Sep 28, 2014 4 min read

Do the numbers 58 and 64 mean anything to you?

Well, that’s the number of days the Pennsylvania Senate and House of Representatives, respectively, are scheduled be in session this year.

Now, let’s be clear, those aren’t the only days our legislators work during the course of the year.

Legislators attend a wide variety of committee hearings and are present for all kinds of events back home, when they’re not in Harrisburg.

You have to think, though, that low number of session days has something to do with the legislature’s failure to deal with a whole host of issues, including pension reform, property taxes, legalizing medical marijuana and privatizing our alcohol distribution system.

Take the fall session. It was reported that lawmakers were coming back for four weeks of work starting Sept. 10. Sounds like something should be able to get done in four weeks, right. However, all told, the legislators will only be in session for 12 days. And with everyone in the House up for re-election along with half the members of the Senate, it’s no wonder that nothing particularly controversial will likely be voted on.

The typical schedule for lawmakers goes something like this. They usually get into Harrisburg Sunday night. On Monday party leaders meet with the rank and file to decide what they want to try and get done that week. Sometimes a vote will be taken late in the day, but usually this is pretty much of a setup day.

The real work days are Tuesday and Wednesday. That’s when lawmakers debate the issues of the day and, in some cases, actually vote on them. Those days are usually hectic, with most lawmakers putting in long hours.

On Thursday, most legislators head back home. Friday, they’ll spend most of the day in their offices, meeting with anyone and everyone. Saturday is usually a day for family activities, and Sunday it all starts over again.

The problem is that only two days of the week are actually set aside to get anything done of real substance.

And keep in mind that the Legislature is in session for somewhere only between 15-20 weeks a year. The House didn’t meet this year from Feb. 10 until March 10, May 7 until June 2, July 30 until Sept. 10, and it will meet for only one day after Oct. 15.

To be fair, there’s a reason why they don’t meet after the November legislative elections, and it’s a good one. They used to meet in what were called lame duck sessions. It was an opportunity for outgoing legislators to pass legislation that wouldn’t be approved under normal circumstances. The practice was criticized by many and generally doesn’t happen now.

Many lawmakers will tell you that they’re as busy, if not more so, at home than in Harrisburg. That’s probably true to some extent. They attend all sorts of activities and events, trying to stay in touch with their constituents.

Certainly, at least in theory that’s a good thing. But you have to wonder if at least some of that work is directly related to their getting re-elected.

So, aren’t legislators getting paid by us for what basically amounts to campaign work?

Remember too, we’re paying legislators a salary of $84,012 these days plus a nice array of benefits. Shouldn’t they be focusing on legislation and trying to get something done? There’s no doubt, lawmakers are busy people, but is all that time spent back home really in the best interests of taxpayers?

In the end, though, you can’t blame individual lawmakers for the low number of session days. The schedule is set by leaders of both parties, and they can do no more about it than most employees can do about their work schedules. It’s also not a Democrat or Republican thing. Both parties have used the same general schedule for years now.

It’s more of the general culture of the state Legislature. It’s been widely accepted by everyone in Harrisburg as the only way of doing business.

But you have to wonder, given the number of complex issues legislators are faced with, if it’s really the best system.

Legislators need to start thinking outside the box. Maybe they could hold session days on Thursdays or just be in session for more weeks.

It’s clear that the current schedule isn’t working, and changes are in order.

Mark O’Keefe is the editorial page editor of the Herald-Standard. He be reached by email at mokeefe@heraldstandard.com. or by phone at 724-439-7569.