HARRISBURG — State lawmakers returned on Tuesday to a familiar topic: whether to start the lengthy process required to cut the size of the 253-member General Assembly.

At a House State Government Committee informational hearing on a handful of pending bills, the idea’s projected benefits — mainly more efficient lawmaking and lower costs — were contrasted against potential harm — such as a loss of clout for rural residents.

Rep. Mark Cohen called a smaller General Assembly a “terrible idea” that would reduce the range of political opinions that are currently represented in Harrisburg, in part by making it more expensive to win a House seat.

The House currently has 203 members and the Senate 50. Each House member currently represents about 63,000 people, a typical senator about 254,000.

House Speaker Sam Smith predicted his plan to cut the House to 153 members would improve members’ understanding, communications and ability to build consensus.

He said the chamber’s relatively large size has been a problem for members during floor debates.

Rep. Mark Mustio, R-Allegheny, discussed his three bills that take different approaches to downsizing, including “nesting” House districts inside Senate districts and expanding legislative terms, currently two years in the House and four in the Senate, by two years.