Senate Committee Holds Hearing on Pippy Bill to Reduce Size of Legislature

 

Could Save Taxpayers Up to $92 Million Annually

 

PITTSBURGH -- The Senate Republican Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Joe Scarnati (R-25), held a public hearing Tuesday at the University of Pittsburgh on legislation sponsored by Sen. John Pippy (R-37) to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.

 

Senate Bill 890 would reduce the size of the House of Representatives from 203 members to 121, and the size of the Senate from 50 members to 30. It would require amending the state constitution.

 

"The effort to improve state government should be an ongoing one. We must be open to ideas that could create a more streamlined, efficient legislative process," said Pippy. "One way to streamline government is to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature."

 

Committee members on hand included Sen. Bob Robbins (R-50), Sen. Joe Conti (R-10) and Sen. Don White (R-41). Among those testifying at the hearing were representatives of the PA League of Women Voters of Greater Pittsburgh, the Allegheny Institute for Public Policy, and the National Conference of State Legislatures.

 

"The issue of reducing the size of the legislature in the Commonwealth has been raised by constituents across Pennsylvania and is clearly a matter that requires further examination," Scarnati said.  "Consequently, I am pleased to be able to work with my colleagues on important pieces of legislation, such as this, that may ultimately be beneficial to all citizens, in all communities."

 

A smaller legislature will mean that the number of people each lawmaker represents will increase.  Under Senate Bill 890, House districts would grow from about 65,000 constituents to 100,000, and Senate districts would increase from 265,000 to 400,000.  (For comparative purposes, a member of the Pennsylvania delegation in the United States House of Representatives represents about 650,000 residents.)

 

Conservative estimates suggest that Senate Bill 890 would save taxpayers between $77 million and $92 million annually.

 

Senator Conti said: "The question isn't really why we do this; the question is why not. So today begins the process of exploring the merits of reducing the Pennsylvania General Assembly."

 

Senator White said: "We have a responsibility to the people of the Commonwealth to consider all reasonable options available to improve the efficiency and reduce the cost of state government. The key is that we must also ensure that service to the constituents we represent is not adversely impacted."

 

Said Senator Robbins: "We heard from a variety of groups and overall the hearing was very informative.  I was particularly interested in learning the views of the farming community who shared their concerns that a reduction and the process to reduce the size of the General Assembly would significantly decrease the influence of rural areas.  This is something that needs to be considered as the legislature continues to review this issue."

 

Since Senate Bill 890 calls for a Constitutional amendment, the legislation must pass both chambers in consecutive, two-year sessions.  After successful passage, the measure would be placed before voters for approval.

 

"This legislation is designed to take effect after the 2010 Census, which is the traditional time that House and Senate districts are redrawn to reflect population shifts.  If we begin the process now, there will be enough time to amend the Constitution before redistricting occurs," said Pippy. "This is not a change to be taken lightly, and the process involves plenty of deliberation and debate. But, it is clear that Pennsylvanians want state government reform. The time to consider reducing the size of the General Assembly is now."