BY ROBERT SWIFT
Times-Shamrock Writer

As the GOP takes a stronger hold over the state Senate, a Luzerne County Republican will seek a role in its leadership.

Sen. Lisa Baker will run for the coveted Senate Appropriations chairwoman position, which plays a major role in shaping the annual state budget. Baker, of Lehman Twp., sent a letter Friday to Republican colleagues announcing her candidacy. The 20th district represents Wayne, Wyoming and Pike counties and parts of Luzerne and Susquehanna counties.

“Given the structural deficit in the state budget, we face a continuing series of difficult decisions, because tightening up on spending and streamlining state government are choices preferable to revenue increases,” Baker wrote. “All indications are that the incoming governor (Democrat Tom Wolf) is going to offer tax and spending plans different from ours.”

The Senate and House will convene Wednesday to select caucus leaders for the new legislative session starting in January.

Baker has at least one known opponent for the appropriations post. Sen. Pat Browne, R-16, Allentown, is seeking that job as part of a slate seeking to fill six leadership posts.

The current appropriations chairman, Sen. Jake Corman, R-34, Bellefonte, is challenging Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, R-9, Chester, for his job.

Senate Republicans emerged from Tuesday’s election with a strengthened 30-20 majority, but it has spawned the challenge to Pileggi.

“With a return to the strong position of 30 members, we have the opportunity to exert more influence on the legislative process and see more of our legislation turned into law,” wrote Baker.

Baker said her candidacy should not be seen as a challenge to leadership.

“This move is not an expression of dissatisfaction with our current leadership team; rather it is a way to apply my experience and my commitment to reform as we realign our approach to staying an effective majority,” she wrote.

Baker has just been reelected to a third, four-year term. She currently serves on the appropriations committee. She authored a new law to create a state disaster assistance fund and worked several years ago to pass a package of laws to overhaul the juvenile justice system.

Sen. John Gordner, R-27, Berwick, is running for the leadership post of whip, the head counter who lines up votes to pass bills.

Susquehanna County municipalities included in the 20th District are: Springville Twp., Lathrop Twp., Hop Bottom Borough, Lenox Twp., Clifford Twp., Forest City Borough, Herrick Twp., Union Dale Borough, Gibson Twp. Harford Twp., Ararat Twp., Thompson Twp., Thompson Borough; Jackson Twp.; Harmony Twp., Oakland Twp., Oakland Borough, Susquehanna Borough, Lanesboro Borough, Auburn Twp., Brooklyn Twp., New Milford Twp., New Milford Borough, Great Bend Twp., Great Bend Borough and Hallstead Borough.