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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2010
CONTACT:  Owen Thomas
(717) 787-3076
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Committee to Review Vogel Bill Reducing the Legislature

State Government Committee to hold hearing at Penn State Beaver Campus

The Senate State Government Committee will hold a public hearing on Friday, April 30, at the Penn State Beaver Campus in Monaca to consider a bill introduced by Senator Elder Vogel to reduce the size of the state Legislature.

The hearing will begin at 11 a.m. and will be held in the auditorium of the Student Union Building, 100 University Drive.  The public is encouraged and welcome to attend. 

Senate Bill 684, introduced by Senator Vogel, would reduce the state Senate from 50 members to 30 members and the House of Representatives from 203 members to 121 members. This reduction is estimated to save the citizens of the Commonwealth approximately $117.5 million.

"When I ran for office, one constant message I heard from voters was that the size and scope of the Pennsylvania General Assembly was far too large and wasted too much taxpayer money," Senator Vogel said.  "My legislation calls for a 40 percent reduction in the size of the legislature, saving taxpayers millions. One only has to look at the size of government -- whether it is state, local, federal -- to realize we need less government, not more."