It's Our Turn!

Please click here to access the petition

Introduction

For too long, Pennsylvania's citizens have suffered some of the lowest standards of public integrity in America in a state government that has failed to meet basic requirements such as on-time passage of a state budget.

Despite the clear will of the people, our government has failed to improve itself. As a result, most people -- including reform advocates in the legisalture itself -- now believe that only a Constitution convention can fix all the problems with our state government. They want a convention where ordinary citizens can propose and debate changes with due deliberation and without undue delay.

Polling in 2007 showed as many as 58 percent of us believe we need a Constitution convention, up from 24 percent in 2005. Since 2007, state government has only gotten worse with more scandals and missed budget deadlines.

The first step on the road to a Constitution convention is a referendum. The petition below asks lawmakers to put the referendum on the ballot in November of 2010. In short, it says, "Let the people decide whether we need a Constitution convention and what aspects of government we want the convention to address."

If you agree, please sign the petition below and submit your name. It will take only a few minutes, but it will send a loud and unmistakable message to lawmakers: The citizens of PA deserve a chance to vote on whether to have a Constitution convention.

Remember: A Constitution convention cannot change the Constitution. It can only recommend changes. Changes can take effect only if voters approve the convention's recommendations at another referendum.

Petition

BECAUSE Pennsylvania has not had a general Constitution convention since 1873, despite many changes in society, technology and government; and

BECAUSE aspects of Pennsylvania's state government repeatedly have demonstrated an inability to function effectively and efficiently for the benefit of our citizens; and

BECAUSE scandals in state and local government are becoming more numerous and severe, evidencing widespread and systemic problems; and

BECAUSE the Constitution now lacks provisions for important aspects of governance such as filling a vacancy in the office of lieutenant governor and calling a Constitution convention;

Therefore, WE PETITION OUR LEGISLATORS to place a referendum on the ballot for the general election of November 2010, asking citizens whether they wish to hold a Constitution convention; and

WE PETITION OUR LEGISLATORS to ensure that the method of selecting delegates to the Constitution convention results in a body of delegates that, in the aggregate, accurately represents the geographic, economic and demographic reality of Pennsylvania's citizenry; and

WE PETITION OUR LEGISLATORS to include in the referendum a method for letting citizens determine what parts of the Constitution, if any, they wish to exclude from consideration at a convention.