Pennsylvania General Assembly
Encyclopedia
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state
of Pennsylvania
. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol
building in Harrisburg
. In colonial times (1682–1776), the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776
, written by American revolutionaries, the legislature has been known as the General Assembly. The General Assembly became a bicameral
legislature in 1790.
with 50 members and a House of Representatives
with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire
) and the largest full-time legislature. As of 2005, members' base pay was $78,314, the fourth highest legislative salary in the nation, making it the costliest state legislature per capita in the U.S. Republicans hold a 30-20 majority in the Senate, and a 112-90 majority in the House.
The Pennsylvania general elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. A vacant seat must be filled by special election, the date of which is set by the presiding officer of the respective house.
Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election; the state Constitution also adds the category of "other infamous crimes," which can be broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously expelled from the General Assembly may be elected.
Legislative districts are drawn every ten years, following the U.S. Census. Districts are drawn by a five-member commission, of which four members are the majority and minority leaders of each house (or their delegates). The fifth member, who chairs the committee, is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide on a fifth member, the State Supreme Court may appoint him.
While in office, legislators may not hold civil office
. Even if a member resigns, the Constitution states that he may not be appointed to civil office for the duration of the original term for which he was originally elected.
The General Assembly convenes at noon on the first Tuesday of January and then meets regularly throughout the year. Both houses adjourn on November 30 in even-numbered years, when the terms of all members of the House and half the members of the Senate expire. Neither body can adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other.
The governor may call a special session in order to press for legislation on important issues. Most recently, a special session was called for the purpose of property tax reform.
The Assembly meets in the Pennsylvania State Capitol
, which was completed in 1906. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution
, the Assembly must meet in the City of Harrisburg and can move only if given the consent of both chambers.
: Samuel H. Smith
(R) http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house/officers.cfm
: Joseph B. Scarnati (R)
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol
Pennsylvania State Capitol
The Pennsylvania State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is in downtown Harrisburg. It was designed in 1902 in a Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance themes throughout...
building in Harrisburg
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
Harrisburg is the capital of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 49,528, making it the ninth largest city in Pennsylvania...
. In colonial times (1682–1776), the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776
Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776
The Pennsylvania Constitution of 1776 was the state's first constitution following the Declaration of Independence, and has been described as the most democratic in America. It was drafted by Robert Whitehill, Timothy Matlack, Dr. Thomas Young, George Bryan, James Cannon, and Benjamin Franklin...
, written by American revolutionaries, the legislature has been known as the General Assembly. The General Assembly became a bicameral
Bicameralism
In the government, bicameralism is the practice of having two legislative or parliamentary chambers. Thus, a bicameral parliament or bicameral legislature is a legislature which consists of two chambers or houses....
legislature in 1790.
Membership
The General Assembly has 253 members, consisting of a SenatePennsylvania State Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate has been meeting since 1791. It is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the Pennsylvania state legislature. The State Senate meets in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. Senators are elected for four year terms, staggered every two years such...
with 50 members and a House of Representatives
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts....
with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire
New Hampshire General Court
The General Court of New Hampshire is the bicameral state legislature of the U.S. state of New Hampshire. The lower house is the New Hampshire House of Representatives with 400 members. The upper house is the New Hampshire Senate with 24 members...
) and the largest full-time legislature. As of 2005, members' base pay was $78,314, the fourth highest legislative salary in the nation, making it the costliest state legislature per capita in the U.S. Republicans hold a 30-20 majority in the Senate, and a 112-90 majority in the House.
The Pennsylvania general elections are held on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. A vacant seat must be filled by special election, the date of which is set by the presiding officer of the respective house.
Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election; the state Constitution also adds the category of "other infamous crimes," which can be broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously expelled from the General Assembly may be elected.
Legislative districts are drawn every ten years, following the U.S. Census. Districts are drawn by a five-member commission, of which four members are the majority and minority leaders of each house (or their delegates). The fifth member, who chairs the committee, is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide on a fifth member, the State Supreme Court may appoint him.
