Posted: | January 14, 2013 04:03 PM |
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From: | Representative William C. Kortz, II |
To: | All House members |
Subject: | Co-sponsorship: Non-Binding Referendum on Convening a Limited Constitutional Convention (Former House Bill 96) Legislation |
"All power is inherent in the people, and all free governments are founded on their authority and instituted for their peace, safety and happiness. For the advancement of these ends they have at all times an inalienable and indefeasible right to alter, reform or abolish their government in such manner as they may think proper." -Article I, Section 2, Pennsylvania Constitution In the near future I intend to reintroduce legislation to direct the Secretary of the Commonwealth to place a nonbinding referendum on the ballot at the next primary or general election to determine if the electorate of this Commonwealth would like the Pennsylvania General Assembly to convene a limited constitutional convention on the structure and function of the General Assembly. By placing a nonbinding referendum on the next election ballot, we will be actively communicating with the people of Pennsylvania, which is a crucial step to improve our functionality and strengthen our democracy. Armed with the results of this referendum, the General Assembly could properly proceed with the issue of convening a constitutional convention to address reform issues such as term limits and the size of the legislature. Although many quality reforms have been approved in recent years, such as the termination of midnight legislative sessions and the passing of internal rule reforms, there is still work to be done. Please join me in welcoming the opinion of our electorate by co-sponsoring this legislation. The following members were co-sponsors of Former House Bill 96: Kortz, Boyd, Cutler, Deluca, Josephs, Mullery, Murt, Mustio, Simmons, Swanger, Vulakovich, Wagner, Hornaman, Farry, and Bear. |
Introduced as HB1292