News Release
For Immediate Release
November 16, 2009
Contact: Aaron Zappia
(215) 657-7700

Greenleaf Co-Sponsors New Legislation to Address Future Budget Impasse and Establish Rules of Conduct for the State Senate

Senator Greenleaf (R, Montgomery, Bucks) has signed on to co-sponsor new pieces of legislation to help address a future budget impasse, and to set Rules of Ethical Conduct for the State Senate.

Budget Impasse Legislation: 

Senator Greenleaf has co-sponsored two bills introduced by State Senator Lisa Baker to address a future budget impasse.

One would amend the State Constitution to require the Commonwealth to maintain state appropriations at 80 percent of the prior year level if a General Fund budget is not enacted by the Constitutional deadline of June 30 of any year. 

A second bill would provide for certain actions / deadlines by the General Assembly to move the process forward. 

1.) No later than six weeks after the date of submission of a budget by the Governor to the General Assembly, a separate general appropriations bill for the ensuing fiscal year shall be introduced in each chamber. 

2.) Each chamber of the General Assembly shall pass a complete and balanced general appropriations bill no later than the second full week of May.

3.) If no final budget agreement has been reached by June 15 of any year and if either the House or the Senate has passed a budget, the opposing chamber which has not passed a budget must vote on what the other chamber has approved.

"Pennsylvania's budget should never again be allowed to lapse for over a three month period," said Senator Greenleaf.  "Our most important job as legislators is to pass the budget.  Many Pennsylvanians suffered as a result of this year's impasse, from state employees to those receiving services from programs funded by the state.  These bills will ensure that operating funds will always be in place in a timely manner."

Rules of Ethical Conduct for the State Senate:

Senator Greenleaf has co-sponsored legislation jointly introduced by Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-25), Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-9), and Senate Democratic Leader Robert Mellow (D-22) creating a set of Rules of Ethical Conduct for the state Senate.

The Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct include:

• No Senate employee may conduct any campaign activity on Senate work time.

• No campaign activity may be conducted in a Senate office or with Senate resources.

• The solicitation or receipt of campaign contributions on Senate work time or with Senate resources is prohibited.

• No Senate employee may serve as an officer on a campaign committee or a campaign finance committee on behalf of any Senator or Senate candidate.

• No Senate employee may be required to perform campaign activities or to make campaign contributions.

• No Senate employee may be required to perform any non-work-related task.

• Senate mailing lists and email lists may only be used for legislative purposes, and cannot be sold or given to any other entity, including campaigns.

• Senate employees who are responsible for taking or recommending official actions are required to file Financial Interest Statements with the Secretary of the Senate.

• No Senate-funded newsletter may be sent within 60 days of an election.

• Annual training shall be provided to all senators and all Senate employees related to the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct, the Ethics Act, and the Lobbyist Disclosure Act.

Any alleged violations of the Senate Rules of Ethical Conduct would first be investigated by the Secretary of the Senate. If a more detailed investigation is warranted and the subject of the report is a senator, the matter will be referred to the Senate Committee on Ethics and Official Conduct. If the subject of the report is an employee, an independent party will conduct the investigation.

Sanctions for violations by an employee can range from a warning to termination of employment, depending on the circumstances. Sanctions for violations by a senator can range from a warning to requiring restitution and any other sanction provided for under the Pennsylvania Constitution.

Senator Pileggi, Chairman of the Senate Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, also said that he will schedule a public hearing to receive public input on the proposed rules before they are considered by the full Senate.

"It has been made clear in recent years that a formalized ethical code is needed for all State Senators and their staff," said Senator Greenleaf.  "These rules can be easily understood and followed to the letter by all legislators and Senate employees."