PA Capitol Report: Top 10 Stories On Harrisburg/PA Politics Last Week

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else–

— Governor’s Race

— AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

— Politics PA: Spending In PA Governor’s Race Tops $12.6 Million

— PennLive – Jan Murphy: PA Governor’s Race Spending Total Nears $11 Million

— Post-Gazette – Salena Zito: Republican Candidates For Lt. Governor Show Future Of Conservatism

— PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump

— Post-Gazette: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate McSwain Calls For Permanent 50% Cut In PA Gasoline Tax

— Inquirer: Conservative Supporters Spend Twice What Republican Gubernatorial Candidate McSwain Raised In Campaign

— Post-Gazette: Shapro Hauls In Just Over $4.5 Million For Gubernatorial Run In First Quarter

— PA Capital-Star: Q/A With Shapiro On Death Penalty, Climate And Harrisburg

— PA Capital-Star: 5 PA Environmental Advocacy Groups Endorse Shapiro For Governor

— TribLive: Trib Total Media To Co-Host Political Debates For Gubernatorial, U.S. Senate Candidates Ahead Of Primary

— TribLive Editorial: Debates Need All Candidates To Participate

— Williamsport Sun: Republican Candidate For Lt. Governor Calls For Civility

— U.S. Senate Race

— AP: Fetterman, Democrats Confront A Newly Hostile U.S. Senate Primary

— Erie Times: Rep. Kenyatta Running For U.S. Senate ‘Because The Status Quo Will Not Save Us’

— Post-Gazette: Lamb, Kenyatta Split On Fracking, Electability At Democratic U.S. Senate Candidate Debate Without Fetterman

— PA Capital-Star: In Philly, Democratic U.S. Senate Candidates Battle For Votes

— Inquirer: Super PAC Ad For Lamb Sparked Backlash For Wrongly Calling Fetterman A ‘Self-Described Democratic Socialist’

— Post-Gazette: Fetterman Raises More Than $15 Million For U.S. Senate Race

— Inquirer: Fetterman Skipped First Democratic U.S. Senate Debate, His Rivals Made It About Him Anyway

— AP: Ex-President Endorses Dr. Oz In PA’s U.S. Senate Primary Race

— Post-Gazette: Republican U.S. Senate Candidate McCormick Sees PA’s Natural Gas As Driver Of State’s Economy

— WHYY: What Do We Know About PA U.S. Senate Candidates’ Personal Finances?

— AP: Republican U.S. Senate Candidate Dr. Oz Reports At Least $100 Million In Assets

— TribLive: Trib Total Media To Co-Host Political Debates For Gubernatorial, U.S. Senate Candidates Ahead Of Primary

— TribLive Editorial: Debates Need All Candidates To Participate

— May 2022 Primary Election

— City & State PA: Your Guide To Incumbent PA House, Senate Members Facing Primary Opponents

— MCall – Ford Turner: Only Latino Candidate In Lehigh Valley House Race Withdraws

— TribLive: Benham, Kinkead House Incumbents Criticize Allegheny Democratic Committee After Failing To Win Endorsements

— WPSU: Court Challenge Filed Against Republican House Candidate In Centre County Over Residency

— Scranton Times: Two Republican State Senate Candidates Thrown Off Primary Ballot In Luzerne, Lackawanna Counties By State Court

— TribLive: Republican House Candidate Kicked Off Primary Ballot

— PennLive: Republican House Candidate In Cumberland County Battles Fake Tweets, Online Smear Tactics

— NYT: Legal Effort Expands To Disqualify Republicans From Running For Public Office As ‘Insurrectionists’ Under 14th Amendment To U.S. Constitution

— November 2021 Election

— MCall: Lehigh DA: Many Broke The Law By Dropping Off Multiple Ballots In 2021 Election, But No One Will Be Prosecuted

— Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

— Post-Gazette: PA Republicans Aim To Block All Outside Funding Of Election Costs [Even Though They Provide No State Funding To Counties]

— Post-Gazette Editorial: Well-Run Elections Shouldn’t Have To Depend On Private Funding, Republicans Need To Ensure PA Elections Are Adequately Funded

— Post-Gazette: Senate Republican Leaders To Try To Eliminate Mail-In Voting Drop Boxes Next Week

— WITF: Some PA Republicans Want To Get Rid Of Mail-In Voting Drop Boxes

— Reading Eagle: PA’s Mail-In Balloting Had Big Impact In 2020, But Will It Continue?

