That is exactly what legislators in the Pennsylvania General Assembly do every term as they consider and vote on proposals that may become law for all Pennsylvania citizens. State representatives and senators perform other services for those who elect them to office, but none are more important than lawmaking.
What is the General Assembly of a state?
A state legislature in the United States is the legislative body of any of the 50 U.S. states. The formal name varies from state to state. In 27 states the legislature is simply called the Legislature or the State Legislature, while in 19 states the legislature is called the General Assembly.
Who makes up the PA General Assembly?
The General Assembly has 253 members, consisting of a Senate with 50 members and a House of Representatives with 203 members, making it the second-largest state legislature in the nation (behind New Hampshire) and the largest full-time legislature. Senators are elected for a term of four years.
Is the Pennsylvania General Assembly in session?
In 2021, the Pennsylvania General Assembly is scheduled to convene on January 5 and adjourn on December 15. The regular session was originally scheduled to conclude on December 31, 2021….Pennsylvania State Senate.
| Party | As of January 2021 |
|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 21 |
| Republican Party | 28 |
| Independent | 1 |
| Total | 50 |
How many Republican houses are in Pennsylvania?
| Pennsylvania House of Representatives | |
|---|---|
| Structure | |
| Seats | 203 |
| Political groups | Majority Republican (113) Minority Democratic (90) Vacant (0) |
| Length of term | 2 years |
How long is a PA legislative session?
2020 Pennsylvania legislative session
| Pennsylvania General Assembly | |
|---|---|
| Minority Leader: | Senate: Jay Costa (D) House: Frank Dermody (D) |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 50 (Senate), 203 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate), 2 years (House) |
Why is PA called the Commonwealth?
It simply means they’ve adopted the British term for providing for the “common good” or the “common wealth” of its citizens. The term was coined by 16th century English philosopher Thomas Hobbes, considered one of the founders of modern political theory.
