House Co-Sponsorship Memoranda

House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

Posted:	February 19, 2016 11:07 AM
From:	Representative David Parker
To:	All House members
Subject:	LENGTH OF TERMS FOR REPRESENTATIVES AND SENATORS

In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation that would amend the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania by increasing the length of terms for members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate. In Federalist Number 53, discussing the appropriate length of legislative terms, James Madison observed as follows: No man will subject himself to the ridicule of pretending that any natural connection subsists between the sun or the seasons, and the period within which human virtue can bear the temptations of power. There is no magic in the two-year term of a State Representative or the four-year term of State Senator. In fact, I believe the ever-intrusive and never-ending campaign cycle which has worked its way into Pennsylvania politics has made those terms obsolete. By extending each term by half, I am convinced that Representatives and Senators would be better able to serve the Commonwealth’s electorate. Specifically, my proposed amendment would increase the length of the term for a Representative to three years and a Senator to six years. As with all amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution since 1790, this change would not take effect without the approval of the People of Pennsylvania. It is their decision to make, but I believe it is important to offer them the choice.
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Memo Updated: February 19, 2016 11:09 AM