Members of the Pennsylvanian General Assembly took the oath of office for the 2013-14 legislative session on Jan. 1.
A total of 201 of the 203 members were sworn into office, 29 of whom are first-time members, reports State Rep. Jim Cox (R-129). Following the election of speaker, a joint session of the General Assembly was held to officially certify the election results of the state row offices: attorney general, auditor general and treasurer.
Prior to adjournment, the House voted to adopt the rules that govern how the body will operate.
House Republican leaders stated that continuing to promote job creation and growth and adopting an affordable, sustainable and responsible state budget for the third year in a row remain top legislative priorities for the new session.
The Pennsylvania Constitution requires the General Assembly to convene at noon on the first Tuesday of January each year. The last time the House convened to swear in members on January 1 was 1991.