The storm is over, but anger lingers in Pennsylvania’s House

Posted by By Eric Zager at 28 January, at 18 : 20 PM Print

Jim Burn

The storm has passed, but the aftermath of Wednesday’s meltdown during a House Rules Committee meeting is not a distant memory. Jim Burn, chairman of the Pennsylvania Democratic Committee, still insists that Republican House Majority Leader Mike Turzai needs to resign from his leadership position.

Burn says plain and simple Turzai, (R-Allegheny), is an “ineffective leader that does not possess any leadership skills.”

Civil discourse started to fade when tough new rules were proposed, such as limiting the number of amendments Democrats could offer up.

Shouting and more erupted. Some of it was captured on video and later posted on YouTube. (See above)

Burn says its an embarrassment for the legislature and the state.

“I know for a fact that Republicans in the House are not satisfied or happy with how he (Turzai) conducted himself. Although, they are not saying it, I am sure they are having buyers remorse with the person that is holding the gavel.”

The following statement is as close as Representative Turzai has come to addressing what happened in that meeting, “Bringing integrity to government is crucial. The House intends to move forward with its opening reform package on Monday.”

Burn also tried to enlist the support of Republican Governor Tom Corbett in calling for Turzai to step down from the leadership position. The governor has not responded, and Burn does not expect to hear from Corbett.

Rock The Capital asked Burn if Democrats should bear some culpability for the break in decorum.

“To those who would criticize the Democrats in the minority for reacting the way they did, how would anyone in the minority, who has an obligation to speak out on something they disagree with, react. They were told by those in power to shut up, which is essentially what Democrats were told,” said Burn.

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