Mr. Roncaglione is the Democratic Candidate for the 164th District, Pennsylvania House Of Representatives. He graciously answered our lobbyist regulation questions below.
Question 1: What should be the goals of any lobbying laws or reform in Pennsylvania?
Roncaglione: Make access to Legislators an open and fair process, eliminate price tags to gain entry. Full disclosure and monthly reporting of all meetings. No gifts, meals, trips or remunerations of any kind. Ban any lobbyist or group for one year if any of these proposals are violated.
Question 2: What entity or entities should be responsible for administering these laws?
Roncaglione: A special section in the Attorney General's office should be created to monitor Lobbyist activities. This section should also have prosecutorial powers over any wrongdoing.
Question 3: Are there any other states that could or should serve as a model for lobbying regulation?
Roncaglione: Vermont
Question 4: What kind of public reporting requirements should be required for lobbying? How much information should a citizen be able to find publicly about the activities of a lobbyist, and how should that information be made available?
Roncaglione: All Lobbyist actions should be posted on a newly created website with reporting responsibility by both Legislators and Lobbyists.
Question 5: Should lobbyists be required to pay, through registration fees, for all costs involved in providing such registration/regulation/public reporting?
Roncaglione: Costs for these proposals should be paid by those who lobby our Legislature on a sliding scale based on their individual expenditures.
They have the golden goose and until people like you get involved, nothing's going to change. I hope you can get incumbents to voice their opimions, but I doubt they'll say anything to stop the moneychangers from havung unfettered access to the Capitol.