Rep. Russ Diamond Proposes Constitutional Amendment for Earlier Swearing-In of State Lawmakers
HARRISBURG, PA — Newly elected state lawmakers are set to receive their paychecks this week, yet they won’t take their oaths of office until early January. In response to the confusion surrounding this timeline, Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) has introduced a proposal for a constitutional amendment that would change the swearing-in date to December 1.
Diamond’s initiative comes on the heels of a salary increase for lawmakers, bringing their base pay to approximately $110,000, which he argues contributes to the financial burden on taxpayers during an "idle" General Assembly in December. He estimates that this inactivity costs taxpayers around $2.3 million. Furthermore, Diamond points to a 2021 amendment limiting a governor’s disaster emergency declaration to 21 days without legislative extension. He cautions that if a disaster were declared now, it could expire before the new lawmakers are sworn in, leaving the legislature unprepared to act.
While Diamond believes the legislature should be operational during this timeframe, other lawmakers express skepticism. Democratic Rep. Bob Merski argues that the 21-day rule was established as a quick response during the COVID-19 pandemic and disagrees with Diamond’s reasoning, noting that legislators still engage in preparatory work during December.
Additionally, Rep. Scott Conklin raised concerns that certified election results may not be available by December 1 for all members, potentially complicating the swearing-in process.
Diamond previously introduced a similar bill last session, which failed to gain traction. He remains hopeful that this new proposal will encourage further discussion on improving legislative processes in Harrisburg.
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