Pennsylvania house legislators vote to make 2023 the Taylor Swift era
Taylor Swift sings about her home state of Pennsylvania in her song "Seven" and references the Philadelphia Eagles in "Gold Rush," but now the Keystone State is singing her praises with a new resolution.
State lawmakers approved the proposal on Swift's 34th birthday, recognizing 2023 as Pennsylvania's "Taylor Swift era."
House Resolution 282 was introduced Wednesday night to the chamber and barely passed with 103 yes votes and 100 nays. It was introduced by Representatives Danielle Friel Otten, Jennifer O'Mara, Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, Robert Freeman, Benjamin V. Sanchez, Arvind Venkat, Jose Giral and Maureen E. Madden.
Swift adds the resolution to a long list of accomplishments this year, including being named the most-played artist globally on Spotify. And she’s helmed the first tour to gross more than $1 billion and then the highest-grossing concert film of all time.
Taylor Swift boosted Pennsylvania's economy, increased voter engagement
Pennsylvania (Taylor’s Version) has benefited from her Midas touch over the past year, sponsors say. The frenzy for tickets to her tour prompted legislative action in the state — and elsewhere, albeit slowly — to address Ticketmaster’s shortcomings.
Swift buoyed the local economy on her tour stops in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, donated proceeds to hunger relief organizations as she blazed through and encouraged thousands of people to register to vote, particularly young people, sponsors say.
The resolution also highlighted the Pennsylvania native's milestones this year, including being named Time Magazine's 2023 Person of the Year.
"Recognizing 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 reads.
The resolution also calls the pop star a "role model" who has brought "joy to a society desperately in need of it."
The resolution continues: "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."
Contributing: Brooke Schultz, The Associated Pres;, Taijuan Moorman, USA TODAY
Follow Bryan West, the USA TODAY Network's Taylor Swift reporter, on Instagram, TikTok and X as @BryanWestTV.
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