Everett Legislation Calls for General Assembly Input on Some Public Sector Union Contracts
HARRISBURG – Rep. Garth Everett (R-Lycoming/Union) today said he has introduced legislation that would, if enacted, grant the General Assembly the authority to disapprove collective bargaining agreements negotiated by the governor and unions representing state employees.
“Agreements are pending between the governor and two state employee unions, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU),” said Everett. “If implemented, these contracts will have the potential to impact future state budgets in a large way. I believe the Legislature should have the ability to act in the best interests of taxpayers if these agreements have a negative effect on the budget.”
The legislation contained in
House Bill 2289 would give the Legislature the power to remove sections of the contract or pass a concurrent resolution nullifying the proposed agreement in whole. The bill would give the Pennsylvania General Assembly the same power that is present in the state of California.
The process would require the governor to provide a Memorandum of Understanding to the General Assembly summarizing a proposed contract agreement at least 45 days before it could be signed. The Independent Fiscal Office would be charged with conducting a cost analysis of the agreement to the General Assembly within seven days of the submission of the memorandum.
“This legislation is narrowly defined and only pertains to unionized state employees. It does not include school districts, municipalities or other public bodies,” said Everett. “This is designed to allow the General Assembly to have input on contracts, thus making the governor take into account the wishes of the Legislature in these areas.
“Right now we give the power to negotiate these contracts to one person with no checks and balances,” Everett added. “These wage and benefit increases have long-lasting implications and are partially responsible for the huge pension deficit we are facing. As things stand now, the governor can almost force us to increase taxes by making overly generous deals with the very folks that got him elected – that just does not make any sense to me.”
The bill awaits a House committee assignment.
Representative Garth D. Everett
84th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Raymond Smith
717.705.1834
rsmith@pahousegop.com
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