Radio Smart Talk for Friday, February 4: Last week, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Corbett released his proposal to reform state government, including a proposed ten percent cut in administrative spending, improved documentation of state finances, and a two-year budget cycle. But before the proposed measures were introduced on the House floor, Republican leaders expressed shock at their Democratic counterparts’ filing of 43 different amendments to the bills. (It’s a move GOP lawmakers regularly employed when they were in the minority as a way to slow down debate, as each amendment is discussed and voted on). The GOP-led Rules Committee, in response, approved a measure that essentially gives Republicans the power to set aside amendments, and reduces, by one, the number of Democrats on each House committee.

And so, we had our first partisan squabble of the new term. How can government reform occur when it’s up to the government to reform it?

Friday's program will examine the latest reform efforts and whether they go far enough.

Guests:
Rep. Glen Grell (R-Cumberland)

Rep. Josh Shapiro (D-Montgomery)

Listen to the show: