Misplaced Pages

#278721

33-772: Minority Minority The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the legislature of the U.S. commonwealth of Pennsylvania . The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg . In colonial times (1682–1776), the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly and was unicameral . Since the Constitution of 1776 , the legislature has been known as the General Assembly. The General Assembly became

66-440: A bicameral legislature in 1791. 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. Representatives are elected for a term of two years. The Pennsylvania general elections are held on

99-529: A former governor made a statement against a single-subject ruling. The rule can also result in overly narrow questions, that result in no substantial effects. In July 2006, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that a November 2004 amendment to the constitution of Georgia against same-sex marriage would be allowed to stand, despite also banning recognition of same-sex marriages done in other states, and banning civil unions . Additionally, voters in

132-533: A political community founded for the common good , it is used symbolically to emphasize that these states have a "government based on the common consent of the people" as opposed to the British crown . It refers to the common "wealth", or welfare, of the public and is derived from a loose translation of the Latin term res publica . Premodern English used the alternative term "commonwealth" in such sense in place of

165-472: A proposal or proposals for the amendment of this Constitution shall not contain any other proposal". This was in contrast to the 1922 Constitution of the Irish Free State , which could be implicitly amended . The Parliamentary Act ( Swedish : Riksdagsordningen ) states that "proposals on different subjects may not be combined in one motion". In Swiss law , the "principle of the unity of

198-432: A single-subject rule be applied to ballot measures. For example, the constitution of Minnesota , Article IV, Section 17, requires that "No law shall embrace more than one subject, which shall be expressed in its title." Conversely, neither the U.S. Congress nor the U.S. Constitution has such a rule so riders which are completely unrelated to the main bill are commonplace. These amendments are often put into bills at

231-431: A single-subject rule in their constitution are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Several states with a single-subject rule make an exception for general appropriations, including Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Texas, Utah, and Wyoming. Some of these states listed also make an exception to

264-544: A state. Like Virginia , the official title of the elected local prosecutor in each of Kentucky 's political subdivisions is the Commonwealth's Attorney, as opposed to State's Attorney in other states or the more standard District Attorney. Kentucky is the only state outside of the original Thirteen Colonies that uses commonwealth in its name. Massachusetts is officially named The Commonwealth of Massachusetts by its constitution . The name State of Massachusetts Bay

297-465: A strong influence of English common law in some of their laws and institutions. However, the "commonwealth" appellation has no legal or political significance, and it does not make "commonwealth" states any different from other U.S. states. The term commonwealth does not describe or provide for any specific political status or legal relationship when used by a state. Those that do use it are equal to those that do not. A traditional English term for

330-502: Is known as Virginia Commonwealth University ; there is also a Virginia State University , located in Ettrick . Single-subject rule In English law , the long title of a bill or act of parliament states its purpose; this may enumerate multiple purposes, or end with a vague formula like "and for other purposes". A proposed amendment to a bill may be rejected if it is outside the scope defined in its long title; alternatively,

363-833: Is the Commonwealth's Attorney , as opposed to State's Attorney in other states or the more standard District Attorney . In Virginia, the term state is sometimes used in an official manner, usually in a compound structure rather than as a standalone noun. This is evident in the names of the Virginia State Corporation Commission , the Virginia State Police , and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University . The state university in Richmond

SECTION 10

#1732772899279

396-592: The Latin phrase " res publica " ('the public thing') from which ultimately is derived the word republic . The four states are all in the Eastern United States , and prior to the formation of the United States in 1776 were British colonial possessions , although Kentucky did not exist as an independent polity under British rule, instead being a part of colonial Virginia . As such, they share

429-652: The Massachusetts State Police , the Massachusetts State House , and the Bridgewater State Hospital . The Seal of Pennsylvania does not use the term, but legal processes are in the name of the Commonwealth, and it is a traditional official designation used in referring to the state. In 1776, Pennsylvania 's first state constitution referred to it as both Commonwealth and State , a pattern of usage that

462-400: The 19th century, the culture of corruption in the General Assembly got so bad that from 1866 to 1873, about 8,700 of 9,300 acts passed in that timeframe were local or special acts. The frustration of the people of the Commonwealth with its legislature finally boiled over in 1871 and resulted in a 1873 constitutional convention and a 1874 constitutional amendment. One of the amendment's reforms

495-512: The Governor with the Seal of the Commonwealth annexed." The Secretary of the Commonwealth still issues commissions in this manner. Among other references, the constitution furthermore dictated that criminal indictments were to conclude "against the peace and dignity of the Commonwealth". Additionally, the official title of the elected local prosecutor in each of Virginia's political subdivisions

528-557: The House of Representatives : Joanna McClinton ( D ) Commonwealth (U.S. state) Commonwealth is a term used by four of the 50 states of the United States in their full official state names: Kentucky , Massachusetts , Pennsylvania , and Virginia . " Commonwealth " is a traditional English term used to describe a political community as having been founded for the common good , and shares some similarities with

561-645: The Tuesday after the first Monday in November in even-numbered years. A vacant seat must be filled by special election, the date of which is set by the presiding officer of the respective house. Senators must be at least 25 years old, and Representatives at least 21 years old. They must be citizens and residents of the state for a minimum of four years and reside in their districts for at least one year. Individuals who have been convicted of felonies, including embezzlement, bribery, and perjury, are ineligible for election;

594-878: The citizen to form an opinion and to give genuine expression to his or her will" in the exercise of political rights. The Court has outlined the principle as follows: The single subject rule exists in 43 state constitutions in the United States . 41 states apply the rule to all legislation, whereas Mississippi and Arkansas apply it only to appropriations bills. States with a single-subject rule include Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. The only states without

