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Motion of the Council of Allegheny County amending Article I Section E (1) of the Rules of Allegheny County Council, to ensure the participation of party caucus chairs in establishing the standing committees of Council.
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Whereas, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 2015 Voter Registration statistics for Allegheny County shows that out of the 853,647 voters registered, 232,134 registered Republican, 507,479 registered Democrat, and 114,034 registered other; and
Whereas, minority participation within the deliberative bodies of the Council ensure that the minority party citizens of the County of Allegheny are also represented; and
Whereas, special recognition of caucus chairs is prevalent in legislative bodies including the Pennsylvania General Assembly which grants unique powers and privileges to the minority and majority leaders elected by their respective party caucuses; and
Whereas, in the House of the General Assembly, a Committee on Committees (consisting of the Speaker, 10 Majority members, and five Minority members) recommends to the House the names of the members of the committees; and
Whereas, Rule 5, of the PA House Rules of 2011provides that all Committees of Conference shall be appointed by the Speaker and shall be composed of three members, two of whom shall be selected from the majority party and one from the minority party; and
Whereas, the Rules of Council and the Administrative Code have provisions granting greater authority and deference to the party caucus chairs; and
Whereas, the Rules of Council, Article II, Section (M) (4), gives special consideration to Caucus Chairs by granting them greater opportunity for debate on proposed legislation; and
Whereas, the Allegheny County Code of Ordinances provides for special deference to caucus chairs in the selection of the Accountability, Conduct and Ethics Commission, § 5-1013.10, the appointment of interim members in the instance of vacancies of council, § 5-301.08, and appointmen...
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