Pennsylvania House of Representatives

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The Pennsylvania House of Representatives is the lower house of the bicameral Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. There are 203 members, elected for two year terms from single member districts. Elections are held in November of even numbered years.

Following the 2006 elections the house consists of 101 Republicans and 102 Democrats, giving the Democrats control of the House for the first time since 1994. In a compromise vote, a Republican was elected to preside over the Democratic controlled chamber.

In 2002, a State Representative district had an average population of 60,498 residents.

Contents

[edit] Hall of the House

The Hall of the House contains important symbols to Pennsylvania history and the work of legislators.

  • Speaker's Chair: a throne-like chair of rank that sits directly behind the Speaker's rostrum. Architect Joseph Huston designed the chair in 1906, the year the Capitol was dedicated.
  • Mace: the House symbol of authority, peace, order and respect for law rests in a pedestal to the right of the Speaker. Its base is solid mahogany, intricately carved and capped by a brass globe engraved with the Pennsylvania coat of arms. An American Eagle perches on top. The tradition of the mace may date to the Roman Republic when attendants of Roman consuls carried bundles of sticks wrapped around an axe to enforce order. The tradition is common may also come directly from Pennsylvania's English heritage.
  • Murals: a colorful panorama of Pennsylvania history appear in murals by Edwin Austin Abbey. The most commanding of the series hangs behind the Speaker's rostrum and dominates the wall behind the Speaker. It is called The Apotheosis of Pennsylvania
  • Ceiling: a work of art in itself with its ornate geometry of gold leaf buttoned at the center by a charming painted illustration. In "The Hours," Abbey represents the passage of time in the form of 24 maidens revolving in an endless circle amidst the moon, the sun and the stars of the Milky Way. [1]

[edit] Speaker of the House

Main article: Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

The speakership is the oldest elected state-wide office in the Commonwealth. Since its first session in 1682—presided over by William Penn—over 130 house members have been elevated to the speaker's chair. The house cannot hold an official session in the absence of the speaker or his designated speaker pro tempore. Speaker Irvis was the first African American elected speaker of any state legislature in the United States since Reconstruction. Pennsylvania has never had a female speaker.

[edit] Make-up of the House

Results of the November 7, 2006 elections:

Affiliation Members
  Democratic Party 102
  Republican Party 101
 Total
 203
 Majority
 1

[edit] House of Representatives Leadership

As of January 2, 2007[2]

Speaker of the House of Representatives: Dennis O'Brien (R)

Majority Party (D) Leadership Position Minority Party (R)
Bill DeWeese Floor Leader Sam Smith
Keith McCall Whip Dave Argall
Mark Cohen Caucus Chairperson Sandra Major
Frank Dermody Caucus Secretary Jerry Stern
Dwight Evans Appropriations Committee Chairman Mario Civera, Jr.
Dan Surra Caucus Administrator Merle Phillips
Todd Eachus Policy Committee Chairman Mike Turzai

