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IMPORTANT 2007 DATES:
- Th Jan 4 Board Meeting
- Mo Feb 5 Membership Meeting
- Th Feb 15 Budget 101 Seminar
9:00 am—1:00 pm
Hilton Harrisburg
Look for a registration form with your 2007 dues statement.
- Th Mar 1 Board Meeting
- Th Mar 29 Lobbypalooza 2007
At the Hilton Harrisburg
Learn the new law from the people who know it best. Registration details will be sent soon!
- Mo April 2 Membership Meeting
- Th May 3 Board Meeting
- Mo June 4 Membership Meeting
- Th July 12 Board Meeting
- Th Sept 6 Board Meeting
- Mo Oct 1 Membership Meeting
- Th Nov 1 Board Meeting
- Mo Dec 3 Membership Meeting
Membership meetings are held 11:30 am—12:30 pm on the 3rd floor of the Firehouse Restaurant, Harrisburg
The President's Message
by Brian Barno
 The Pennsylvania General Assembly begins its 2007-2008 Session with a totally new look. On November 7, Commonwealth voters continued what they started on Primary Election day – they completed a full-body make-over. District by district, voters passed judgment on their representatives in state government. With the unprecedented number of retirements and the tidal wave of primary surprises (including the toppling the Senate leadership), the General Election confirmed that voters had no interest in cosmetic nip/tuck surgery – they demanded major organ transplant work.
Joe Scarnati, the newly-elected Senate President Pro Tem, stresses that his caucus will work to deliver Republican principles through the budget process and continue to advocate for reform. Scarnati heads a young Republican leadership team that needs to treat some internal bleeding from the leadership fight before unifying members around the GOP principles of lower taxes and smaller government. . Senate Republicans’ relationship with the House during the 2005-2006 Session often resembled a Hatfield-McCoy family gathering. It will be interesting to watch the conservative Senate Republican leadership team build a relationship with a Democratic House Speaker who comes out of the blocks pushing poker, blackjack and craps at casinos.
The razor-thin margin in the race for Chester County’s 156th district seat puts the House back in Democratic hands for the first time in twelve years. While legal challenges may last for awhile, Barbara McIlvaine Smith’s victory in the 156th has political pundits scratching their heads. Chester County has been a Republican stronghold forever. We know about voter angst on national issues, but we need to analyze what role discontent with state government and shifting demographics played in the upsets that have switched control of the House. It’s safe to say that with a 102-101 Democratic margin in the House, little of substance will get done without some horse trading from players on both sides of the aisle.
We welcome 5 new Senators and 50 new House members in the upcoming session – a diverse, talented group that will bring energy to the Capitol. We know that state government has an impact on every Pennsylvanian As these legislators acclimate themselves to Harrisburg and find out what committees they’re assigned to, the responsibility falls on PAGR members to educate them about our clients. It’s our job to ensure that the clients we represent, whether wearing hardhats at the construction site, punching the clock at the warehouse or stepping into the office tower, are represented by skilled lobbying professionals adhering to the highest ethical standards. That’s our trust and why we’re PAGR members.
Lobbying Disclosure: Governor Rendell has signed HB 700 which restores a statute governing lobbying disclosure which the Commonwealth has been without since the 1998 Lobbying Law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 2002. HB 700/Act 134 requires that:
- Any lobbyist who is paid more than $2,500 in any quarter must register with the Department of State as of January 1, 2007;
- Any corporation or trade group that spends more than $2,500 in any quarter on a lobbyist must register with the Department of State;
- Every quarter, lobbyists and those that hire them must disclose spending for lobbying. These spending reports must categorize how money was spent for any sort of communications, gifts, salaries and benefits. The reports must also identify the general subject matter or issue for which they were lobbying;
- Lobbyists must report the names of any state officials to whom they gave gifts worth more than $250 in a year or entertainment, such as tickets to an event, meals, transportation and other forms of hospitality worth more than $650 in a year;
- All lobbying disclosure reports will be available online and random audits of lobbyist’s reports are required.
