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


Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else–

— Governor’s Race

— PennLive: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Tells Right-Wing Media Network  The Prestigious Childrens’ Hospital Of Philadelphia Is ‘Grabbing Homeless Kids’ And Experimenting On Them With Gender Transitioning’

— Inquirer: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Will Again Flirt With QAnon Crowd At Lancaster ReAwaken America Rally

— PennLive – Charles Thompson: ReAwaken American Tour Hits Lancaster, And The Audience Finds Uplift Amid The Angst

— York Daily Record: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Says He’ll Bus Illegal Immigrants To Biden’s Home In Delaware; PA Will Not Be A ‘Sanctuary State’

— Chambersburg Public Opinion: Sharp Divide Between PA Candidates For Governor On Natural Gas, Other Issues

— WPost: Disaffected Republican Politicians, Donors Endorse Democratic Candidate [Includes Shapiro In PA]

— Inside Climate News: Sinkholes And Damage Attributed To Mariner East II Natural Gas Pipeline Construction Underline The Stakes In PA’s Governor’s Race

— Inquirer: How Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Deployed Facebook Live To Build His Far-Right Base

— PennLive – Charles Thompson: Both Gubernatorial Candidates Guided By Their Faiths, But In Very Different Ways

— Spotlight PA: Where Gubernatorial Candidates Stand On Rural Health Care, Broadband, Agriculture

— WHYY: How Will Gubernatorial Candidates Address PA’s Hospital Crisis?

— Erie Times Editorial: Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Dangerous History Of Election denial And Contemptuous Disdain For System

— Spotlight PA: 11 Voters On Candidates For Governor, U.S. Senate And Why Some Are Still Undecided

— Politics PA: Fox 29 Poll: PA U.S. Senate Race Too Close To Call, Governor Tightening

— PennLive: Minor-Party Candidates For U.S. Senate, Governor Share Their Ideas With PennLive Editorial Board

— U.S. Senate Race

— Erie Times: Candidates For Governor Both Say They’re The ‘Freedom’ Guy, But What Does That Even Mean?

— TribLive/AP: Fetterman’s Doctor Says He’s Recovering Well From Stroke

— Erie Times: Fetterman Enjoys $1.6 Million Cash Advantage Over Dr. Oz Heading Into Campaign’s Final Weeks
— AP: Dr. Oz Made His Reputation As A Surgeon, A Fortune As A Salesman

— Post-Gazette: Allies Of Dr. Oz, Fetterman Give Advice Ahead Of U.S. Senate Candidates’ Debate – Just Stick To The Issues

— PennLive: Fox News Brings Hannity Show To York, Uses It To Boost Dr. Oz Campaign

— Politics PA: Fox 29 Poll: PA U.S. Senate Race Too Close To Call, Governor Tightening

— Spotlight PA: 11 Voters On Candidates For Governor, U.S. Senate And Why Some Are Still Undecided

— PennLive – John Baer: Fetterman-Dr. Oz U.S. Senate Debate Will Answer Critical Questions

— Inquirer: Dr. Oz Said He Wouldn’t Take Corporate PAC Money, Then He Did

— AP: Biden Stumps For Fetterman, Says ‘World Is Looking’

— PennLive: Minor-Party Candidates For U.S. Senate, Governor Share Their Ideas With PennLive Editorial Board

— November 8 General Election

— AP:  PA Republicans Go To Court Again To Block Count Of Undated Mail-In Ballots

— PA Capital-Star: Republicans Asks PA Supreme Court To Take Immediate Action To Enforce Ballot Dating Requirement

— AP: PA Supreme Court Takes Undated Mail-In Ballot Case, Doesn’t Halt Ballot Curing

— PA Capital-Star: PA Supreme Court Will Consider Whether Mail-In Ballots Without Dates Should Be Counted

— MCall – Paul Muschick: Undated Mail Ballots Could Throw PA Elections Into Chaos, Here’s A Simple Solution

— MCall: Lehigh County Judge Strikes Down Lawsuit Demanding Ballot Drop Boxes Be Monitored, Limited To Business Hours

— AP: PA Seeks Sanctions Over Access To Fulton County Voting Machines

— Reuters: State Of PA Alleges Fulton County Breached Security Of Voting Machines For A 2nd Time

— WHYY: What You Need To Know Ahead Of The 2022 PA General Election

— WITF: Some PA Voters Don’t Get Much Out Of Debates Anymore

— Inquirer: National Groups Pouring Millions Into PA To Try To Sway State Legislative Races In Home Stretch

— MCall: Where’s Money Coming From In Lehigh Valley Congressional Race?