While in office, legislators may not hold civil office
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
. Even if a member resigns, the Constitution states that he may not be appointed to civil office for the duration of the original term for which he was originally elected.
Legislative sessions
The governor may call a special session in order to press for legislation on important issues. Most recently, a special session was called for the purpose of property tax reform.
The Assembly meets in the Pennsylvania State Capitol
Pennsylvania State Capitol
The Pennsylvania State Capitol is the seat of government for the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and is in downtown Harrisburg. It was designed in 1902 in a Beaux-Arts style with Renaissance themes throughout...
, which was completed in 1906. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution
Pennsylvania Constitution
The current Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, most recently revised in 1968, forms the law for the United States Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
, the Assembly must meet in the City of Harrisburg and can move only if given the consent of both chambers.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Speaker of the House of RepresentativesSpeaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
The speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives holds the oldest state-wide elected office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Since its first session under the Frame of Government in 1682, presided over by William Penn, over 130 House members have been elevated to the speaker's chair...
: Samuel H. Smith
Samuel H. Smith (politician)
Samuel H. "Sam" Smith is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 66th District and was elected in 1986. The district includes portions of Jefferson, Indiana and Armstrong counties...
(R) http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/home/member_information/house/officers.cfm
| Majority Party (R) | Leadership Position | Minority Party (D) |
| Mike Turzai Mike Turzai Mike Turzai is an American politician currently serving as a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Turzai has represented the 28th legislative district since 2001 and is a member of the Republican Party... |
Floor Leader | Frank Dermody Frank Dermody Frank Dermody is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 33rd Legislative District since 1991... |
| Stan Saylor Stan Saylor Stanley E. "Stan" Saylor is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 94th District and was elected in 1992. After the 2008 election, Saylor was elected the Republican Policy Committee Chairman. Following the 2010 election, he was elected Republican Whip... |
Whip | Mike Hanna Mike Hanna Michael K. "Mike" Hanna, Sr. is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.-External links:* official PA House website* official Party website... |
| Sandra Major Sandra Major Sandra J. Major is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from the 111th District and was first elected in 1995. Prior to her election to the House, she was Susquehanna County Treasurer and district assistant to former Representative Carmel Sirianni.-Career:Major was elected to the... |
Caucus Chair | Dan Frankel Dan Frankel Dan B. Frankel is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 23rd District. He was first elected to the House in 1998.-External links:* official PA House website*Follow the Money - Dan Frankel... |
| Mike Vereb Mike Vereb Mike Vereb is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 150th legislative district. He was first elected in 2006.... |
Caucus Secretary | Jennifer Mann Jennifer Mann Jennifer L. Mann is the current Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 132nd District and was elected in 1998.- Personal history :... |
| Bill Adolph Bill Adolph William "Bill" Adolph, Jr. is an American accountant and politician. He is currently a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, representing the 165th Legislative District since 1988. He is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.-Career:Adolph is a public accountant... |
Appropriations Committee Chairman | Joe Markosek Joe Markosek Joseph F. Markosek is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 25th District and was elected in 1982.-External links:* official PA House website*Follow the Money - Joseph F. Markosek** campaign contributions... |
| Dave L. Reed Dave L. Reed Dave L. Reed is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He represents the 62nd District, made up of parts of Indiana County.... |
Policy Committee Chairman | Mike Sturla Mike Sturla P. Michael Sturla is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has represented the 96th District in Lancaster County including a large section of the city of Lancaster, Pennsylvania since 1991... |
| Dick Stevenson Dick Stevenson Richard R. "Dick" Stevenson is a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, elected in 2000 to represent the 8th District.... |
Caucus Administrator | Ron Buxton Ron Buxton Ronald I. Buxton is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. He has represented the 103rd District in Dauphin County including a large section of the city of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania since 1993... |
Pennsylvania State Senate
President Pro Tem of the SenatePresident pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
The President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate is a constitutionally-created office in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania...
