The leadership at the State House of Representatives underwent a major change yesterday as one house speaker stepped down and a new speaker was elected.
On Tuesday, Speaker Mark Rozzi of Berks County announced his resignation from the leadership position. Rozzi was house speaker for less than two months, and was criticized for keeping the state house out of session until house bills that would help victims of childhood sexual abuse were ready for passage. The house bills differed from Senate Bill 1 that passed the upper chamber in January, as the Senate Bill included amendments to require voters to present a valid government-issued ID every time they vote and an amendment to end the governor’s power to veto the legislature’s disapproval of a regulation.
In a speech before the general assembly yesterday morning, Rozzi said that he came to Harrisburg to be an advocate for victims, and commended house members on both sides of the aisle in passing the two bills.
After his resignation, Democrat Joanna McClinton was named the new house speaker She also encouraged bipartisanship in the house in her first remarks after being elected speaker.
McClinton, from Philadelphia, becomes the first woman to be the speaker of the PA House.
State Representative Jim Struzzi said that he was happy with McClinton being named the speaker.
He added that with McClinton being named speaker, the House can move forward with its work, including voting on the House rules today.
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