Exit Interview: Babette Josephs Says Goodbye to Gridlock

By Tara Murtha
Add Comment Add Comment | Comments: 2 | Posted Dec. 26, 2012

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People talk about the change in atmosphere in Harrisburg between former Gov. Rendell and Gov. Corbett.

[Corbett’s] not around. You used to see Rendell eating, always eating, in the café, but you never see Corbett. I would like to because he’s behaved shamelessly with the disabled people who have come in their wheelchairs. He won’t let them up to the office! All they want to do is talk to them. They’re just citizens. Why wouldn’t they have the opportunity to talk to him or somebody? They would have been happy to talk to the lieutenant governor or chief of staff, but he just treated them as if they were animals in the field.

Who do you see as carrying on your legacy of standing up for progressive issues?

The Philadelphia delegation/caucus is now being run by a very energetic progressive young woman, Rep. Cherelle Parker. I’m a big fan, I voted for her.

There’s [Rep. James] Roebuck, still plugging for public … [Rep.] Dan Frankel in Pittsburgh. Rep. Michelle Brownlee was outstanding with the TRAP bill.

How have you avoided getting bitter?

I try to remind myself that I am in very good health for a 72-year-old woman. People don’t think I’m 72. I have a loving family. I lost my husband, which was sad, but a long time ago. He’s dead 20 years. I have all these grandchildren. And I have a plan.

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1. Rachel Kate said... on Dec 26, 2012 at 11:11AM

“*sigh* While it's a shame to lose such a fierce progressive voice and one of the few women on the floor, her tone-deafness on the transphobia of her "men with breasts" remark clearly illustrates her as being a bit behind the times - an ugly place for a progressive to be. She'll be missed nonetheless, and I'm holding my opinion on her replacement until I see him in action... but perhaps it was just time for her to go.”

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2. Robin said... on Dec 26, 2012 at 02:48PM

“There is still one Jewish woman in the General Assembly: State Senator Judith Schwank from Berks County.”

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