How Mark Rozzi has shaken up Harrisburg's halls of power
Less than two months after Democrats in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives gathered in front of Independence Mall in Philadelphia to claim a slim majority in the state House, the power structure in Harrisburg is as unpredictable as ever. The election of a new House Speaker has prompted fresh questions about how the state Capitol will function in the opening months of 2023.
Now presiding over the House is state Rep. Mark Rozzi, a Democrat who vowed to become an Independent shortly after winning the leadership election on Jan. 3. His ascent to the speaker’s office was historic – he pledged to be the state’s first-ever Independent speaker – but Rozzi’s first week with the gavel was not without controversy. He may have even lost a longtime friend.
His rise was unexpected; he received the support of the entire House Democratic Caucus and 16 Republicans after being nominated for the role by GOP state Rep. Jim Gregory, who was a close ally of his. Most notably, the two worked hand-in-hand on a package of bills to protect victims of child sex abuse, which included legislation to abolish the state’s criminal statute of limitations on child sex abuse.
Gregory said the plan to elect Rozzi as speaker was hatched in the moment on swearing-in day. He told City & State that the idea was raised jokingly by House GOP Whip Tim O’Neal in a conversation with Rozzi and Gregory.
Roughly 15 to 20 minutes later, Gregory said he got a text from O’Neal, asking what it would take to get Rozzi to switch his party affiliation to Independent. “If you want to make a serious offer, then I suggest you call him and make a serious offer,” Gregory said, recalling his response to O’Neal. Moments later, Gregory officially nominated Rozzi for speaker of the House, laying the groundwork for Rozzi to win the speaker’s gavel.
https://www.cityandstatepa.com/politics/2023/01/how-mark-rozzi-has-shaken-harrisburgs-halls-power-city-state-analysis/381987/
