Pennsylvania General Assembly facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Pennsylvania General Assembly |
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Coat of arms
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| Type | |
| Type | |
| Houses | Senate House of Representatives |
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Term limits
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None |
| History | |
| Founded | May 5, 1682 |
| Preceded by | Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly |
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New session started
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January 1, 2019 |
| Leadership | |
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President pro tempore of the Senate
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Jake Corman (R)
Since January 5, 2021 |
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Speaker of the House
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Bryan Cutler (R)
Since June 22, 2020 |
| Structure | |
| Seats | 253 |
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Senate political groups
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Majority caucus
Minority caucus
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House political groups
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Majority caucus
Minority caucus
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Length of term
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Senate: 4 years House: 2 years |
| Salary | $88,610/year + per diem |
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Senators
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50 |
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State Representatives
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203 |
| Elections | |
| First-past-the-post | |
| First-past-the-post | |
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Senate last election
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November 3, 2020 (odd-numbered districts) |
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House last election
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November 3, 2020 |
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Senate next election
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November 8, 2022 (even-numbered districts) |
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House next election
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November 8, 2022 |
| Redistricting | politician commission |
| Motto | |
| Virtue, Liberty and Independence | |
| Meeting place | |
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| Pennsylvania State Capitol, Harrisburg | |
| Constitution | |
| Constitution of Pennsylvania | |
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the main law-making group for the state of Pennsylvania. It is like the state's parliament. This assembly has two main parts, which is called being bicameral.
The two parts are the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and the Pennsylvania State Senate. The House of Representatives is often called the lower house, and the Senate is known as the upper house.
Before this two-part system, Pennsylvania had a single-house assembly called the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. This was a unicameral system, meaning it had only one group of lawmakers. The current General Assembly has been around since 1776, and it became bicameral in 1791.
Both parts of the General Assembly meet in the Pennsylvania State Capitol building. This important building is located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the state capital. As of 2020, the Republican Party holds the most power in both the House and the Senate.
Contents
What is the Pennsylvania General Assembly?
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is where state laws are created and voted on. Its job is to represent the people of Pennsylvania and make decisions that affect everyone in the state. This includes things like setting up schools, building roads, and managing state money.
How Many Members Are There?
The General Assembly has a total of 253 members. These members are split between the two houses:
- The Pennsylvania State Senate has 50 members, called Senators.
- The Pennsylvania House of Representatives has 203 members, called State Representatives.
Each member is elected by the people in their local area to represent them.
Where Do They Meet?
The members of both the Senate and the House meet in the Pennsylvania State Capitol building. This beautiful building is in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. It is where all the important discussions and votes happen.
Who Leads the General Assembly?
Each part of the General Assembly has its own leaders. These leaders help make sure meetings run smoothly and that laws are discussed fairly.
Leaders in the House of Representatives
The main leader of the House of Representatives is called the Speaker of the House. As of 2020, Bryan Cutler is the Speaker. He is a member of the Republican Party.
Other important leaders in the House include:
- The Floor Leader: This person helps guide their party's members during debates and votes.
- The Whip: This leader makes sure members of their party vote together on important issues.
- The Caucus Chairperson: This person leads meetings for their party's members.
Leaders in the State Senate
The main leader of the State Senate is the President pro tem of the Senate. As of 2020, Jake Corman holds this position. He is also a Republican.
The Lieutenant Governor of Pennsylvania also serves as the President of the Senate. This means they lead some of the Senate's meetings.
Other important leaders in the Senate are similar to those in the House:
- The Floor Leader
- The Whip
- The Caucus Chairperson
How Do Members Get Elected?
Members of the General Assembly are elected by the people of Pennsylvania. They serve for a certain amount of time, called a term.
Term Lengths
- Senators serve for 4 years.
- State Representatives serve for 2 years.
There are no limits on how many terms a person can serve. This means they can be re-elected many times.
When Are Elections Held?
Elections for the General Assembly happen regularly. The last elections for both the Senate and the House were on November 3, 2020. The next elections are planned for November 8, 2022.
Images for kids
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Title page of the 1853 Laws of Pennsylvania
See also
In Spanish: Asamblea General de Pensilvania para niños
