House and Senate Republicans, Democrats Leadership Teams for 2019/20
The House held leadership elections November 13 for the new legislative session starting in January.
House Republicans re-elected Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), as their choice for Speaker when the House members are sworn in again on January 1. Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), who previously served as Whip, was elected to lead his Majority caucus, succeeding the retiring Dave Reed. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre), who previously served as Policy Chair, will now serve as Majority Whip. Majority Appropriations Chair Stan Saylor (R-York), Republican Caucus Chair Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), and Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Columbia), were re-elected to their respective posts, while former Caucus Secretary Donna Oberlander (R-Armstrong) was elected Policy Committee Chair, and Rep. Mike Reese (R-Somerset) was elected Caucus Secretary.
In an introductory press statement, the new House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler said he is focused on finding solutions to problems and reaching across the political aisle on issues were Republicans have common ground with Democrats, like on education funding and jobs.
House Democrats saw a major shift in its leadership team, to younger Philadelphia-area members.
After Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny) was re-elected to his post, Reps. Jordan Harris of Philadelphia (Whip), Matt Bradford of Montgomery (Appropriations Chair) and Joanna McClinton of Delaware County (Caucus Chair) scored surprise upset victories, while current Policy Committee Chair Mike Sturla (Lancaster), Caucus Administrator Neal Goodman (Schuylkill), and Caucus Secretary Rosita Youngblood (Philadelphia) were re-elected.
The Senate held leadership elections the following day, with no changes in the Republican and Democratic line-ups, other than the vacancy created by Sen. Chuck McIlhinney’s retirement. His post as Republican Caucus Administrator will be filled by President Pro Tempore-elect Joe Scarnati at a later date.
Senate Republicans re-elected: President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati (R-Jefferson), Majority Leader Jake Corman (R-Centre), Majority Whip John Gordner (R-Columbia), Majority Appropriations Chair Pat Browne (R-Lehigh), Caucus Chair Robert Mensch (R-Montgomery), Caucus Secretary Richard Alloway (R-Adams), and Policy Committee Chair David Argall (R-Schuylkill), with the aforementioned Caucus Administrator position to be named.
Senate Democrats, who picked up five new seats in the 2018 elections retained their entire leadership team from 2017-18: Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny),
Minority Whip Anthony Williams (D-Philadelphia), Minority Appropriations Chair Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Chair Wayne Fontana (D-Allegheny), Caucus Secretary Lawrence Farnese (D-Philadelphia), Caucus Administrator John Blake (D-Lackawanna), and Policy Committee Chair Lisa Boscola (D-Northampton)
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists November 14 Meeting Highlights
The State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists met on November 14 in Harrisburg. Following are the highlights.
∙ Board President Theodore Tesler, PG, welcomed Board members and guests. He reported that he had attended the ASBOG meeting. ASBOG will be joining NCEES Outreach Board. The 2021 meeting will be in Philadelphia, so he is looking forward to the short trip.
∙ The Board held elections of officers. Francis Stanton, PE was elected President, James Szalankiewicz, PE, PLS, was elected Vice President. Both will serve for two, one-year terms.
∙ Board Prosecutor Robert Armour, Esq. reviewed 2 Consent Agreements for deliberation in Executive Session, and noted the Board had one hearing scheduled for later in the meeting. He noted that James Osman will be handling cases for the Board going forward.
∙ BPOA Commissioner Ian Harlow did not attend the meeting.
∙ Board Regulatory Counsel Tom Blackburn was not in attendance, but asked through Board Counsel Ariel O’Malley that the Board approve the Seals regulation for publication as proposed. Approved.
∙ Board Administrator Jeannie Bronshtein welcomed back Carol Sides and David Pennoni, who had been reappointed by the Governor, and confirmed by the Senate in the fall. Pennoni was unable to attend the meeting. Bronshtein also noted that Board Counsel Ariel O’Malley would be moving to another Board, and Bill Fritz will be taking over her slot.
∙ Regulatory Counsel reported that the Electronic Seals reg is being held pending approval of a similar reg by the Landscape Architects Board, at its meeting November 29. The regs will likely be delivered to the Professional Licensure Committees and IRRC early in 2019.
Next meeting is January 9, 2019, in Harrisburg. Future 2019 meeting dates: March 13, May 8, July 10, September 11, November 13.
BPOA Publishes Proposed Rulemaking On Expungement; Fees
The Department of State’s Commissioner of Professional and Occupational Affairs proposed rulemaking relating to expungement and fees. More information on the proposed rulemaking can be viewed in the Pennsylvania Bulletin here: https://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol48/48-45/1745.html. Interested persons are invited to submit written comments, recommendations or objections regarding this proposed rulemaking to Cynthia Montgomery, Counsel to the Commissioner, PO Box 69523, Harrisburg, PA 17106-9523, RA-STRegulatoryCounsel@pa.gov within 30 days of publication of this proposed rulemaking. Reference No. 16A-060 (Expungement; Fees) when submitting comments.
Legislative Activity
No bills of interest to PSPE were acted on by the General Assembly this past month. The 2017-18 legislative session ended officially on November 30.
Upcoming meetings of Interest
Some House Committee meetings and session can be viewed online at: http://www.pahousegop.com/
Senate Committee meetings and session can be streamed at: http://www.pasenategop.com/
2019 SENATE SESSION SCHEDULE
January 1, 15, 16, 28, 29, 30
February 4, 5, 6
March 18, 19, 20, 25, 26, 27
April 8, 9, 10, 29, 30
May 1, 6, 7, 8
June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28
2019 HOUSE SESSION SCHEDULE
To be determined
State Registration Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors and Geologists Meeting Schedule
2019 Meeting Dates (Subject to change): January 9, March 13, May 8, July 10, September 11, November 13
PUBLIC WELCOME
All Board meetings are held at Penn Center, 2601 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA, at 9:30 a.m.
Other meeting dates may be scheduled as needed.
Copies of all bills of interest can be accessed here.
