Harrisburg, Pa. - On Monday, a group of government watchdogs called for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to hold a constitutional convention.

The last one was held 42 years ago.

"It is the constitution that's going to create the chains that bind down the misuse of power in this building," said Matthew Brouillette of the Commonwealth Foundation during a news conference in the Capitol Rotunda.

Last week's arrests of Rep. John Perzel (R-Philadelphia) and nine other Republicans on corruption charges was just the latest in a string of scandals involving the state legislature.

Public outrage is growing. But will that anger result in any real change?

"My guess, after the events of the last couple of years, is that we're now in the range of 65 to 70 percent of the people who want a constitution convention," said Tim Potts of the group Democracy Rising Pa.

They said a constitutional convention would clean up Pennsylvania politics by implementing reforms that discourage the abuse of power. Their ideas include term limits, a smaller legislature and changing the redistricting process.

It's up to state lawmakers to call for a constitutional convention. But there doesn't appear to be much support for one right now.

Rep. Rose Marie Swanger (R-Lebanon) co-sponsored such legislation, but it remains stalled in committee.

"Well, I think there isn't any interest in making change," she said. "I think the majority of legislators like things the way they are."

The group said public pressure is needed to make it happen. Their first step is a statewide petition drive.

"We are intending to launch a petition drive," said Potts. "It won't say, 'Let's have a constitutional convention.' It says, 'Let's have a referendum and let the people decide next November whether they want a convention or not.'"

The group has put together a "Citizens Guide to a Modern Constitutional Convention." It can be found online at commoncause.org/pa/citizensguide4modernconcon.

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