Lebanon Daily News from Lebanon, Pennsylvania • Page 7

THE PENNSYLVANIA STORY By MASON DENISON, Editor Pennsylvania News Service HARRISBURG It is a nominally safe bet the 1975 legislative session convening little more than a month hence won't even remotely approach that 295-day whingding that marked Pennsylvania's first legislative gathering nearly 200 years ago a session that stretched from November 28, 1776toSeDtemberl8.1777! And for those who complain over some of the more extended legislative sessions of today, that 295-day stint of 1776-77 might well be worth keeping in Of course conditions were a bit different in those days nearly two centuries ago. For one thing, in that first session of 1776 the newborn legislative greats hadjo figure out what to do; there was no precedent. Additionally, there were such factors as riding a horse to Harrisburg each week which of course proved most impractical (to say nothing of the fact that it couldn't be done) and which unquestionably in those days made legislative fiffle-faddling one of those once-we're-here- we're gonn-stay propositions. The Legislature convening Jan. 7 is a far cry from that one of four State Constitutions ago (although as the new edition meets there also unquestionably will be some trying to figure out what to do)! Pennsylvania's 1975 version the 159th regular session is an interesting one in several respects.

For one thing, the Legislature next year wffl be "in tune" (politically, that is) with the incoming administration of "Governor- elect" Milton J. Shapp something he has not enjoyed these last two years (Democratic Senate but an anti administration Repub- licao Houie of reieatetivct Mr. Shapp, a Democrat, will enjoy fellow Democratic control of both the House and which of course wfll ease his legislative chores considerably and at the same time preclude any great extension of next year's legislative session (inasmuch as there will not be the political question of both House and Senate agreeing on adjournment.) This then should preclude even remotely approaching that 1776 hoedown. Mr. Shapp will be beginning his term however on the same plane as his (Republican) predecessor, one Raymond P.

Shafer back in 1967; that is, both legislative houses will be in the same political vein as the governor's office. Whether Mr. Shapp will be faced with a split Legislature his last two years, as he was this time, remains to be seen. Pennsylvania's last two Democratic Governors Messrs Lawrence and Leader never enjoyed such "first year legislative honeymoons." Democratic Governor Lawrence throughout his entire four-year tenure had to brave a split Legislature, with ooy a Democratic House to his credit Democrat George M. Leader in his first go-round with the Legislature in 1955 wound up with a Democratic House and a Republican Senate.

His last two years in office were even worse; he faced both a Republican Senate and a Republican House. Only once before had a Governor faced a split Legislature in his first year and that was back in 1935 when Democratic Governor George H. Earle (like Mr. Leader) enjoyed a Democratic House, but a Republican Senate. On the basis of overall performance over the years, Mr.

Shapp will have the distinction of being the first Democratic chief executive during the. past century to enjoy for the second time a legislative branch dominated by his own party during each of his first two years in office; after all, he's the first and only governor under the Constitution of 1874 permitted to succeed himself and even contemplate such distinctions. Solons May Listen To Consumer Voice Ubantn Daily News, Tuwdiy, Novtmbtrtt, 1974 ByMICHAELCONLON WASHINGTON (UPI) Consumer activists believe the November elections changed the complexion of the House and Senate enough to brighten hopes for passage of long- sought legislation high on their priority list. "I think there was a very clear are fed up," said a spokeswoman for the Consumers Federation of America, which claims to represent groups with a combined membership of 30 million persons. "Everyone seems to be very, very optimistic about the chances for consumer legislation," she said.

"I think we'll see a Congress that's much more willing to listen to then- constituents than to business." At the top of the federation's shopping Ralph Nader's as a bill that would establish an consumer protection agency that would intervene in behalf of consumers when other government agencies make decisions affecting prices, safety and other citizen interests. Such legislation passed the House this year by a 29J-M vote, but it was filibustered to death in the Senate by a one- vote margin. One of the opponents, Sen. Peter Dominick, was defeated on Nov. 5.

More important to consumer groups, Sen. Sam J. Ervin Countdown Cookies Ten days 'til Christmas can be counted off by tiny tots at suppertime with a cookie each day, decorated with numbers from 1 to 10. Eat the' cookie numbered 10 first, and so on, until the great day dawns. Or, apply the same idea to the "Seven Days of Christmas." who led the filibuster, is retiring.

Ervin's place on the Senate Government Operations Committee, one of two panels that handled the bill, will be taken by Sen. Abraham A. Ribicoff, chief sponsor of the protection agency bill. Consumerists see even stronger support for the bill in the new, more heavily Democratic House, and enough change in the Senate to crack any new filibuster attempt next time. Among other outstanding issues before the dying Congress: -Legislation to lift domestic quotas on rice production.

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