Three lawmakers mark their last day
HARRISBURG - Lawmakers wrapped up their business for the 2011-12 session Wednesday with three Lackawanna County representatives exiting the stage.
Reps. Ed Staback, D-115, Archbald, Ken Smith, D-112, Dunmore, and Kevin Murphy, D-113, Scranton, marked their last session day at the Capitol. Their terms officially end on Nov. 30.
Mr. Smith spoke of his experiences helping constituents of the 112th District, including a young mother who came with her two children to his district office seeking access to health care.
"I can only hope I have represented their (constituents') interests well," said Mr. Smith, offering traditional farewell remarks on the House floor.
Mr. Staback and Mr. Murphy gave no farewell remarks, and efforts to reach them were unsuccessful. They voted yes on the master roll call and three resolutions that were approved unanimously.
These session days were mainly for caucus elections and farewell speeches. In recent years, legislative leaders have declared they won't vote on bills during the post-election or "lame duck" session following the general election.
Mr. Staback is retiring after 28 years in the House. Both Mr. Smith and Mr. Murphy were defeated for renomination in last April's primary. Mr. Murphy faces an upcoming trial in Lackawanna County Court on charges of simple assault and harassment in connection with a domestic assault case.
As the days wind down for the three House incumbents, their successors are preparing to take the stage. Reps.-elect Kevin Haggerty, D-112, Dunmore, Marty Flynn, D-113, West Scranton, and Frank Farina, D-115, Jessup, were at the Capitol on Tuesday voting in the Democratic caucus election and being introduced to other lawmakers.
In the Senate, the Rev. Kevin P. Quinn, president of the University of Scranton, was the guest chaplain offering the opening prayer for the day's session.
Sens. Pat Browne, R-16, Allentown, and Lisa Boscola, D-18, Bethlehem Twp., were re-elected Wednesday by their caucuses to the posts of majority caucus whip and minority policy committee chair respectively.
Senate President Pro Tempore Joseph Scarnati, R-25, Jefferson County, spoke of the challenges ahead in the next session starting in January with the need to address transportation funding and rein in public pension costs. The Republican margin in that chamber is shrinking from 30-20 during most of this session to 27-23 in the next session with Democratic wins in three seats.
Contact the writer: rswift@timesshamrock.com