Mike Folmer and Lloyd Smucker will step into key roles next month when they head back to Harrisburg.

It was announced Wednesday that the two Republican state senators won leadership posts on high-profile committees for the new two-year legislative session.

Smucker, of West Lampeter Township, has been chosen to lead the State Government Committee.

As chairman of the committee, Smucker will oversee a variety of issues such as redistricting, proposed constitutional amendments, lobby disclosure and right-to-know regulations. Recently, the committee considered the voter ID law.

"I am pleased to ... head a committee as consequential as State Government may be," Smucker said. "My basic approach will be to encourage debate, not to cut it off."

Smucker said he anticipates holding public hearings to collect the differing views that often surround controversial subjects.

"There will be bills coming from conservative and liberal perspectives," he said. "Our challenge will be to try and find a responsible middle ground that represents progress for voters and taxpayers."

Smucker got his first chairmanship opportunity last session, when he oversaw the creation of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee.

Folmer, of Lebanon, represents the northwestern part of Lancaster County. He, too, received an important position — he will lead the Education Committee.

His chairmanship comes at a time when education funding has been strained in part by the underfunded Public School Employees' Retirement System.

"We're facing some very important issues, and I'm looking forward to finding some solutions," Folmer said.

Folmer has been a member of the Education Committee since getting elected to the Senate in 2006, and most recently served as vice chair.

"I have a real passion for education — it's something I really care about," he said. "Education is an important part of what makes a state a great place to live."

Folmer said he knows what he's getting into; he previously served as chairman of the Communications and Technology Committee.

"I've learned to become a good listener," he said. "Hopefully, I can help guide (committee members) through these very tough situations we have ahead of us."

Drew Crompton, chief of staff to Senate President Pro Tempore Joe Scarnati, said the new appointments for Smucker and Folmer are a "sign that the Lancaster County contingent is getting stronger."

He also said they were chosen for their expertise.

"Folmer has a vast knowledge of educational issues, while Smucker has an excellent grounding in state issues," he said.

In addition to the new appointments, Sen. Mike Brubaker of Warwick Township will remain chairman of the influential Finance Committee.

Brubaker said in a press release that, during the next session, he will focus on two of the state's most pressing financial issues — the taxpayer-funded pension crisis and the future of the Pennsylvania Lottery.

While the county's senators got good news Wednesday, GOP state House members didn't fare as well. The four returning legislators received no chairmanship appointments.

Across the aisle, state Rep. Mike Sturla was chosen by his caucus to serve a third consecutive term as policy chairman for House Democrats.

"A lot of what we do is research policy issues so we can inform the public," he said. "Last session, only 9 percent of the legislation passed was discussed at public hearings. We want people to know what issues are being considered."
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