"I am more hopeful than I've ever been," said Tim Potts, a former legislative aide and cofounder of the activist group Democracy Rising. "This is the first time you've seen all this activity, all at once - and when the citizens are paying a lot of attention.
"For this to be part of the important work to be discussed early on in the legislative session," Potts added, "is a great sign."
Republicans who now control the House are pushing a broad list of bills that would, among other changes, allow the public to inspect no-bid contracts before they are awarded; create a database, called PennWATCH, to track all state spending; and prohibit legislators from creating or maintaining nonprofits that receive taxpayer dollars.
They also want to eliminate state fleet cars, require House members to contribute toward their health care (senators already do so), and mandate documentation for the money its members collect - otherwise knows as per diems - when they stay overnight in the capital.
"We want to make a positive difference," House Majority Leader Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny) said Monday at the monthly press club luncheon, where he outlined his caucus' plan. "This is the time to take on real issues, identify solutions, and not be afraid to get the solutions to the governor's desk."
Gov. Corbett, too, has pushed a plan for change - in fact, he built his campaign around the promise of shaking up the status quo in the Capitol.
On the trail, Corbett, a Republican, vowed to help usher in many of the changes advocated by House Republicans, including requiring documentation for per diems and asking House members to contribute toward their health care.
But Corbett has taken it a step further, also calling for an end to so-called "walking-around money," known as WAMs, or special project grants controlled by legislative leaders that help finance pet projects in legislative districts.
