(The Center Square) – One member down, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives struck an, at times, somber yet congenial bipartisan tone as they opened the 209th legislative session. Rep. Matt Gergley, D-McKeesport, remains hospitalized in Allegheny County following a medical emergency he suffered over the holiday, leaving the chamber evenly split with 101 members on each side of the aisle. Nevertheless, the election and appointments of leadership roles went off without a hitch. After a tied first round of voting for Speaker of the House, Minority Leader Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford, removed his name from the running, clearing the way for Democrats to re-elect Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, the first woman to have served in the role.
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Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/pennsylvania/article_d3b1c29c-cd3e-11ef-a143-4fda6126de35.html