DEAR ABBY'S AT IT AGAIN

[Doc Rock]

Ashby,

I didn't pick up on that story. But, as a service to those unfamiliar with the way state government works in The Peoples' Republic of Pennsylvania, a brief primer.

The Way Legislation Gets Enacted In Harrisburg:

Step 1 The governor suggests a possible piece of legislation with scant details;

Step 2 Every senator and representative calls the governor's office to find out "what's in it for my district if I support the legislation?";

Step 3 Labor unions sing a "we want to take a careful look at how working people will be affected by this" song in unison;

Step 4 Lobbyists jockey for position and actually write the legislation;

Step 5 On the first try, the legislation doesn't make it out of committee;

Step 6 The legislation is re-written with provisions that alienate just about everyone;

Step 7 The legislation fails on a floor vote;

Step 8 The governor and legislators huddle, and craft a "compromise" bill which passes the house and senate;

Step 9 The bill reaches the governor's desk where it is vetoed because, for the first time, someone actually reads the bill and discovers it is full of ridiculous provisions that the legislators "didn't realize they were voting for";

Step 10 The legislature adjourns for another year with the governor and legislature promising to bring a new, improved bill up for consideration "next year."

FYI, there has been a bill introduced to privatize the state's liquor stores every year since at least 1985. None has ever even reached the floor of the house for a vote because things get bogged down at Step 2 above. By the year 2015 we might get to Step 3.

Steve