The great political ice jam that has blocked reform of the Pennsylvania General Assembly has started to thaw and crack, thanks to the warm wind of voter anger that began to blow after the legislative pay grab in 2005. It needs to blow a little longer and today brings a chance to move progress dramatically along.

At Duquesne University Law School today, the Pennsylvania Senate's State Government Committee will convene the first of three hearings to consider holding the first constitutional convention since 1968. Such a convention is absolutely necessary if the fundamentals of governance in this state are to be addressed.

Sen. Jeffrey Piccola, the Republican chairman of the panel, is right in wishing to restrict the convention's reach to a few specific items that go to the core of how government functions in Pennsylvania. A constitutional convention is not the forum to tackle hot-button questions such as gun control or abortion, which are much better dealt with in the usual political process.

As it is, the issues that Sen. Piccola believes should be tackled all hold great promise. Chief among them for the Post-Gazette are:

Reducing the size of the General Assembly from the current 203 House members and 50 senators. This is a chance to shed the inglorious distinction of Pennsylvania having the nation's biggest and most expensive full-time Legislature.

Creating a nonpartisan citizens' commission to redraw the lines for the General Assembly and congressional districts after the next census. Legislative leaders now gerrymander districts, a shameful subversion of the democratic process.

Adopting a merit selection system to choose judges. Voters should have a role in approving an appointed panel's selection eventually, but they often don't bother to learn enough about the candidates to make an informed initial choice.

Giving Pennsylvanians the power of initiative and referendum. Amen to that -- this may be the most important way to give power back to the people.

Today's meeting will be followed by ones in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. The voters would have to approve the calling of a constitutional convention after legislators support legislation approving one. Let major reform start rolling today.