Southwest PA News

Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) released a statement today addressing the House Democrat leadership's decision to stall a scheduled House Appropriations Committee meeting on Tuesday evening. The session was recessed shortly before 1 a.m. on Wednesday, July 10, without any action being taken.

"Once again, the Democrat majority has resorted to shady and deceptive tactics in an attempt to force their partisan agenda through without transparency," O'Neal stated. "For the second time, Democrats held a committee meeting in the dead of night, attempting to vote on legislation while most Pennsylvanians are unaware and tucked in their beds."

O'Neal criticized the late-night scheduling of the committee meeting and the lack of communication from the Democratic chairman. "For the second straight year, the state budget is at another impasse. In usual House Democrat fashion, last evening they called a late-night committee meeting without sharing an agenda with all members of the committee. The Democratic chairman left the committee members and interested parties in limbo as he put the meeting on hold until after midnight without communication or justification."

He emphasized the need for his proposed legislation, House Resolution 330, which would prohibit committee votes after 11 p.m., similar to existing rules for full House sessions. "This is another reminder of the need to pass my legislation, House Resolution 330," O'Neal said. "The House Democrats have refused to allow for a vote on the resolution since it was introduced last fall."

O'Neal called for changes to House rules to prevent what he described as undemocratic practices. "We must finally and formally address this issue in the House rules to ensure that the majority can no longer attempt to operate in darkness," he asserted. "These types of committee meetings are an insult to democracy and a disservice to the body and the people of Pennsylvania. No legislation should be rushed and voted on in the cover of darkness and away from the eyes of the public."

The 48th Legislative District in Washington County includes several townships such as Amwell, East Finley, Morris, North Franklin, Nottingham, Somerset, South Franklin, South Strabane, West Finley; parts of Carroll and North Strabane; and boroughs including Donora, East Washington, Green Hills.

Representative Tim O’Neal

48th Legislative District

Pennsylvania House of Representatives

Media Contact: Tracy Polovick

717-260-6358

tpolovick@pahousegop.com

RepONeal.com / Facebook.com/RepTimONeal