Punxsutawney Samuel H. Smith of the 66th District was elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House by his fellow Republicans this morning. He assumes the role when the new legislative session starts Jan. 4 in which the Republicans will hold a 21-seat majority in the 203-member House.
Smith’s name is the first among the submitters of the infamous 2005 pay raise.
Smith had been House Minority Leader.
Also as expected Mike Turzai of the 28th District was voted majority leader; Stan Saylor of the 94th District was voted majority whip.