Issue Position: Government Reform

Issue Position

Pat is not a politician. As our State Senator, he lives like we do and puts your interests first.

Reform Harrisburg to Save Money
For too long, the insiders, politicians and bureaucrats in Harrisburg have forgotten that they work for us. As our State Senator, Pat fights for real reform by standing up to the special interests and career politicians. He has supported reducing the size of the legislature and a constitutional convention aimed at government reform and consolidation.

Leads by Example
Pat leads by example. Pat drives his own car and refuses the taxpayer paid per diems. The first bill he introduced as a State Senator was to eliminate the per diems and require receipts for all reimbursements(SB559). He also pays for a portion of his health care just like in the private sector.

A Pension Like We Get
Pat led the fight to change the pension system in PA which was enacted in 2016. He refused to take a pension because he knew the old pension system created a more than billion dollar crisis for the taxpayers of Pennsylvania. Now because of leaders like Pat, Pennsylvania has one of the most taxpayer friendly pension plans in the nation.

Draining the Swamp in Harrisburg
Pat knows that the way things have always been done in Harrisburg isn't working. That's why he is working to change it.

Pat introduced legislation to ban politicians convicted for crimes that involved their office from lobbying and a bill that requires a 1 year wait before a former lawmaker could be appointed to a new state position (SB666 & SB596).

He introduced legislation requiring receipts for all reimbursements to a legislator (SB559). He also is working to ensure when someone steals from the government that will have to repay the government (SB897).

Transparency in Government
Pat believes that there is no government action that would not be improved by increased transparency.

That's why Pat introduced several pieces of legislation aimed at increasing transparency. Pat introduced legislation to require a public comment period before bargaining for public employees are agreed to and school administrators are hired(SB 168 &SB 592). He also introduced legislation to allow the Auditor General to audit County and Municipal Authorities (SB597).

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