Following the heartbreaking assassination of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their dog Gilbert in their home, as well as the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife which left them both critically wounded, it has become more apparent than ever that state legislators need to be given proper protection both while on the job and in their personal lives. Those devastating attacks succeeded in shifting the balance of power in the Minnesota State House and almost succeeded in shifting the balance of power in the State Senate. As evidenced by this incident, the home addresses of elected officials can be found by practically anyone who wishes to know such information. This creates a blatant security risk that we as state legislators must act to address. 

 

Everyone should be able to rest easy knowing that they are safe in their own homes. That is why we are introducing legislation to expressly exempt the home address of a Pennsylvania state legislator from public access under the Right-To-Know Law, a protection that already exists for judges in our state. This will make it more difficult for an individual to learn the locations where state legislators are least protected and help limit a factor that deters quality individuals from seeking public office in the state legislature. 

 

No one in Pennsylvania should have to live in fear of their personal information being accessible to anyone who requests it. That is why we ask that you help us ensure the safety of our current and future legislators by co-sponsoring this important legislation.