New Pa. speaker Mark Rozzi wants 'work group' after slow session start
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session designed to speed passage of a two-year window for letting some victims of child sexual abuse file otherwise outdated lawsuits.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.
- more at link -
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.
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Who could be against punishing sexual abuse of children?
Who could oppose lengthening the ridiculously short statute of limitations?
My only question was, why do they feel it should become a constitutional amendment? It seems that a regular bill would pass through both houses. The reason it didn't pass a couple years ago was that the Governor's staff blew a deadline. (I'm thinking that was the only reason. The bill would have passed both houses because it had sponsors from both parties.)
I'm sure that Speaker Mark Rozzi won't let this go.
... and it didn't happen in the special session that was called specifically to get it done. I feel bad for Mark Rozzi and also Gov. Wolf. The House can't diddle away, playing politics just like always.
This is the year that things will CHANGE in Harrisburg.
