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

-- Inquirer: Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano’s Ties To Assault On U.S. Capitol, Efforts To Throw Out Nov. 2020 Election

-- WITF: How Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano Promoted Election Lies Between Election Day, Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol 

-- Inquirer Editorial: It’s Up To PA Voters To Preserve Democracy In November

-- PennLive: Boycott Of Martin’s Potato Rolls Tied To Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano Goes Nationwide 

-- Bloomberg: Shake Shack Drawn Into Martin’s Bread Controversy Over Chairman’s Ties To PA Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano

-- BillyPenn: Democratic Candidate For Governor Speaks Out Against Boycott Of Martin’s ‘Damn Good’ Potato Rolls Because Of CEO’s Association With Mastriano

-- AP: Senate Republicans Pass Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Bill Expanding Access Of Partisan Poll Watchers

-- U.S. Senate Race

-- AP: Dr. Oz Wins PA Republican U.S. Senate Primary By 951 Votes Of Over 1.3 Million Votes Cast

-- Inquirer Editorial: It’s Up To PA Voters To Preserve Democracy In November

-- Inquirer: PA U.S. Senate Primary Race Recount Shows How Accurate The Initial Vote Count Was - It Barely Shifted

-- Post-Gazette: PA U.S. Senate Race Could Be Potential Referendum On National Firearm Debate

-- WHYY: Trust Fund Kid, Carpetbagger, Radical: Campaigns Draw Battle Lines In PA U.S. Senate Race

-- Erie Times: Kathy Barnette Nearly Pulled An Upset In Republican U.S. Senate Primary, Why She Believes Her Future Is Bright

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Republican David McCormick Looks Forward To A Promising Political Future

-- PennLive: Gisele Fetterman - Husband May Not Return To Campaign Trail Until July

-- PennLive - John Baer: How Fetterman’s Health Could Affect PA U.S. Senate Race

 

-- November 2022 Election

-- Inquirer Editorial: It’s Up To PA Voters To Preserve Democracy In November

-- AP: U.S. Sees Heightened Domestic, Violence Extremists Heading Into Midterm Elections

 

-- May 2022 Primary Election

-- AP: U.S. Supreme Court To Allow Counting Of Undated Mail-In Ballots In Lehigh County

-- Billy Penn: In Democratic Ward Elections Full Of Infighting (And Physical Fighting) Philly Progressives Make Key Gains

-- TribLive: Allegheny County Democratic Party Chair Not Running For Re-Election

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Could The Primary Election Signal Rock Bottom In PA Politics? - Craig Snyder, Fmr Republican U.S. Senate Candidate

-- Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

-- Erie Times: Republicans, Democrats Say PA’s Voting Laws Are Broken, Here Are Some Changes Both Sides Can Agree On 

-- AP: Senate Republicans Pass Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Bill Expanding Access Of Partisan Poll Watchers

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: ‘Election Integrity’ Or ‘Election Intimidation?’ Controversial Bill Passes PA Senate

-- WESA: PA Republicans No Closer To Re-Inspecting Fulton County’s 2020 Voting Machines

-- Scranton Times Editorial: No Governor Owns Voting, Elections

-- PA Capital-Star: Senate Bill Barring Third Party Election Funding Advances In House

-- Spotlight PA: PA Lawmaker Wants More State Control Over Millions In Outside Campaign Spending On Federal Elections 

-- PA Capital-Star: Poll Finds Bipartisan Support For Fixing Campaign Finance Laws

-- PA Capital-Star: Republican Lawmakers, Advocates Call For U.S. Constitutional Amendment That Could Ban Dark PAC Money In Campaigns

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Voters Want Election Reform, Republicans Deliver Voter Intimidation

-- AP: Ex-Democratic Congressman Myers Pleads Guilty In Ballot Stuffing Case

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

-- USA Today: PA Has 2nd Highest Number Of People Charged With Crimes Related To Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol - 71; Texas Has 72

-- Inquirer: Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano’s Ties To Assault On U.S. Capitol, Efforts To Throw Out Nov. 2020 Election

-- WITF: How Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano Promoted Election Lies Between Election Day, Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol 

-- WITF: How PA Republican Cong. Scott Perry Promoted Election Lies Between Election Day, Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol  

-- TribLive: PA Republican Cong. Scott Perry Asked Ex-President For Pardon After Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: PA Republican Cong. Scott Perry Asked About Presidential Pardon After Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- PennLive: Republican Cong. Scott Perry’s Opponent In Nov. Election Calls For Criminal Investigation Of Perry 

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Republican Cong. Scott Perry Takes To Talk Radio To Counter-Attack Against Pardon Allegation

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: What Is Republican Cong. Scott Perry Trying To Hide From The Public?

