Pennsylvania General Assembly
| Pennsylvania General Assembly | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type: | State legislature |
| Term limits: | None |
| Session start: | January 7, 2025 |
| Website: | Official Legislature Page |
| Leadership | |
| Senate President: | Austin Davis (D) |
| House Speaker: | TBD |
| Majority Leader: | Senate:Joe Pittman (R) House: TBD |
| Minority Leader: | Senate:Jay Costa (D) House: TBD |
| Structure | |
| Members: | 50 (Senate), 203 (House) |
| Length of term: | 4 years (Senate),2 years (House) |
| Authority: | Art II, Sec 3, Pennsylvania Constitution |
| Salary: | $106,422.33/year + per diem |
| Last election: | November 5, 2024 |
| Next election: | November 3, 2026 |
| Redistricting: | Commission |
ThePennsylvania General Assembly isPennsylvania'sstate legislature, seated at the state's capital, Harrisburg. It has been abicameral legislature since 1790. The General Assembly consists of an upper house, thePennsylvania State Senate, and a lower house, thePennsylvania House of Representatives.
Pennsylvania has a divided government where neither party holds atrifecta. The Democratic Party controls the office of governor and the lower chamber of the state legislature, while the Republican Party controls the upper chamber of the state legislature.
Senate
The Pennsylvania State Senate is the upper house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. Senators are elected for four years. Senators' terms are staggered with only half of the Senate contested at each election.
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state senators represented an average of260,237 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented254,698 residents.
| Party | As of November 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 23 | |
| Republican Party | 27 | |
| Independent | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 50 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Republicans won control of the Pennsylvania State Senate in 1994. In2024, they won a 28-22 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Pennsylvania Senate following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Pennsylvania State Senate election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 25 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 20 | 20 | 23 | 20 | 16 | 21 | 21 | 22 | 22 |
| Republicans | 25 | 29 | 30 | 30 | 30 | 29 | 30 | 29 | 29 | 30 | 27 | 30 | 34 | 29 | 29 | 28 | 28 |
House of Representatives
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is thelower house of the Pennsylvania General Assembly. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts. Elections are held in November of even numbered years.
As of the 2020 Census, Pennsylvania state representatives represented an average of64,098 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented62,734 residents.
| Party | As of November 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Democratic Party | 102 | |
| Republican Party | 101 | |
| Other | 0 | |
| Vacancies | 0 | |
| Total | 203 | |
Click here for a list of members of this chamber.
Democrats won a 102-101 majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in2022, gaining control of the chamber for the first time since 2008. In2024, Democrats maintained a 102-101 majority.
The table below shows the partisan history of the Pennsylvania House following every general election from 1992 to 2024. All data from 2006 or earlier comes from Michael Dubin'sParty Affiliations in the State Legislatures (McFarland Press, 2007). Data after 2006 was compiled by Ballotpedia staff.
Pennsylvania House of Representatives election results: 1992-2024
| Year | '92 | '94 | '96 | '98 | '00 | '02 | '04 | '06 | '08 | '10 | '12 | '14 | '16 | '18 | '20 | '22 | '24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democrats | 105 | 101 | 99 | 100 | 99 | 94 | 93 | 102 | 104 | 91 | 93 | 84 | 82 | 93 | 92 | 102 | 102 |
| Republicans | 98 | 102 | 104 | 103 | 104 | 109 | 110 | 101 | 99 | 112 | 110 | 119 | 121 | 110 | 111 | 101 | 101 |
Elections
2026
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives will take place in 2026. The general election is onNovember 3, 2026.
2024
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasApril 23, 2024. The filing deadline wasFebruary 13, 2024.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2024. The general election was onNovember 5, 2024. The primary wasApril 23, 2024. The filing deadline wasFebruary 13, 2024.
2022
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 28, 2022.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2022. The general election was on November 8, 2022. A primary was scheduled for May 17, 2022. The filing deadline was March 28, 2022.
2020
Elections for the office ofPennsylvania State Senate took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was February 18, 2020.
Elections for the office ofPennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2020. The general election was held on November 3, 2020. A primary was scheduled for June 2, 2020. The filing deadline was February 18, 2020.
2018
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 6, 2018.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2018. A closed primary election took place on May 15, 2018, and the general election was held on November 6, 2018. The candidate filing deadline wasMarch 6, 2018.
2016
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on April 26, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2016.
2014
Elections for thePennsylvania State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in that election was March 11, 2014.
Elections for thePennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on May 20, 2014. The general election was held onNovember 4, 2014. Thesignature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was March 11, 2014.
2012
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2012. The primary election was held on April 24, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2012.
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2012. The primary election was held on April 24, 2012, and the general election was held onNovember 6, 2012. The candidate filing deadline was February 16, 2012.
