Pennsylvania State House Democrats Revolt Against Leadership

HARRISBURG (CBS) - The two-year session of the Pennsylvania House is ending with Democratic members in open revolt against their leaders for a decision to cancel the post-election "lame duck" days of the session.

Democrats will be in the minority in the new session of the House, but for now, their leaders call the shots. And some members are not happy with the decision of those leaders not to hold the final, post-election days of the current session.

Governor Rendell has called on the House to return to pass one bill – a measure that would address a looming crisis in the state's pension plans. But Mercer County Democrat Mark Longietti says there are more than a dozen other bills at stake:

"There are many pieces of good legislation which enjoy strong, bi-partisan support that await House action so that they may be sent to the governor. It would be unwise and unacceptable to allow these matters to die."

Longietti organized a news conference attended by more than two dozen House Democrats who protested their leaders' decision to cancel the remaining session days.

Reported by Tony Romeo, KYW Newsradio