Nov. 01, 2017
ALLENTOWN – Answering rising calls to fix broken state government, Rep. Justin Simmons (R-Lehigh/Montgomery/Northampton) today detailed his support of a new proposal to host a limited constitutional convention in Pennsylvania, similar to the one that occurred in 1967.
Simmons joined together with Rep. Stephen Bloom (R-Cumberland), author of the proposal, to explain what a convention could look like during a news conference at the Lehigh County Government Center in Allentown.
“Everywhere I go in Pennsylvania, I hear from citizens who are rightfully frustrated with inaction in state government,” said Simmons. “The public has been demanding some of the same major reforms for years, yet these reforms fail to make their way through the entire legislative process.”
House Bill 1967 would call for a limited constitutional convention, which could amend the state constitution to address the size of the Legislature, the state budget process and other areas.
The proposal would first allow voters to decide whether or not there should be a constitutional convention via referendum. If approved, the 163-member convention would be formed.
All final recommendations would require majority support from the 163 delegates. Those recommendations would then be placed on the ballot for approval or rejection by the voters.
“Convention delegates would vote on recommended changes to the state’s Constitution, but the final decision would really be left up to Pennsylvania voters,” Bloom said. “A convention would be an opportunity for citizens to take a very direct role in historic government change.”
A companion bill, Senate Bill 867, has been introduced in the Senate.
Representative Justin Simmons
131st District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Andy Briggs
717.260.6474
abriggs@pahousegop.com
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