[edit] Members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives

As of January 2, 2007

District Representative Party Residence Counties Represented
1 Pat Harkins Democrat Erie Erie
2 Florindo Fabrizio Democrat Erie Erie
3 John Hornaman Democrat Millcreek Township Erie
4 Curt Sonney Republican Harborcreek Township Erie
5 John Evans Republican Washington Township Crawford, Erie
6 Brad Roae Republican East Mead Township Crawford
7 Mark Longietti Democrat Sharpsville Mercer
8 Richard Stevenson Republican Grove City Mercer, Butler
9 Chris Sainato Democrat New Castle Beaver, Lawrence
10 Jaret Gibbons Democrat Ellwood City Beaver, Butler, Lawrence
11 Brian L. Ellis Republican Meridian Butler
12 Daryl Metcalfe Republican Cranberry Township Butler
13 Art Hershey (x)[1] Republican Oxford Chester
14 Jim Marshall Republican Beaver Falls Beaver
15 Vince Biancucci Democrat Monaca Beaver
16 Sean Ramaley (y)[2] Democrat Economy Allegheny, Beaver
17 Michele Brooks Republican Jamestown Crawford, Lawrence, Mercer
18 Gene DiGirolamo Republican Bensalem Bucks
19 Jake Wheatley Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
20 Don Walko Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
21 Lisa Bennington (x)[3] Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
22 Chelsa Wagner Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
23 Dan Frankel Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
24 Joseph Preston Jr. Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
25 Joe Markosek Democrat Monroeville Allegheny, Westmoreland
26 Tim Hennessey Republican Pottstown Chester
27 Tom Petrone (x) [4] Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
28 Mike Turzai Republican Bradfordwoods Allegheny
29 Bernie O'Neill Republican Warminster Bucks
30 Randy Vulakovich Republican Shaler Township Allegheny
31 Dave Steil (x)[5] Republican Yardley Bucks
32 Anthony DeLuca Democrat Verona Allegheny
33 Frank Dermody Democrat Oakmont Allegheny
34 Paul Costa Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
35 Marc Gergely Democrat White Oak Allegheny
36 Harry Readshaw Democrat Pittsburgh Allegheny
37 Tom Creighton Republican Rapho Township Lancaster
38 Bill Kortz Democrat Dravosburg Allegheny
39 David Levdansky Democrat Elizabeth Allegheny, Washington
40 John Maher Republican Upper St. Clair Allegheny, Washington
41 Katie True Republican Lancaster Lancaster
42 Matthew Smith Democrat Mt. Lebanon Allegheny
43 Scott Boyd Republican West Lampeter Township Lancaster
44 Mark Mustio Republican Moon Township Allegheny
45 Nick Kotik Democrat Robinson Township Allegheny
46 Jesse White Democrat Cecil Township Allegheny, Beaver, Washington
47 Keith Gillespie Republican York York
48 Tim Solobay Democrat Canonsburg Washington
49 Pete Daley Democrat Donora Fayette, Washington
50 Bill DeWeese Democrat Waynesburg Fayette, Greene, Washington
51 Tim Mahoney Democrat Uniontown Fayette
52 Deberah Kula Democrat North Union Township Fayette, Westmoreland
53 Robert Godshall Republican Franconia Township Montgomery
54 John Pallone Democrat New Kensington Armstrong, Westmoreland
55 Joe Petrarca Democrat Vandergrift Armstrong, Westmoreland
56 James Casorio, Jr. Democrat North Huntingdon Township Westmoreland
57 Thomas Tangretti (x)[6] Democrat Greensburg Westmoreland
58 Ted Harhai Democrat Monessen Fayette, Westmoreland
59 Jess Stairs (x)[7] Republican Greensburg Fayette, Westmoreland
60 Jeff Pyle Republican Ford City Armstrong, Indiana
61 Kate Harper Republican Lower Gwynedd Township Montgomery
62 Dave L. Reed Republican Indiana Indiana
63 Fred McIlhattan (x)[8] Republican Knox Armstrong, Clarion
64 Scott Hutchinson Republican Oil City Butler, Venango
65 Kathy Rapp Republican Warren Forest, McKean, Warren
66 Sam Smith Republican Punxsutawney Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson
67 Martin Causer Republican Port Allegany Cameron, McKean, Potter
68 Matt Baker Republican Wellsboro Bradford, Tioga
69 Bob Bastian (x)[9] Republican Friedens Bedford, Somerset
70 Jay Moyer Republican Lower Salford Township Montgomery
71 Ed Wojnaroski (x)[10] Democrat Johnstown Cambria
72 Tom Yewcic (x)[11] Democrat Jackson Township Cambria, Somerset
73 Gary Haluska Democrat Patton Cambria
74 Camille George Democrat Houtzdale Clearfield
75 Dan Surra Democrat St. Mary's Clearfield, Elk
76 Michael Hanna Democrat Lock Haven Centre, Clinton
77 Scott Conklin Democrat Rush Township Centre
78 Dick Hess Republican Bedford Bedford, Fulton, Huntingdon
79 Richard Geist Republican Altoona Blair
80 Jerry Stern Republican Martinsburg Blair
81 Mick Fleck Republican Three Springs Blair, Huntingdon, Mifflin
82 Adam Harris Republican Mifflintown Juniata, Mifflin, Snyder
83 Steve Cappelli (y)[12] Republican Williamsport Lycoming
84 Garth Everett Republican Muncy Lycoming
85 Russ Fairchild Republican Lewisburg Snyder, Union
86 Mark Keller Republican New Bloomfield Franklin, Perry
87 Glen Grell Republican Hampden Township Cumberland
88 Jerry Nailor (x)[13] Republican Mechanicsburg Cumberland
89 Rob Kauffman Republican Chambersburg Cumberland, Franklin
90 Todd Rock Republican Mont Alto Franklin
91 Dan Moul Republican Conewago Township Adams, Franklin
92 Scott Perry Republican Carroll Township Cumberland, York
93 Ron Miller Republican Jacobus York
94 Stan Saylor Republican Red Lion York
95 Eugene DePasquale Democrat West Manchester Township York
96 Mike Sturla Democrat Lancaster Lancaster
97 John Bear Republican Lancaster Lancaster
98 David Hickernell Republican West Donegal Township Dauphin, Lancaster
99 Gordon Denlinger Republican Ephrata Lancaster
100 Bryan Cutler Republican Quarryville Lancaster
101 Mauree Gingrich Republican Palmyra Lebanon
102 Rosemarie Swanger Republican North Lebanon Township Lebanon
