HARRISBURG - Rep. Ken Smith is starting a job Monday with the House Democratic caucus, helping to orient 19 freshman Democratic lawmakers to the Legislature.
Mr. Smith, D-112, Dunmore, whose third term as a House member ended Friday, will be paid $6,000 a month as part of the Office of Member Services. Mr. Smith was defeated for renomination in the April primary by Rep. Kevin Haggerty, D-Dunmore. If Mr. Smith stays in the job for an entire year, he would be paid $72,000.
Bill Patton, spokesman for House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, D-33, Allegheny County, who made the hire, said Mr. Smith's job is viewed as somewhat temporary in nature with the greatest involvement during the months of December and January.
"He (Mr. Smith) is exploring other opportunities," said Mr. Patton.
Mr. Smith will be a regular caucus employee with health benefits and assigned to work in Harrisburg, he said.
"As a former member for the past six years, I look forward to helping the current members," said Mr. Smith on Friday. Having that experience will allow me to make a positive impact from the first day."
Also hired is Rep. Joseph Brennan, D-133, Bethlehem, who will be a research analyst in the Legislative Policy and Research Office at $6,000 a month. Mr. Brennan withdrew from a re-election bid earlier this year amidst charges of drunk driving and domestic violence. "They (Smith and Brennan) each bring knowledge of the Legislature and expertise to their new positions," said Mr. Patton.
In the new session, 19 or one in five of the 92 House Democratic lawmakers are freshmen. This is an unusually large group of freshmen, said Mr. Patton.
This group includes three Lackawanna County Democratic lawmakers - Mr. Haggerty, Marty Flynn of West Scranton in the 113th District and Frank Farina of Jessup in the 115th District. They will be officially sworn in Jan. 1.
Six of the 16 members in the Northeast caucus delegation are freshmen, said Rep. Mike Carroll, D-118, Hughestown, the new delegation chairman.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com