State Rep. Jim Struzzi, R-Indiana, begins his fourth term in the General Assembly as the minority chairman of the House Appropriations Committee. Struzzi’s appointment as Republican Chair of that panel was announced Tuesday evening, along with the naming of other House GOP leaders including Rep.
Jesse Topper, R-Bedford/Fulton, as House Republican Leader. “While we are frustrated and disappointed to be in the minority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it is clear the people of Pennsylvania are ready for a new dawn,” Topper said, “I will lead our caucus with the kind of core Republican principles that have made our party successful on the statewide and national level.” It is a minority by the narrowest of margins, as 102 Democrats and 101 Republicans were elected last week.
The 102nd and final seat, ironically, was won by Rep, Frank Burns of Cambria County in a close election impacted by problems with the election process in that county’s voting booths. Earlier in the day Tuesday, the House Democratic Caucus announced that state Rep. Rob Matzie, D-Beaver County, was elected to serve as Majority Caucus Chair for the 2024-25 legislative session.
“I’m honored and excited to lead the House Majority Caucus forward,” Matzie said. “Our caucus members may represent different regions of the state with diverse needs and priorities, but every single member shares the same overriding goal: to improve the lives of the people we serve.” According to Topper, .