11:20 a.m.
From my colleague Amy Worden:
One of the most conservative members of the GOP caucus, Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, may have been an outspoken critic of House Speaker John Perzel’s deal-making with Gov. Rendell in the past, but he says he’s got his vote today.
The Butler County Republican is skipping the morning caucus meeting to host 25 family and friends. But he said he doesn’t need to hear the discussion; he knows what he’s going to do: “I will support the Republican nominee."
“John Perzel is heads and shoulders above DeWeese in his ability to do his job," said Metcalfe. "He has learned a lesson and will work in a new way with the majority of the Republican caucus, rather than just give things to Rendell.”
Tuesday, January 2, 2007
Perzel's Top Aide Counting His Days...
11 a.m.
If Rep. John M. Perzel keeps the gavel, he'll wield it without his top aide at his side.
Brian Preski, who has been with Perzel since 2000, is departing as his chief of staff come Friday to become a partner at the lawfirm of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP in Philadelphia.
The two were seemingly inseparable. Where Perzel went, there was Preski, whether it was at the Speaker's rostrum, the Super Bowl, trips to Vegas, Italy or China.
Preski, a former assistant district attorney in Philadelphia who many consider one of the hardest working aides in Harrisburg, will retain his job as the Chairman of the Philadelphia Port Authority.
No word yet on his replacement.
If Rep. John M. Perzel keeps the gavel, he'll wield it without his top aide at his side.
Brian Preski, who has been with Perzel since 2000, is departing as his chief of staff come Friday to become a partner at the lawfirm of Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP in Philadelphia.
The two were seemingly inseparable. Where Perzel went, there was Preski, whether it was at the Speaker's rostrum, the Super Bowl, trips to Vegas, Italy or China.
Preski, a former assistant district attorney in Philadelphia who many consider one of the hardest working aides in Harrisburg, will retain his job as the Chairman of the Philadelphia Port Authority.
No word yet on his replacement.
Minority work out
This from my colleague Amy Worden:
Bumped from their majestic home right off the Capitol Rotunda floor, House Republicans are holding their first caucus meeting in the minority caucus room - former home to the Democrats - three long flights up in the main Capitol building.
With only two sluggish elevators, some may end up taking the stairs. One member, Rep. Steve Nickol (R., Adams) said that’s one benefit to being in the minority: “It’s good for our health.”
Bumped from their majestic home right off the Capitol Rotunda floor, House Republicans are holding their first caucus meeting in the minority caucus room - former home to the Democrats - three long flights up in the main Capitol building.
With only two sluggish elevators, some may end up taking the stairs. One member, Rep. Steve Nickol (R., Adams) said that’s one benefit to being in the minority: “It’s good for our health.”
If a Rally Falls in the Forest...?
10:30 a.m.
Democrats had planned a big rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 10 this morning to protest Rep. Thomas Caltagirone's decision to vote for Republican John M. Perzel as speaker.
It never materialized.
Rep. Bill DeWeese (D., Greene) who was in line for the speaker's job, wasn't there. Nor was T.J. Rooney, the chairman of the State Democratic Party.
Instead, Mike Morrill, a former Green Party gubernatorial candidate, took the mike, blasting Caltagirone for what he called political "bait and switch."
The only other speaker was Rep.-elect Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D., Chester) whose long-delayed victory tipped the balance of power to the Democrats.
"We worked very hard in Chester County to be that one deciding vote," she said. " ... Today, we should be celebrating, and I tell you that my heart is pounding in my chest because what should have been may not be."
Democrats had planned a big rally in the Capitol Rotunda at 10 this morning to protest Rep. Thomas Caltagirone's decision to vote for Republican John M. Perzel as speaker.
It never materialized.
Rep. Bill DeWeese (D., Greene) who was in line for the speaker's job, wasn't there. Nor was T.J. Rooney, the chairman of the State Democratic Party.
Instead, Mike Morrill, a former Green Party gubernatorial candidate, took the mike, blasting Caltagirone for what he called political "bait and switch."
The only other speaker was Rep.-elect Barbara McIlvaine Smith (D., Chester) whose long-delayed victory tipped the balance of power to the Democrats.
"We worked very hard in Chester County to be that one deciding vote," she said. " ... Today, we should be celebrating, and I tell you that my heart is pounding in my chest because what should have been may not be."
