 |
||
 |
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
GUIDE TO OUR REPRESENTATIVES
We are represented on a variety of levels by a confusing number of men and women. This guide will attempt to explain how the different levels interact as well as provide contact information for the office holders.
The first point to bear in mind is the distinction between federal, state and local governments. Each has jurisdiction over some matters, and has none at all over many others.
FEDERAL: In simple terms, this is the government in Washington, D.C. that the bulk of broadcast news focus on. It is the President (the executive), the Congress (legislative) and the judiciary, as symbolized by the Supreme Court (the judiciary). We are represented in Congress by one representative (House) and two senators (Senate).
Senators are elected by all citizens across the state. For the election of Members of the House, however, the state is divided into districts, and each district elects its own representative. Senators serve six-year terms, but Congressmen must be re-elected every two years. All federal elections are held on even-numbered years.
After the last redistricting, Cheltenham Township was taken out of the 13th Congressional District based in Montgomery County, and placed into the 2nd District, most of which lies within Philadelphia. The Democrat that represented the 2nd District before the change has continued to serve in the office.
Our United States Senators are:
Our United States Congressman is:
Chaka Fattah (D)
Pennsylvania State Government
This has jurisdiction over matters having to do with the conduct of affairs within Pennsylvania, and for the most part having state-wide implications. It replicates the federal three-branch structure, with an executive (the governor and other elected officials), a legislature (the general assembly), and the state-wide judicial system headed by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
All elections for state officials take place on odd-numbered years. The top executive branch officials serve for four-year terms, while the general assembly....
The bi-cameral Pennsylvania legislature, known as the General Assembly, follows the familiar model of a Senate and a House of Delegates. At present Republicans are in the majority in both bodies. Something about our representatives here
The current list of office-holders is:
Ed Rendell, Governor (D)
Catherine Baker Knoll, Lieutenant Governor (D)
Tom Corbett, Attorney General (R)
Barbara Hafer, Treasurer (D)
