State Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, provided a catered breakfast to 25 of his constituents Friday morning in exchange for their thoughts on a number of topics pertinent to his district.

Eggs and Issues with Brian Ellis was served up at 9 a.m. Friday at the Butler Public Library. By a show of hands, most of the two dozen people who attended were residents of the city of Butler.

“I give you eggs, you give me issues,” Ellis said.

He said the forums, which he holds in all four corners of the 11th District, help him understand how to best represent his constituents.

Ellis said he likes to host the breakfast forum immediately after the governor releases his proposed budget, which Gov. Tom Wolf did in early February.

To be considered on-time, a state budget should be approved by the legislature in Harrisburg by June 30, which marks the end of the state's fiscal year. That deadline has not been met in recent years.

Regarding Wolf's proposed budget, Ellis said he is hoping to make it home for his son's birthday in early July, for the first time in his seven years in office.

“The revenues are ahead of projections,” Ellis said. “Basically we are going to spend what we've got.”

He said all existing programs will be funded at the same level, with some increases.

Ellis, who served on an opioid crisis task force, said Wolf's budget proposes additional funds to fight the opioid crisis across the state.

“Hopefully we will do more and more (to combat the opioid crisis),” Ellis said.

He said another big issue in the state is the redrawing of the state's congressional districts, which critics and the state Supreme Court have said was unconstitutionally gerrymandered by Republicans during the state's 2011 redistricting process.

Ellis disagrees with the state Supreme Court deciding on the district locations after Democrats disagreed with the Republican-drawn districts and filed a lawsuit.

According to the state Constitution, Ellis said, elected officials determine when and where to vote, not the courts.

“I'm hoping the (U.S.) Supreme Court will take action and let legislators decide,” he said.

One constituent in attendance asked Ellis if voters would need to reregister and be sent to different polling places if a new map is enacted. Ellis assured the individual that voters won't have to take any extra steps in the run-up to this year's mid-term elections.

“You don't have to change anything,” Ellis replied. “It will just change who's on your ballot.”

Chas Tanner brought up the issue of state troopers covering the police needs of townships without municipal police protection.

Tanner said state police have spent more than $1 billion to provide services to the municipalities.

“I think that's a poor use of money,” Tanner said.

Ellis replied that Wolf wants to charge municipalities using the state police $25 per person to help cover the costs incurred when troopers must respond to police calls.

He and Tanner agreed that the merger or regionalization of small police departments to cover more areas may be a better answer to the problem.

“Everyone realizes we need to fund our police while everyone has the safety they deserve,” Ellis said.

Another constituent asked Ellis about voter registration, to which he replied that all voters should be mandated to show identification at the polls when they go to vote.

“We are the only country in the world where we don't have to show ID to vote,” Ellis said.

Another woman said she works at the polls and many times the names of those who registered to vote online are not on the lists used at the polling places.

“I don't like it,” Ellis said of registering and voting online.

He said civic engagement should be a class in each Pennsylvania high school. Then the voter turnout might exceed the current average of 58 percent.

“Three years ago, we elected a county commissioner by one vote,” Ellis said. “I guarantee you the candidate who lost by one vote knew 150 people who didn't vote.”

Ellis, in response to a question about term limits for legislators, had a simple initial reply.

“There are already term limits,” he said. “You can vote us out every two years.”

He opposes term limits because he recalls his level of knowledge as a new representative compared to the level of knowledge he has now.

Ellis also said college graduates and retired individuals would be the only demographics running for office because all those in between need a family-sustaining, long-term job.

“I think it's a horrible idea,” he said.

Ellis feels the same about the idea of ridding Harrisburg of lobbyists.

He said everyone has a lobbyist in Harrisburg according to their demographic, like the AARP for those older than 60 and unions for those in a trade or other union.

“If it weren't for lobbyists coming in and teaching us, we wouldn't know anything,” Ellis said.

Ellis stuck around after the event to talk with those milling around.

Margo Byrns of Butler called Ellis very knowledgeable, but was disappointed that attendance wasn't greater.

“I wish more people would come out to these and learn about their government,” Byrns said. “Too many people know nothing.”

Tanner said he tries to make it to every forum offered by Ellis.

“Brian is an accomplished expert as a state legislator and we appreciate his hospitality,” Tanner said. “Many officials are unwilling to expose their ideas to the public.”

Ellis said no two events are the same, as some issues effect more people in one area than another.

“I really enjoy these forums,” Ellis said. “The topics are sometimes unique to the district and sometimes they're statewide problems.”

Ellis hopes Eggs and Issues will motivate those in attendance to make changes in their communities.

“The most important thing we can do as individuals is be socially engaged,” he said.