legislation:If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID. ID documents must be unexpired or within one year after their
expiration date, except for military ID's, which do not designate an expiration date. The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This bill tinkers with the rules for photo ID requirements without changing the underlying requirement itself. Therefore, we interpret support of this bill as support of photo ID for voting, and opposition to this bill as
supporting more open voting.
Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; Rep. Perry voted YEA on concurrence vote; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 14, 2012
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: HB 934
Mar 14, 2012
Tom Corbett:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from legislation:
- If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID.
- ID documents must be unexpired or within one year after
their expiration date, except for military ID's, which do not designate an expiration date.
- The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This bill tinkers with the rules for photo ID requirements without changing the underlying requirement itself. Therefore, we interpret support of this bill as support of photo ID for voting, and opposition to
this bill as supporting more open voting.Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 14, 2012
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: HB 934
Mar 14, 2012
Lloyd Smucker:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from legislation:
- If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID.
- ID documents must be unexpired or within one year after
their expiration date, except for military ID's, which do not designate an expiration date.
- The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This bill tinkers with the rules for photo ID requirements without changing the underlying requirement itself. Therefore, we interpret support of this bill as support of photo ID for voting, and opposition to
this bill as supporting more open voting.Legislative outcome: Sen.Smucker voted YEA; bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 14, 2012
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: HB 934
Mar 7, 2012
ACLU:
Requiring voter ID means disenfranchisement
Excerpts from HB 934:If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID. ID documents must be unexpired, except for military ID's, which do not
designate an expiration date. The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.ACLU Analysis: "A vote for this bill is a vote
to disenfranchise U.S. citizens," said the legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "Research indicates that as much as 11 percent of U.S. citizens do not have government-issued photo identification. But they have the right to vote. Why is the
State House afraid of the voters?"
Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; State Rep. Jim Christiana voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 12, 2012
Source: ACLU analysis: Pennsylvania legislative voting record: HB934
Jun 23, 2011
Brendan Boyle:
Opposes tinkering with photo ID voter requirements
Excerpts from legislation:
- If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID.
- ID documents must be unexpired or within one year after
their expiration date, except for military ID's, which do not designate an expiration date.
- The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.
OnTheIssues Analysis: This bill tinkers with the rules for photo ID requirements without changing the underlying requirement itself. Therefore, we interpret support of this bill as support of photo ID for voting, and opposition to
this bill as supporting more open voting.Legislative outcome: Rep. Boyle voted NAY; bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 14, 2012
Source: Pennsylvania legislative voting records: HB 934
Jun 23, 2011
Jim Christiana:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from HB 934:If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID. ID documents must be unexpired, except for military ID's, which do not
designate an expiration date. The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.ACLU Analysis: "A vote for this bill is a vote
to disenfranchise U.S. citizens," said the legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "Research indicates that as much as 11 percent of U.S. citizens do not have government-issued photo identification. But they have the right to vote. Why is the
State House afraid of the voters?"
Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; State Rep. Jim Christiana voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 12, 2012
Source: ACLU analysis: Pennsylvania legislative voting record: HB934
Jun 23, 2011
Rick Saccone:
Account for military & religious issues in voter photo ID
Excerpts from HB 934:If a voter has a religious objection to being photographed [such as Amish populations], a valid-without-photo ID card will serve as photo ID. ID documents must be unexpired, except for military ID's, which do not
designate an expiration date. The Commonwealth shall disseminate information to the public regarding the ID requirements, including the availability of ID cards other than driver licenses.ACLU Analysis: "A vote for this bill is a vote
to disenfranchise U.S. citizens," said the legislative director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania. "Research indicates that as much as 11 percent of U.S. citizens do not have government-issued photo identification. But they have the right to vote. Why is the
State House afraid of the voters?"
Legislative outcome: Bill passed House, 108-88-7 on June 23, 2011; State Rep. Rick Saccone voted YEA; bill passed Senate, 26-23-1, on March 7, 2012; signed by Governor Tom Corbett on March 12, 2012
Source: ACLU analysis: Pennsylvania legislative voting record: HB934
Jun 23, 2011
Pat Toomey:
Curb pork-barrel earmarks by law
When he was in Congress, Pat voted against spending taxpayer dollars on pork-barrel earmarks and pushed for laws that would curb how much politicians are allowed to spend.Among the many problems with all this spending is that politicians make
spending decisions based on their own political interests--not on the economic needs of the country. That's how American taxpayers ended up paying for fancy vacations for workers of bailed out companies.
Excessive political spending breeds waste,
corruption, and a lack of transparency. In addition to all the waste and abuse, there is another problem with all this government spending: The growing debt.
Pat has long been a strong proponent of putting policies in place to make sure our
representatives and senators can't spend taxpayer dollars haphazardly. He also supported legislation to increase transparency in Congress so taxpayers can see exactly how their money is being spent. [Source: www.toomeyforsenate.com/content ]
Source: Vote-PA.org profile for 2016 Pennsylvania Senate race
Nov 23, 2010
Bob Casey:
Lobbyist money ok if it has no impact on your vote
Q: Would you turn down money from lobbyists? And what about earmarks?A: I’ve accepted money from lobbyists. The question is what impact does that money have on your vote.
Everyone who knows me knows that I’m very independent. I’ll be focused on needs of Pennsylvanians not the special interests in D.C.
Source: Second 2006 Pennsylvania Senate Debate
Apr 19, 2006
Page last updated: Oct 12, 2021