Incoming interim state Senate President Pro Tempore Sen. Joe
Scarnati, R-Brockway, took the oath of office on Tuesday, after
being unanimously elected by his colleagues during a symbolic voice
vote.

Scarnati will officially be sworn in to the post on Jan. 2 when
the Senate returns for its next two-year session.

“I am excited and energized in meeting the many challenges of
this demanding position,” Scarnati said. “Without question, I am
confident in my ability to work with the other senators to
establish an agenda that will make Pennsylvania a better place to
live and work.”

In remarks following his swearing in at the state capitol,
Scarnati said one of the issues he will address during his tenure
is continuing to gain voter trust in Harrisburg, along with
bridging the gap regarding legislative matters throughout the
diverse state.

“Pennsylvania has many rural and urban areas, and a
one-size-fits-all approach to governing just does not fit,”
Scarnati said. “The diversity amongst our citizens, and
subsequently our elected officials, make this great state very
unique.”

Scarnati said he will listen to all members of the Senate ” … on
how we can work together to foster an environment that will lead to
a better Pennsylvania.”

Scarnati’s election to the post brings more political clout to
his 25th Senatorial District, which includes McKean, Potter, Elk
and Cameron counties. In addition to Scarnati, state Rep. Dan
Surra, D-Kersey, was also elected to a leadership position in the
House, while Reps. Martin Causer, R-Turtlepoint, and Kathy Rapp,
R-Warren, also stand to gain seniority and key committee posts as a
result of the fallout over the controversial legislative pay raises
which wiped out a large majority of members in the House.

While vote totals were not available for Monday’s silent ballot
on Scarnati’s nomination to the position by the Republican Caucus –
leaving the lawmaker second in succession to the governor – reports
indicate the vote was close, possibly even decided by one vote.

The Senate Majority Policy Committee chairman defeated Sen.
Jeffrey Piccola of Dauphin County and Sen. Stewart Greenleaf,
R-Willow Grove. The vote came after several months of behind the
scenes political maneuvering leading up to the nomination.

Scarnati was backed by outgoing Sen. Robert Jubelirer, R-Blair,
who was defeated in the May primary election, falling victim to the
pay raise debacle. Scarnati also accepted the pay raise last year,
which would have left him as one of the highest paid lawmakers in
Harrisburg. He later returned the money and the pay raises were
eventually repealed – a move Scarnati voted for.

That, however, has left a bad taste in some reformers’
mouths.

“This is just absurd that we’re going to reward someone who
voted himself a 54 percent pay raise with control of the state
Senate,” Chris Lilik, chairman of the Young Conservatives of
Pennsylvania, told the Harrisburg Patriot-News. “We need reformers
with a clear record, and Senator Scarnati does not come with clean
hands to the table.”

Officials did indicate that Scarnati – whose victory was seen as
one for the old guard – was also favored for the job by the
Democrats, who view him as approachable to work with across the
aisle.

“He clearly holds up conservative values that are important to
the Republican base and he’s an excellent spokesman for those
values,” midstate Republican consultant Charles Gerow described of
Scarnati to the Patriot-News. “But more important, his skills as a
tactician behind the scenes would be put to higher use as president
pro tem.”

On Tuesday, Scarnati, who is relatively inexperienced in such a
senior leadership position, said he looked forward to moving past
the leadership elections and continuing to work on improving the
economy, securing adequate funding for roads, bridges and
infrastructure and providing affordable and accessible health care
for residents.

“While I have heard the term ‘reform’ many times over the past
several months, I tend to use the word ‘results’ a little more
often,” Scarnati said. “It is my sincere belief that our
constituency deserves a hard working, open government that provides
results, not rhetoric. It is vital that we take a listen, learn and
act approach to governing.”

Scarnati is the second president pro tempore in the 25th
District’s history; former Potter County Sen. James S. Berger
served in the post during the 1960s.