The HD-140 special election on Feb. 13th will determine majority control of the PA State House
WASHINGTON — Yesterday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his 2024 budget address, where he highlighted a sweeping progressive agenda to raise the minimum wage, increase funding for education, legalize marijuana, support violence prevention, and more. These priorities will help working families across the Keystone State, but the makeup of the state legislature will determine whether any of these policies see the light of day.
A must-win special election on Feb. 13th will determine the majority in the State House and whether PA Democrats can deliver for families.
If Republicans retake control of the State House next week, they will have control of both legislative chambers – paving the way for them to enact an extreme MAGA agenda and block any progress proposed by the Shapiro administration. Pennsylvania Republicans have already shown their eagerness to circumvent the Governor to push dangerous policies. When Republicans held full legislative control in 2022, they came dangerously close to putting anti-abortion and anti-voting constitutional amendments on the ballot – they were only stopped when Democrats won the State House. Winning the HD-140 special election and sending DLCC Spotlight Candidate Jim Prokopiak to the House is the only hope for progress in Pennsylvania.
Republicans across the country have proven they will wield their majorities to override governors and advance extreme attacks on abortion, democracy, and LGBTQ+ rights.
In the past year alone:
- Ohio Republicans overrode Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto on dangerous anti-trans legislation, making it law.
- North Carolina Republicans overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto to pass bills that make it harder to vote.
- Kansas Republicans overrode Gov. Laura Kelly’s veto on a bill that bans transgender athletes from participating in sports.
Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee Communications Director Abhi Rahman issued the following statement:
“Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro outlined a bright vision for the future of Pennsylvania – but making that vision a reality depends on the state legislature. The must-win special election in Bucks County next week will determine majority control of the House, which in turn will either empower Democrats to deliver for families or empower Republicans to pursue an extreme MAGA agenda. We cannot allow Republicans to regain control of both chambers because we know they’ll circumvent the Governor to enact an abortion ban and legislate Pennsylvania backward. So much is on the line, which is why the DLCC is leaving nothing to chance and supporting Jim Prokopiak to clinch the Democratic majority.”
The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) is the official Democratic Party committee dedicated to winning America’s state legislatures and building state infrastructure. Over the last decade, we have fought cycle-over-cycle to gain a dozen new legislative chamber majorities and we are leading the effort to bring national attention and investment to our ballot level. State legislatures are the building blocks of our democracy and have the closest connections to Americans’ day-to-day lives. From protecting fundamental freedoms and voting rights to growing the middle class, the DLCC and state legislators are moving the Democratic agenda forward and shaping the future of this country.
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