Lawmakers in state House who represent Schuylkill County criticize recess

Jan. 26—The four Republicans who represent Schuylkill County in the state House of Representatives are uniformly critical of Speaker Mark Rozzi's decision to recess the legislative body until Feb. 27.

Rozzi is a Berks County Democrat.

"He has one job: to call us to work," said Rep. Tim Twardzik, of Butler Twp., who represents the all-Schuylkill 123rd District, "and he won't do it."

Rep. Joanne Stehr, of Hegins, whose 107th District includes western Schuylkill and parts of Northumberland County, feels as if she is being denied the right to vote on critical issues.

"I feel that I've been disenfranchised, and so have my constituents," said Stehr, the first woman to represent Schuylkill County in the Legislature.

Jamie Barton, of East Brunswick Twp., newly elected in the 124th District, accuses Rozzi of politicizing the legislative process.

"Rep. Rozzi says he's embarking on a listening tour," said Barton, whose district includes parts of southern Schuylkill and northern Berks counties. "Boy, I wish he'd listen to me and my constituents in the 124th District."

Dane Watro, of Kline Twp., whose 116th District includes parts of northern Schuylkill and southern Luzerne counties, said that while the home district is "where the real work gets done," legislators also need to be in Harrisburg.

"I'm very disappointed with the speaker (and) supposedly not being until February to call us back," he said. "It's alarming and concerning."

Rozzi was elected speaker of the House in early January after 16 Republicans crossed the aisle to vote for him.

The understanding, Republican leaders say, was that Rozzi was to leave the Democratic Party and register as an independent, a move he has yet to take.

The long recess gives Democrats a chance to regain a majority in the House. Three special elections in Democratic strongholds in Allegheny County are set for Feb. 7. If the party wins all the seats, it would give Democrats a 102-101 majority.

The outcome could affect the course of critical, and often divisive, issues facing lawmakers in Harrisburg: abortion rights, voter identification, the executive power of the governor and how lieutenant governors are elected.

Rozzi, who says he was abused when he was young by a Catholic priest, is pushing for a constitutional amendment creating a two-year window for victims of child abuse to sue in old abuse cases.

Pennsylvanians support measures to protect children — "that's something I dedicated a lot of my life to," Watro said — but he doesn't want the issue to be used as a "political football."

Although he understands the intent of the amendment Rozzi is pushing, Watro wants to ensure it doesn't target specific institutions.

Stehr said she support the amendment in criminal cases but worries about how it might be interpreted.

"It's hard to go back 37 years," she said of allegations that can be decades old.

Barton understands the politics, but said he wants to meet with Rozzi to better understand his reasoning on a proposed amendment.

"I'd like to sit down and talk over a cup of coffee," Barton said. "I emailed my contact information, but I haven't heard back from him."

Barton noted that any proposed constitutional amendment must be OK'd by voters in two consecutive elections.

Temporarily relieved of their duties in Harrisburg, the legislators are focusing on constituent service back home.

Opening additional offices are also on their agendas.

Stehr is opening an office in Shamokin, while Barton is opening an office in Hamburg Borough Hall and Twardzik is opening an office in the Lessig building in Schuylkill Haven.

Contact the writer: rdevlin@republicanherald.com; 570-628-6007