HARRISBURG -- Twenty-two state House Democrats have asked their caucus leaders for a meeting to express concerns about a legislative agenda that includes bills they believe are "out of touch" with their constituents.
Rep. Nick Kotik of McKees Rocks said Tuesday that issues such as gun control and abortion top the list. Votes are expected as early as next week on emergency contraception legislation, Kotik said.
"There's no consensus on those issues," he said.
Kotik said he believes the House should debate property tax reduction and health care. He gathered signatures for a letter sent to House Majority Leader Bill DeWeese of Greene County and Majority Whip Keith McCall of Carbon County.
The lawmakers' letter expressed "concerns about legislative initiatives that advance a social agenda ... contrary to our beliefs."
The letter says the members "will not put up votes that are out of touch with our values and the values of our constituents."
Kotik compared the group who signed the letter to the "Blue Dog" Democrats in Congress who are advancing a moderate to conservative agenda.
Legislation limiting handgun purchases to one per month recently was shot down in committee. But Kotik said he has no doubt that issue -- with Gov. Ed Rendell's strong backing -- will surface at some point on the House floor. Gun control bills are a priority for the Philadelphia delegation.
Tom Andrews, a spokesman for DeWeese, said a meeting has yet to be scheduled.
"As always, (DeWeese) is open to input from all members of his caucus," Andrews said.
Besides Kotik, Democratic representatives who signed the letter were Joseph Petrarca of Vandergrift, John Pallone of New Kensington, Tom Petrone of Crafton, Harry Readshaw of Carrick, Chris Sainato of New Castle and Ted Harhai of Monessen.
Larger text
Smaller text
Print this article
E-mail this article
