Robert J. Mellow

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Bob Mellow
Robert J. Mellow
Member of the Pennsylvania State Senate
from the 22nd district
In office
1971 – present
Born December 10, 1942 (1942-12-10) (age 65)
Scranton, Pennsylvania
Political party Democratic
Residence Blakely, Pennsylvania
Alma mater Bethel College
Religion Roman Catholic

Robert J. "Bob" Mellow is a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania State Senate who has represented the 22nd District since 1971. He is currently the Minority Floor Leader.

Contents

[edit] Personal

Mellow was born on December 10, 1943 in Scranton, Pennsylvania to James and Alice (Generotti) Mellow. He is of mixed Irish and Italian ancestry. He has lived in Lackawanna County his entire life.[citation needed] Mellow served in the National Guard from 1962 to 1968 and, after attending Lackawanna Junior College and University of Scranton. He earned his BS in accounting from Bethel College.

[edit] Political career

He was elected to the State Senate in 1970 and has been the Democratic caucus' leader since 1989. Mellow represents the 22nd district, including all of Lackawanna County and neighboring portions of Monroe County and Luzerne County. When the Democrats held the majority in the Senate from 1992 to 1994, Mellow served as Senate President Pro Tempore.

Mellow is a supporter of efforts to establish a medical school in Scranton. He successfully appropriated $35 million of the estimated $100 million cost in the state capital budget.[1]

As president pro tempore, Mellow was the first lawmaker to authorize the use of television cameras on the state Senate floor to broadcast live Senate sessions. [2]

[edit] 2005 Pay Raise

Main article: 2005 Pennsylvania General Assembly pay raise controversy

Mellow was one of the leaders of the ill-fated legislative pay raise in 2005.[3] He told constituent Bill McIntyre to "Get a life" in an email exchange about the pay raise bill.[4] This phrase became a rallying cry for reformers that year.[5]

[edit] Candidate for Governor

Main article: Pennsylvania gubernatorial election, 2010

Mellow announced that he is considering a run for the Governor's office in 2010, when current Governor Ed Rendell must step down.[6]


Preceded by
Robert C. Jubelirer		 President pro tempore of the Pennsylvania Senate
1993–1995		 Succeeded by
Robert C. Jubelirer

[edit] References

  1. ^ Josh Brogadir, $35 Million Grant for Scranton Medical School, WNEP News, 10/30/07
  2. ^ Micaehl Race, Senate Dem leader: Open records law overhaul needed", The Daily and Sunday Review, Towanda, Pennsylvania, 1/25/07
  3. ^ "House Bill No. 151 Session of 2005", Pennsylvania General Assembly Committee of Conference. 
  4. ^ The Times-Tribune - Politicians peek from bunker, see unemployment line
  5. ^ www.PACleanSweep.com
  6. ^ Thomas Fitzgerald, Lawmaker considering a run for governor, Philadelphia Inquirer, 8/7/07

[edit] External links

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