103 Ron Buxton Democrat Harrisburg Dauphin
104 Sue Helm Republican Susquehanna Township Dauphin
105 Ron Marsico Republican Harrisburg Dauphin
106 John Payne Republican Hummelstown Dauphin
107 Bob Belfanti Democrat Mount Carmel Columbia, Montour, Northumberland
108 Merle Phillips Republican Upper Augusta Township Northumberland, Snyder
109 David Millard Republican Berwick Columbia
110 Tina Pickett Republican Towanda Bradford, Sullivan, Susquehanna
111 Sandra Major Republican Montrose Susquehanna, Wayne, Wyoming
112 Ken Smith Democrat Dunmore Lackawanna
113 Frank Andrews Shimkus Democrat South Abington Township Lackawanna
114 Jim Wansacz Democrat Old Forge Lackawanna, Luzerne, Susquehanna, Wyoming
115 Ed Staback Democrat Olyphant Lackawanna, Wayne
116 Todd Eachus Democrat Buter Township Luzerne
117 Karen Boback Republican Harveys Lake Columbia, Luzerne, Wyoming
118 Mike Carroll Democrat Avoca Luzerne, Monroe
119 John Yudichak Democrat Nanticoke Luzerne
120 Phyllis Mundy Democrat Kingston Luzerne
121 Eddie Day Pashinski Democrat Wilkes Barre Luzerne
122 Keith R. McCall Democrat Summit Hill Carbon
123 Neal Goodman Democrat Mahanoy City Schuylkill
124 Dave Argall Republican Tamaqua Berks, Schuylkill
125 Tim Seip Democrat Wayne Township Berks, Schuylkill
126 Dante Santoni, Jr. Democrat Reading Berks
127 Tom Caltagirone Democrat Reading Berks
128 Sam Rohrer Republican Reading Berks
129 Jim Cox Republican Sinking Spring Berks
130 Dave Kessler Democrat Boyertown Berks
131 Karen Beyer Republican Bethlehem Lehigh, Northampton
132 Jennifer Mann Democrat Allentown Lehigh
133 Joe Brennan Democrat Fountain Hill Lehigh, Northampton
134 Doug Reichley Republican Emmaus Berks, Lehigh
135 Steve Samuelson Democrat Bethlehem Lehigh, Northampton
136 Robert Freeman Democrat Easton Northampton
137 Rich Grucela Democrat Nazareth Northampton
138 Craig Dally Republican Nazareth Northampton
139 Michael Peifer Republican Honesdale Monroe, Pike, Wayne
140 John Galloway Democrat Bristol Bucks
141 Anthony Melio Democrat Levittown Bucks
142 Chris King Democrat Middletown Township Bucks
143 Marguerite Quinn Republican Doylestown Bucks
144 Kathy Watson Republican Warminster Bucks
145 Paul Clymer Republican Sellersville Bucks
146 Tom Quigley Republican Pottstown Montgomery
147 Bob Mensch Republican Marlborough Montgomery
148 Mike Gerber Democrat Conshohocken Montgomery
149 Daylin Leach (y)[14] Democrat King of Prussia Montgomery
150 Mike Vereb Republican West Norriton Township Montgomery
151 Rick Taylor Democrat Ambler Montgomery
152 Tom Murt Republican Hatboro Montgomery, Philadelphia
153 Josh Shapiro Democrat Abington Township Montgomery
154 Lawrence Curry Democrat Jenkintown Montgomery, Philadelphia
155 Curt Schroder Republican East Brandywine Township Chester
156 Barbara McIlvaine Smith Democrat West Chester Chester
157 Carole Rubley (x)[15] Republican Wayne Chester, Montgomery
158 Chris Ross Republican Kennett Square Chester
159 Thad Kirkland Democrat Chester Delaware
160 Stephen Barrar Republican Aston Chester, Delaware
161 Bryan Lentz Democrat Swarthmore Delaware
162 Ron Raymond (x)[16] Republican Sharon Hill Delaware
163 Nicholas Micozzie Republican Upper Darby Township Delaware
164 Mario Civera, Jr. Republican Upper Darby Township Delaware
165 Bill Adolph, Jr. Republican Springfield Delaware
166 Greg Vitali Democrat Havertown Delaware
167 Duane Milne Republican West Chester Chester
168 Tom Killion Republican Newtown Square Chester, Delaware
169 Dennis O'Brien Republican Philadelphia Philadelphia
170 George Kenney (x) [17] Republican Philadelphia Montgomery, Philadelphia
171 Kerry Benninghoff Republican Bellefonte Centre, Mifflin
172 John Perzel Republican Philadelphia Philadelphia
173 Michael McGeehan Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
174 John Sabatina, Jr. Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
175 Mike O'Brien Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
176 Mario Scavello Republican Mount Pocono Monroe
177 John Taylor Republican Philadelphia Philadelphia
178 Scott Petri Republican New Hope Bucks
179 Tony Payton Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
180 Angel Cruz Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
181 Curtis Thomas Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
182 Babette Josephs Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
183 Julie Harhart Republican North Catasauqua Lehigh, Northampton
184 Bill Keller Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
185 Robert Donatucci Democrat Philadelphia Delaware, Philadelphia
186 Harold James (z) Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
187 Carl Mantz (x)[18] Republican Kutztown Berks, Lehigh
188 James Roebuck, Jr. Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
189 John Siptroth Democrat Smithfield Township Monroe, Pike
190 Tom Blackwell IV (z) Democrat Philadelphia Delaware, Philadelphia
191 Ron Waters Democrat Philadelphia Delaware, Philadelphia
192 Louise Bishop Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
193 Steven Nickol (x) Republican Hanover Adams, York
194 Kathy Manderino Democrat Philadelphia Montgomery, Philadelphia
195 Frank Oliver Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
196 Bev Mackereth Republican Spring Grove York
197 Jewell Williams Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
198 Rosita Youngblood Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
199 Will Gabig Republican Carlisle Cumberland
200 Cherelle Parker Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
201 John Myers Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
202 Mark Cohen Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia
203 Dwight Evans Democrat Philadelphia Philadelphia

