The General Assembly

What is the PA General Assembly? What power(s) does the General Assembly have over the state? What current issues are facing the General Assembly? What are “state legislatures”?

• A state legislature is the law-making body of a state – Creating laws – Creating public policy – Carrying out the will of the people

• Pennsylvania our legislature is called “the General Assembly” What is the PA General Assembly?

• The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the main law-making body in the state of Pennsylvania – “state Congress”

• Responsibilities: – Creating / passing laws – Helping to run the state government – Overseeing the state budget What is the make-up of the General Assembly? • The General Assembly is made up of two (2) houses: – A House of Representatives – A

• Total membership: – 253 members What is the history of the PA General Assembly?

• During colonial times: – Known as the PA Provincial Assembly – Part of the Frames of Government

• Following the Revolution: – Known as the PA General Assembly Originally, the PA General Assembly met in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia - also known as Independence Hall In 1812, the capital was moved to Harrisburg from Lancaster and in 1927 the current capital building was dedicated. What is the PA House of Representatives?

• The Pennsylvania House of representatives is the lower house in the General Assembly – 203 members – Two (2) year terms

• Very similar in leadership structure / make up to US House of Representatives What qualifications does a person need to have to be a member of the PA House?

• Qualifications: – 21+ years old – US citizenship – PA resident for at least 4 years – Resident of your district for at least 1 year – No felony record – Not a previous member who was removed from office What is the leadership of the PA House of Representatives?

• Leadership: – of the House

• Power: – Preside over the House – Keep order – Deciding committee membership – Deciding the order in which bills will be heard The current Speaker of the PA House of Representatives is Representative Samuel H. Smith (R - 66th District) The Pennsylvania House of Representatives chambers, designed in 1902 and completed in 1906. The House Mace is symbol of authority, peace, order and respect for law rests in a pedestal to the right of the Speaker. The Mace dates back to the Roman Republic. One of the most famous aspects of the House chamber is the wall mural behind the Speaker known as The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania The ceiling of the House chamber is a geometric gold-leaf sphere which depicts the form of 24 maidens revolving in an endless circle amidst the moon, the sun and the stars of the Milky Way What is the PA Senate?

• The Pennsylvania Senate is the of the General Assembly – 50 members – Four (4) year terms

• Very similar in leadership structure / make-up as the US Senate What qualifications do you need to have in order to be a member of the PA Senate?

• Qualifications: – 25+ years old – US citizenship – PA resident for at least 4 years – Resident of district for at least 1 year – No felony record – No previous members who was removed from office What is the leadership of the PA Senate? • Leadership: – President Pro Tempore – President of the Senate (Lieutenant Governor)

• Power: – Decide committee membership – Order of bills to be debated – Deciding tied votes The current President of the Senate (and Lt. Governor of Pennsylvania) is Jim Cawley (R) The current President Pro Tempore of the Senate is Senator Joseph B. Scarnati (R - 25th District) The Pennsylvania Senate chamber at the Pennsylvania State House The Pennsylvania Senate Chamber is famous for its mural depictions of famous events in Pennsylvania history such as the Constitutional Convention & the Gettysburg Address Another famous aspect of the PA Senate chamber is the stained glass windows, which depict famous industries in Pennsylvania Another of the famous murals of the Senate Chamber, depicting royal and Biblical references What privileges or compensations does a member of the General Assembly get?

• There are several “perks”: – Salary ($78,314) – Health Care (while in office) – Vision Care – Dental Care – Prescription Drug Coverage – Pension – Life / Disability Insurance – Lifetime post-retirement health care – Tax-free per diem payments (personal expenses) – State / Public vehicles – Personal / office staff “Bonusgate” PA Government Reform Class Journal

• The issue of “per-diem” pay / overspending is a major issue in Pennsylvania

• Question: – Do you support the idea of “per-diem” pay for state legislatures? Why or why not?