In a day of partisan politics, it can be refreshing to hear that representatives from both sides of the aisle want to meet to discuss the issues of the day without the inevitable posturing.

On Tuesday, the Pennsylvania House Bipartisan Caucus hosted a news conference dubbed “Meet Me in the Middle” where they rolled out their agenda for this legislative term.

Formed in 2021 by Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Philadelphia) and Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland/Dauphin/Perry), the Bipartisan Caucus was designed as a platform to bring Democratic and Republican members together to listen to people, organizations and businesses across the Commonwealth and work collectively to address issues facing Pennsylvania.

And with a one-seat majority for Democrats in the state House, every bill before the body requires cooperation from members of both parties.

The co-chairs of the caucus – Reps. Jill Cooper (R-Westmoreland), Patty Kim (D-Dauphin/Cumberland), Jamie Flick (R-Lycoming/Union) and Kinsey – shared their comments on their hopes that the group can cut through some of the partisanship in Harrisburg and move Pennsylvania forward.

“In my short time here, I found a friend in Representative Kinsey when we began working on a legislative proposal together,” Cooper said. “Whether it is improving education funding, enhancing public safety, supporting seniors or paving the way for businesses to grow and create new jobs; there are unifying goals of which we can all agree. Our constituents want to see progress and see us working together, with civility, in order to address the challenges facing all Pennsylvanians.”

“I started this caucus with my former colleague as I saw how the political division boiling in Harrisburg was negatively affecting the lives of everyday Pennsylvanians,” Kinsey said. “We don’t have to agree on everything, but working together in a bipartisan fashion and listening to the people of our commonwealth is very important in moving Pennsylvania forward. I firmly believe that my co-chairs and I share similar intentions and we want to ensure political games don’t get in the way of what we’re here to do — serve the people we represent!”

“My goal for this caucus is to help link arms on issues that both parties care about,” Kim said. “It’s important to keep lines of communication open so we don’t get comfortable in our respective echo chambers. I look forward to getting important things done in this bipartisan caucus.”

“I am pleased to join “Meet Me In The Middle,” a new bipartisan caucus designed to foster more cooperation between the parties, reduce polarization and find paths to work together to pass common-sense legislation that benefits the people of Pennsylvania,” Flick said.

“Many of our districts, including my district, the 83rd, are considered purple districts as our makeup is not heavily Republican or Democrat. Based on discussions with many of my constituents, they want to see more bipartisanship, they want lawmakers to work together more on the issues that impact them every day – like address rising energy costs, inflation, mental health support and more – so it makes sense we reflect this in Harrisburg. I believe forming this caucus takes a step in the right direction.”