(x) Retiring
(y) Running for State Senate in 2008 (z) Not re-nominated for re-election

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ LancasterOnline.com:News:State Rep. Art Hershey will retire
  2. ^ David M. Brown, State Rep. Ramaley to run for state Senate, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, 1/11/08
  3. ^ Fewer lawmakers retiring as pay-raise flap fades (phillyBurbs.com) | Pennsylvania News
  4. ^ Pa. Voters Have Plenty To Decide In 2008, KDKA Television, 1/12/08
  5. ^ Fewer lawmakers retiring as pay-raise flap fades (phillyBurbs.com) | Pennsylvania News
  6. ^ Representative Tom Tangretti, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
  7. ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08010/848176-100.stm
  8. ^ http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/08010/848176-100.stm
  9. ^ District 069 : Latest News : Bastian Announces Retirement from House
  10. ^ The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Bastian joining ranks of retiring politicians
  11. ^ The Tribune Democrat, Johnstown, PA - Bastian joining ranks of retiring politicians
  12. ^ Fewer lawmakers retiring as pay-raise flap fades (phillyBurbs.com) | Pennsylvania News
  13. ^ The Sentinel Online : Archives : News
  14. ^ Fewer lawmakers retiring as pay-raise flap fades (phillyBurbs.com) | Pennsylvania News
  15. ^ District 157 : Latest News : Rubley Announces She is Not Running for Re-Election in 2008
  16. ^ District 162 : Latest News : Raymond to Retire from State House
  17. ^ Clout: Tears, tears - and a poll from afar, Philadelphia Daily News, 1/11/08
  18. ^ State Rep. Mantz says he will not seek second term | Keystone Politics

[edit] External links


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