— MCall – Paul Muschick: Is It Really A Big Deal That Voters Drop Off More Than One Ballot?

— PA Capital-Star: Republican Fulton County Commissioner ‘Clarifies’ Response To Senate Committee On 2020 Election Comments

— PennLive – Jan Murphy: PA Lawmaker Calls State Agencies’ Voter Information Sharing A ‘Troubling Development’

— Erie Times: Juvenile To Be Charged With Firing Orbeez Water Bead Gun At Democratic Rep.. Harkins

— MCall: Racists Distribute Vile Propaganda, Lehigh Valley Responds: ‘This Is Not What We Want’

— LancasterOnline Editorial: Hate Groups Are Not Good For Business In Lancaster County, Make It Clear They Are Not Welcome

— WITF: Representatives From 3 PA School Districts In Bucks, Lancaster, York Counties Testify In Congress On Attempts To Ban Books

— PA’s Role In Assault On U.S. Capitol

— TribLive: Westmoreland County Man Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Gets House Arrest, Probation

— Post-Gazette: Westmoreland County Man Who Boasted ‘I’d Do It Again, Fight Me’ Gets Probation, House Arrest For Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

— MCall: Lehigh Valley Woman Sentenced To Prison For Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

— MCall: Where Do Criminal Cases Stand For Lehigh Valley Residents Involved In Assault On U.S. Capitol

— WPost: Proud Boy Leader To Testify Against Head Of Philadelphia Proud Boys Zach Rehl On Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

— NYT: Key Figure In Stop The Steal Movement And Organizer Of The Events Leading To The Assault On U.S. Capitol To Cooperate With Investigators

— State Constitutional Amendments

— Post-Gazette: As Constitutional Amendments Grow, Die In PA Legislature, Even Good Change Is Stopped

— Spotlight PA: Complete Guide To More Than 70 Proposed Amendments To State Constitution

— PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

— AP: Republican Energy Promises Face Limits In PA Governor’s Race

— PA Capital-Star: PA’s Gubernatorial Candidates Feud Over How To Reduce Pain At The Pump

— 6th Oil/Natural Gas Shock: Number Of New Natural Gas Wells Drilled In First Quarter Declined By Over 25% In PA Compared To 2021, 2020

— Republican State Treasurer Garrity Calls For Biden Administration To Support American Energy Production

— Inquirer – Andrew Maykuth: Philadelphia Gas Works, Liberty Energy Trust No Longer In Talks About LNG Plant In Passyunk: The “Opportunity Has Passed” [Project Was Approved In 2019]

— Guest Essay – Sen. Yaw: Closing Of Bradford County LNG Project A PA, U.S. Tragedy

[Actually, The Company Did Nothing With State Approvals Since 2019. DEP’s Air Permit Was Extended Twice.  Real Story Here]

— PennLive Guest Essay: Republicans Are Spreading Misinformation On Inflation, Energy Policies – Carl Hisiro, Fmr Assistant Counsel PUC, Fmr Chief Deputy Attorney General For Republican Attorneys General

— Leader-Vindicator: Republican Cong. Thompson Introduces Resolution Highlight PA’s Energy Capabilities

— PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months

— DEP Invites Comments On Air Quality Permit For Lackawanna Energy Center Gas-Fired Power Plant In Lackawanna County May 25

— Reuters: Manure Is A ‘Hot Commodity’ Amid U.S. Fertilizer Shortage [PA Included]

— Business Insider: Republican Cong. Scott Perry Voted Against The Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence And Accountability Act

— WITF: 2 PA Republican Members Of Congress Voted Against Bill Bolstering NATO And Supporting The Ukrainian People As They Fight Russian Invaders

— York Dispatch Editorial: With More Nays, Republican Cong. Scott Perry Fails His District Again

— Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

— PennLive – John Baer: If You Want Good State Government, Support Those Trying To #FixHarrisburg

