For Immediate Release
5/08/07

CONTACT:

Matt Campion
(717) 787-5839

Harrisburg – Legislation sponsored by state Sen. John Pippy (R-37) to reduce the size and cost of the Pennsylvania General Assembly was approved by a Senate committee today.

Pippy said that Senate Bill 248 was approved by the Senate State Government Committee and sent to the full Senate for consideration.

"I appreciate that the committee considered and passed this bill," said Pippy. "I believe it is time to seriously consider such a reform, to make the body more efficient and responsive, and to save taxpayer dollars."

Under Senate Bill 248, the Legislature would be reduced from 50 to 40 senatorial districts and from 203 to161 representative districts. The result, said Pippy, would be a 20 percent reduction in the size of both chambers.

In order to ensure that the change would result in savings for taxpayers, a provision in the bill will require a corresponding reduction in the legislature's budget by 20 percent, the senator noted.

Because it amends the Constitution, the bill must be passed by the General Assembly in two consecutive sessions and then be submitted to voters as a ballot question. The changes would be effective after the 2010 reapportionment.

Pippy introduced similar legislation in the previous session with Rep. Mark Mustio (R-44). Senate Bill 248 is one of several reform measures being enacted or considered by the Senate.

"A smaller Legislature is achievable, and this legislation would maintain healthy representation," said Pippy. "Even with a smaller Legislature, Pennsylvanians would have smaller districts than any other state with a full-time legislative body, with the exception of the Michigan Senate, a state with fewer residents."