CLE: Should Pennsylvania Have A Constitutional Convention?
Philadelphia
The CLE Confernece Center, Wanamaker Building
10th Floor, Ste. 1010, Juniper Street entrance
(between 13th & Broad Sts., opposite City Hall
Pittsburgh--Simulcast
The PBI Professional Development Center
Heinz 57 Center, 339 Sixth Avenue, 7th Floor
Calls for a Constitutional Convention in Pennsylvania are coming from the Governor, a few legislators, several media, and some civic organizations. Subjects proposed for review and amendment include governance generally, the budget process, election of judges, redistricting, term limits, and others.
The Pennsylvania Constitution may be amended by the legislature or by constitutional convention, in either case with ratification by the public. The most recent amendments were adopted by the convention process in 1967-68. Few lawyers can recall that convention, and in general, there is little familiarity with either procedure for changing the Constitution. Hon. Dick Thornburgh, Governor of Pennsylvania from 1979-1987 and subsequently U.S. Attorney General, participated in the 1967-68 convention. Prof. of Law Bruce Ledewitz is preparing a definitive history of the convention Both are equipped to cast the light of theory, practicality and political reality on the proposals for another convention. [Other speakers to be announced.]
The CLE program will examine two large topics: first, procedures for changing the State Constitution, the pertinent judicial precedents, and the organization of a Constitutional Convention. And second, concerns as to whether a Constitutional Convention would be an invitation to mischief from special interest groups.
Course Planner
Kenneth R. Myers, Esq.
High Swartz LLP, Norristown
Faculty
Bruce S. Ledewitz, Esq.
Professor of Law, Duquesne Univeristy School of Law, Pittsburgh
Hon. Dick L. Thornburgh
K&L Gates, Washington
Program Sponsors
- Jewish Social Policy Action Network
- Committee of Seventy
- League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts
For more information and to register, call 1-800-932-4637 or go to www.pbi.org