-- Inquirer: Philly Proud Boys President Zach Rehl Charged With Sedition In Assault On U.S. Capitol  

-- TribLive: Allegheny County Woman Sentenced For Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- PennLive: Lebanon County Man Sentenced For Threatening To Murder Democratic U.S. Senators

-- PennLive: Dauphin County Woman Facing Criminal Charges In Assault On U.S. Capitol Says House Arrest, Ankle-Monitor ‘Unduly Burdensome’

-- PennLive: Dauphin County Woman Charged With Crimes Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Met With Man Who Planned To Shoot Up Synagogue - Prosecutor

-- PennLive Guest Essay: We Must Rise Up Against Evil - Mark Singel

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: Yes, Ex-President Is To Blame For Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol, But So Are Boneheads Who Rioted On His Behalf

-- Altoona Mirror Editorial: U.S. House Hearing On Attack At U.S. Capitol Should Be Must-See TV

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: A Real Hope For Changing The Extremists

-- AP: U.S. Sees Heightened Domestic, Violence Extremists Heading Into Midterm Elections

-- Inquirer: PA Had A Starring Role In First U.S. House Hearing On Jan. 6 Assault On U.S. Capitol -- Republican Cong. Scott Perry, Philly Proud Boys, More   

-- AP: First U.S. House Hearing On U.S. Capitol Assault Doesn’t Changes Many Minds In Philly Suburbs

-- LancasterOnline: U.S. House Hearings Begin Today On Assault On U.S. Capitol, Here Are The PA Details To Watch For  

-- NPR: Republican Cong. Liz Chaney Offers Stark Message To Republicans Who Continue To Support Ex-President, Including Scott Perry - Your Dishonor Will Remain Long After Ex-President Is Gone

-- USA Today: Republican Cong. Liz Cheney Calls Jan. 6 Capitol Attack A ‘Conspiracy’ And Says Threat Is ‘Ongoing’ 

-- AP: U.S. Capitol Attack’s Full Story: U.S. House Panel To Release Chilling Story

-- AP: Viewer’s Guide To 1st Public Hearing On Assault On U.S. Capitol

-- AP: Explainer: Hundreds Charged With Crimes In Capitol Attack 

-- State Constitutional Amendments

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Constitutional Amendment Privatizing Liquor System Reported Out Of House Committee

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Easy To Vote Against Liquor Control Board, But For What?

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Sovereign Incompetence - Liquor Control Board

-- AP: Republicans Face Decision On Which Constitutional Amendments Will Move Forward

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

 

-- PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

-- Independent Fiscal Office: Cost Of Gasoline, Energy Utility Bills Up 33% From Last Year [Driven By Spike In Oil, Natural Gas Prices On Foreign Energy Markets]  [PaEN]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: Inflation Costing PA Consumers $3,000 More A Year On Gasoline, Food [Driven By Spike In Oil, Natural Gas Costs]

-- MCall - Ford Turner: As Gasoline Hits $5/Gallon, PA Lawmakers Hear Bleak Testimony On Inflation [Spiking Fossil Fuel Prices  “Play A Significant Role” In Inflation Figure]

-- WPost: Gasoline Prices Keep Inflation At Highest Level In 40 Years In May 

-- WSJ: Record Fuel Costs Upend Businesses, U.S. Economy  

“Oil and fuel production hasn’t increased quickly enough to meet growing global demand, as economies emerge from pandemic-related restrictions.”

-- AP: Several Factors Converging To Push Gasoline Prices Higher

-- PA Business Report: State Trade Groups Among Coalition Calling On Biden To Increase Production Of Natural Gas, Oil

-- Scranton Times: Natural Gas Development Boom Reboot Predicted In PA

-- MCall: F&M Poll: Pennsylvanians Feeling Worst Economic Pain In Years As Gasoline Prices Approach $5/Gallon

-- Scranton Times: Gasoline Cost $3.71/Gallon A Year Ago In PA, Now It’s More Than $5

-- Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

-- Spotlight PA: Candidates Of Color Say They Need More Party Support, Financial Backing To Be Successful In PA

-- MCall - Ford Turner: Long-Time Senate Republican Budget Chief Concedes Election

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Successful Write-In Candidates To Challenge For 6 Western PA State House Seats In November

-- TribLive: Fayette County Rep. Matthew Dowling Could Face DUI Charges

-- PA Capital-Star Editorial Cartoon: What’s Really Polluting The Chesapeake Bay?

