Montco Reps Join PA One Caucus, Effort To Bridge Partisan Divide

MONTGOMERY COUNTY, PA — A new effort has been launched by a small group of state legislators in Pennsylvania to help bridge the partisan divide in what they describe as an "unprecedented" time. Several Montgomery County leaders are a part of the initiative.

Named the PA One Caucus, the group says they're aware of the oft-time paralyzing partisanship which infects politics today. This Caucus is an effort to do something about it.

"While families argue, they always come to the table together," State Rep. Joe Ciresi (D-146) said this week.

The group is starting small, with what they're labeling institutional and operational reforms. Thi includes merging various operations which were previously split along party lines, like messenger services, IT departments, print shops, and Capitol Police.

"Members have found that it is now easier to talk with one another, and we're not so guarded," Ciresi said. It's a start."

The hope is that the Caucus will build goodwill and allow greater cooperation on policy issues and key legislation.

Montgomery County is well represented in the effort. In addition to Ciresi, State Reps. Melissa Shusterman and Steve Malagari are also on board. All told, there are eight Republicans and eight Democrats in the group.

"We hope to build support for shared ideas, and pass meaningful reforms that make lasting improvements for Pennsylvania and its people," Shusterman added.

The General Assembly has a contentious forum for some time. But from the pandemic to the electoral turmoil that gripped the state over the past calendar year, the seething social unrest has only torn the already contentious body farther asunder.

Other members are State Reps. Jared Solomon, Thomas Mehaffie, Chris Rabb, Jesse Topper, Natalie Mihalek, Christina Sappey, Lynda Culver, Dan Williams, Wendi Thomas, Pam DeLissio, Chris Quinn, Meghan Schroeder, and KC Tomlinson.