Top 10 Stories: Harrisburg/PA Politics Reported By Local News Media Last Week

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- 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

-- 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

-- 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 

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

-- 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 [PaEN]

-- Inquirer - Andrew Maykuth: Why PA Natural Gas Might Not Be Poised To Come To Europe’s Rescue

-- 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

[Posted: April 10, 2022]