Meet Your Legislator  

The State Senate

The Pennsylvania Senate was created in 1790 to serve as the "balance wheel" of the General Assembly. "The Senate will consider itself... as the balance wheel in the great machine of government, calculated and designed to retard its movements, when they shall be too rapid, and accelerate them, when they shall be too slow." — James Wilson, Principal Founder of the Pennsylvania Senate, Member of the First U.S. Supreme Court

A critical link in the checks and balance of state government, the Senate is empowered to confirm or reject key appointments of the Governor, and to serve as an equal partner to the House of Representatives in the budget process. Although the Pennsylvania Constitution stipulates that "all bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House," no appropriation, tax increase or tax reduction become law without Senate approval.

Elected for four-year terms, State Senators bring added continuity to Pennsylvania government, and — because they represent 50 districts of approximately 240,000 constitutes each — they provide a regional dimension to local and statewide priorities.

The General Assembly

The General Assembly of Pennsylvania, like the United States Congress, is made up of two separate chambers: the Senate and the House of Representatives. Members of the Senate, representing 50 senatorial districts, primarily speak for regions of the Commonwealth, as opposed to the 203 Members of the House who represent smaller, community districts.

But for Senators and Representatives alike, the prime responsibility is making law in Pennsylvania, and only by their votes are state laws created. Their mission has remained unchanged since William Penn instructed Pennsylvania’s Colonial Assembly in 1700:

"You, Friends, are the people’s choice... You’ll see what laws are fit to be left out and what to be made, and you with me, are to prepare and propose them."

Major Duties Of A Legislator:

Propose legislation, in the form of bills and amendments, designed to meet the challenges facing Pennsylvania

Track bill status through committee caucus and both Chambers

Maintain an open dialogue with district residents, government officials, and civic leaders to identify critical needs; and work to find solutions

Participate in Floor sessions and vote on all bills presented for consideration

Shape a balanced annual state budget

Through committee hearings and investigations, assure that public money is well spent and services properly performed

Update constituents on the progress of legislative bills, state services and programs, and handle constituent requests and questions

The House of Representatives

The House of Representatives is the largest and oldest statewide organization in Pennsylvania, the oldest continuous democratically elected body in the United States. Convened by William Penn in 1682 as the first Colonial Assembly, it charted the course of democracy in America.

In the 1700s, the House established the first independent Supreme Court; convened meetings to create the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution; founded the Pennsylvania Senate; and formed an executive branch of state government.

That proud tradition is continued today by the 203 men and women elected to the House of Representatives every two years. Each one represents approximately 59,000 Pennsylvanians, and serves as their collective voice in Pennsylvania government.