Smith re-elected caucus leader
The 99 members of the incoming Pennsylvania House Republican Caucus today elected its slate of leaders for the 2009-2010 legislative session.
The Republican leadership team includes (in order of election):
LEADER: Rep. Sam Smith (66th District, Jefferson County) was re-elected as the Caucus Leader, an office he has held since 2003. In 2000, Smith was elected Caucus Whip until April 2003, when he was elected Majority Leader after the death of Speaker Matt Ryan and the elevation of Rep. John Perzel to Speaker.
WHIP: Rep. Mike Turzai (28th District, Allegheny County) was first elected to the House in 2001. He previously served as a member of the House Republican Leadership team during the current (2007-08) legislative session as Policy Committee Chairman.
APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN: Rep. Mario J. Civera, Jr. (164th District, Delaware County) was re-elected to his second term as Republican Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. A representative since 1980, Civera has been a member of the Republican Caucus Leadership team since 2003. He previously served as Caucus Secretary and Policy Committee Chairman.
CAUCUS CHAIRWOMAN: Rep. Sandra Major (111th District, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties) was re-elected to her second term as Caucus Chairwoman. Major has been a House member since 1995.
POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Rep. Stan Saylor (94th District, York County) was first elected in 1992. In the 2007-08 (current) session, Saylor served as the Republican Chairman of the House Local Government Committee and the Chairman of the House Republican Energy Task Force.
CAUCUS ADMINISTRATOR: Rep. Merle Phillips (108th District, Northumberland and Snyder Counties) has served as Caucus Administrator since 1995; he was first elected to the House in 1980.
CAUCUS SECRETARY: Rep. Jerry Stern (80th District, Blair County) was first elected in 1992. This is his second term serving the House Republican Caucus as Caucus Secretary.
“House Republicans are ready to take on the major issues that matter to working families across the Commonwealth – affordable and accessible health care, fighting any tax increases and restoring citizens’ confidence in state government,” Smith said. “Our caucus will fight for the taxpayers and control state spending as state revenues continue to plummet.”
“The days of unrestrained state spending must end,” Civera said. “The Republican Appropriations Committee will keep an eye on expenditures. State government should deliver, and taxpayers expect more out of each tax dollar.”
“The unified House Republican Caucus will be fighting for a better Pennsylvania, a Pennsylvania which does not include tax hikes,” Turzai said. “We will be focused on making sure we protect the hard earned dollars of Pennsylvania families and employers.”
The elections took place today in the House Republican Caucus Room in the Main Capitol Building. The twelve newly elected Republican Members who will begin their terms in January participated in the balloting. Members who are leaving office did not participate in the election.
Representative Sam Smith
Republican Leader
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Contact: Stephen Miskin (717) 787-3845
E-mail: smiskin@pahousegop.com
Internet: www.samsmithpahouse.com