Lawmakers, lobbyists swap venues, menus
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share thisHARRISBURG - There's business and then there's business.
Along with the manic swirl of legislative activity that marks the month of June, there's a burst of fundraising activity by state lawmakers as well.
On some days, it seems the two activities feed on each other.
It's possible for a lawmaker and lobbyist to mingle at a hotel breakfast fundraiser for a representative or senator they both know, meet in the Capitol committee meeting rooms and hallways during the day and then bump into each other again at one of the caucus fundraiser picnics in the evening.
Or perhaps life gets even sweeter at a golf fundraiser.
These two worlds are meeting now because the Legislature is in session for four or five weeks in a row and moving a lot of bills, the days are longer and warmer and lobbyists are out in swarms trying to influence the proceedings on behalf of their clients.
Last week as the House debated budget and health insurance bills, the House Republican caucus held its big fundraiser: the "Republican Roundup" charging $350 a head for attendees at a suburban picnic ground. House Minority Whip Bill DeWeese, D-50, Waynesburg, hosted a $500-a-person fundraiser at Hotel Hershey. The Senate GOP caucus held its "Summer Hoopla" event.
Two Northeast Pennsylvania lawmakers have scheduled upcoming fundraisers in downtown Harrisburg.
Rep. Eddie Day Pashinski, D-121, Wilkes-Barre, has a $250-a-head breakfast reception this week at Scott's Grille.
For those looking for the exotic, you can spend $500 for an "Evening on the Sea" with Sen. Lloyd Smucker, R-13, Lancaster. This will take place on the "Pride of the Susquehanna," an excursion boat that plies the river in the Harrisburg area.
Bill hopping
Northeast region lawmakers were busy shepherding bills last week.
House Majority Leader Todd Eachus, D-116, Hazleton, readied his No 1. priority bill for a final House vote this week. He led the caucus in turning back efforts by Republican lawmakers to amend his bill to expand access to the state-subsidized health coverage plan for low-income adults.
The Senate approved a measure by Sen. Lisa Baker, R-20, Lehman Twp., to overhaul the state emergency medical services law. The changes reflect the fact that most EMS workers are now paid professionals, rather than volunteers as was the case when the law was written more than 20 years ago.
The House approved a bill by Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Hughestown, to give the state Agriculture Department greater ability to oversee food safety standards.
Rep. Phyllis Mundy's bill to give a revamped state agency authority over long-term care programs won committee approval. Her bill would create a Department of Aging and Long-Term Living, a major initiative of the Rendell administration.
ROBERT SWIFT is Harrisburg bureau chief for Times-Shamrock newspapers. E-mail: rswift@timesshamrock.com.
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