Government Relations
Now that the 2023-24 legislative session is underway , please reach out to your state representative and senator . This is doubly important if you have a freshman ( first time in legislative office ) representative or senator . Start developing the relationship now so you aren ’ t meeting them for the first time when you ask them for help . Far too many people only go to their legislator when they need something . If you visit with them before you need something you ’ ll stand out and make an impression – a good one . The Senate leaders are as follows :
Floor Leader |
Joe Pittman ( R ) |
Jay Costa ( D ) |
Whip |
Ryan Aument ( R ) |
Christine Tartaglione ( D ) |
Caucus Chair |
Kristin Phillips-Hill ( R ) |
Wayne Fontana ( D ) |
Caucus Secretary |
Camera Bartolotta ( R ) |
Maria Collett ( D ) |
Appropriations |
Scott Martin ( R ) |
Vincent Hughes ( D ) |
Caucus Administrator |
Lisa Baker ( R ) |
Judith Schwank ( D ) |
Policy Committee |
Daniel Laughlin ( R ) |
Katie Muth ( D ) |
The House leaders are as follows :
Floor Leader |
Bryan Cutler ( R ) |
Joanna McClinton ( D ) |
Whip |
Timothy O ’ Neal ( R ) |
Jordan Harris ( D ) |
Caucus Chair |
George Dunbar ( R ) |
Dan Miller ( D ) |
Caucus Secretary |
Martina White ( R ) |
Tina Davis ( D ) |
Appropriations |
Seth Grove ( R ) |
Matthew Bradford ( D ) |
Caucus Administrator |
Sheryl Delozier ( R ) |
Michael Schlossberg ( D ) |
Policy Committee |
Joshua Kail ( R ) |
Ryan Bizzarro ( D ) |
The Senate is up and running , but due to some unusual circumstances in the House ( the Democrats and Republicans are almost numerically deadlocked ) there are as of this writing no committee assignments in the House . This is very unusual . It is actually so unusual that it is unprecedented in living memory .
Whether times are typical or unusual PDA ’ s legislative agenda moves forward and we need your help to bring it to fruition . It won ’ t take much time but will have a lot of impact . We have made a full-court press to encourage every PDA member to contribute to PADPAC . We sent out leaflets encouraging PAC contributions in the 2023 PDA dues mailers and upcoming CE mailers . We have big plans for the 2023-24 legislative session , but in order to achieve your goals we need your support to meet with legislators who will vote on the issues that directly impact your practice .
PDA President Dr . Nancy Rosenthal , has indicated she wants to prioritize building the PAC . She has an excellent understanding of the political process and our need to play a larger role in it to advance the cause of organized dentistry .
Dr . Rosenthal has attempted to further broaden our PAC base by creating a New Dentist contribution level . She believes that if new dentists understand that their help is vital to the success of our PAC and the success of organized dentistry , we will be stronger for it . New dentists are building the world they will practice in for years to come . If each new dentist contributes to our PAC , we can truly make your advocacy goals a concrete reality . That will benefit all patients and all dentists . The more each dentist does as an individual the stronger we are as an organization .
Dr . Rosenthal has asked each new dentist to contribute at least $ 60 per year to PADPAC . More is better but she is only asking for $ 60 .
JANUARY / FEBRUARY 2023 | PENNSYLVANIA DENTAL JOURNAL 7