John A. Maher Republican Allegheny County Washington County Occupation: Legislator and CPA Member of the House: 1997 to date Education: Duke University, A.B. Management-Sciences/Accounting, Magna Cum Laude Oxford University (Scholarship Studies) Austrailian Graduate School of Management (Fellowship Studies) Standing Committee Assignments: • Appropriations • Professional Licensure • Transportation (Subcommittee Chairman on Public Transportation) • Urban Affairs Contact Information: Hon. John A. Maher 711 Summerfield Commons 2547 Washington Road Upper St. Clair, PA 15241 (412) 831-8080 Fax: (412) 831-8083 Hon. John A. Maher 160-B East Wing Harrisburg, PA 17120 (717) 783-1522 Fax: (717) 783-8332

Lobbying Disclosure Legislation Progresses John A. Maher By: Rep. John A. Maher Pennsylvania holds a shameful distinction as the only state in the nation without any law governing lobbyists. The Commonwealth has been without a lobbying disclosure law since September 2002, when the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that a 1998 statute was unconstitutional. Controversy was overcome Wednesday when the House State Government Committee unanimously passed legislation that would shed public light on lobbying activities. As the prime sponsor of H.B.2080, a measure that provides for provisions relating to lobby regulation and disclosure. The bill is now on its way to the House floor, awaiting a vote by the full chamber. My bill has evolved over recent months into the form adopted by the committee today embracing many ideas raised in a series of public meetings. Under the measure, both lobbyists and those represented by lobbyists would be required to register with the PA Department of State. Those registered would file quarterly reports disclosing amounts expended to influence legislative or executive branch actions, either directly or indirectly. This legislation aims to streamline compliance by overcoming the administrative and logistical headaches frequently attributed to implementation of the 1998 law. Forty-four House members have joined as cosponsors of HB 2080, notably including State Government Committee Chairman Paul I. Clymer (R-Bucks), who has invested a great deal of effort to advancing the legislation and crafting the bill in a manner that enjoys bipartisan support. Senate President Bob Jubelirer is leading a similar effort in the Senate. I look forward to working with the Senate so that the best ideas emerging from each chamber can be melded into the final form for lobbying disclosure legislation. We realize the need to address lobbyists and their activities in state government. The role they play cannot be overlooked, and we need to assure that they, like all other entities with an influence in government, are properly monitored. Today's committee decision helps bring Pennsylvania one step closer to enacting this much-needed legislation.   3-17-04 - View Rep. Maher's comments at today's press conference concerning the House State Government Committee's unanimous approval of a new Lobbyist Disclosure bill. ### CapNews Guest Speaker: Archives Back to CapNews