#FixHarrisburg aims to change how Pennsylvania legislature works (or doesn’t)

• Scott LaMar
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  Scott LaMar has worked in both radio and television for more than four decades.
  
  Currently, LaMar is the Host and Executive Producer of The Spark program on WITF-FM, 89.5 & 93.3 in Harrisburg, Pa.
  
  Previously, LaMar was WITF TV’s Sr. Public Affairs producer and produced the station’s award-winning weekly public affairs TV program, Smart Talk.
  
  In addition to his on-air duties, LaMar has moderated political candidate debates, including those for candidates running for Pennsylvania governor and the U.S. Senate and was a regular contributor to BBC World News TV before and after the 2020 U.S. Presidential election.
  
  LaMar often emcees or moderates local events and has gone as far as California to emcee a national event.
  
  The American Society of Civil Engineers honored LaMar with their national Excellence in Journalism award in 2020. He has been nominated for five Mid-Atlantic Emmy Awards.
  
  LaMar and The Spark have been recognized throughout the Central Pennsylvania community including ADVOZ Lancaster’s “Dignity in Dialogue Award”, the South-Central Assembly’s “Regional Citizen Award” and was named a “Humanitarian Hero” by The Humane Society of the United States/Pennsylvania.
  
  A native of Coatesville, Pa., LaMar has also worked as a broadcast news anchor, sports play-by-play announcer and manager.

 Scott LaMar

Airdate: Tuesday, April 12, 2022

Pennsylvania’s General Assembly has sometimes been described as “top heavy” meaning leaders in the four legislative caucuses wield much more power than leaders in other states’ governing bodies. Leadership for Republicans and Democrats in the State House of Representatives and Senate control what bills or proposals are approved by legislative committees to even be considered by their full respective legislatures. Most never make it out of committee in Pennsylvania so individual lawmakers, representing millions of Pennsylvanians, never get the opportunity to vote on proposed bills.

A new reform campaign is looking to change that.

It’s called #FixHarrisburg. Seven different good government non-profit organizations, led by Fair Districts PA and the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters kicked off the campaign last week with an eye on changing rules and the procedures in the legislature that they say will result in more bipartisanship and government that is more responsive to the people.

Carol Kuniholm, the Chair of Fair Districts PA and Meg Pierce, Executive Director of the Pennsylvania League of Women Voters appear on Tuesday’s Smart Talk to address plans for reform.