2010
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania State Senate took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010.
Elections for the office of Pennsylvania House of Representatives took place in 2010. The primary election was held on May 18, 2010, and the general election was held onNovember 2, 2010. The candidate filing deadline was March 9, 2010.
Sessions
Article II of the Pennsylvania Constitution establishes when the General Assembly is to meet. Section 4 of Article II states that the General Assembly is to convene its regular session on the first Tuesday of January each year.
Section 4 gives theGovernor of Pennsylvania the authority to convene special sessions of the General Assembly either when he judges a special session to be in the public interest, or when a majority of each legislative House requests a special session.
2025
In 2025, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2025, and adjourn on December 31, 2025.
| Click [show] for past years' session dates. | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2024In 2024, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 2, 2024, and adjourn on November 14, 2024. 2023In 2023, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 3, 2023, and adjourn on December 13, 2023. 2022In 2022, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 4, 2022, and adjourn on November 30, 2022. 2021In 2021, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 5, 2021, and adjourn on December 31, 2021. 2020In 2020, the legislature was scheduled to convene on January 7, 2020, and adjourn on November 30, 2020. Effect of coronavirus pandemic
Several state legislatures had their sessions impacted as a result of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. On March 16, 2020, thePennsylvania House of Representatives adopted temporary rules that would allow members to cast votes remotely.[1] 2019In 2019, the legislature was in session from January 1, 2019, through December 18, 2019. 2018In 2018, the legislature was in session from January 2, 2018, through November 30, 2018. To read about notable events and legislation from this session, clickhere. 2017In 2017, the legislature was in session from January 3, 2017, through December 31, 2017.
2016In 2016, the legislature was in session from January 5 through November 30. Major issues in 2016Major issues during the 2016 legislative session included passing a state budget, public employee pension plan reform, and school funding.[11] 2015In 2015, the legislature was in session from January 6 through December 31. Major issues in 2015Major issues during the 2015 legislative session included a severance tax on shale gas, pension reforms, liquor privatization, and judicial reforms.[12] 2014In 2014, the legislature was in session from January 7 through November 12. Major issues in 2014Major issues during the 2014 legislative session included public pension reform and liquor privatization.[13] 2013In 2013, the legislature was in session from January 2 to December 31. Major issues in 2013Like many other states, Pennsylvania lawmakers had to work on the budget deficit. Other issues included economic development, public pension reform, liquor privatization, and child abuse.[14] In November 2013, the Pennsylvania state House and state Senate voted unanimously on a bill, which was signed by Gov.Tom Corbett (R), to change the state’s unemployment compensation law. The bill closed a loophole that allowed a state employee to retire from his job and begin collecting benefits, only to be hired back as a part-time employee while also collecting unemployment compensation after leaving a previous job. While the law closed a triple-dipping loophole, the changes did not prevent double-dipping, in which a state employee retires, begins collecting pension benefits, and returns to work a part-time position.[15] 2012In 2012, the legislature was in session from January 3 to November 30. 2011In 2011, the legislature was in session from January 4 through November 30.[16] 2010In 2010, the legislature convened its legislative session on January 5, and it remained in session to November 30.[17] |
Role in state budget
Pennsylvaniaon |
The state operates on an annual budget cycle. The sequence of key events in the budget process is as follows:[18]
- Budget instructions are sent to state agencies inAugust.
- State agencies submit their requests to thegovernor inOctober.
- Agency hearings are held betweenDecember and January.
- The governor submits his or her proposed budget to thestate legislature inFebruary. In a governor's first term, the budget proposal is submitted inMarch.
- The legislature adopts a budget byJune 30. A simple majority is required to pass a budget. The fiscal year beginsJuly 1.
Pennsylvania is one of 44 states in which the governor hasline item veto authority.[18][19]
The governor is legally required to submit a balanced budget proposal. Likewise, the legislature is required to pass a balanced budget.[18]
Redistricting
- See also:Redistricting in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania, the statutory authority to draw congressional district boundaries is vested with thePennsylvania General Assembly. These lines are subject to gubernatorial veto.[20]
State legislative district lines are drawn by a politician commission. Established in 1968, the commission comprises five members:[20]
- The majority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The minority leader of thePennsylvania State Senate appoints one member.
- The majority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The minority leader of thePennsylvania House of Representatives appoints one member.
