![]() The state Senate is also scheduled to return in September. ![]() While the state House and Senate have passed a $45.5 billion spending plan, it is stuck in legislative limbo because the GOP-controlled upper chamber has refused to convene to complete a procedural signature that would send the plan to the governor for final approval. Lawmakers could return to Harrisburg before September if needed due to budget negotiations, but talks appear to be stalled as the impasse approaches the three-week mark. A number of marquee Democratic agenda items - including stricter gun laws, a minimum wage increase, and LGBTQ nondiscrimination protections - advanced with Republican votes. Some GOP lawmakers have joined Democrats to support certain bills, even when Democrats already had 102 votes. However, if there is a 101-101 tie, bills will not be able to pass the full chamber without GOP support, further complicating the path forward for budget-related legislation. Should a vacancy occur during the term, the definition continues, “the political party that won that seat at the last election shall remain the party that won that seat until any subsequent special election is held to fill that seat.”Ĭontrol would only be reshuffled if a seat flips, the definition concludes.ĭemocrats argued the rule allows for state House operations to continue “without potential disruption” Republicans argued it allows for Democrats to cling to power through artificial means.īut in the short term, the rule allows Democrats to remain in control of the chamber’s important committees and voting calendar even without Innamorato. Candidates for the seat will be picked by local party officials.ĭemocrats flipped the state House from Republicans in 2022, winning 102 seats on Election Day in November.īut disputes over the legitimacy of the Democrats’ majority - spurred by a pre-election death, multiple representatives pursuing higher office, and a scandal that led to a resignation - have been common over the past several months.Ī rule written and approved by House Democrats in March states that the majority party is the one that “won the greater number of elections for the 203 seats in the House of Representatives in the general election preceding the term of service that began on the first day of December next after the general election.” The district, which includes Pittsburgh’s Strip District and Lawrenceville neighborhoods, as well as part of the city’s northern suburbs, is unlikely to flip Innamorato won 64% of the vote in last year’s election. 19 - the earliest date possible under state law, and a week before the state House’s next scheduled voting day. In an email, McClinton’s spokesperson said she had scheduled a special election to replace Innamorato for Tuesday, Sept. 26, her resignation - and the temporary loss of the caucus’ one-vote advantage - may not have an impact. Her resignation comes amid a more than two-week budget impasse that does not appear poised to end anytime soon.īut because the state House is not scheduled to return to Harrisburg until Sept. In a statement, Innamorato’s campaign said that her early resignation “allows her the opportunity to work with the next representative and fully transition them into the role before the general election in November, ensuring the 21st district has a representative solely focused on advancing the needs of the district.” Innamorato previously told Spotlight PA she would resign only if she won the general election in November. She sent a resignation letter to Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia) Wednesday morning. Sara Innamorato (D., Allegheny) told Spotlight PA that she had resigned from office as she pursues her campaign to be the next Allegheny County executive. ![]() HARRISBURG - The state House will once again be tied at 101-101 following the resignation of a Western Pennsylvania Democrat. Spotlight PA is an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media.
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