Published: January 06, 2009 10:58 pm      

Freshmen state legislators sworn in to office

The area’s freshman state legislators took their oath of office Tuesday, officially kicking off a new political era after three local lawmakers retired.

Republican Carl Walker Metzgar and Democrats Bryan Barbin and Frank Burns replace legislators with a combined 38 years of experience.

But all three new House members pledged to hit the ground running after Tuesday’s ceremonies.

Burns, whose 72nd district covers parts of Cambria and Somerset counties, said the state’s budgetary shortfalls are a big concern. He is succeeding longtime Democratic state Rep. Tom Yewcic.

“The No. 1 state issue now is funding,” Burns said. “We have to take the necessary steps to make sure the state functions and has enough resources.

“It will take a lot of work and a lot of late nights, but for now, today was a day of celebration,” he said.

Barbin is taking over for Democratic Rep. Ed Wojnaroski in southern Cambria County’s 71st district, which includes the city of Johnstown.

He said his priorities include the creation of steel and coal jobs as well as “protection of senior citizens, veterans and taxpayers.

“It’s a challenge because of the economics of the moment, but every day that I’m here, I’m going to be working to help the people of the 71st district,” Barbin said in a prepared statement.

At age 27, Metzgar is the youngest of the area’s new representatives.

He said he has “big shoes to fill” in succeeding Republican Rep. Bob Bastian in the 69th district, which covers most of Somerset County and part of Bedford County.

Metzgar also focused on the state’s financial situation, pledging to oppose any tax hike.

“We have a terrible budget deficit. Spending is out of control in Harrisburg,” Metzgar said.

“I think we need to bring fiscal sanity back to state government.”

Also taking their oaths Tuesday were two other local legislators who won re-election in 2008.

State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, began a fourth consecutive Senate term. His 35th district includes all of Cambria and Clinton counties as well as parts of Centre, Somerset and Clearfield counties.

Wozniak is the Democratic chair of the Senate Finance Committee.

“Pennsylvania is facing enormous fiscal challenges,” he said in a written statement.

“The combination of veterans and new blood represented on the Senate floor (Tuesday) offers us an opportunity to look at fresh ideas against the backdrop of history and experience.”

State Rep. Gary Haluska, D-Patton, started his eighth term representing the state House 73rd district, which consists of portions of Cambria County.

Haluska said his priorities include property-tax reform as well as “protecting the state’s hunting and fishing legacies, promoting responsible tourism, protecting and utilizing Pennsylvania’s natural resources and improving transportation.”

“In these tight economic times, Pennsylvania needs to continue focusing on its economic backbone – its agriculture and recreation industries,” Haluska said in a written statement.

In all, 34 newly elected state lawmakers were sworn in Tuesday.

Also at the state Capitol, Republican Sen. Joe Scarnati was named president pro tempore of the Senate and Democratic Rep. Keith McCall was elected speaker of the House.



Tribune-Democrat staff writer Susan Evans and The Associated Press contributed to this report.