Op-Ed: New Year's Resolutions For Pennsylvania Legislators

By Mary Jo Crowley, Fair Districts PA, PA League Of Women Voters

This op-ed first appeared on LehighValleyLive.com December 29, 2020--

Since our politicians are busy people and may not have time to draft their own, I am offering a list of resolutions for Pennsylvania legislators for 2021 (and beyond).

1. I promise to meet with all constituents requesting a meeting and listen faithfully to their concerns.

2. I will advocate that all legislators (not merely the leadership) have a meaningful role in enacting legislation.

3. I will work to reform the rules in order for widely supported bills to get a vote.

4. On January 5, I will vote “no” on any bill which prevents amendments to the rules.

5. I will expand opportunities for public engagement on legislation being considered.

6. I will advocate for more transparency in the redistricting process as outlined by Fair Districts PA in the LACRA bill.

7. I will support clear, measurable map-drawing criteria to prevent partisan gerrymandered maps.

8. I will back changes to the election code making voting in Pennsylvania easier.

9. I will reach out to legislators not in my party in order to have good-faith discussions on issues of concern to Pennsylvanians.

To all Pennsylvania citizens, please make a resolution to call or write your legislators with your concerns.  [Visit the General Assembly website to find your lawmakers.]

Mary Jo Crowley lives in Northampton County.  Visit the Fair Districts PA and PA League Of Women Voters websites for more information on ending gerrymandering and advocating for responsible voting reforms.

Say NO To Judicial Gerrymandering Town Hall Jan. 6

Fair Districts PA will hold an online Say NO To Judicial Gerrymandering Town Hall on January 6 from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.  Read more here.

Conservation Leadership:

-- Gov. Gifford Pinchot On Leadership: Collaboration And Honesty Are The Foundation Of Effective Leadership In Public Office

-- Mira Lloyd Dock On Leadership: The Old Selfish Minds Must Go. Obstructive Reactionaries Must Move On. The Young Are At The Gates

-- Ralph W. Abele On Leadership: Do Your Duty And Fear No One!

-- Rachel Carson On Leadership: The Human Race is Challenged More Than Ever Before To Demonstrate Our Mastery, Not Over Nature, But Of Ourselves

-- Gov. Dick Thornburgh On Leadership: People Living In The Chesapeake Bay States Should Not Have To Wait Another 30-Plus Years For Clean Water

-- Gov. Robert P. Casey On Leadership: Our Problems Have Taught Us That We Cannot Continue The Mindless Practices Of The Past

-- Gov. Tom Ridge On Leadership: I Call For Pennsylvania To Be A Showcase Of Well-Reasoned And Inspired Environmental Leadership 

-- 233 Stories: These Conservation Leaders Gave Us Cleaner Water, Land & Air In 2020! They Deserve Our Thanks, Our Support! 

-- Lebanon Valley College's Commitment To The Environment

[Posted: January 1, 2021]  PA Environment Digest