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.