The LuLac Edition #122, Jan. 2, 2007

PHOTO INDEX: SPEAKER TO BE, THEN DEAL MAKER WILLIAM DEWEESE, DEM., NEW PA. STATE HOUSE SPEAKER DENNIS O'BRIEN.

PERZEL OUT THUNK!!!!

John Perzel, Republican is out as State of Pennsylvania Speaker of the House, but his party is not. Republican Dennis O'Brien of Philadelphia takes the reins in a surprise move engineered by House Minority Leader William DeWeese. DeWeese, the wordsmith from Western Pennsylvania wanted to be Speaker as a Democrat but could not get bi partisan support. So he put up O'Brien's name and this is what happened:
Rep. Dennis O'Brien, R-Philadelphia, was nominated for the chamber's top spot by Rep. H. William DeWeese, D-Greene, who had hoped to become the new speaker. Mr. DeWeese, however, apparently could not muster the votes to win, so he offered Mr. O'Brien as an alternative to Rep. John Perzel, R-Philadelphia.Mr. Perzel has served as speaker since 2003 and Republicans have controlled the 203-seat chamber since the mid-1990s. Democrats took over with a slim 102-101 majority as a result of the tumultuous November election.Mr. O'Brien was elected with 105 votes to Mr. Perzel's 97. Mr. O'Brien garnered votes from most Democrats, while the majority of Republicans backed Mr. Perzel.There had been speculation last fall that Mr. O'Brien might switch parties and become a Democrat, but he adamantly denied the rumors. It was unclear Tuesday afternoon whether he will remain a Republican as speaker.

FROM THE PHILDELPHIA DAILY NEWS

Philadelphia’s O’Brien is House speaker
By Angela Couloumbis and Amy Worden
INQUIRER HARRISBURG BUREAU
Ed Hille / Inquirer


HARRISBURG - In a stunning development, Philadelphia Republican Dennis O'Brien was elected the new speaker of the House, edging out Philadelphia Rep. John Perzel after weeks of political maneuvering by both Democrats and Republicans for control of the House.
The vote was 105 to 97.
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In a bizarre twist, O'Brien's nomination actually came from the Democratic side, no less from Majority Leader Bill DeWeese (D., Greene), who had been considered the front-runner for the speaker post.
O'Brien has been recently targeted by Democrats, to get him to switch parties or to garner his support.
"This is unexpected, I am truly honored by your support," said O'Brien.
O'Brien then promised to usher in unspecified government reforms: "You have my pledge, I will move reform issues forward and I will try to be as fair as I possibly can."
Before the vote, chaos and confusion reigned in the lower chamber as both sides tried to outmaneuver each other in order to maintain control of the House, where Democrats hold a one-vote majority. Several times, the House's chief clerk, who was presiding over the lower chamber until a new speaker was elected, had to consult a legislative manual to figure out whether such maneuvering was permitted under House rules.
And the session was interrupted several times by hoots and jeers by members when they heard something they didn't like.
With the House so narrowly split - 102 Democrats to 101 Republicans - it was unclear yesterday why no one nominated DeWeese. When the House first convened, DeWeese had tried to stop the proceedings by asking for the chance to gather with fellow Democrats in private, but he was rebuffed by the House's chief clerk, Roger Nick.
Even Perzel faced a difficult time on the floor: When he tried to speak, there were loud objections from the floor - as well as appeals from DeWeese - and Perzel was promptly cut off.