Report From State Committee

Three times per year our Democratic State Committee meets to bring together each county party in the Commonwealth. In addition to each county’s delegation the PAYD has a representative as well. As your State Committee representative I would like to report to you on what transpired at our most recent meeting in Harrisburg. We met during the first full weekend of September to address several old issues and some new.

Along the line of old issues we picked up where we had left off during our last regular meeting. During our previous meeting we had voted to table several resolutions until such time as the members had the opportunity to fully review proposed amendments. Though not all of the resolutions previously tabled made it back to the floor for a vote most were.

In all we voted on five separate resolutions, though not all made it. The four that did pass were: an endorsement of Governor Rendell’s energy independence strategy submitted by State Committee Chairman T.J. Rooney, a resolution supporting U.S. military personnel and a call to develop an “Exit Strategy” submitted by Southwest Caucus Chair Jack Hanna, a resolution calling for legislative support of an LGBT non-discrimination bill submitted by Mary Shupp-George, Chair of the newly formed LGBT Caucus, and a resolution calling for the adoption of voter verifiable paper trail ballots submitted by the Berks County Democratic Committee.

The one resolution that did not make it was one submitted by the Chester County Democratic Committee. This was a resolution calling for the impeachment of President George W. Bush and Vice President Richard B. Cheney. This resolution proved to be as contentious this time around as it was when it was first tabled at our last meeting. Many girded themselves to steadfastly support the resolution though; it ultimately failed to make it to the floor for a vote. The failure of the resolution was attributed to the majority of committee members subscribing to the argument that the resolution would not have any effect other than to undercut the objectives of our newly elected national majority. These members felt that in order to build upon our new charge that we should follow Speaker Pelosi’s policy. The intent is to not create the perception that we are “playing politics” by initiating impeachment hearings that would never have the time to come to fruition; and to instead work on delivering the promises of our platform to the American people.

Our new major piece of business was to address the new spot opened up for a candidate to the state Superior Court. With Republican Judge Joyce deciding not to seek retention this year due to serious allegations of insurance fraud we now have the chance not only to gain a slight majority on the Superior Court, but to expand upon that. Overwhelmingly we chose Judge John Younge of Philadelphia. Ironically Judge Younge was the only Superior Court candidate to get the necessary votes for endorsement during the Primary Election, but lost. We are glad to have a candidate like Judge Younge back on the ballot. We will convene again after the General Election, and we look forward to celebrating well earned victories from across our Commonwealth with you on election night.

-Rocco Giammaria

President, Beaver County YD