New Pa. speaker Mark Rozzi wants 'work group' after slow session start [View all]
(link) https://apnews.com/article/politics-pennsylvania-us-republican-party-tom-wolf-religion-8b45de08cc916eefc4c46a874350cb7e
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) A week after he was a surprise choice to become speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Democratic state Rep. Mark Rozzi on Monday canceled sessions for the rest of the week after failing to reach a deal on his primary legislative priority.
Lawmakers were brought to the Capitol for a hastily called special session designed to speed passage of a two-year window for letting some victims of child sexual abuse file otherwise outdated lawsuits.
But the House did virtually no business, and after hours of delay Rozzi issued a statement saying the two caucuses were too far apart. He announced he would create a working group of three Republicans and three Democrats of varied interests from across the commonwealth to sit down and find a way forward.
He said statute of limitations reform was his objective, but we also must fix the workings of our government and find a way to move forward as Pennsylvanians for the betterment of Pennsylvania.
Rozzi, who represents a Reading area district, was elected as speaker on Tuesday, breaking a deadlock caused by the two parties photo finish results in the November election. The speakership vote was 115-85, with all seven members of the GOP leadership and nine other Republicans joining all Democrats.
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One of the Repukes who nominated Rozzi for Speaker has already turned against him and called for his resignation.
By the way, this special House session was called by outgoing Governor Wolf in order to keep a promise to Mark Rozzi, because mistakes were made when Rozzi's bill failed to pass both houses back a couple years ago. The issue of protecting children against sexual abuse has been Mr. Rozzi's main concern for most of his adult life.