Here's this week's State Capitol Roundup courtesy of Rep. Bob Mensch (R-147):

Republican Lawmakers Lead Rally Against Card Check

At a Capitol rally this week, lawmakers, led by Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester County), joined dozens of business groups and employee rights advocates in urging Congress to reject the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA). Chief among their concerns is a provision of EFCA, often referred to as "card check," that would abandon secret-ballot votes currently used to approve unionization attempts. Opponents to the proposal argue that such a change would open the door to employee pressure and intimidation and further endanger workers' jobs during a national recession, while proponents say it will make it easier for workers to unionize in the face of confrontational management. Schroder has introduced House Resolution 260 officially asking Congress to reject the EFCA proposal. The resolution has 52 co-sponsors and is awaiting consideration in the House Labor Relations Committee.

Easier Online Access to Government Records Proposed

Working to improve public access to information, Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver) and House Republican Leader Sam Smith unveiled a proposal this week to create a one-stop online clearinghouse of government expenses and contract information. The Pennsylvania Web Accountability, Transparency and Contract Hub (PennWATCH) would contain all state departmental and agency budget expenditures as well as vendor information and lists of state contracts. Much of the information that would be contained in PennWATCH is already available, but it is often difficult for citizens to find in various locations. The proposal is another example of House Republicans' dedication to strengthening the public's trust in government through better documentation of campaign donations, tougher standards for auditing state grant awards, and ending the apparent pay-to-play culture in the state.

Lawmakers Urge Ban on Unfunded Mandates

Frustrated by the increasing financial burdens being foisted upon local governments and school districts, Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Monroe/Pike/Wayne) is calling for legislation banning unfunded mandates from state government. House Bill 1377 would amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to prohibit unfunded or partially-funded state mandates on political subdivisions. A requirement that counties keep a full-time district attorney on staff is costing some counties more than $100,000 a year, despite initial promises of state funding. Other mandates that are frequently cited as financially burdensome include: stormwater management regulations, recycling requirements, and a requirement that legal notices and advertisements be published in "newspapers of general circulation."

Supporters of Pay Equity Call for Additional Measures to Ensure Fairness

Seeking to ensure that women receive equal pay for equal work, Rep. Kathy Watson (R-Bucks) and fellow lawmakers gathered to raise awareness of the ongoing struggle for pay equity among genders. According to the Institute for Women's Policy Research, the wage gap is narrowing, but largely because men's average earnings are falling-not because women's wages are increasing. The institute estimates that at current rates, it could take until 2057 before pay equity is achieved, evidencing a stark divide in compensation rates between men and women. To better determine how lawmakers may address the problem, Watson has introduced House Resolution 44 to study the effectiveness of current pay equity laws. For the latest legislative news, visit PAHouseGOP.com