Centre County state Rep. Scott Conklin has been appointed by House Democratic leadership to serve as minority chair of the House State Government Committee.
Conklin replaces former Delaware County state Rep. Margo Davidson, who resigned last month after being charged by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office with stealing from the state by filing false expense reports and soliciting a witness to lie to investigators.
The committee plays a key role in the state’s upcoming congressional and legislative redistricting and has begun holding hearings.
It also reviews legislation on issues such as voting, elections and campaign finance reform and provides oversight for a number of state agencies, including the Department of State, Department of General Services, Human Relations Commission, Public Employees’ Retirement System, State Employees’ Retirement System and the Independent Regulatory Review Commission.
“I am hopeful that we can bring an honest conversation to the table when it comes to governing and specifically how this committee operates,” Conklin said in a statement. “My goal is that we leave partisanship at the door and lead a committee that works for all citizens of Pennsylvania in a dignified, honest and forthright manner.”
The State Government Committe is chaired by York County Republican state Rep. Seth Grove.
Conklin, of Rush Township, previously served as Democratic chairman of the House Gaming Oversight Committee. Prior to that, he spent two terms as Democratic chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee.
He is in his eighth term representing the 77th Legislative District, which includes State College, Philipsburg, Rush Township, Huston Township and portions Ferguson and Patton townships.
