We forced legislators to move the Gift Ban out of committee

On September 28th, Pennsylvanians gathered at the PA State Capitol to surprise legislators with a forced vote on a historic anti-corruption bill: a gift ban. MarchOnHarrisburg members collected signatures from state representatives on a resolution to discharge the Gift Ban bill (HB744) out of committee, where it has been stuck all session, and for the past few decades. 

On September 29th, the Gift Ban passed unanimously out of the House Committee because of our surprise discharge resolution. Now, the bill is waiting on the House floor, waiting for leadership to move the bill forward.

This momentum is the result of over a decade of organizing to get money out of politics in Pennsylvania. And it’s important we keep it energized.

Take Action—Today!

Now is the time for all-hands-on-deck action. This is a bill that all Pennsylvanians can get behind—so now, more than ever, it is important to let our representatives know we support it.

Here’s what you can do, today:

• Call your state representative:

  • Click here to find who your state representative is.

  • Call their Harrisburg Office Phone Number

• Call House Leaders

  • Joanna McClinton, Speaker of the House: (717) 772-9850

  • Matt Bradford, Majority Leader: (717) 772-2572
    

Sample Script: ”Hi, my name is [name], and I’m from [town]. I’m calling to urge Representative [name] to support and vote YES on HB 744, the Gift Ban. Pennsylvania is one of only three states with no limits on gifts to lawmakers, and it’s time to change that. Can I count on the Representative’s support?”

What is the Gift Ban?

Pennsylvania is one of three states that has no limits on what gifts lawmakers can accept from lobbyists and billionaires. Legislators have been “gifted” with free vacations to Europe, Superbowl tickets, Ritz-Carlton stays, and more. 

House Bill 744 is a commonsense gift ban that limits cash gifts and gifts over $50 to legislators, with reasonable exceptions like personal gifts from family and friends. 

A brief history

MarchOnHarrisburg attempted a similar maneuver to force a vote on a gift ban in 2022, however, legislative leaders broke the plan by intimidating pro-gift ban legislators behind closed doors. But our history of fighting for a gift ban doesn’t end with one action.

Since 2016, MarchOnHarrisburg has marched 396 miles, had 74 volunteers arrested, and 12 direct actions at the State Capitol all over the lack of a Pennsylvanian gift ban. In the previous ten years of MarchOnHarrisburg’s entire history, the gift ban has only made it past committee 3 times.

Beyond our history, none of the 38 Gift Ban bills introduced in the last 26 years has ever passed out of a full chamber, which made this surprise forced-vote a breakthrough for anti-corruption legislation in the state. 

Now that it’s election season, legislators are worried about staying in office. If we can seize the moment while our representatives are more likely to listen to us, we may finally see basic anti-corruption reform in the state.

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