The Pennsylvania state House has been unable to function for a month. Three special elections this week could end the standoff, though big questions remain.
HARRISBURG — In the coming days, three special elections will likely decide which political party controls the Pennsylvania House, breaking a stalemate that has brought operations in the chamber to a complete halt.
Along with delivering a likely Democratic majority, the elections are expected to end an unusual monthlong impasse in which action in the state House has been procedurally impossible. Democrats have yet to hash out who will serve as speaker of the state House under their likely majority, and what the closely divided chamber will manage to accomplish.The current speaker is state Rep. Mark Rozzi . He won the role in a Republican-engineered deal and was not his caucus’ first choice.
There are two ways a speaker swap could happen. Rozzi could resign, or a majority of the state House could vote to recall him and install someone new. In either case, McClinton would need her entire 102-member caucus — including Rozzi — to vote for her. If any members opposed her, she would need GOP support to take the position.He did not respond to a request for comment from Spotlight PA on whether he would vote for McClinton as speaker if he is recalled.