Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!enterpoop.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: GOP defection gives Democrats control of Pennsylvania Senate Date: Wed, 25 Nov 92 16:20:05 EST Message-ID: Lines: 54 \SE A;NATION \SS (WS) \HD GOP defection gives Democrats control of Pennsylvania Senate \BY ASSOCIATED PRESS \DT HARRISBURG, Pa. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) - With the help of a Republican defector, Democrats say they have seized control of the state Senate in the last week of its 2-year-long session. Republicans are threatening a lawsuit. The Senate is scheduled to act on several important measures, including new auto emission standards, which the state needs to pass to secure close to $1 billion in federal highway funding. The switch by Republican Sen. Frank A. Pecora means the Democrats and Republicans each have 25 members. The Democrats don't have enough votes to push through legislation, because that requires the votes of 26 senators. A tie vote is considered a rejection of legislation, but on procedural matters, a tie can be broken by the lieutenant governor, a Democrat. Mr. Pecora said he wouldn't vote for every Democratic bill but would vote with Democrats on procedural matters, which include deciding what bills are voted on. After securing Mr. Pecora's support, the Democrats - over Republican objections - ousted Senate President Pro Tem Robert C. Jubelirer and elected a Democrat. Republicans said the Pennsylvania Constitution requires at least 26 votes to change power and the president pro tem. "Today is a shameful day and a setback of 200 years for the Senate of Pennsylvania," Mr. Jubelirer said yesterday. "There was a steamroller effect, a banana-republic mentality." "I assure you there is going to be considerable litigation," he said. Although Democrats apparently found out about Mr. Pecora's decision at the last minute, they were able to find a judge, a gown and a Bible for the swearing-in of the new president pro tem in front of the infuriated Republicans. Earlier this year, Mr. Pecora registered as a Democrat and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. House. But it was never clear how he would vote when he returned to the state Senate. He hinted that his switch was a retaliation for reapportionment that moved him out of his Pittsburgh-area district. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM