John M. Perzel
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| John Perzel | |
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136th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
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| In office April 15, 2003 – present |
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| Preceded by | Matthew J. Ryan |
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| Succeeded by | incumbent |
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| Born | January 7, 1950 |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse | Sheryl Stokes Perzel |
| Profession | Politician |
John Michael "Jay" Perzel (born January 7, 1950) is a Republican politician who represents the 172nd Legislative District (Northeast Philadelphia) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
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[edit] Early years
Perzel is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 from Troy State University in Alabama. After graduating from university, he returned to Philadelphia and became a waiter. Immediately before his political career, he was maitre d' at Pavio's Restaurant in Somerton, a section of Northeast Philadelphia.
[edit] Politics
Perzel was noticed by Philadelphia Republican Party boss Billy Meehan, who selected him to be a GOP committeeman in 1972.
By 1976, he graduated from Troy State University and unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the House. In 1978, he made a successful campaign for the House, focusing on the poor attendance record of the Democratic incumbent. Over the years, he rose in seniority in the House, holding the offices of Republican Whip, Policy Committee Chairman and Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. He was elected Majority Leader in 1994.
In November 2000, Perzel nearly suffered defeat when a wave of support for then-Vice President Al Gore brought out Democratic voters in Philadelphia in larger than expected numbers. Perzel survived by less than 100 votes.
[edit] Speakership
On March 29, 2003, Speaker of the House, Matthew J. Ryan, succumbed to cancer. On April 15, 2003, the House GOP caucus elected Perzel as Speaker.
Rep. Perzel was instrumental in the state takeover of the poorly performing Philadelphia School District and the Philadelphia Parking Authority.
He was also a key figure in the 2005 pay raise debacle. During the furor, Perzel became the butt of jokes due to an unfortunate photograph. While reading to students in Pittsburgh, he was photographed in front of a class display full of pink pigs. The pay raise opposition had used a 25-foot pink pig in its demonstrations, and the photograph was widely circulated in order to embarrass the Speaker. In defending the pay raise, Perzel has made a number of controversial statements, including assertions that some cow-milkers and tattoo artists earned more that his members. In addition, Perzel has commented that some of the members were unable to obtain credit cards.[1]
Perzel has been criticized by conservatives for compromising with fellow Philadelphian, Governor Ed Rendell. Perzel supported the 2003 tax increase proposed by Rendell as well as Act 72, the law that legalized slot machine gambling in Pennsylvania. Despite the criticism, Perzel has won plaudits for helping the Republican party maintain its hold on the House of Representatives since 1997.
