With all the hullabaloo surrounding the election of Pennsylvania House of Representatives Speaker Mark Rozzi (D) on Jan. 3 despite a technical Republican majority, one important aspect of the official House procedures was made with little fanfare.
Clancy Myer, a Lancaster County native and longtime Parliamentarian of the House, was replaced by David Brogan, counsel for Democrat House Leader Joanna McClinton (D).
The House Parliamentarian is tasked with advising the Speaker on procedures and legal issues before and during House sessions, serving as the referee among the legislators. The role can have major implications as to how legislation is presented to the entire body of the House.
Rozzi, who won the Speaker role with 115 votes, including 16 Republicans, appointed Brogan in his first official decision as Speaker.
“In compliance with the laws of the Commonwealth authorizing the Speaker to appoint a parliamentarian, the Speaker now appoints David Brogan as parliamentarian of the House,” Rozzi said from the dais.
Rozzi embraced Brogan and shook his hand after making the announcement, with McClinton and Republican House Leader Bryan Cutler (R) clapping by their side.
According to his official House biography, Brogan was born in Scranton in 1981, receiving his undergraduate degree in public policy from Penn State Harrisburg in 2004 and a law degree with a certificate in public law from Oklahoma City University in 2007.
Brogan began his career with the House of Representatives as a bi-partisan Management Committee fellow in 2003 and worked as counsel to former Speaker Keith McCall (D), former Democrat Leader Frank Dermody and current Democrat Leader McClinton. He resides in New Cumberland with his wife, Monica.
Myer Retires
Myer had been a fixture on the dais of the House for decades, serving as Parliamentarian since 1983.
He was born and raised in Akron and graduated from Ephrata High in 1967, earning a bachelor’s degree in economics from Penn State University and a law degree from Dickinson College. He also had a four-year stint with the military’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.
Myer was hired by then-Speaker K. Leroy Irvis (D) in 1978. He spent four years from 1979-82 as legal counsel to the Democratic caucus before being named Parliamentarian.
Myer won praise in his career from both Republicans and Democrats in the House. He was named as head counsel in the House in 2008 in the wake of the “Bonusgate” scandal in which former House Speaker Bill DeWeese (D) and 10 aides were charged with using taxpayer money for partisan campaign work.
Myer first hinted that he was ready to retire at the end of January in an interview with the Associated Press in November. His biography has already been removed from the official House page of officers.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives Archives official Twitter account paid tribute to Myer in a tweet from Jan. 25.
“How do you sum up a 44 year career? Legendary! Long time Parliamentarian, Clancy Myer, retired this week!” the tweet said. “Clancy was a huge supporter of the Archives and was our one stop resource for House History. We will miss him! Congratulations and enjoy your retirement Clancy!”
Myer also received a long-standing ovation from all members of the House as he stood on the dais on Jan. 3 when his retirement was officially announced.
“The Chair would be remiss if she failed to note the upcoming retirement of our longtime parliamentarian Clancy Myer,” said Brooke Wheeler, Chief Clerk of the House who was serving as speaker until one was elected by the legislators. “Clancy has dedicated over four decades to this institution, and the House of Representatives is better off because of it.”
Staff writer Michael Yoder is an award-winning journalist who has been honored with several Keystone Press Awards for his investigative pieces.