Caltagirone Not in the House...Yet
As of 10 a.m.
From my colleague Angela Couloumbis:
Caltagirone was nowhere to be found. Aides in his office said they had caught him on his cell phone, but that he wasn’t on premises.
Asked whether he was being guarded by security, one aide answered wryly: “Not yet.”
From my colleague Angela Couloumbis:
Caltagirone was nowhere to be found. Aides in his office said they had caught him on his cell phone, but that he wasn’t on premises.
Asked whether he was being guarded by security, one aide answered wryly: “Not yet.”
T-Minus Three Hours
Battle for the Gavel: 9 a.m.
To get you all up to speed:
In the fall elections Nov. 7, Democrats pulled off the improbable, erasing a 109-94 deficit to take control of the state House for the first time in a dozen years.
The outcome, however, was delayed for weeks as Chester County officials recounted a razor-thin contest for the 156th District seat, which eventually was awarded to Democrat Barbara McIlvaine Smith. It all heightened the political drama.
With the thin 102-101 majority in hand, it appeared that the top Democrat in the House, Rep. Bill DeWeese of Greene County, was poised to take the speaker's gavel from Rep. John M. Perzel (R., Phila.) when the 2007-2008 legislative session began Jan. 2.
But Perzel, speaker since April 2003, refused to move out of his Capitol office suite as he desperately sought a way -- any way -- to remain speaker.
He apparently found it over the weekend in the form of a disgruntled Democrat from Reading. Thirty-year Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D., Berks) in a letter to colleagues said he planned to cross the aisle, but not switch parties, for Perzel.
Mathematically at least, that gave the upper hand to the Northeast Philadelphia Republican. If successful, Perzel would become the first speaker in Pennsylvania history -- and it goes back to the 1600s, mind you -- to serve as speaker as a member of the minority party.
But there remains a handful of GOP representatives, including several freshmen members, who have publicly harangued the idea of Perzel continuing to run the chamber.
Now, there's growing speculation that a third speaker candidate might emerge.
The House takes the floor at noon when all 203 representatives will put their hands on the Bible and take the oath of office. Then, in their first act as the new House, the fun begins as they elect the next speaker.
From the Capitol, my colleagues Amy Worden and Angela Couloumbis and I will be here to post on every twist and turn of the political intrigue that will have a major impact in the months to come on taxes, health care, mass transit ... basically everything of import from Harrisburg.
To get you all up to speed:
In the fall elections Nov. 7, Democrats pulled off the improbable, erasing a 109-94 deficit to take control of the state House for the first time in a dozen years.
The outcome, however, was delayed for weeks as Chester County officials recounted a razor-thin contest for the 156th District seat, which eventually was awarded to Democrat Barbara McIlvaine Smith. It all heightened the political drama.
With the thin 102-101 majority in hand, it appeared that the top Democrat in the House, Rep. Bill DeWeese of Greene County, was poised to take the speaker's gavel from Rep. John M. Perzel (R., Phila.) when the 2007-2008 legislative session began Jan. 2.
But Perzel, speaker since April 2003, refused to move out of his Capitol office suite as he desperately sought a way -- any way -- to remain speaker.
He apparently found it over the weekend in the form of a disgruntled Democrat from Reading. Thirty-year Rep. Thomas Caltagirone (D., Berks) in a letter to colleagues said he planned to cross the aisle, but not switch parties, for Perzel.
Mathematically at least, that gave the upper hand to the Northeast Philadelphia Republican. If successful, Perzel would become the first speaker in Pennsylvania history -- and it goes back to the 1600s, mind you -- to serve as speaker as a member of the minority party.
But there remains a handful of GOP representatives, including several freshmen members, who have publicly harangued the idea of Perzel continuing to run the chamber.
Now, there's growing speculation that a third speaker candidate might emerge.
The House takes the floor at noon when all 203 representatives will put their hands on the Bible and take the oath of office. Then, in their first act as the new House, the fun begins as they elect the next speaker.
From the Capitol, my colleagues Amy Worden and Angela Couloumbis and I will be here to post on every twist and turn of the political intrigue that will have a major impact in the months to come on taxes, health care, mass transit ... basically everything of import from Harrisburg.
Sunday, December 31, 2006
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