HB 700/Act 134
- Makes it illegal for lobbyists to charge a fee with the understanding that any part of that fee would be converted to a campaign contribution;
- Makes it illegal for a lobbyist to serve as a political committee's treasurer; and lobbyists or corporations that violate this law may be fined and lobbyists may be prohibited from lobbying for up to five years (Fines -Lobbyist $2,000 and Principals $25,000).
- A Committee, made up of the following, will be charged with promulgating the regulations:
- Chairman of the State Ethics Commission;
- Attorney General
- General Counsel
- Senate member appointed by President Pro Tem
- Senate member appointed by the Minority Leader
- House member appointed by the Speaker
- House member appointed by the Minority Leader
- Two lobbyists appointed by the Governor.
PAGR has requested the Governor’s Office appoint a PAGR representative to the committee. The committee, which hasn’t been named yet, isn’t expected to have guidelines released until near the end of the first quarter of 2007 – the first quarter the statute mandates reporting.
Lobbyist Registration and Expense Reporting forms will be available for downloading from the Department of State’s Lobbying Disclosure Website (Link not yet available) or at the Bureau of Commissions, Elections and Legislation, 210 North Office Building. The forms are currently being prepared. The Lobbyist Registration form will be ready prior to the January 1 registration period. Registration forms will be able to be submitted through the mail, in-person or electronically. A $100 fee is required for the biennial registration as well as a recent photograph. Lobbyist Expense Reporting forms will be ready prior to the end of the first reporting period (January 1-March 31).
PAGR will notify members as soon as additional information becomes available.
Budget Seminar: PAGR is hosting a Budget Seminar for Lobbyists to be held on February 15. We hope the seminar will provide a State Budget 101 for PAGR members unfamiliar with the process and provide effective strategies and helpful hints for even the most grizzled budget veteran. Our goal is to remove some of the mystery around the state budget process to develop your skills to make you even more valuable to your clients or employer. Your feedback on the session is critical as we continue to explore ways for PAGR to meet your needs.
Sign-Off: It’s been an honor to serve as PAGR President and follow the talented individuals that served before me. Remember, PAGR is your organization. Your input, feedback and involvement are critical. Thanks to Andy Hilt for stepping up as the new PAGR President, the PAGR Board for its support, our great program committee, and Director Christine Corrigan for her tireless efforts. I look forward to seeing you on the Hill.
Does PAGR Accept Credit Cards?
As of January 1, 2007 we will!
Finally, PAGR has moved into the 21st century. As of the first of the new year, PAGR will be able to accept visa and mastercard credit cards. Pay your dues, pay for lunches and events too, using your good old American plastic.
The membership has asked for it and PAGR has answered the call. Look for the spot on your 2007 annual dues invoice for you to include your credit card information or contact Christine with the information at the PAGR office.
FYI, 2007 dues invoice will be sent later this month.
Order your 2007/2008 Legislative Directories today through PAGR
Click here for an order form in PDF Format
Meeting Notice
Monday, December 4, 2006
4:00—6:00 PM
McGrath’s Pub
202 Locust Street • Harrisburg
- We will be voting on 2007 Board of Directors
- We will be honoring two departing Board Members
- HOLIDAY CHEER (complimentary beer, wine & munchies)
ALL MEMBERS WILL BE CHARGED $10.
ALL GUESTS OF MEMBERS WILL BE CHARGED $20.
PLEASE RSVP BY December 1 TO
717-540-4391 OR INFO@PAGR.ORG.
2007 Slate of Candidates
Officers
President - Andrew Hilt *
Vice President - Peter Calcara *
Secretary - Deb Kisela *
Treasurer - Gregg Taylor *
Board of Directors
Association - Brinda Carroll Penyak *
Corporate - Kris Snader
Lawyer - Tony Crisci
Independent - Ted Mowatt *
At Large - Judy Eschberger *
At Large - Mark Richards
Immediate Past President
Brian Barno
Executive Director
Christine Corrigan
* must be voted on by membership
Thank You Amy Leader
For your four years of contributions and commitment as a Member of PAGR’s Board of Directors 2003 –2006
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