Legislative Article:

Following the national trend, Pennsylvania politics are now firmly controlled by Republicans. Attorney General Tom Corbett won the Governor’s race defeating Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato by a margin of 54.5% to 45.5%. Mr. Corbett will now begin the transition from candidate to Governor-elect. Mr. Corbett will officially become Governor on the 3rd Tuesday of January (18th). Transitions of power are very interesting times. Our office intends to keep you in the “know” of the upcoming changeover. The House and Senate will be sworn into office on the first Tuesday of January (4th).

The Senate had, as expected, minimal changes. Seats that were vacant due to retirements were filled allowing new Democrats to take over positions that were previously filled by Democrats. The end result is a ratio of 30 Republicans to 20 Democrats. That ratio maintains the majority position for the Republicans, where they have been for more than 20 years.

In the House, many changes occurred. Before Election Day the ratio of Democrats to Republicans was 104 to 99. Now, after the election the majority in the House has shifted from Democrat to Republican with an estimated ratio of 112 to 91 (some calculations are still taking place; calculations of absentee ballots and recounts).

The House Republicans have announced that they will hold leadership elections on Tuesday November 9th. Our office will communicate, through electronic means, the outcome and insiders scoop of the internal elections. The leadership elections are critical because it will shape how the House Republican caucus will operate and who is appointed to our “key” committees. Legislative Committee appointments will not occur until January.