PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — A western Pennsylvania Democrat is stepping down from the state House, which means Democrats lose their one-seat majority in the chamber until a special election is held later this year.
State House Democrat Sara Innamorato from Allegheny County has given her resignation to House Speaker Joanna McClinton, as she is running for Allegheny County executive.
With her resignation, which is effective immediately, the Pennsylvania House now has 101 Democrats and 101 Republicans.
McClinton has scheduled a special election for the seat on Sept. 19, one week before the House is scheduled to return to session.
But the resignation could complicate the budget process if the House is called back. While the House passed the main part of the budget, Senate leaders still have to sign it before it goes to the governor’s desk.
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Republicans in the state Senate say they’re waiting for the House to pass supporting legislation, which spells out how the money in the budget is to be spent.
Innamorato’s seat is unlikely to flip as Democrats hold a strong registration advantage in the district. And, it won’t change control in the House in the interim, as House rules say the party that won the most seats in the most recent election maintains control regardless of a resignation.