Philly's Hughes Gets Appropriations Post In Pa. State Senate

HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A day after Philadelphia lost a powerful leadership post in the Pennsylvania House, the city has regained a key spot in the state senate leadership ranks.

State House Democrats on Tuesday ousted Philadelphia's Dwight Evans from his position as the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee (see related story), and a day later Senate Democrats selected their ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Committee.

That post went to State Sen. Vincent Hughes (above), whose district includes part of Philadelphia and a small part of Montgomery County.

The position Hughes fills was held for years by Vincent Fumo, who wielded significant power in his day.

"I'm not even thinking about those kinds of expectations," said Hughes.  "I'm thinking about doing a job to service the folks in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.  And again, we got families that are suffering in economic crisis, and that's where our real attention needs to be focused."

His immediate predecessor as Senate Appropriations chairman, Allegheny County's Jay Costa, moves up to become minority leader.

Reported by KYW Harrisburg Bureau Chief Tony Romeo.