Letter to the editor: Speaker Rozzi needs to get to work

Pennsylvanians should be outraged that the last time the gavel was used by House Speaker Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, the House was adjourned until Feb. 27. Unfortunately, the last time the House was in session was Jan. 3, when people were sworn into office.

Get to work, Mark Rozzi! We are paying you to work, not constipate the process. This man needs to be voted out in the next election.

The sticking point has been establishing a set of House rules to govern action in the House chamber. Without such rules, legislative committees cannot be organized. Members cannot introduce legislation, nor can the House vote on bills approved by the Pennsylvania Senate.

Just like any other legislation, House rules are considered, and possibly debated, on the House floor. A simple majority vote will make them the guiding document for the two-year legislative session. Unfortunately, the opportunity to do so is being denied by Rozzi, who has locked the doors to the House chamber.

Shutting the doors to the House and Senate unless every seat is filled is halting the legislative process. The legislators have important work to do. As a constituent, I expect this work to be completed.

Dan Yaklich

Delmont