GOP Leader Outlines Plans for PA House

The top Pennsylvania House Republican says he’ll push for a number of reforms when the GOP takes control in January. That includes possibly shrinking the size of the legislature.
Jefferson County Republican Sam Smith, who’s in line to become House Speaker, says Republicans will work to trim waste from state agencies, sell off state liquor stores and end the practice of using borrowed money to pay for development projects.
Smith says he also wants to reduce the size of the House, which currently has 203 members.

"And it’s not so much about saving money. I don’t think it’s all about saving money by making a smaller House. I think it’s more important to look at it from the perspective, can it function more efficiently and deliberate on the issues more effectively?"

Smith says in the past, he’s worried fewer lawmakers would hurt constituents in larger, rural districts. But Smith says he now believes the cost is worth the benefit of a more streamlined legislature.
" I don’t think it’s all about saving money by making a smaller House. I think it’s more important to look at it from the perspective, can it function more efficiently and deliberate on the issues more effectively?"

Shrinking the number of House seats requires a Constitutional amendment, which would take two years to pass.