It sounds like a list of deadly moves in a WWF match -- the Mae West hold, the chokehold, and the rotating hold.
But they're parliamentary procedures that allow U.S. senators to anonymously block legislation. A growing group of lawmakers, including Pennsylvania's Arlen Specter, is calling for an end to that anonymity, the New York Times reports today.
"I think it has been a bad practice forever," said Mr. Specter, a Republican. "I think it will improve things around here if people have to stand up when they oppose legislation. Give a reason and let it come up for a vote."
Currently, senators need "unanimous consent" to move legislation forward without time-consuming procedural votes -- such as the 60 vote margin needed to overcome potential filibusters. But anonymous holds have become more common in recent years amid Capitol Hill's growing partisan acrimony.
Sen. Tom Coburn, a conservative Oklahoma Republican, said he still intends to block legislation he doesn't like, even if his name is in the public.
"If I don't agree with it, why am I going to let it go?" he asked. "The members think the rule will intimidate people into not holding bills, but it doesn't bother me."
Lawmakers make wish lists
In Harrisburg, more and more politicians are prepping for action when they return to the Capitol Sept. 17 by listing their top legislative priorities for the fall.
Gov. Ed Rendell wants the Legislature to enact a tough smoking ban for workplaces and energy legislation that would promote energy-efficient appliances and reduce the state's dependence on foreign oil.
House Democratic leaders want to find a way to reduce residential property taxes, perhaps by raising sales taxes or income taxes.
Sen. Rob Wonderling, R-Montgomery, issued a news release this week talking about bills on two subjects related to education. He said he has introduced Senate Bill 545, which would require annual criminal background checks and child abuse clearances for all personnel in school districts, including principals, teachers, aides, bus drivers and others, as well as independent contractors.
He also wants to "shine the bright light of public scrutiny" on the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, or PHEAA, which provides loans and grants to many Pennsylvania college students.
He said he was upset to read newspaper stories about PHEAA officials' "wasteful spending" on such things as "banquets, state-owned airplanes, bar tabs, golf outings and spa treatments." PHEAA also spent $400,000 on legal fees in an unsuccessful effort to keep from disclosing spending habits.
He wants PHEAA to undergo an annual performance and spending audit by the state auditor general that would be sent to the House and Senate appropriations committees.
Mr. Wonderling also is still working on another controversial measure, aimed at selling off part or all of the state-owned liquor stores. Free enterprise advocates have been pushing for that for years, but without success.
In the blogosphere
State Rep. Jesse White has turned to the blogosphere to espouse his views on Pennsylvania politics, national affairs and life as a first-term lawmaker.
Mr. White, D-Cecil, calls the blog "I'm from the Government. I'm Here to Help" and launched it in March during campaign season.
P-G business writer Bill Toland recently brought the blog to the attention of Early Returns and we've become regular readers.
Today's entry turns its attention to the horrific bridge collapse in the Midwest.
"What happened in Minnesota yesterday was a tragedy, and it should also serve as a wake-up call to those people who think we can ignore our infrastructure problems and they will just go away," he said. "We dodged an enormous bullet two years ago when a bridge collapsed over I-70 in Washington County. If there had been anyone on or under that bridge, CNN and Fox News would have been broadcasting live from our backyard like they were last night from Minnesota."
That's heavy subject matter for Mr. White, whose other entries describe community events such as the Mt. Pleasant Fire Department Fish Fry and include pop culture references to "South Park, "Star Wars" and Paris Hilton.
Read more at Mr. White's blog.
Butch and Sundance
"They're sitting right next to one another and they seem to be getting along fine."
That was the observation of county Democratic Chairman Jim Burn as interpreted the body language of Dan Onorato and Luke Ravenstahl for the crowd gathered to hear DNC Chairman Howard Dean Wednesday night at the Church Brew Works.
Mr Burn was offering a tacit rebuttal to a Post-Gazette report Sunday describing an increasing estrangement in the relationship of the two North Side politicians.
Mr. Onorato kidded about the same issue as he walked to the microphone with the mayor.
"Can I introduce my new best friend?" he said as he threw an arm around Mr. Ravenstahl's shoulder.
Philly
Early Returns is heading to Philadelphia today to learn how to bring you, our readers, more comprehensive news from your state Capitol.
We're heading to the annual conference of Capitolbeat, formerly the Association of Capitol Reporters and Editors, for a seminar on computer-assisted reporting and training on covering campaigns, immigration, gambling and more. We hope to put the training to work for our readers.
First on the agenda, a welcome reception hosted by the Philadelphia Inquirer. Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to attend. In the wake of yesterday's bridge collapse in Minnesota, he ought to be prepared to be grilled by Pennsylvania reporters about the status of the state's plan to fund infrastructure improvements.
Mr. Rendell will likely use the opportunity to brag about the foresight he had when he insisted the Legislature approve a plan to provide transportation funding of almost $1 billion a year for the next 10 years. More than half of that is earmarked for repairs to roads and bridges and the rest for mass transit.
The plan is contingent on federal approval to toll Interstate 80, a proposal that lacks the full support of Pennsylvania's congressional delegation.
Kudzo
Its name resembles a Japanese number puzzle, but kudzo can be even more difficult to finish off.
The climbing vine has become a problem in Pennsylvania.
"Kudzu grows over and around other plants, and can be devastating to native plant species," said Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.
His department is prepared to help.
Residents who spot a kudzu problem can call for help toll free at 1-877-464-9333.
The calls "will help us better treat affected areas through early detection, rapid response and restoration," he said.
The goal is to treat affected sites for three consecutive years, helping property owners control the weed while monitoring its spread throughout the state.
Introduced from Asia, kudzu is identified by alternative leaves, purple flowers and fuzzy brown seed pods that appear in the fall. Kudzu was added to the state's noxious weed list in 1989.
For more information, visit www.agriculture.state.pa.us and click on the link for "Animal and Plant Health."
First Published: August 2, 2007, 6:30 p.m.
