A Lehigh Valley look at the State Legislative Leadership

All four legislative caucuses have now held their leadership elections - here is a look at how things shook out:

Republican House (majority)

• Speaker of the House:  Sam Smith (R-66, Jefferson County)
• Majority Leader:  Mike Turazi (R-28, Allegheny County)
• Majority Whip:  Stan Saylor (R-94, York County)
• Caucus Chairman:  Sandra Major (R-111, Susquehanna, Wayne & Wyoming Counties) 
• Policy Committee Chairman:  Dave Reed (R-62, Indiana County)
• Caucus Administrator:  Dick Stevenson (R-8, Mercer & Butler Counties)
• Caucus Secretary: Mike Vereb (R-150, Montgomery County)
• Total Valley Representatives in Leadership:  0

Democratic House

• Minority Leader:  Frank Dermody
• Minority Whip:  Mike Hanna
• Policy Committee Chairman:  Mike Sturla
• Appropriations Chairman:  Joe Markosek
• Caucus Chairman:  Dan Frankel
• Caucus Secretary:  Jennifer Mann
• Caucus Administrator:  Ron Buxton
• Total Valley Representatives in Leadership:  1

Republican Senate

• Majority Leader: Dominic Pileggi (R-9)
• President Pro Tempore:  Joe Scarnati (R-25)
• Caucus Administrator:  Pat Browne (R-16)
• Policy Committee Chairman:  Ted Erickson (R-26)
• Caucus Secretary:  Bob Robbins (R-50)
• Caucus Chairman:  Mike Waugh (R-28)
• Appropriations Committee Chairman:  Jake Corman (R-34)
• Total Valley Representatives in Leadership:  1

Democratic Senate

• Minority Leader:  Jay Costa
• Minority Whip:  Mike O'Pake
• Caucus Chairman:  Anthony Williams
• Caucus Secretary:  Christine Tartaglione
• Policy Committee Chairman:  Richard Kasunic
• Caucus Administrator:  Lisa Boscola
• Appropriations Committee Chairman:  Vince Hughes
• Total Valley Representatives in Leadership:  1

So, in total, we have only three Valley elected officials in leadership, and only one is in a majority party.  Is this a good or bad number for us?