All of the votes finally have been counted and the people of Pennsylvania have spoken. For the 2007-08 legislative session, the House of Representatives will be led by a Democratic majority of 102 members. No absent-minded excuses or desperate attempts to cling to power can change the will of the people - that Democrats control the House agenda for the first time since 1994.

 

In addition to nominating Bill DeWeese as the Speaker-designate, this week House Democrats held a majority reorganization meeting and elevated the previously elected leaders to their respective majority posts. Also during the reorganization, Rep. Phyllis Mundy was elected by her peers to join the majority leadership team as Caucus Secretary. We welcome her aboard and know that she will provide an important voice on health care, utility rates, education and child care.

 

Those are just some of the issues that are sure to be addressed in the upcoming session. To get a better sense of what a Democratic majority will mean for Pennsylvanians, tune in this Sunday on PCN to Pennsylvania's Future: Agenda for Action. Majority Policy Committee Chairman Todd Eachus discusses prospects for the new session and also takes a look back at Democratic accomplishments in the 2005-06 session, including an increase in the minimum wage, a mechanism for historic property tax reductions, PACE expansion and economic stimulus.

 

*Channel listings for the Pennsylvania Cable Network (PCN) are available at www.pcntv.com. Check local listings for additional air dates and times for Pennsylvania's Future: Agenda for Action.

 

Meet the Democratic freshmen

 

House Democrats are proud to have 27 new names and faces among our 102-member majority for the new session. In the coming weeks, we'll introduce you to them in this space.

 

Rep. Elisabeth Bennington (D-21, Allegheny) received a degree in psychology from Chatham College and a law degree from Duquesne University.  This year, Bennington was selected as a rising star in the practice of Family Law in the Pennsylvania Super Lawyers Annual Publication. Bennington was born in Pittsburgh in 1976 and lives in Morningside with her husband Brad.

 

Rep. Joe Brennan (D-133, Lehigh/Northampton) is a Lehigh Valley native with a bachelor's degree from Moravian College. Brennan was the chief of staff for former state Rep. T.J. Rooney and served on Northampton County Council from 1998 to 2002. Brennan, 42, resides in Fountain Hill with his wife Jane and two sons.

 

Rep. Mike Carroll (D-118, Luzerne/Monroe) was chief of staff for state Rep. John Yudichak after earlier stints working for Gov. Bob Casey and Congressman Paul Kanjorski. Carroll attended the University of Scranton and is continuing his studies for a degree in business administration. He and his wife have three children.
 

Rep. Scott Conklin (D-77, Centre) has been a Centre County commissioner since 1999. Conklin served as board chairman and chairman of the Salary Board, Retirement Board, Employee Benefits Trust, and Board of Assessment. A lifelong small businessman, Scott, his wife Terri, and their son Spencer live just outside Philipsburg.
 

Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-95, York) is a native Pittsburgher with a bachelor's degree from the College of Wooster (OH). He also has a master's degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a law degree from Widener University. DePasquale served as a deputy secretary of Environmental Protection under Gov. Ed Rendell. Eugene and his wife Tracey have two children, Benjamin and Sarah.
 

Rep. John Galloway (D-140, Bucks), 46, attended Bucks Community College and graduated from the Project Management Institute in 2001. He is a former Pennsbury School Board member and former campaign manager for Bucks County Commissioner Sandra Miller. He and his wife have one daughter. Working in the private sector, Galloway successfully directed large international projects for some of the largest companies in the world. He also was employed by Merrill Lynch.