— TribLive Guest Essay: PA Is Epicenter Of Democrats’ Political Spending

— MCall – Bill White: Toxic Political Ads Taking Over Your TV

— WLVR: Lehigh County Stops Using Ballot Dropboxes Pending Court Decision

— MCall: Map – Where PA Voters Requested The Most Mail-In Ballots Ahead Of Election

— WESA: Pittsburgh State Senate Race Reflects Stakes In Effort To Change Checks And Balances In Harrisburg

— Erie Times: Republican Candidate For State House Fueled By Discredited Conspiracies In Erie

— LancasterOnline: Republican Candidate For State House Declines Debate Invitation

— MCall: New Poll Shows Lehigh Valley Congressional Race In Dead Heat

— Reading Eagle: Berks County Man Who Pleaded Guilty To Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Wants Less Than Minimum Jail Time

— PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: We’re PA Clergy, Christian Nationalism Isn’t Christian, This Is Why

— AP: Police: Campaign Signs Found Booby-Trapped With Razor Blades In Bucks County

— WHYY: Faith-Based Groups Hitting The Road To Encourage Pennsylvanians To Vote

— PennLive: PA Latino Voters Still Lean Democratic As Republicans Work To Woo Them

— AP: Biden Seeks Symbol Of Rebuilding At Pittsburgh Bridge Site

— AP: Biden Closely Tends His Pennsylvania Roots In Election Year

— AP: Biden Touts Pittsburgh Bridge As Infrastructure Win

— Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

— AP: PA Seeks Sanctions Over Access To Fulton County Voting Machines

— Reuters: State Of PA Alleges Fulton County Breached Security Of Voting Machines For A 2nd Time

— PA Capital-Star: PA Senate Committee Advances Bill Proposing Guidelines For Storing Marked  Election Ballots

— LancasterOnline Editorial: The Big Lie Will Get Big Event In Lancaster County This Weekend, Shameful

— MCall – Paul Muschick: Undated Mail Ballots Could Throw PA Elections Into Chaos, Here’s A Simple Solution

— MCall: Lehigh County Judge Strikes Down Lawsuit Demanding Ballot Drop Boxes Be Monitored, Limited To Business Hours

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

— TribLive/AP: Federal Judge: Ex-President Knew Vote Fraud Claims In Legal Documents Were False When He Signed Them, Cannot Withhold Evidence Of Crimes

— AP: Berks County Man Gets Nearly 3 Years In Prison For Attacking Journalist, Police In Assault On U.S. Capitol

— MCall/AP: Columbia County Man Accused Of Sending Letter Threatening Biden Containing White Powder

— Inquirer Guest Essay: ReAwaken America Proves Christian Nationalism Isn’t Christian

— Erie Times: Republican Candidate For State House Fueled By Discredited Conspiracies In Erie

— Inquirer Editorial: As Election Day Nears, U.S. House Committee Investigating Assault On U.S. Capitol Serves As A Reminder Democracy Is On The Ballot

— State Constitutional Amendments

— MCall Guest Essay: Proposed State Constitutional Amendments Are Dangerous Attacks On System – PA League Of Women Voters

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

— PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

— Post-Gazette: Steep Increase In Natural Gas Price Pushes Utility Bills Higher As The Weather Turns Colder

— Patch.com: Winter Heating Costs Spike: How Much More Will PA Residents Pay?

— MCall/AP: Sharp Prices Increases Projected For Home Heating This Winter; Natural Gas Customers To Pay Biggest Increase

— WTAE: Rise In Global Natural Gas Prices Expected To Impact Home Heating Bills In PA This Winter

— PPL Utilities: Prepare For Winter Heating Season With Energy-Saving Tips, Rebates From PPL

— TribLive: Gasoline Prices Turn Lower As Diesel, Heating Oil Rise On Low Inventories

— Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Price Falls 4% To 3-Month Low On Mild Weather, European Price Drop

— Reuters: Dozens Of LNG-Laden Ships Queue Off Europe’s Coasts Unable To Unload

— Bloomberg: Europe’s LNG Import Deluge Spurs Spanish Oversupply Warning

— Freeport TX LNG Facility Explosion Recovery Plan Calls For Initial Resumption Of Operations In Mid-November, With 85% Capacity By End Of November

— National Energy Assistance Directors Assn: Home Heating Costs Reach Highest Level In More Than 10 Years; Natural Gas Cost Increases Alone Mean Homeowners Will Pay $13.1 Billion More This Winter

— Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Winter Assessment: Natural Gas Exports, Lower Gas Storage Are Driving Natural Gas Prices Higher

— AP: U.S. Heating Worries Mount Amid Growing Costs, Uncertainty

— Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

— PennLive – Jan Murphy: Senate Hearing On ‘Parental Rights’ Bill Invigorates Supports, Riles ‘Book Ban’ Foes

— Wilkes-Barre Times: Senators Baker, Haywood Announce Bipartisan Guardianship Legislation

— Inquirer Guest Essay: PA Expanding Eligibility For Food Stamp Benefits

— Inquirer: Fmr Sen. Fumo Takes The Stand In A Tax Case In Which He’s Asked To Pay Million

— Budget 2022

— PA Gaming Control Board Reports September Revenue Was $448.4 Million, 7.89% Increase Over 2021

— TribLive: PA Casino Revenue Jumps To $448 Million In September

— MCall – Paul Muschick: No Excuse For Parents Who Gamble With Their Kids’ Lives By Leaving Them Alone In Cars At PA Casinos

