Senate Committee Holds Public Hearing on Pippy Bill to Reduce Size of Legislature
Legislation 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 at the University of Pittsburgh today 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 possible route to achieve this goal is to reduce the size of the Pennsylvania Legislature."

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, Pippy said.

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 traditionally when the 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."

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CONTACT: Matt Campion (412) 262-2260

Senate Committee Holds Public Hearing on Pippy Bill to Reduce Size of Legislature Legislation could save taxpayers up to $92 million annually.

Senate Committee Holds Public Hearing on Pippy Bill to Reduce Size of Legislature
Legislation could save taxpayers up to $92 million annually.