627-543: The committee, is appointed by the other four and may not be an elected or appointed official. If the leadership cannot decide on a fifth member, the State Supreme Court may appoint him or her. While in office, legislators may not hold civil office. Even if a member resigns, the Constitution states that the legislator may not be appointed to civil office for the duration of the term to which the legislator

660-482: The consent of both chambers. The Pennsylvania General Assembly has a lengthy history as one of the most openly corrupt state legislatures in the United States, going back over two centuries to the era of the Thirteen Colonies . In 1794, while visiting western Pennsylvania , Alexander Hamilton wrote to Rufus King : "The political putrefaction of Pennsylvania is greater than I had any idea of". During

693-694: The consent of the other. The governor may call a special session in order to press for legislation on important issues. As of 2017, only 35 special sessions have been called in the history of Pennsylvania. The Assembly meets in the Pennsylvania State Capitol in Harrisburg , which was completed in 1906. Under the Pennsylvania Constitution , the Assembly must meet in the City of Harrisburg and can move only if given

SECTION 20

#1732772899279

726-608: The last minute, so that any representative who may read the legislation before actually voting on it will not have a chance to catch it. An effort is underway, however, to add a single subject amendment to the U.S. Constitution to apply a single subject rule to the Congress. It has been charged that single-subject rules have been misused as a political or judicial measure to slow or nullify ballot initiatives. An example of accusation of misuse of this law occurred in Colorado when

759-598: The necessary exception. This is why Pennsylvania remains the only U.S. state that has not yet completed a comprehensive codification of its general statutory law. Since 1970, Pennsylvania has been undertaking its first official codification process, resulting in the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes . With over 300 years of uncodified statutes to go through, the codification process is still not yet complete after over five decades of work. President Pro Tempore : Kim Ward (R) Speaker of

792-532: The now singularly standard term "republic." Criminal charges in these four states are brought in the name of the Commonwealth. Besides the four aforementioned states, other states have also on occasion used the term "commonwealth" to refer to themselves: Two U.S. territories are also designated as commonwealths : Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands . When used in connection with areas under U.S. sovereignty that are not states,

825-453: The single-subject rule for codifying and revising laws, like Alabama's, for example: "[. . .] Each law shall contain but one subject, which shall be clearly expressed in its title, except general appropriation bills, general revenue bills, and bills adopting a code, digest, or revision of statutes [. . .]" 26 states allow for citizen-initiated ballot measures, 16 of which apply a single-subject rule to all ballot measures, while 10 do not require

858-455: The state Constitution also adds the category of "other infamous crimes," which can be broadly interpreted by state courts. No one who has been previously expelled from the General Assembly may be elected. Legislative districts are drawn every ten years, following the U.S. Census . They are drawn by a five-member commission, of which four members are the majority and minority leaders of each house (or their delegates). The fifth member, who chairs

891-607: The subject matter" ( German : Grundsatz der Einheit der Materie , French : principe de l'unité de la matière , Italian : principio dell'unità della materia ) applies to federal popular initiatives and to parliamentary legislation that is subject to a referendum . It has been derived by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court from the provision in article 34, section 2 of the Swiss Federal Constitution which guarantees "the freedom of

924-603: The term broadly describes an area that is self-governing under a constitution of its own adoption and whose right of self-government will not be unilaterally withdrawn by the United States Congress . On September 28, 1786, the residents of Kentucky County began petitioning the Virginia legislature for permission to become a "free and independent state, to be known by the name of the Commonwealth of Kentucky". On June 1, 1792, Kentucky County officially became

957-586: The title may be amended to increase its scope. An omnibus bill covers a number of diverse or unrelated topics. Section 55 of the Constitution of Australia provides a single-subject rule for taxation legislation: "Laws imposing taxation shall deal only with the imposition of taxation, and any provision therein dealing with any other matter shall be of no effect". The same section also requires laws imposing taxation to "deal with one subject of taxation only" (except those relating to customs and excise). The 1937 Constitution of Ireland states that "A Bill containing

990-491: Was elected. The General Assembly is a continuing body within the term for which its representatives are elected. It convenes at 12 o'clock noon on the first Tuesday of January each year and then meets regularly throughout the year. Both houses adjourn on November 30 in even-numbered years, when the terms of all members of the House and half the members of the Senate expire. Neither body can adjourn for more than three days without

1023-612: Was perpetuated in the constitutions of 1790, 1838, 1874, and 1968. One of Pennsylvania's two intermediate appellate courts is called the Commonwealth Court . The name Commonwealth of Virginia dates back to its independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain . Virginia's first constitution (adopted on June 29, 1776) directed that "Commissions and Grants shall run, In the Name of the commonwealth of Virginia, and bear test by

Pennsylvania General Assembly - Misplaced Pages Continue

1056-486: Was to prohibit the General Assembly from writing statutes covering more than one subject . Unfortunately, the amendment (today found at Section 3 of Article III of the Pennsylvania Constitution) was so poorly written that it also prevented the General Assembly from undertaking a comprehensive codification of the Commonwealth's statutes until another amendment was pushed through in 1967 to provide

1089-404: Was used in all acts and resolves up to 1780 and in the first draft of the constitution. The current name can be traced to the second draft of the state constitution, which was written by John Adams and ratified in 1780. In Massachusetts, the term State is occasionally used in an official manner, usually in a compound structure rather than as a standalone noun. This is evident in the names of

#278721