— Erie Times Guest Essay: It’s Time To Fix Harrisburg So Politicians Can Work – For The People – Fair Districts PA

— PA Capital-Star: Republican Opposition To Wolf Regulations On Carbon Pricing, Private Charter Schools Could Shape Coming Months

— Post-Gazette: Democrats Retain 2 House Seats In Special Election In Allegheny County

— Wilkes-Barre Times: Republican Declares Victory In Luzerne County Special House Election

— Wilkes-Barre Times: Late Ballots Will Be Accepted From Luzerne County Special House Election Due To State Glitch

— Erie Times: Juvenile To Be Charged With Firing Orbeez Water Bead Gun At Democratic Rep.. Harkins

— WESA: If PA Senators Don’t Extend Time Limits For Sexual Abuse Cases, Wolf Will Call Special Session

— PA Capital-Star: Advocates Again Call On PA Senate Republicans to Open 2-Year Window For Child Sexual Abuse Survivors [Wolf To Call Special Session If No Action By June]

— Inquirer Guest Essay: Republicans Waging War Against An Image, But Real Trans Children Will Be Hurt – Rep. Frankel (D-Allegheny)

— TribLive Editorial: Nalani Johnson Rule Could Save Children’s Lives [No Action On Bill Since Feb. 2021]

— York Daily Record Guest Essay: It’s Time To Legalize Adult-Use Marijuana In PA – Republican Sen. Regan

— PennLive Guest Essay: Rush To legalize Recreational Marijuana Ignores Public Health, Safety Concerns – Sen. Judy Ward

— PA Capital-Star: PA Students Who Lobbied to Make Hershey’s Kiss The Official State Candy See Progress

— Republican Rep. Mehaffie Thinks Forcing Golf Courses To Provide Free Drinking Water To Players Is A Legislative Priority

— LancasterOnline: Republican Cong. Smucker Eschews Federal Money For Local Projects

— TribLive: Toomey To Vote Against Judge Jackson’s U.S. Supreme Court Nomination

— Budget 2022

— The Center Square: Report Notes $222 Million In PA State Tax Subsidies, But Little Transparency

— Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $500 Million In American Rescue Plan To Put $2,000 In The Pockets Of Families Earning Less Than $80,000

— Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $225 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding For Small Business Assistance Program

— Gov. Wolf Promotes Plan To Use $200 Million In American Rescue Plan Funding And Other Monies To Make College More Affordable, Ensure Workforce Stability

— COVID Pandemic/Health

— Dept. Of Health Provides Monthly Update On COVID Trends

— MCall: PA COVID Update: 797 New Cases Show Rising Trend As BA.2 Subvariant Dominates

— Inquirer: Philadelphia Urging Return Of Masks Indoors As COVID Cases Inch Up

— WHYY: Philly COVID Cases Creep Closer To Levels That Would Trigger Return To Masks

— TribLive: Another Lawsuit Filed Against Brighton Nursing Home Related To COVD Outbreak

— PennLive Letter: Why Did 9 PA Republican Members Of Congress Vote Against Capping Cost Of Insulin?

— AARP-PA, Sen. Casey Speak Out About Need For Lower Prescription Drug Prices

— PennLive Guest Essay: Without Action, PA Could Lose Access To Pharmacy Vaccination Care – PA Pharmacists Association

— WHYY: Pennsylvanians On Medicaid Risk Losing Health Coverage When COVID Emergency Ends

— Post-Gazette Editorial: Millions Of Americans Going Bankrupt Caring For Loved Ones, They Need Help

— WLVR: As Autism Rates Increase, So Do Wait Times To See A Specialist

— Post-Gazette Editorial: Teenage Mental Health Crisis Points To Tech Overload

— Post-Gazette Editorial: Rural Hospitals Are In Major Trouble

— School Districts/Higher Education

— AG Shapiro Releases ‘Safe2Say Something PA’ Report On School Threats

— Erie Times: Reports Of Potential Violence In PA Schools Increased In 2020-21

— WESA: AG Shapiro Calls For More Mental Health Support In PA Schools

— PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Extremists Undermine Faith In Our Schools, We Owe It To Our Kids, Community To Speak Up – Education Voters Of PA Action