: Joseph B. Scarnati (R)
| Majority Party (R) | Leadership Position | Minority Party (D) |
| Dominic Pileggi Dominic Pileggi Dominic Pileggi is an American politician from Pennsylvania who serves as Republican Leader of the Pennsylvania State Senate. Pileggi represents the 9th district, which includes portions of Chester and Delaware Counties. Pileggi earned a B.A. in economics from Saint Joseph's University in 1979 and... |
Floor Leader | Jay Costa Jay Costa Jay Costa is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 43rd District since 1996. He is a member of the Costa political family in Pittsburgh... |
| Pat Browne Pat Browne Patrick M. Browne is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 16th District since 2005. His district includes portions of Lehigh County, Monroe County and Northampton County.... |
Whip | Anthony H. Williams Anthony H. Williams Anthony Hardy Williams is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 8th District since 1998... |
| Mike Waugh Mike Waugh Michael L. Waugh is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate for the 28th District and was elected in 1998. Waugh was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1993 through 1998.-External links:**... |
Caucus Chairman | Rich Kasunic Rich Kasunic Richard A. "Rich" Kasunic is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 32nd District since 1994. He was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1982 through 1994.-External links:... |
| Bob D. Robbins | Caucus Secretary | Christine Tartaglione Christine Tartaglione Christine M. "Tina" Tartaglione is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 2nd District since her election in 1994.- Accident and recovery :... |
| Jake Corman Jake Corman Jacob Doyle "Jake" Corman III is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 34th Senatorial District since 1999. The district includes portions of Centre, Mifflin and Union Counties and all of Juniata and Perry Counties... |
Appropriations Committee Chairman | Vincent Hughes Vincent Hughes Vincent J. Hughes is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 7th District since 1994. He was previously a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives from 1987 through 1994. He was elected Minority Caucus Chair in 2009... |
| Edwin Erickson Edwin Erickson Edwin B. "Ted" Erickson is an American politician. He is a Republican member of the Pennsylvania Senate, representing the 26th District since 2001. The district includes most of Delaware County and parts of Chester County.... |
Policy Committee Chairman | Lisa Boscola Lisa Boscola Lisa M. Boscola is a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, representing the 18th Senate District which includes portions of Lehigh, Northampton and Monroe counties. She is in the Democratic Party.Boscola is a resident of Bethlehem, Pennsylvania... |
| John Gordner John Gordner John R. Gordner is an American politician in the state of Pennsylvania. He currently serves in the Pennsylvania State Senate and represents the 27th senatorial district. His district includes all of Montour County, Snyder County, Northumberland County, Columbia County and parts of Dauphin County... |
Caucus Administrator | Wayne Fontana Wayne Fontana Wayne Fontana is an English pop singer. In 1962, he formed his backing group, the Mindbenders and got a recording contract.-Biography:... |
See also
- 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversyIn the early morning hours of July 7, 2005, the Pennsylvania General Assembly passed pay increases for state lawmakers, judges, and top executive-branch officials. The vote took place at 2 a.m. without public review or commentary and Governor Ed Rendell signed the bill into law...
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2006The 2006 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 7, 2006, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on May 16, 2006. Members elected in 2006 were inaugurated on January 2, 2007...
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2008Pennsylvania House of Representatives elections, 2008The 2008 Elections for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives were held on November 4, 2008, with all districts being contested. Necessary primary elections were held on April 22, 2008. The term of office for those elected in 2008 will run from January 6, 2009 until November 2010...
- Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly, for the General Assembly before 1776
- Pennsylvania Legislative Black CaucusPennsylvania Legislative Black CaucusThe Pennsylvania Legislative Black Caucus is an American political organization composed of African Americans elected to the Pennsylvania General Assembly as Democrats.-Role:...