The state House of Representatives last week passed two bills that would shrink the size of the legislature.
A measure to cut the House from 203 members to 151 passed by a vote of 139–56.
A measure to cut the Senate from 50 members to 37 passed by a vote of 146–49.
A constitutional amendment is needed to change the size of the legislature.
The House and Senate must both pass identical bills in two consecutive sessions of the legislature. Then, voters must pass the proposal in a statewide referendum.
Voting in favor of cutting the size of both the House and Senate were Republican Reps. Tom Murt, Martina White and John Taylor and Democratic Rep. John Sabatina Jr.
Voting against cutting the size of the House and Senate were Democratic Reps. Mike Driscoll, Jason Dawkins and Mark Cohen.
Democratic Rep. Dwight Evans voted to cut the size of the Senate, but voted against cutting the size of the House.
Democratic Rep. Kevin Boyle did not vote. ••
