We’re back…and so is the General Assembly
After months of election disputes, recounts, special elections, and political maneuvering, the General Assembly finally returned to Harrisburg to take up legislative matters—well at least in part. But hey, it’s progress, right?
In all seriousness, the week started with the House of Representatives returning to swear in three new members elected during special elections earlier this month. That gave the House Democrats a functional majority with 102 members to the GOP’s 101. It remains to be seen how the Democrats will lead with its slim majority long-term, but for now they only convened in Special Session this week to consider several pieces of legislation aimed at addressing statue of limitation laws pertaining to victims of child sexual abuse.
We still are awaiting announcements from the Democrats on who will be their committee chairpersons in the upcoming regular session as well as member appointments to those committees. As for the Senate, they will return next week for its normal schedule session days.
The good news of the week is that the General Assembly is finding a path, albeit slow one, forward. The House Democrats are in the majority for the first time since 2010 and only 14 of the 102 House Democrats were even serving at that time. So, being in the majority will take a lot of getting used to.
As for transportation, not many bills have been introduced up to this point. We are watching Senate Bill 121, sponsored by Senate Transportation Chairman Wayne Langerholc, that would continue the reduction of monies for the PA State Police from the Motor License Fund thereby freeing up additional dollars for highway construction and maintenance projects. That bill is pending in the Senate Appropriations Committee.
As always, APC will continue to provide updates for you. We’re glad to be back and reporting to you.
