PA General Assembly Begins Legislative Session

Both the Pennsylvania Senate and House swore in their members on January 7th and elected their respective leaders. Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) was elected again by her colleagues to be the President Pro Tempore. Representative Joanna McClinton (D-Phila) was elected to retain her position as Speaker, despite a 101-101 split in the House of Representatives.  During a second ballot many Republican members supported McClinton through a voice vote.
 
The House also approved a Rules package establishing some new process items and establishing three new committees:

• Intergovernmental Affairs and Operations Committee - Majority Chair, Rep Dave Delloso (D-Delaware). Minority Chair, Rep. Craig Staats (R-Bucks)
• Energy Committee - Majority Chair, Rep Elizabeth Fiedler (D-Phila). Minority Chair, Rep. Martin Causer (R-McKean)
• Communications and Technology Committee – Majority Chair, Rep Joe Ciresi (D-Montgomery). Minority Chair, Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington)

 
The Senate also created a new committee within their Rules package:

• Institutional Sustainability and Innovation Committee - Majority Chair, Sen Frank Farry (R-Bucks). Minority Chair, Sen Tim Kearney (D-Delaware)