-- Gov. Wolf Announces Departure Of DGS Secretary Curt Topper, Names Joseph Lee Acting

-- Inquirer: Fmr Philadelphia Parking Authority Leader Takes Over City’s Republican Party After Resigning Amid Sexual Harassment Scandals

-- Inquirer: Rep. Marina White Stepping Down As Chair Of Philly’s Republican Party

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Constitutional Amendment Privatizing Liquor System Reported Out Of House Committee

-- MCall: Bethlehem Casino Had 268 Unattended Children In 4 Years, Some As Young As 2 Months Old

-- AP: House Votes To Remove ‘Homosexuality’ From State Crimes Code

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: PA’s Version Of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Poised For Introduction

-- AP: PA Historical & Museum Commission Pulls Gay Pioneer’s Historic Marker Over 1993 

-- PennLive Guest Essay: To Protect Older Adults From Abuse, We Must Update Protection Law - Secretary Of Aging

-- PA Capital-Star: House Bill Proposes Hikes In Cost Of Birth, Death Certificates To Fight Veteran Suicides

-- AP: Amid Complaints, PA Lawmakers Move To Restrict Fireworks [Been Saying That For 5 Years]

-- Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre Fire Chief: New Fireworks Bill Doesn’t Go Far Enough

Interview

-- Budget 2022

-- Spotlight PA - Stephen Caruso: PA Is Sitting On Billions In Federal Stimulus Money, Lawmakers May Actually Agree On A Plan To Spend Some Of It 

-- WITF: PA House Republicans Want To Save Billions In Surplus Tax Money In State Rainy Day Fund

-- PA Capital-Star: It’s State Budget Season In PA, Here Are 5 Issues To Look For

-- WESA: As PA Lawmakers Work Out A Budget, Trans Athletes, Liquor, Election Money Take Center Stage

-- PennLive: Business Owners, Officials Call On Legislature To Release More Federal American Rescue Plan Funds To Help Small Businesses

-- Scranton Times Editorial: No Need For General Assembly To Sit On Federal Recovery Cash

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Bridge-Tolling Opponents Urge PennDOT To Find Another Funding Source

-- MCall - Paul Muschick: Yes! Nearly 24,000 Turnpike Toll Deadbeats Could Have Vehicle Registrations Suspended

-- COVID Pandemic/Health

-- MCall: PA COVID Update - Infection Rates Decline Again To 22,564 Last Week, With 159 Deaths

-- Scranton Times: New COVID Cases Dropping, But Virus Isn’t Disappearing

-- Dept. Of Health Monthly Update On COVID Trends

-- WESA: COVID Levels In Allegheny County Wastewater Decline

-- AP: Gov. Wolf Tests Positive For COVID, Again

-- Inquirer: Research Behind COVID Vaccines Reaps Close To $1 Billion In Royalties For University Of Pennsylvania

-- WHYY: Battle Continues Over Vaccination Powers For PA Pharmacies

-- Post-Gazette: In Western PA, Pandemic Failed To Spur Health Care Initiatives For Basic Medical Issues

-- Citizens Voice: State Provides $350,000 To Wilkes University To Launch Marijuana Chemistry Education Program

-- WESA: State Drops Controversial Pro-Union Language In Medicaid Contracts

-- WESA: Advocates Call For Statewide Support For Needle Exchange Programs In PA

-- School Districts/Higher Education

-- LancasterOnline: Activists Rally Outside Sen. Martin’s Office Demanding Fair Funding For PA Schools

-- Inquirer: Suburban Philly School Superintendents Call For Curbing Payments To Private Charter Schools

-- TribLive/The Center Square: Tens Of Millions Of PA School Dollars ‘Unauditable’

-- TribLive Editorial: Audits Are Where School Districts Have To Show Their Work

-- LancasterOnline: Elizabethtown School District Denies Request To Remove ‘Me And Earl And The Dying Girl’ From Library

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: PA’s Version Of ‘Don’t Say Gay’ Law Poised For Introduction

-- TribLive: Mt. Lebanon Moms Sue Teacher, District Over Gender Identity Lessons

-- MCall - Ford Turner: PA Senate Passes Bill To Ban Transgender Athletes From Girls’ School Sports

-- TribLive: Penn Hills School District To Have Increased Police Presence Due To Threat

-- MCall: Meeting On Critical Race Theory Attracted East Penn School District Residences, Instead Of Race, They Heard About Math Scores, Life Skills

-- Inquirer: Research Behind COVID Vaccines Reaps Close To $1 Billion In Royalties For University Of Pennsylvania

-- Citizens Voice: State Provides $350,000 To Wilkes University To Launch Marijuana Chemistry Education Program

-- Wilkes-Barre Guest Essay: Investing In State-Owned Universities Is Good For PA

-- TribLive Editorial: Rep. Nelson’s College Voucher Bill Leaves Many Questions

-- Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

-- Gov. Wolf Commends U.S. House For Passing Gun Violence Prevention Act, U.S. Senate Now Has Chance To Stand Up For Americans

-- City & State PA: Can Pennsylvania Pass Significant Gun Reform?

