| RE-ELECT BRYAN CUTLER PENNSYLVANIA STATE REPRESENTATIVE 100TH DISTRICT ISSUES |
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| STATE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE PENNSYLVANIA LEGISLATIVE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 101 |
| There are 203 Representatives in the State House and they are elected every 2 years. Our legislators are usually in session 3 days a week. The remaining 2-3 days are spent at their offices in their home district working on legislative business, meeting with constituents or attending district functions. There are no set hours for a State Representative so a typical day may start at 7am with a business breakfast, followed by 8 hours in session in the House and a district function in the evening. Legislative sessions can run far later than the standard 8 hour work day since the House can remain in session until 11 pm at night. During those times when critical legislation is being discussed, such as when the STATE BUDGET (click this link to see this years budget) is seeking approval in June, legislators can be in session 7 days a week. During 2009 the budget wasn't finalized until September so the legislators continued to meet throughout the entire summer. While a legislator is expected to be in Harrisburg when the House is in session, the amount of time they spend working in their district is at their own discretion. However, most long term legislators have a reputation for being very active in both their jobs & their communities. The principle responsibility of our legislators is to create our Commonwealth's laws. A law can take anywhere from a few months to years to come to fruition. The process to become a law is long and complex. Click the following link for a detailed description of how a bill becomes a law: http://www.elc-pa.org/pubs/downloads/english/how%20bill%20becomes%20law. TP%2011-02.1.16.03.pdf State Representatives have specific criteria they must meet before they can run for this office. The following are the qualifications an individual must meet: 1. Must be at least 21 years of age; and 2. reside in Pennsylvania for at least four years; and 3. reside within the district for at least one year; plus 4. acquire 300 signatures on a candidacy petition that are: a) filled out correctly b) signed by registered voters c) who are residents of that candidates area d) and members of that candidates party If elected, Representatives must retain their district residence for the duration of their elected service and they can not hold any other salaried office in the state or federal government. |
| "The General Assembly forms the legislative branch of Pennsylvania's state government. It drafts and passes the laws for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, subject to the Governor's veto power. The General Assembly is comprised of two chambers, the House of Representatives and the Senate." From the Pennsylvania House of Representatives website. |
| Many people confuse their State Representatives with their Congressman. You will also hear Congressmen referred to as Legislators or Representatives. Congress is one of the two groups of people who represent you at the Federal level. These are the men & women who go to Washington as opposed to Harrisburg. Even more confusing is that there are State Senators (Mike Brubaker, Lloyd Smucker & Mike Folmer) & Federal Senators (Pat Toomey & Bob Casey). Joe Pitts is the Federal Congressman who represents District 16 which is Lancaster County and part of Chester County. That will change in January of 2013 when Congressman Pat Meehan of the 7th District acquires part of Lancaster County, including part of ELANCO & part of Solanco. Senator Pat Toomey & Senator Bob Casey both represent the entire state of Pennsylvania. Don't feel bad if you find all of this confusing. A lot of people do. However, if you have any further questions, please e-mail them to us and we will try to answer them for you. |
