State Rep. Tim Twardzik (R-123) is set to introduce legislation in the House of Representatives that essentially would restart the impeachment investigation into Schuylkill County Commissioner George Halcovage.
HR 44 is like the sequel to HR 99, which was introduced back in May 2021. The resolution calls for the House Judiciary Committee to investigate potential impeachment of Halcovage on charges of sexual harassment.
A lot has changed since HR 99 was introduced. For instance, it was introduced by Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-124), who is now retired. One of its sponsors was Rep. Joe Kerwin, whose legislative jurisdiction has changed and no longer serves Schuylkill County.
Further, the balance of power in the House has shifted, with Democrats assuming control, putting new people in as Chairperson of committees. The House Judiciary Committee is now chaired by Democrat Rep. Tim Briggs.
The one thing that really hasn’t changed in that time is where the Halcovage investigation has gotten in the House … practically nowhere.
The previous investigation did get to the House Judiciary Committee, which quickly passed it on to its Subcommittee on Courts. We’ve been led to believe that that Subcommittee did meet with witnesses and started collecting information as it relates to the Halcovage controversy.
However, publicly, the last we heard was that the Subcommittee needed more time but the legislative calendar ran out in 2022 and now everything is changed.
Sponsors of Twardzik’s new HR 44 include Schuylkill County’s quartet of House representation, himself and Reps. Joanne Stehr, Jamie Barton, and Dane Watro.
HR 44 would need to be voted on and approved by the House to move the matter back to the newly-seated Judiciary Committee, which likely once again direct it to the Subcommittee on Courts.
Halcovage is facing possible impeachment over alleged sexual misconduct while serving as Schuylkill County Commissioner. He’s facing a federal civil lawsuit filed by 4 Jane Doe Courthouse employees who say they’ve been subjected to his alleged behavior over the course of years.
That lawsuit has been hung up in federal court since it was filed earlier in 2021.
Halcovage denies all accusations against him and has publicly said he looks forward to an opportunity to tell his side of the story. He’s resisted calls for him to resign from office to avoid possible impeachment.
This is all happening while Halcovage seeks re-election in 2023 as County Commissioner. He’s currently 1 of 8 Republican candidates seeking the party’s nomination in the May Primary Election.
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insider
March 23, 2023 at 1:14 pm
And so….The dog and pony show continues.All bluster no substance..
Canary Commenter
March 26, 2023 at 10:45 am
Yeah, normally we’ve come to expect nothing but smooth efficiency from state governme… oh, waitaminit. The only time state government acted quickly was to shut down businesses in 2020.