PA lawmakers call for constitutional convention

State Reps. John Galloway and Chris King, both Democrats from Bucks, say they have introduced a bill that would place a referendum on the Nov. 4, 2008, ballot calling for a citizens' constitutional convention.

Galloway and King said in a press release that the last time the state constitution was given a limited review was 1967; the last time it was given a comprehensive look was when "Ulysses Grant was in the White House, Queen Victoria reigned in Great Britain and the Wright Brothers' first flight was still three decades away."

In other words, it way overdue.

From a joint statement issued by the Bucks lawmakers:

"Although Pennsylvania's last state convention was in 1967, it was limited in scope and the Commonwealth's constitution has not been significantly updated since 1857," Galloway said. "One could not imagine a company conducting over $50 billion worth of business and employing 55,000 workers would not routinely review and update its strategic plan. How can the Commonwealth keep up with today's changing world if we are still living by guidelines set in the 1800s?"

"The need for a state constitutional convention is clear and convincing," King said. "Many of our freshman colleagues in the House were elected to bring reform to Pennsylvania. A citizen' constitutional convention is the most important reform this Commonwealth could undertake."

Under the legislation, if state voters approved a call for a constitutional convention:

· Voters in each state senatorial district would elect three delegates. Public officials and lobbyists would be prohibited as delegates;

· Proposed changes to the constitution would require passage by a two-thirds majority of convention delegates; and

· Proposed changes approved by the constitutional convention delegates would have to be submitted to voters during the general election of Nov. 3, 2009.

The convention would open on Dec. 1, 2008, to elect officers and form committees. Working sessions would begin on Jan. 12, 2009, with the convention adjourning on Sept. 15, 2009. Funding for the convention would come directly from the legislative reserve accounts of each of the four caucuses.

For more information, check out their Web sites at www.pahouse.com/Galloway and www.pahouse.com/King