A resolution that calls for an investigation of Gov. Tom Corbett’s handling of the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse case could’ve seen voting Wednesday — if session wasn’t ended early.
Rep. Tim Briggs, D-Montgomery, brought up House Resolution 520 on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives floor late afternoon Wednesday.
The resolution is a request from the House for the United States Attorney General to investigate how Corbett had handled the former Penn State assistant football coach’s case, said Bill Patton, House Democratic Caucus press secretary. The U.S. attorney general is more equipped to handle the investigation than anyone in the state would, Patton said.
He said Speaker of the House Sam Smith recognized Briggs to speak about the resolution.
But Patton said when Briggs started speaking, Smith insisted Briggs wasn’t recognized for that purpose, but then realized he actually was.
Briggs continued with his speech on the resolution, and afterward, Smith called a recess and ended the voting session for the day, Patton said.
All of the House Republicans immediately walked out of the room, while the Democrats stayed around for a few minutes before leaving as well, he said.
Currently, there are 56 members of the House who are signed on the bill, but Patton said that large number is due to the fact that it has been circulating since December.
Tor Michaels, chief of staff for Rep. Scott Conklin, D-Centre, said the request was introduced on Dec. 12, and Conklin has supported it since then.
“The Penn State community deserves answers as to how the investigation was handled or mishandled,” Michaels said.
Michaels said he hopes a debate can be had to move forward on the issue.
Though the voting session for today was changed to a non-voting session, the resolution will be discussed again on Oct. 15, where it could possibly be voted on, Patton said. The whole matter is still in front of the house, he said.
Kevin Harley, a spokesman for the governor, said Corbett believes that Briggs is playing politics with the Sandusky investigation, and the jury’s verdict against Sandusky is a “total vindication of the thoroughness of the investigation,” Harley said.
Rep. Kerry Benninghoff, R-Centre, could not be reached by press time Wednesday.
