HARRISBURG, PAJanuary 14, 2025 − Senate Democratic Leader Jay Costa announced the appointment of Senator Patty Kim (D-Dauphin) as chair of the Senate Local Government Committee. Senator Kim will assume her new chairmanship role immediately, leveraging her own experience as a former local government official and a decade of legislative experience in the House of Representatives. Additionally, Senator Kim has been appointed as a member of Aging and Youth, Appropriations, Banking and Insurance, and Community, Economic, and Recreational Development Committees for the upcoming 2025-26 legislative session.

 “Local government is the tier of governance closest to the people. They are most often relied upon for essential services and bear the burden of forging policy to address the day-to-day needs of their constituents. Our elected officials are responsible for delivery of essential services at the local level, such as housing; infrastructure; police, fire and emergency management services; public health; parks and recreation, to name but a few. Much of their authority and jurisdiction stems from legislation enacted in Harrisburg, which typically originates out of the Local Government standing committee.” 

The Local Government Committee is responsible for reviewing legislation that affects Pennsylvania’s more than 2,500 county and municipal government entities. The committee works with these political subdivisions and other stakeholders in developing legislation for the betterment of Pennsylvania local government. The committee also has oversight of the Pennsylvania Municipal Retirement System and the Pennsylvania Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff’s Education and Training Board.  

In her previous tenure as State Representative, Kim served as a member of several key committees, including Chair of the House Insurance Committee and Chair of the Aging and Older Adult Services Committee. Additionally, her prior work as a member of council for the City of Harrisburg makes her well-positioned to lead the Local Government committee.

Senator Kim previously represented the 103rd District from 2013 until her election to the Senate. During her tenure in the state House, she was an effective and passionate advocate for working families across the district and the state, and she was instrumental in passing legislation in the House of Representatives increasing the state minimum wage.