By Laura Olson
Staff Reporter
Capitolwire
HARRISBURG (Nov. 5) – The state House of Representatives will not be returning to vote on any legislation, according to House Democratic aides.
Several bills awaiting House action, which leaders said had support in both caucuses, will now have to start over next session, including pension reform, Megan’s Law reform, the independent fiscal office and a bill to allow self-defense with deadly weapons in cars and other places.
Gov. Ed Rendell said Friday that he’ll be sending a letter to the House leaders, asking them to return for at least one session day in order to vote on the pension reform bill.
“The pension bill is too urgent to delay for any period of time,” Rendell said during a noon news conference.
Bob Caton, spokesman for House Speaker Keith McCall, D-Carbon, confirmed Friday morning that there will be no more House votes until the new session in January. He declined to elaborate on why McCall changed the remaining session days to non-voting days.
The House was expected to return for three days next week and two more the following week to pass some remaining bills that had been returned from the Senate, including one to reform portions of the state teachers’ and state employees’ pension systems.
McCall also cancelled session for Wednesday, giving the chamber four non-voting session days. The House Republicans are expected to hold their leadership elections on Tuesday, and the Democrats on the following Tuesday.
The House Democrats held the majority by a 104-99 majority this session, but will return in the minority in January by a margin of at least 111-92.
The Senate also will not be returning for a lame duck session.
It would appear that the House Democrats plan to allow their Republican successors to take the blame for what happens next. It’s going to be a VERY rough ride…