— COVID Pandemic/Health

— MCall: PA COVID Update: Case Numbers Steady, 3 New Variants Rising Quickly

— Centre Daily Times: One PA County At High COVID Spread Level, 29 At Medium

— Post-Gazette: Allegheny County COVID Cases Drop Slightly

— Scranton Times: COVID Still Killing Plenty Of Pennsylvanians Despite Case Declines

— Erie Times: See Erie County’s Varied COVID Vaccination Rates By ZIP Code

— TribLive: Penn State Researchers Engineer Protein That Could Be Used To Develop One COVID Vaccine

— Post-Gazette/Capitolwire.com: IRRC Approves Medical Marijuana Regulations After Lengthy Debate

— Post-Gazette: Looming Cut To Pharmacy Network Angers Western PA Veterans, Pharmacists

— PA Capital-Star: Dire Predictions Follow PA Supreme Court’s Loosening Of Medical Malpractice Filing Rules

School Districts/Higher Education

— PennLive – Jan Murphy: Senate Hearing On ‘Parental Rights’ Bill Invigorates Supports, Riles ‘Book Ban’ Foes

— Erie Times: Using Erie High As ‘Call-In’ Site, Unified Erie Focuses Anti-Violence Effort On Juveniles

— York Dispatch: Ex-Principal Of Lincoln Charter School Admits He Took Money For Fake Ph.D. Classes

— City & State PA: Potential For High School Athletes Selling Their Name, Image And Likenesses

— Courier Times: PA Schools Lack Policies That Protect LGBTQ Students And District Taxpayers, Experts Say

— TribLive: Application Site Launches For Biden Student Debt Cancellation

— City & State PA: Can PA Erase Property Taxes Without Wiping Out Education?

— Post-Gazette: Survey: Political Expression On Campus, Employee Engagement Are Areas Of Concern At State-Owned Universities

— Gov. Wolf: PA Won’t Tax You On Federal Student Loan Relief

— TribLive/AP: Biden Student Debt Relief Plan Temporarily Blocked By Appeals Court In Republican Challenge

— NPR: Federal Judge Dismisses Republican-led State’s Lawsuit To Block Student Loan Forgiveness Plan

— Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

— PA Capital-Star: House Republicans Cancel Hearing On Philly DA After He Insists It Be In Public

— Inquirer: Philly DA Asked To Address House Republican Impeachment Committee In Public, The Panel Said No

— Inquirer: Philly DA Expects Republican Impeachment Vote As Early As Next Week

— AP: 3 People Killed, 1 Wounded In Pittsburgh Shooting

— TribLive: 2 Women Killed In Pittsburgh Shooting Were Innocent Bystanders, Police Say

— Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Council Members Search For Answers After Spate Of Shootings

— TribLive: Pittsburgh Mayor Announces Measures To Make Neighborhoods Safer

— Erie Times: Using Erie High As ‘Call-In’ Site, Unified Erie Focuses Anti-Violence Effort On Juveniles

— TribLive: TSA Catches 4 Guns At Pittsburgh Airport In 5 Days

— Inquirer: 17-Year-Old Arrested In Fatal Shootings Of 2 Other Teens In Montgomery County

— Inquirer: Wawa Cutting Overnight Hours For At Least 7 Bucks County Stores Due To Safety Concerns

— Inquirer: Philadelphia Officials Threaten To Sue Gov. Wolf Over ‘Nightmare’ Conditions Inside Juvenile Facility

— Inquirer: 5 PA Alcohol Laws That Can Get You In Trouble

— Inquirer: There Are 400,000 People In Philly With Convictions And Criminal Records, Expungement Clinics Can Offer A Fresh Start

— Wilkes-Barre: Senate Committee Advances Sen. Baker’s Juvenile Justice Reform Bills

— Spotlight PA: How Well A Death In PA Will Be Investigated Depends Largely On Where Someone Dies

— TribLive: Etna Man Gets 6 Years In Federal Prison For Threatening FBI Agents Online

— Spotlight PA: Jail Officials Across PA Sound Alarm As Mental Health Crisis Puts People At Risk, Survey Finds

— Inquirer: Gov. Wolf Exonerated 16-Year-Old Delaware County Teen Executed In 1931 For A Murder He Didn’t Commit

— Scranton Times Editorial: Keep Ammo Away From Known Felons

— Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Prosecutors, Public Defenders Band Together To Demand Higher Wages

— TribLive: Pittsburgh Pro-Life Activist Could Face 11 Years In Prison After Abortion Clinic Blockade

— Scranton Times: Fmr Attorney General Kane Seeks Dismissal Of DUI Case

— PA Economy

— WESA: PA Doesn’t Live Up To Its Potential For Turning Innovation Into Jobs, New Report Finds

— Dept. Of Labor & Industry Reports September PA Unemployment Down 0.1% To 4.1%

— Post-Gazette: Lawsuit Seeks To Force Allegheny County To resume Assessment Appeal Hearings

— Inquirer Guest Essay: PA Expanding Eligibility For Food Stamp Benefits

— MCall: French Owner Of Lehigh Valley Cement Company Pleads Guilty To Paying Millions Of Dollars To Islamic State To Keep Syrian Plant Open

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