May. 05, 2015
HARRISBURG – Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny/Washington) voted on Wednesday to allow residents of the Commonwealth to vote on a constitutional amendment to reduce the size of the state’s General Assembly. The legislation passed the House and now awaits action in the Senate.
“I’ve traveled to 14 different state legislatures to examine their systems, and I can say without hesitation that other states operate more effectively with far fewer lawmakers – even states that are much larger than ours in population and geographic size,” said Saccone. “The people are tired of large, intrusive government, and it is time to give them a voice in scaling back our bloated bureaucracy. The fact that Pennsylvania has the second-largest legislature in the nation rings loudly in the ears of folks back home.”
House Bill 153 would permit voters to amend the state constitution to reduce the current 203-member House of Representatives to 151 lawmakers. Saccone noted that in Ohio, where the House consists of only 99 representatives, floor debate is more rigorous and respectful.
“The first thing constituents notice when I bring them to the House floor is how chaotic and disorganized it is. Few members are paying attention to those who are speaking,” said Saccone. “A smaller legislature would improve decorum and give each legislator a stronger voice. When there are too many lawmakers, the power of individual legislators is weakened and the voice of the people is diluted.”
“Reducing the legislature wouldn’t save a tremendous amount of money – that’s true,” said Saccone. “But it would be a positive step in rolling back the size and scope of state government overall. The legislature can set the example by trimming its own excesses first and then addressing other branches of government. It sends a powerful message when legislators are willing to vote themselves out of a job. I’ve done that three times now – I believe in the cause that strongly.”
Saccone has produced a short video comparing the size of Pennsylvania’s legislature with that of other states and discussing why arguments against legislative reduction are illogical.
For more information, please visit
www.RepSaccone.com or
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Representative Rick Saccone
39th Legislative District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Ryan Travis, 717.260.6335
rtravis@pahousegop.com
RepSaccone.com /
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