HARRISBURG - The state House of Representatives cast lopsided votes of approval Tuesday for bills that would give Pennsylvania voters an opportunity to reduce the size of the Legislature.
Whether or not that is a good idea occupied more than two hours of debate leading up to the votes on separate bills that would propose reducing the House membership from 203 to 153 and shrink the Senate from 50 to 38 seats. Both were approved by a 2-to-1 margin.
Pennsylvania has the nation's largest full-time legislature, with 203 representatives and 50 senators, and is second to New Hampshire for the largest legislature.
House Speaker Sam Smith, R-Jefferson, who is
sponsoring both of the proposed constitutional amendments, argued that reducing the size of the Legislature would enhance the prospect of compromise on disputed legislation and result in better lawmaking.
"We may not always agree, but I believe that we will do a better job if there's a smaller number of us because we will have a better understanding of what the other person's problems are or what their constituents' views are," Smith said.
Opponents contended that the proposals are more symbolic than substantive and that they would make it more difficult - especially in the state's many rural areas - for citizens to engage their elected representatives.
"This is in the category of a lot of noise and not very much significance," said Rep. Mark Cohen, D-Philadelphia.
Lawmakers said the proposed reduction in the number of House districts would mean that representatives on average would represent about 83,000 people, compared with the current 62,500.
The bills will next move to the Senate, which won't reconvene until 2014.
If both bills are approved by the Senate before the current session ends in late 2014, a second round of legislative approval would be required in the next two-year session. The earliest any such change could be put out to a statewide referendum would be in 2015.
And, even if a majority of voters support shrinking the Legislature, the changes would not take effect until the session that begins after the 2020 legislative
Local reps
State Reps. Kurt Masser (R-107) and Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-108) both voted in favor of the bills.
"I voted in favor of this plan because I think the voters should get a say on this issue," Masser said in a press release. "Reducing the size of the legislature could lead to cost savings, which is important at every level of government."
He said he is concerned, however, about access for his constituents.
"This is a concern of mine, but I feel the people should have the opportunity to vote," Masser said.
Culver echoed those thoughts.
"I try to make myself very accessible to my constituents," she said. "When I speak to them at a sporting event or the grocery store, we are able to have a relaxed conversation about the issues that concern them. When I vote in the House, I want to be able to recall that conversation."
To Smith's contention that technology helps people stay in touch easier today, Culver said that's not always the case.
"In some rural areas, Internet service is spotty at best or non-existent, and emails could be a form letter, not a person-to-person conversation."
She added, "In the end, who do you want to be talking to, a member of my staff or me?"
Culver voted for the measure nonetheless, agreeing that voters should help make the decision.
If the amendment is approved in total, it would take effect with the first session of the General Assembly that begins after the 2020 census and subsequent reapportionment.