John Perzel

John Perzel
Pennsylvania House of Representatives, One Hundred Seventy-Second District
In office 1979–present
136th Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
In office 2003–2007
Preceded by	Matt Ryan
Succeeded by	Dennis O'Brien
Personal details
Born	small_ (1950-01-07)January 7, 1950 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Died	small_
Resting place	small_
Spouse	Sheryl Stokes
Parent	small_
Residence	Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

John Michael Perzel (born January 7 1950) is a Republican politician who represents the 172nd Legislative District (Northeast Philadelphia) in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. From April 2003 to January 2007, he served as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House.

Early years

Perzel is a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in 1975 from Troy State University in Alabama. After graduating from university, he returned to Philadelphia and became a waiter. Immediately before his political career, he was maitre d' at Pavio's Restaurant in Somerton, a section of Northeast Philadelphia.

Politics

Perzel was noticed by Philadelphia Republican Party boss Billy Meehan, who selected him to be a GOP committeeman in 1972.

In 1976, after graduating from Troy State University, he unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the House. In 1978, he made a successful campaign for the House, focusing on the poor attendance record of the Democratic incumbent. Over the years, he rose in seniority in the House, holding the offices of Republican Whip, Policy Committee Chairman and Chairman of the House Republican Campaign Committee. He was elected Majority Leader in 1994.

Perzel hit some bumps on his route to the leadership. In November 2000, Perzel nearly suffered defeat when a wave of support for then-Vice President Al Gore brought out Democratic voters in Philadelphia in larger than expected numbers. Perzel survived by less than 100 votes. 2002 brought redistricting and a more favorable district for Perzel.

Speakership

On March 29 2003, Speaker of the House, Matthew J. Ryan, died after battling cancer. On April 15 2003, the House elected Perzel as Speaker.

Rep. Perzel was instrumental in the state takeover of the poorly performing Philadelphia School District and the Philadelphia Parking Authority.

He was also a key figure in the 2005 pay raise debacle. During the furor, Perzel became the butt of jokes due to an unfortunate photograph. While reading to students in Pittsburgh, he was photographed in front of a class display full of pink pigs. The pay raise opposition had used a 25-foot pink pig in its demonstrations, and the photograph was widely circulated in order to embarrass the Speaker. In defending the pay raise, Perzel has made a number of controversial statements, including assertions that some cow-milkers and tattoo artists earned more that his members. In addition, Perzel has commented that some of the members were unable to obtain credit cards.

Perzel has been criticized by conservatives for compromising with fellow Philadelphian, Governor Ed Rendell. Perzel supported the 2003 tax increase proposed by Rendell as well as Act 71, the law that legalized slot machine gambling in Pennsylvania.

2007 Speaker election

Republicans lost the majority in the 2006 elections by one seat. Perzel sought to convince a Democrat to change parties or abstain from the election for speaker so that he could remain in office. After Democrat Thomas R. Caltagirone of Reading announced that he would support Perzel rather than Democrat H. William DeWeese for Speaker, it appeared likely that Perzel would be elected Speaker presiding over a Democratic majority. At the last minute, however, DeWeese nominated another Northeast Philadelphia Republican, Dennis M. O'Brien. The tactic was successful, as O'Brien was elected by a vote of 105 to 97.

The Republican caucus created the new title of Speaker Emeritus which gives Perzel a role without displacing other members of the House leadership.

Aristotle Scandal

On September 10, 2008 the office of Attorney General Tom Corbett announced that Perzel is under investigation for deals he made with the data firm Aristotle Inc. during his tenure as Speaker of the House. Perzel contracted the firm to provide the Republican Caucus with its Constituency Service! program in deals worth over $1,870,000. Corbett's agents are investigating whether the sophisticated data collection software was used for reelection campaigns in violation of Pennsylvania's strict laws against the use of public funds for campaign purposes. On September 11th the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported that the contract contained specific references for gathering information related to election purposes and the distribution of yard signs.

The Republican Attorney General's office has stated that it will issue indictments either before October 1st or after the election to avoid having "undue influence" on the November election. Perzel is currently in a heated election against Philadelphia Police veteran and former Philadelphia FOP president Rich Costello.

External links

• John Perzel official PA House website

• Profile at Vote Smart