Speaker of the House Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) issued the following statement in support of legislation passing the House Judiciary Committee unanimously today dealing with criminal justice reform and policing within our communities:
“I applaud passage of House Bill 1841, House Bill 1910 and Senate Bill 637 out of the House Judiciary Committee this morning. These bills were an important step in moving the issues of criminal justice reform and police reform forward.
“The lives of every citizen matter, including the lives of those citizens of color. These reforms are important to all citizens, but especially to our citizens of black or brown color who feel threatened by a system that can disregard their humanity.”
“Further, these reforms help our police better perform their very challenging and difficult responsibilities. We stood committed to working towards the passage of legislation that improves our law enforcement policing to ‘instill an environment of healing, understanding and trust,’ as stated by the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge President Les Neri.
“Today’s action, during my last day as Speaker of the House, strengthens our confidence that this body will continue its promise of a better Pennsylvania for all citizens. I am sure the House will continue efforts to promote education choice, economic opportunity for all, and additional criminal justice reforms. We have yet to end racism and racial strife. We have come far, but not far enough. These steps today will move our state and country positively forward.”
Today is Turzai’s last official day as Speaker of the House.
House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster County, is expected to be the favorite choice to succeed him according to a number of published reports.
