Opening Day for PA House of Representative will be Packed with Uncertainty

By Bob O’Donnell

State Rep. Tony DeLuca’s death before his reelection has upended the Democrats’ new single-seat majority in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives, leaving the chamber in a 101-101 tie. The concerning reality in Harrisburg is a government divided by ideology and those who would substitute passion for principle, writes House Speaker Emeritus Bob O’Donnell. Time for the uncertainty: a cohesive Republican caucus could put up a majority speaker in late January when two Democrats elected to other offices resign their seats, but special elections favoring Democrats will be scheduled for May at the latest. Pennsylvania’s Constitution requires that legislation be passed by a majority of those elected, and the reality is that a stable majority will not be available for either party during this term. Read the full piece only at Broad + Liberty.