Proposal Would Reduce Size of Legislature in Harrisburg

A proposal introduced today in Harrisburg would reduce the size of the state legislature by more than 20 percent.

Senator David Argall’s proposal would eliminate 10 House seats each decade through 2053. It would also eliminate five Senate seats. The legislation would ultimately trim the size of the Senate from 50 members to 45 and the House of Representatives from 203 members to 153.

"It is important to explore every option to save taxpayer dollars, and this is one way that we can reduce costs without reducing services to the people of Pennsylvania," Argall said. "I am confident that this proposal will help to save money without having a negative effect on the level of constituent service available to state residents."

Argall says this is not the solution to all of the state's problems, but he says it's not right for legislators to demand cuts in other areas of government without cutting costs in the legislature.

Argall's proposal would require an amendment to the state Constitution. To become law, the proposal would have to pass in two consecutive sessions of the General Assembly and be approved by the voters through a referendum.