Rep. Mike Sturla has a nice year-end listicle, enumerating the Top 11 indignities of life under Republican control of Harrisburg.
Here is a process “innovation” that I have not seen much discussion of from political reporters:
Number 5: Parliamentary shenanigans
See number 6 (Turzai).
With the words respectful, professional and civil still lingering in the air, Republican leaders in the House shirked their own pledge for fair debate and embarrassed the legislature. By using hostile parliamentary tactics, the GOP has effectively silenced the voices of millions of Pennsylvanians.
Here’s a look at the numbers.
In 2011 alone, House GOP leaders have led the march to stop debate immediately for a vote (moving the previous question) 9 times.
To put this in context, from 1961 to 2010—in 50 years in the House at times controlled by Republicans and at times by Democrats — this maneuver was only used a total of 30 times.
This is just one example of the strong arm tactics Republicans have employed to keep Democratic ideas from being considered. They’ve systematically shut off the consideration of any idea they’re opposed to by raising the issue of germaness, they’ve repeatedly held meetings in rooms too small to fit legislators, staff and reporters and that are not equipped for broadcast, and even voted to change the number of Democrats assigned to committees.
The House GOP prefers to throw up road blocks rather than legitimately consider a democratic idea.
It is a pretty comprehensive list, but if we’re going over 10 items, can we also add regulating every free-standing abortion clinic in the state out of existence?