-- AP: State Capitol Rally Urges Action To Fight Crime, Aid Victims

-- Erie Times: Fairview High School Students Protest Gun Violence

-- Erie Times: ‘Guilt And Terror’: Teachers Reflect On Shooting At Erie High School

-- Post-Gazette: 2 People Shot In Drive-By Attack Outside Pittsburgh Banquet Hall

-- AP: U.S. Sees Heightened Domestic, Violence Extremists Heading Into Midterm Elections

-- Courier Times: Assault-Style Gun Ban Introduced In PA Senate

-- MCall Guest Essay: Pennsylvanians Need Policy And Courage, Not More Thoughts And Prayers

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: Our Leaders Have Failed Us On Gun Violence, Let’s Take The Power Back - Rev. Sandra Strauss, PA Council Of Churches

-- MCall Guest Essay: PA Lawmakers Have Duty To Prevent Gun Violence - Rep. Schlossberg

-- Inquirer: Chaos, Terror On South Street: Multiple Gunmen Fired Into Crowds On ‘A Dark Day For Philadelphia’

-- Inquirer: 2 Men Will Be Charged In South Street Mass Shooting, Philly DA’s Office Said

-- Inquirer Editorial: Weekend Mass Shooting A Stark Reminder Of Philly’s Thwarted Efforts To Tighten Gun Laws

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: PA Supreme Court Should Allow Cities To Impose Gun Regulations

-- Williamsport Sun Editorial: Gun Owners’ Rights Are Not A Municipal Matter

-- PennLive Editorial: 3 Things PA Lawmakers Should Do To Protect Our Children [Gun Laws]

-- Post-Gazette: Federal Judge Denies Gun Supply Business Order Against ATF For Enforcing Prohibition Against Selling Ghost Gun Parts

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Ghost Guns From Ghost Leadership

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Downtown Shooting Shows Risks Of Idealistic Bail Reform

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Leaders Brace For Busy Weekend Amid Ongoing Violence

-- City & State PA: In Wake Of Philly Mass Shooting, An Existential Threat To Businesses

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Are You Pro-Business?  Then You Should Be Pro-Gun Control, Too

-- TribLive Editorial: Violence Curbs Business Success

-- Inquirer: Philly’s Mayor Says He Has $184 Million Anti-Violence Strategy, Some Say Plan Is Inadequate

-- WHYY: Philly Major Says Removing Guns Only Way To Stop Increased Street Violence

-- Inquirer: Clerical Error Allowed Philly Mass Shooter To Get A Carry Permit, Despite Earlier Run Arrest

-- WESA: Allegheny County Council Asks General Assembly For More Power To Make Local Gun Regulations

-- WESA: Court Says Allegheny County DA Wrong To Dismiss Citizen Complaints Against Pittsburgh Assault Weapons Ban

-- Scranton Times: 5 Years After Weis Market Shooting In Wyoming County, Survivor Continues Journey To Heal

-- Erie Times: Erie ‘Juvenile Lifer’ To Be Sentenced Again For Murder Of 5-Year-Old

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Jamming The Revolving Door Between Prison And The Streets

-- PA Capital-Star: Latino Community Urges Reopening Of Pittsburgh’s Immigration Court

-- PA Economy

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: Unleash PA Growth By Cutting Corporate Taxes And Regulatory Red Tape - PA Chamber Of Commerce  [In addition to the $30.7 Billion in federal aid PA businesses received]

-- Post-Gazette - Anya Litvak: Absenteeism, Supply Chain Issues During Pandemic Put Mark On Pittsburgh-Area Manufacturers

-- PennLive - Jan Murphy: Transforming The State’s Hiring Process To Make State A ‘Premier Employer’

-- Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh-Area Members Of Congress Request $108 Million In Projects In 2023

-- Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre Boosts Pay For Summer Jobs, Gets More Applicants

-- Spotlight PA: PA’s Definition Of Broadband Hasn’t Changed In Nearly 20 Years

-- Spotlight PA: Fight Over Public Records Could Threaten Novel Approach To Broadband In Rural PA

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: PA Should Adopt Federal Broadband Definition

-- WHYY: New Baby Formula Plant Gets Another $8 Million From PA

[Posted: June 12, 2022]