Spielman Statement on Size of the Legislature:
In February when I announced I was running for the Democratic nomination one of my main platform items was to reduce the size of the legislature. Currently, there are 253 in the general assembly in Pennsylvania, 203 members in the house and 50 members in the senate. We have the second largest legislature (NH has the largest) with the largest payroll. The average cost is $159,000 per member. There is also a $135 million slush fund at the general assembly’s discretionary use. There are three legislators in Indiana County alone. If we reduced the size of the legislature we could save millions of dollars that could then be used to fund other programs such as road and bridge repair, aiding in reducing property taxes, or helping to pay for health care coverage for Pennsylvanians. My opponent (and incumbent) says he wants to reduce the size of the legislature, but in his four years in office with a republic house and senate, why hasn’t it been brought forward for a vote? If elected, I will fight to trim the fat and reduce the size of the general assembly.
I would also be in favor of a part-time legislation like so many states currently have. That way we would have legislators who work side-by-side with their constituents and would know what the average person is having to deal with each and every day.