- The first four commissioners appoint a fifth member to serve as the commission's chair. If the commission is unable to reach an agreement, thePennsylvania Supreme Court must appoint a commission chair.[20]
ThePennsylvania Constitution requires that state legislative districts be contiguous and compact. Further, state legislative districts should "respect county, city, incorporated town, borough, township and ward boundaries." There are no such requirements in place for congressional districts.[20]
2020
On February 4, 2022, the Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission voted 4-1 to approve new state House and Senate maps.[21] House Majority LeaderKerry Benninghoff (R) voted no, while Senate Majority LeaderKim Ward (R), state Rep.Joanna McClinton (D), state Sen.Jay Costa (D), and chairman Mark Nordenberg voted yes.[21] These maps took effect for Pennsylvania's 2022 legislative elections.
2010
Pennsylvania received its local census data on March 9, 2011. The state had a 3.4 percent growth rate from 2000-2010, which was below the national average of 9.7 percent. The five most populous cities in the state did not follow a trend: Philadelphia grew by 0.6 percent, Pittsburgh decreased by 8.6 percent, Allentown grew by 10.7 percent, Erie decreased by 1.9 percent, and Reading grew by 8.5 percent. The county with the largest rate of growth was Forest County with a 56 percent rate of growth.[22]
On August 17, 2011, the Commission approved the census data and went to work on a preliminary map, which it passed on October 31, 2011, by a vote of 3-2. Final maps were approved on December 12, 2011, by a 4-1 vote. There was a 30-day window to file appeals, of which 11 were filed. The state Supreme Court threw out the maps on January 25, 2012, after appeals were heard.
The commission met on April 12, 2012, to vote in favor of a compromise map, which contained two Senate district splits and 68 House splits. On June 8, the commission approved the final plan, which went to the state Supreme Court for final approval.
Legislators
Salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[23] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $106,422.33/year | $185/day |
When sworn in
Pennsylvania legislators assume office on the first day of December after a general election.[24]
District maps
State Senate
State House
Veto overrides
- See also:Veto overrides in state legislatures
State legislatures can override governors' vetoes. Depending on the state, this can be done during the regular legislative session, in a special session following the adjournment of the regular session, or during the next legislative session. The rules for legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes in Pennsylvania are listed below.
How many legislators are required to vote for an override? Two-thirds of members in both chambers.
| Two-thirds of members in both chambers must vote to override a veto, which is 136 of the 203 members in thePennsylvania House of Representatives and 34 of the 50 members in thePennsylvania State Senate. Pennsylvania is one of 36 states that requires a two-thirds vote from both of its legislative chambers to override a veto. |
How can vetoes be overridden after the legislature has adjourned?
| Vetoes can be overridden when the next regular session convenes, provided that an election has not occurred.[25] |
Authority:Article IV, Section 15 of thePennsylvania Constitution.
| "Every bill which shall have passed both Houses shall be presented to the Governor; if he approves he shall sign it, but if he shall not approve he shall return it with his objections to the House in which it shall have originated, which House shall enter the objections at large upon their journal, and proceed to re-consider it. If after such re-consideration, two-thirds of all the members elected to that House shall agree to pass the bill, it shall be sent with the objections to the other House by which likewise it shall be re-considered, and if approved by two-thirds of all the members elected to that House it shall be a law; but in such cases the votes of both Houses shall be determined by yeas and nays, and the names of the members voting for and against the bill shall be entered on the journals of each House, respectively." |
History
Partisan balance 1992-2013
Pennsylvania State Senate:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Pennsylvania State Senate for one year while the Republicans were the majority for 21 years. The Pennsylvania State Senate is one of 13 state senates that was Republican for more than 80 percent of the years between 1992-2013. Pennsylvania was under Republicantrifectas for the final three years of the study.
Across the country, there were 541 Democratic and 517 Republican state senates from 1992 to 2013.
Pennsylvania State House of Representatives:From 1992-2013, the Democratic Party was the majority in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives for seven years while the Republicans were the majority for 15 years. Pennsylvania was under Republicantrifectas for the final three years of the study.
Across the country, there were 577 Democratic and 483 Republican State Houses of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
Over the course of the 22-year study, state governments became increasingly more partisan. At the outset of the study period (1992), 18 of the 49 states with partisan legislatures had single-party trifectas and 31 states had divided governments. In 2013, only 13 states had divided governments, while single-party trifectas held sway in 36 states, the most in the 22 years studied.
The chart below shows the partisan composition of theOffice of the Governor of Pennsylvania, thePennsylvania State Senate and thePennsylvania House of Representatives from 1992 to 2013.
.PNG)
SQLI and partisanship
- To read the full report on theState Quality of Life Index (SQLI) in PDF form, clickhere.
The chart below depicts the partisanship of Pennsylvania state government and the state's SQLI ranking for the years studied. For the SQLI, the states were ranked from 1-50, with 1 being the best and 50 the worst. Pennsylvania had a Democratic trifecta in 1993, but switched two years later to a Republican trifecta that lasted from 1995-2002. The state had a divided government for many years until a Republican trifecta returned in 2011. Pennsylvania's worst SQLI ranking, finishing 30th, occurred in 1994 during a divided government and in 2012 during a Republican trifecta. The state's best ranking, finishing 19th, occurred from 1999-2000 during a Republican trifecta and again in 2004 during a divided government.
