November 21st, 2008

Senate leadership elections were fairly boring yesterday, as expectedly not much changed in either caucus.  The only big shake-ups came from the retiring Majority and Minority Chairmen of the Appropriations Committee – which will be especially instrumental this year with the budget deficit growing.  Senate Republicans chose Jake Corman (R-Centre) over Sen. Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) to replace retiring Chairman Gib Armstrong, while the Democrats elected Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) over Leanna Washington (D-Montgomery) to fill Sen. Vince Fumo’s spot as minority chair.

Here’s a run-down of  all leadership posts:

Republicans:

President Pro Tempore: Joe Scarnatti (R-Cameron) nominated, unopposed

Majority Leader: Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware) reelected, unopposed.

Appropriations Chair: Jake Corman (R-Centre)

Whip: Jane Orie (R-Allegheny)

Caucus Chairman: Mike Waugh (R-York)

Caucus Secretary: Rob Robbins (R-Butler)

Policy Chairman and Caucus Administrator will be appointed by the Senate President at a later date.

Democrats:

Minority Leader: Bob Mellow (D- Lackawanna), unopposed

Appropriations Chair: Jay Costa (R-Allegheny)

Whip: Mike O’Pake (D-Berks)

Caucus Chairman: Vince Hughes (D-Montgomery) beat John Wozniak

Caucus Secretary: Sean Logan (D-Allegheny) beat out Lisa Boscola

Policy Chairman: Rich Kasunic (D-Fayette)

Caucus Administrator: Christine Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia)