When all eyes were on the U.S. House, another power struggle played out in Pennsylvania. After months of uncertainty and political fighting, state lawmakers elected Democratic Rep. Mark Rozzi of Berks County as the next House speaker.
of the state House for the first time since 2010, which could help further the legislative agenda of Democratic Governor-elect Josh Shaprio, who will face a Senate long controlled by the GOP when sworn in later this month.Rozzi pledged on the House floor Tuesday not to caucus with either party as House speaker.
He said that as the "commonwealth's first independent speaker" he'll work to help rebuild trust in the chamber.House Democrats eked out an unexpected majority in November's election — winning 102 seats compared to Republicans' 101. But Republicans hold a functional majority of 101-99 due to a trio of Democratic vacancies, which has fueled questions over the last two months over who will lead the House.
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