- SQLI average with Democratic trifecta: 25.00
- SQLI average with Republican trifecta: 23.70
- SQLI average with divided government: 25.20
Constitutional amendments
In every state but Delaware, voter approval is required to enact a constitutional amendment. In each state, the legislature has a process forreferring constitutional amendments before voters. In 18 states,initiated constitutional amendments can be put on the ballot through a signature petition drive. There are alsomany other types of statewide measures.
The methods in which the Pennsylvania Constitution can be amended:
ThePennsylvania Constitution provides for one mechanism for amending the state's constitution—a legislative process. However, the state constitution does not mention a constitutional convention process, and the legislature has called constitutional conventions in the past. Pennsylvania requires a simple majority vote (50% plus 1) for voters to approve constitutional amendments.
Initiative
- See also:Initiated constitutional amendment
In Pennsylvania, citizens do not have the power to initiate ballot measures at the state level.
Legislature
According toArticle XI, the state Legislature can refer constitutional amendments to the ballot for voters to decide.A simple majority vote is required during two successive legislative sessions for thePennsylvania State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. That amounts to a minimum of 102 votes in thePennsylvania House of Representatives and 26 votes in thePennsylvania State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments do not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.
When the Legislature finds that a "major emergency threatens or is about to threaten the Commonwealth," a constitutional amendment can be referred to the ballot with a two-thirds vote during one legislative session.
See also
| Elections | Pennsylvania State Government | State Legislatures | State Politics |
|---|---|---|---|
 |  |  |  |
External links
Footnotes
- ↑The Philadelphia Inquirer, "Pennsylvania legislature will vote remotely as coronavirus spreads," March 16, 2020
- ↑The Inquirer, "S&P threatens to cut Pa. credit rating," July 6, 2017
- ↑The Morning Call, "Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf to let budget become law," July 11, 201
- ↑U.S. News, "Pennsylvania Budget Takes Effect Amid Fight Over Funding It," July 10, 2017
- ↑U.S. News, "Pennsylvania Senate Approves Higher Taxes to Balance Budget," July 27, 2017
- ↑NBC 10, "Budget Bills Are Ugly But Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf Has Little Choice But to Sign," October 28, 2017
- ↑The Inquirer Daily News, "Wolf signs bills to balance Pa. budget with gambling and borrowing, hints of veto of education bill," October 30, 2017
- ↑The Morning Call, "Pennsylvania's budget still not finished," July 5, 2017
- ↑The Inquirer, "PA. budget talks drag on," July 5, 2017
- ↑Lehigh Valley, "House, Senate send Pennsylvania budget to Gov. Wolf," June 30, 2017
- ↑Penn Live, "New year, old issues: Pennsylvania legislative leaders meet on budget Tuesday," accessed January 6, 2016
- ↑Law 360, "Pennsylvania Legislation And Regulation To Watch In 2015," accessed January 22, 2015
- ↑Penn Live, "Pa. Senate Prez: Do away with 'obsolete, unsustainable' pensions or face budget crash: Friday Morning Coffee," January 10, 2014
- ↑Post-Gazette, "Pennsylvania lawmakers start settling in," January 2, 2013
- ↑The Reporter Online, "Triple-dipping loophole in Pa. unemployment law finally closed," accessed December 6, 2013
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2011 Legislative Sessions Calendar," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2010 session dates for Pennsylvania legislature," accessed June 6, 2014(Archived)
- ↑18.018.118.2National Association of State Budget Officers, "Budget Processes in the States, Spring 2021," accessed January 24, 2023
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "Separation of Powers: Executive Veto Powers," accessed January 26, 2024
- ↑20.020.120.220.3All About Redistricting, "Pennsylvania," accessed May 8, 2015
- ↑21.021.1Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameddr - ↑Census.gov, "U.S. Census Bureau Delivers Pennsylvania's 2010 Census Population Totals, Including First Look at Race and Hispanic Origin Data for Legislative Redistricting," March 9, 2011
- ↑National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑Pennsylvania Constitution, "Article II, Section 2," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑Pennsylvania Code, "§ 9.127. Passage of vetoed bill.," accessed July 3, 2017
 | State ofPennsylvania Harrisburg (capital) |
|---|---|
| Elections | What's on my ballot? |Elections in 2025 |How to vote |How to run for office |Ballot measures |
| Government | Who represents me? |U.S. President |U.S. Congress |Federal courts |State executives |State legislature |State and local courts |Counties |Cities |School districts |Public policy |
