Pennsylvania lawmakers have narrowly passed a resolution recognizing 2023 as the ‘Taylor Swift Era’ in her home state.
Swift, 34, spent the first 13 years of her life on a farm in Wyomissing – and reps on Wednesday cited that heritage when approving the proposal by a vote of 103-100.
Somewhat divisive, the unprecedented plan touts how Swift has ‘transcended the role of pop star,’ and recognizes her achievements over the past year – including being named TIME’s Person of the Year.
Most Republicans voted against the honorary measure, as did a few Democrats, despite it being introduced by eight Pennsylvania progressives Wednesday night.
An hourslong argument over whether to recognize 2023 as the pop star’s year eventually ensued – where claims praising her positive impact on Pennsylvania’s economy and voter registration numbers quickly rang true.
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Pennsylvania lawmakers on Wednesday narrowly passed a resolution recognizing 2023 as the ‘Taylor Swift Era’ in her home state
State lawmakers in the notorious swing state passed the resolution with a vote 103-100, after a heated back-and-forth where several questioned the proposal’s legitimacy. Largely honorary, it touts Swift’s positive impact on her home state’s economy and voter registration numbers
Just before it passed, Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Philadelphia, defiantly provided with her own rendition of the lyrics of Swift’s track ‘Shake It Off’ – telling those who planned to vote against: ‘Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate.’
Rep. Stephanie Borowicz, a Republican, responded by questioning what the guidance, in reality, actually meant, before labeling it an empty gesture by the progressive left.
‘What a joke of the State House Assembly of Pennsylvania,’ Borowicz said of the proposal, which would go on to be barely passed after some back-and-forth.
‘This is the Democratic party though, idolizing Hollywood,’ the lawmaker continued. ‘Giving Taylor Swift an era while our veterans get a day.’
Rep. Russ Diamond, another Republican, was even more pointed with his remarks, reminding the more than 200 lawmakers how Swift broke up with her home state when she moved to Tennessee to pursue her singing career.
Using another Swift lyric to illustrate his point, the 60-year-old conservative simply stated: ‘We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together.’
Such jabs spurred Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz – a Democrat who voted in favor – to playfully pop off: ‘I really love that we can have fun while we work!’
When it came time to vote, House Resolution 282 was passed by the narrowest of margins – 103 yeses and 100 nays.
Just before it passed, Speaker Rep. Joanna McClinton, a Democrat from Philadelphia, defiantly provided with her own rendition of the lyrics of Swift’s track ‘Shake It Off’ – telling those who planned to vote against: ‘Haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate’
Rep. Wendy Fink, a Republican, was among the 100 to oppose, as some cited how Swift broke up with her home state when she moved to Tennessee at age 13, to pursue her singing career
Legislative clerk Michelle Martin opened the discussion, asking the house it would agree to the resolution – and its ‘recognizing the year 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in Pennsylvania’
Swift, 34, spent the first 13 years of her life at this farmhouse in Wyomissing – and reps on Wednesday cited that heritage when approving the proposal
The pop megastar, whose massive tour earned her billionaire status this year, beat Vladimir Putin , Barbie and Sam Altman for the honor of TIME’s person of the year earlier this month
Legislative clerk Michelle Martin, meanwhile, was the one to open up the discussion, asking the house it would agree to the resolution and its ‘recognizing the year 2023 as the Taylor Swift era in Pennsylvania.’
Language used in the legislative action would go on to prop up the pop star as a ‘role model’ who has brought ‘joy to a society desperately in need of it’, while laying out how Swift has buoyed the local economy on her tour stops in Philly and Pittsburgh.
Swift’s impact as a woman was also was a selling point – with it recognizing her ‘singular economic and cultural influence’ as demonstrating ‘the power of female agency, feminine ideas, feminine art and a distinctly feminine narrative.’
Swift urging fans to the polls during elections in August, resulting in a record number of registrations, too played a part, after previously causing some outcry from Republicans who felt the musician was unfairly using her starpower.
Further citing how the megastar, whose massive tour earned her billionaire status this year, beat out figures like Vladimir Putin, Barbie and Sam Altman for the honor of TIME’s person of the year this month the resolution asserts: ‘Ms. Swift shines as a role model of courage, self acceptance and self-determination, persisting in the face of personal and professional obstacles and challenges.’
‘[We are] [r]ecognizing the year 2023 as the ‘Taylor Swift Era’ in Pennsylvania, in celebration of Ms. Swift’s recent selection as TIME Magazine’s 2023 Person of the Year and acknowledgment of her positive impact on Pennsylvania’s economy, voter registration numbers, consumer protections and pro-labor practices’, it adds.
Swift’s impact as a woman was also was a selling point – with the resolution recognizing her ‘singular economic and cultural influence’ as demonstrating ‘the power of female agency, feminine ideas, feminine art and a distinctly feminine narrative.’ Swift is seen performing at her Eras Tour in May in Nashville – where she moved as a teen after leaving Pennsylvania
The night the Pennsylvania proposal was passed – which also happened to be Swift’s 34th birthday – the singer partied it up with several other celebrities’ including Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively and Miles Teller in New York City, and were pictured with her in a post to her Instagram
Swift seen her with boyfriend Tavis Kelce outside an SNL afterparty on October 15 – was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1989. When she was a teen, her parents sold their family farm to move Hendersonville – near Nashville – so she could pursue a career in country music. A year later, Swift would sign a deal with Sony/ATV as a songwriter
Today, she is worth a reported $1.1billion – much of which was amassed just this year
After it was passed, Democratic Rep. Maureen Madden of Monroe County, a proud supporter of the measure, voiced appreciation for how Swift has pushed younger Americans to become politically active.
‘I turn 64 years old today, and I think about who´s going to carry on our legacy. She´s not popular because she writes break-up songs,’ Madden said on the House floor.
‘She´s popular because the largest demographic of people eligible to vote, the 18- to 24-year-old demographic, listens to her and does what she says.’
Meanwhile, back in May, Nashville’s Mayor Freddie O’Connell issued a proclamation “recognizing Taylor Swift homecoming weekend” as she arrived for her Eras Tour stop in the city – her other so-called hometown after her move in 2003.
In addition to the proclamation, the city also installed a bench in Centennial Park in her name, with an inscription that reads: ‘For Taylor Swift. A bench for you to read on Centennial Park. Welcome home, Nashville.’
The night the Pennsylvania proposal was passed – which also happened to be Swift’s 34th birthday – the singer partied it up with several other celebrities’ including Gigi Hadid, Blake Lively and Miles Teller in New York City, and were pictured with her in a post to her Instagram.
The post did not mention the newly passed resolution, but saw her reflect on thae various accomplishments she’s achieved over the past 12 months.
It read: ‘Can’t believe this year… actually… happened? Thank you for all your beautiful birthday wishes.’
Swift was born in West Reading, Pennsylvania, in 1989. When she was a teen, her parents sold their family farm to move Hendersonville – near Nashville – so she could pursue a career in country music.
A year later, Swift would sign a deal with Sony/ATV as a songwriter. Today, she is worth a reported $1.1billion.