New leadership team for PA House unveiled

Here are your leaders in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives come January, when Republicans will hold a 112-91 majority, the largest in more than a decade.

SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE: Rep. Sam Smith (66th District, Jefferson County). Smith has served as leader since 2003. In 2000, Smith was elected whip until April 2003, when he was elected majority leader after the death of Speaker Matthew J. Ryan. Smith was first elected to the House in 1986, succeeding his father, former Rep. Eugene "Snuffy" Smith.

MAJORITY LEADER: Rep. Mike Turzai (28th District, Allegheny County). Turzai was first elected to the House in 2001. He previously served as whip during the 2009-2010 legislative session. In 2006, he was elected Republican Policy Committee chairman.

MAJORITY WHIP: Rep. Stan Saylor (94th District, York County). Saylor was first elected to the House in 1992. In the 2009-2010 session, Saylor served as the Republican Policy Committee chairman.

APPROPRIATIONS CHAIRMAN: Rep. William Adolph (165th District, Delaware County). Adolph was first elected to the House in 1988. Today, he was elected to his first full term as Republican chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Last year, he was elected to the position to replace former Rep. Mario Civera, who resigned.

CAUCUS CHAIRMAN: Rep. Sandra Major (111th District, Susquehanna, Wayne and Wyoming Counties). Major was first elected to the House in 1994. She was re-elected to her third term as Caucus Chairman.

POLICY COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN: Rep. Dave Reed (62nd District, Indiana County). Reed was first elected to the House in 2002. He is currently chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee.

CAUCUS ADMINISTRATOR: Rep. Dick Stevenson (8th District, Mercer and Butler Counties). Stevenson was first elected to the House in 2000. This is his first election to House leadership.

CAUCUS SECRETARY: Rep. Mike Vereb (150th District, Montgomery County). Vereb was first elected in 2006. This will be his first term as Secretary.

A couple of quick thoughts: Only one woman on the leadership team? It's 2010 and women make up more than half the population of Pennsylvania. Republicans need to do a better job of getting women elected to the Legislature and giving them real clout. On the other hand, House Democrats have done no better, with just one female on their leadership team over the past two years. Rep. Turzai is a solid conservative and one of the smartest people in the Legislature. He should help usher in a new era of fiscal responsibility in state government. Rep. Mike Vereb, in just four years in Harrisburg, is making one of the quickest leaps to a leadership post in House history. He's a stand-up guy and will give Montgomery County a bigger say in the Legislature.

Read the full release from Rep. Smith's office at the link below:

Rep. Sam Smith - Republican Leader of Pennsylvania House of Representatives - New PA House Republican Majority Chooses 2011-2012 Leadership Team