— Centre Daily Times: Centre County Rural Schools Struggle Amid Teacher Shortage

— MCall: Allentown Teachers New Contract Has Starting Salary Of $52,000+

— Spotlight PA: It’s Hard To Track Conditions Of PA School, Help Flag Health Hazards

— WITF: Representatives From 3 PA School Districts In Bucks, Lancaster, York Counties Testify In Congress On Attempts To Ban Books

— TribLive: Nonprofit Calls Research Into Recent U.S. Book Bans ‘Shocking’ As Franklin Regional Parents Express Support For Restrictions, Warnings

 — TribLive: Southwest PA Leading The Way In Opportunities For Female School Superintendents

— WESA: Wolf Calls On Schools, Communities To Prepare To Welcome Ukrainian Refugees

— Explore Clarion: Clarion University To Host International Conference On Global Diversity & Inclusion In Higher Education May 12-13

— PA Capital-Star: Point Park University To Hold First Lavender Graduation For LGBTQ Students

— PennLive: Harrisburg Area Community College Faculty Vote To Form Union, Joining Other State Community Colleges

— Post-Gazette: Penn State’s Outgoing President To Collect $1 Million

— Post-Gazette: Pitt Chancellor Gallagher Plans To Step Down In 2023

— TribLive: Fmr Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto Joining Carnegie Mellon University

— Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

— Erie Times: Student Shot Inside Erie High School Forces Cancellation For Rest Of Week; District ‘Devastated’

— Erie Times: Erie H.S. School Shooting Suspect Younger Than 15 Turns Himself In

— Erie Times: Erie DA: Suspect In Erie High Shooting Under 15, Faces Juvenile Charges

— Erie Times: Erie H.S. Teachers Demand Safety Fixes After Shooting, Say They’ll Go Remote Otherwise

— TribLive: FBI: Extortion Of Teenagers Is Growing Problem

— Erie Times: Juvenile To Be Charged With Firing Orbeez Water Bead Gun At Democratic Rep.. Harkins

— BillyPenn: PA Lawmakers Trying To Limit Damage Awards To Kids Injured In Child Welfare System

— York Dispatch Editorial: Gun Culture Is About Fear, We Must Give Our Children An Antidote

— Post-Gazette: At Another Anti-Violence Rally Amid Spike In Pittsburgh, Advocates Call On Harrisburg For Funding, Gun Laws

— TribLive: Attorneys For Pittsburgh Synagogue Gunman Say They Won’t Be Ready For Trial Before Late 2023

— TribLive: Federal Civil Rights Lawsuit Filed Against Pittsburgh In Jim Rogers’ Death

— AP: PA State Police Settle Profiling, Immigration Suit

— AP: PA Aims To Reduce Wait For Clemency By Years

— PA Capital-Star: Bail Reformers Facing Backlash, Here’s What The Facts Say

— MCall – Paul Muschick: PA Takes Step Toward Criminal Justice Reform, Fetterman Sidesteps Debate Questions

— BillyPenn: Philly Sunk $50 Million Into West Philly Police HQ, Then Walked Away

— Inquirer: Philadelphia Lifts Residency Requirement For Police, Corrections Officers Amid Staffing Shortages

— Inquirer Editorial: In A Segregated City, Race Determines Safety, That’s Unacceptable

— TribLive: Pittsburgh Police Officers Fired Over Death Of Jim Rogers Appeal

— WHYY: Delaware County Takes Back Private County Prison, Confronts ‘Chronic Over-Incarceration’

— PA Economy

— WESA: Remote Work Is Commonplace Now, Workers With Disabilities Could Benefit From The Change

— PennLive: State Treasurer: PA Has Billions In Unclaimed Property, Find Out If You Are Owed Money

— TribLive: Feds Announce Disruption Of Russian Malware Attack Aided By Pittsburgh FBI, U.S. Attorney’s Office

— TribLive Editorial: A Gigabyte Of Prevention Is Worth A Server Farm Of Cure

— PA Capital-Star: PA Students Who Lobbied to Make Hershey’s Kiss The Official State Candy See Progress

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