Frequently Asked Questions
Scroll down to see answers to frequently asked questions about Pennsylvania state government. For questions about lobbying and lobbyists in Pennsylvnia follow this link to the next page.
About Pennsylvania State Government
How large is the Pennsylvania Legislature?
Pennsylvania has 253 state legislators; 50 state senators and 203 state representatives. It is the second largest state legislature in the country, trailing only New Hampshire.
What is the political makeup of the legislature?
For the 2011-2012 legislative session, both the Senate and the House are controlled by the Republicans. They have a 30-20 majority in the Senate, unchanged from the previous session. In the House, the margin is 112-91, a reversal of the 103-100 majority the Democrats held in 2009-2010.
How long is the legislative session?
Under the state constitution, the legisalture must convene on the first Tuesday of January in odd-numbered years (January 4 in 2011), and must adjourn no later than November 30 of all even-numbered years. The legisalture is in session about 30-35 weeks a year, allowing for breaks for legislative budget hearings in February/March, major national holidays and for much of the summer. For a detailed list of upcoming session days, see the Legislative Schedule link on the left.
Where can I find information about legislators, and bills that have been introduced?
The best all around source for that information is the website managed by the Legislative Data Processing office. You can find that at www.legis.state.pa.us.
For information about legislative and political developments, bookmark www.tivelobbying.com.
About Lobbying in Pennsylvania
What is a lobbyist or a lobbying firm?
Under Pennsylvania law, a lobbyist is “any individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or other entity that engages in lobbying on behalf of a principal for economic consideration.” A lobbying firm is an “entity that engages in lobbying for economic consideration on behalf of a principal other than the entity itself”. Act 134 of 2006
What is a principal?
A principal is “an individual, association, corporation, partnership, business trust or other entity (1) on whose behalf a lobbying firm or lobbyist engages in lobbying or (2) that engages in lobbying on the principal’s own behalf”. Act 134 of 2006. In other words, for a lobbyist that works full time for one entity, the principal is the employer. For a lobbyist that works for multiple principals, they are the clients.
Okay, so then what is lobbying?
State law defines lobbying as “an effort to influence legislative action or administrative action”. This can be done through direct or indirect communication and through providing gifts, hospitality, transportation or lodging to a state official or employee.
Direct communication is an activity of a lobbyist or principal to influence a state official or employee by personal oral or written means. Indirect communication, on the other hand, is the activity of getting others than the lobbyist or principal to attempt to influence the decision of a state official or employee. An example of this would be placing ads in the newspaper or on television asking citizens to write to their legislator asking support or opposition to a pending bill.
Does the state regulate lobbying?
Yes. Act 134 was passed in 2006 and requires that all lobbyists and principals register with state. Lobbyists must show who they are representing, and principals must list all their lobbyists. The law also requires that all lobbyists and principals must report quarterly to the Department of State on how much money they spent on lobbying in the previous quarter year. David Tive was very involved in working with the House, Senate and Governor’s Office in the drafting and passage of Act 134. His involvement was due to his long-standing belief that Pennsylvania needed a new, comprehensive and effective lobbying law.
Is Tive Lobbying registered?
Yes, Tive Lobbying is registered as a lobbying firm, and David Tive is registered as a lobbyist. All of the firm’s clients who are required under law to register have done so, and quarterly reports have been filed on a regular basis since the law first took effect. You can view these and all other lobbying registrations and expense reports in Pennsylvania at www.palobbyingservices.state.pa.us.