Conklin sworn in for ninth term in state House
Will continue to fight for voters, democracy in Harrisburg
Rep. Scott Conklin January 3, 2023 | 4:20 PM
HARRISBURG, Jan. 3 – With a new year and new opportunities head, state Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, today joined his colleagues in Harrisburg to take the oath of office and officially start a new two-year legislative session.
“I am honored to return to Harrisburg to take this oath of office and to continue to represent the hardworking people of Centre County,” Conklin said. “Their faith and trust in me is truly touching and humbling and I vow that I will continue to work to uphold that trust, to fight for a Pennsylvania that works for the people, and to defend our democracy from bad-faith actors who would attack it for their own empowerment.”
The noon swearing-in ceremony marked the beginning of the 2023-24 legislative session of the Pennsylvania House. Conklin said he is looking forward to the new session, both because of the Democratic majority that voters elected in November and his growing leadership role in Harrisburg, which includes being the chairman of the important State Government Committee.
“As the chairman of the State Government Committee I’ve been on the front lines of the fight to defend democracy in Harrisburg,” Conklin said. “Whether that’s creating competitive legislative districts where the voters – and not politicians – chose who represents them, to a comprehensive elections code update, I am bullish for the year ahead and ready to get to work.”
Locally, Conklin said his office can help with a variety of state-related services, including home heating assistance, children’s health insurance, prescription drug and property tax/rent rebate assistance. Residents can find out more by going to www.RepConklin.com.
The 77th Legislative District covers a large swath of Centre County including the townships of Ferguson, Halfmoon, Huston, Patton, Rush, Taylor and Worth; the boroughs of Philipsburg, Port Matilda and parts of State College.
Commonwealth Court Judge John McNally administered today’s oath of office. This year marks Pennsylvania’s 207th legislative session.
The Democratic Caucus continues to become more reflective of the commonwealth, with 35 women and 34 people of color. In addition, this is the largest and most diverse class of freshman legislators in over a decade; there are 26 new Democratic Caucus members and 8 are women.