It's been more than 130 years since Pennsylvania's last general Constitutional Convention. At a general convention, every part of the Constitution is open for delegates to debate and decide what changes, if any, to recommend to voters.

It's been nearly 40 years since Pennsylvania's last limited Constitutional Convention. At a limited convention, the legislature authorizes some sections of the Constitution for possible revision while not authorizing other sections for possible revision.

Democracy Rising PA believes it's time for a general Constitutional convention where the agenda comes from the citizens - a Citizens Constitutional Convention, or C3.

So do you. You have sent us more than 180 ideas for improving our government. While many ideas can be adopted with ordinary laws, many others will require changing our Constitution.

As part of our research mission, DR is researching how other states handle the same problems you raise in your ideas. See our progress so far at Constitution Rx. And see the history of Pennsylvania Constitutions at Duquesne University Law School's PA Constitution web site, www.paconstitution.duq.edu.

If you know how to research Constitutional issues, we need you. Please visit Citizen Action to contact us.