Intent on addressing his top priority to increase the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse, and following his move to adjourn the House until Feb. 27, House Speaker Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, began a statewide “listening tour” last week with his first stop at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh. More than 80 people attended the listening session – which Rozzi’s Republican counterparts are calling a “delay tactic” as they call for a return to business in Harrisburg. Meanwhile, a legislative working group of six lawmakers that Speaker Rozzi had previously convened to determine a path forward  – including addressing the statute of limitations issue and adopting organizational and procedural rules for the House to operate – has seemingly stalled.

According to a comprehensive story about the ongoing legislative stalemate in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Speaker Rozzi told reporters that he’s willing to recall the House sooner than Feb. 27 if lawmakers can reach compromises on the House rules and the statute of limitations. While the House is adjourned, the House Republican Policy Committee held a hearing last week focusing on three potential ballot questions included in S.B. 1. One is the Rozzi question regarding the statute of limitations. The second would ask voters whether to amend the Pennsylvania Constitution to require that all voters show photo ID to vote. The third question is whether the Constitution should be changed to give the General Assembly greater power to reject regulatory changes.

And in the midst of the delay, House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster, has announced the full slate of House Republican caucus committee chairs for this session as follows:

• Aging and Older Adults: Rep. Steve Mentzer, R-Lancaster;
• Agriculture and Rural Affairs: Rep. Dan Moul, R-Adams;
• Appropriations: Rep. Seth Grove, R-York;
• Children and Youth: Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver, R-Northumberland;
• Commerce: Rep. Joe Emrick, R-Northampton;
• Consumer Affairs: Rep. Jim Marshall, R-Beaver;
• Education: Rep. Jesse Topper, R-Bedford;
• Environmental Resources and Energy: Rep. Martin Causer, R-McKean;
• Ethics: Rep. Kate Klunk, R-York;
• Finance: Rep. Keith Greiner, R-Lancaster;
• Game and Fisheries: Rep. David Maloney, R-Berks;
• Gaming Oversight: Rep. Russ Diamond, R-Lebanon;
• Health: Rep. Kathy Rapp, R-Warren;
• Human Services: Rep. Doyle Heffley, R-Carbon;
• Insurance: Rep. Tina Pickett, R-Bradford;
• Judiciary: Rep. Rob Kauffman, R-Franklin;
• Labor and Industry: Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh;
• Liquor Control: Rep. Mindy Fee, R-Lancaster;
• Local Government: Rep. R. Lee James, R-Venango;
• Government Oversight: Rep. Aaron Kaufer, R-Luzerne;
• Professional Licensure: Rep. Carl Walker Mentzer, R-Lancaster;
• State Government: Rep. Brad Roae, R-Crawford;
• Tourism and Recreational Development: Rep. Donna Oberlander, R-Clarion;
• Transportation: Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre;
• Urban Affairs: Rep. Rich Irvin, R-Huntingdon;
• Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness: Rep. Mark Gillen, R-Berks.