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

Because In Politics Everything Is Connected To Everything Else--

-- New Voting Districts - Senate, House, Congressional

-- Inquirer: House Republican Leader Appealing State Voting District Maps To U.S. Supreme Court

-- MCall - Ford Turner: Allentown House District Cited In House Republican Challenge To Voting Districts Appealed To U.S. Supreme Court

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: With New Legislative Voting District Maps, PA Communities Of Color Can Elect Leaders That Represent Them - PA Voice

-- Governor’s Race

-- WESA: Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano Paid $5,000 To Social Media Platform Gab Used By Tree Of Life Synagogue Shooter, Conspiracy Theorists, For Antisemitic Content  

-- Inquirer: Republican Candidate For Governor Mastriano Claims Secret Democratic Support As More Republicans Oppose Him

-- Inquirer: A ‘Blockbuster’ Movie About Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Is Ready To Premiere If A Theater Will Show It

-- LancasterOnline: 2nd Venue Cancels Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano’s Movie In Lancaster County 

-- York Dispatch: Theaters Take A Pass On Movie About Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Movie About Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano To Premier In Cumberland County Church

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: Crowds Gather For Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Film Screening At Cumberland County Church

-- LancasterOnline Editorial: Lancaster Movie Houses Rightly Reject Mastriano Movie, Other Christian Nationalism Propaganda

-- PennLive: PA Republican Players Form Pro-Shapiro PAC To Buck ‘Unacceptable’ Mastriano

-- Post-Gazette - Julian Routh: Seeing PA As Battlefield, Ex-President’s Opponents Unite Against Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano

-- PennLive Guest Essay: Pro-Shapiro Republican Players Against Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Mastriano Is A Sign Of The Real Battle Ahead - Jeffrey Lord 

-- Erie Times: Why PA Governor’s Race Means The Difference Between Life & Death To Some

-- Inquirer Editorial: With Democracy At Risk, Some PA Republicans Wisely Break With One Of Their Own

-- Inquirer: College Tweets By Austin Davis Coming Back To Haunt Him In Race For Lt. Governor

-- U.S. Senate Race

-- AP: Fetterman Absence From Campaign Trail Raises Stakes For Democrats In Key U.S. Senate Race

-- PA Capital-Star: Fetterman Recruits ‘Jersey Shore’ Reality Star ‘Snooki’ To Help Troll Dr. Oz

-- PennLive: Democratic Mayors Say Fetterman Knows Their Struggles Better Than Dr. Oz

-- Erie Times Guest Essay: To Fight Inflation, Let’s Make More Stuff In America - Lt. Gov. Fetterman

-- Politics PA: Republican Dr. Oz Releases Disappointing Fundraising Numbers In U.S. Senate Race

-- Inquirer: Key Takeaways From Fundraising Reports For U.S. Senate, Congress In PA

 

-- May 2022 Primary Election

-- AP: State Sues Berks, Fayette, Lancaster Counties To Force Them To Count Undated Mail-In Ballots

-- LancasterOnline: Nonvoters Were Among Those Signing Petitions To Demand Recount Of State House, Senate Races In Lancaster County

 

-- November 2022 Election

-- WITF/AP: Pennsylvania Counties Haven’t Done Away With Mail-In Voting

-- AP: State Sues Berks, Fayette, Lancaster Counties To Force Them To Count Undated Mail-In Ballots

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: With New Legislative Voting District Maps, PA Communities Of Color Can Elect Leaders That Represent Them - PA Voice

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Keys To Republican Hispanic Outreach In PA, Nationwide

-- Post-Gazette - Salena Zito: Local Messages, Not Partisan Propaganda, Will Win Over Voters

-- MCall Guest Essay - Bill White: America Must Move Back To Political Center

-- Inquirer: VP Harris Visits Philly To Push For Protection Of Abortion, Voting Rights

-- Election Reform/2020 Election Fallout

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Facts On A Lost, Not Stolen, Election - Joseph Sabino Mistick

-- WITF/AP: Pennsylvania Counties Haven’t Done Away With Mail-In Voting

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: New PA Election Rules Will Make Things Worse

-- Citizens Voice Editorial: Life Preserver For One Election Bogeyman

-- LancasterOnline: Nonvoters Were Among Those Signing Petitions To Demand Recount Of State House, Senate Races In Lancaster County

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

-- York Daily Record: 70 Pennsylvania Residents Arrested For Involvement In Assault On U.S. Capitol - Who They Are [Updated]

-- York Daily Record: Testimony Before U.S. House On Assault On U.S. Capitol Tie Republican Cong. Scott Perry, Philadelphia Proud Boys Leader To Planning To Disrupt Vote Certification 

-- Erie Times: Republican Cong. Kelly Launches Investigation Into His Staff Providing False Elector Paperwork To VP Pence For Nov. 2020 Election

-- Post-Gazette: PA Republican Cong. Kelly ‘Unaware’ Of Fmr Top Aide’s Alleged Involvement In Fake-Elector Scheme  [Continues To Say 2020 Election Was Stolen]

-- Post-Gazette: Federal Judge Refuses To Dismiss Criminal Charge Against Mercer County Woman Accused In Assault Of U.S. Capitol

-- Scranton Times: Lackawanna County Woman Facing Criminal Charges Related To Assault On U.S. Capitol Has Court Hearing Next Week

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Facts On A Lost, Not Stolen, Election - Joseph Sabino Mistick

-- State Constitutional Amendments

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: How Far Will PA Republicans Go To Limit Constitutional Rights? - Patrick Beaty, Fair Districts PA

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

 

-- PA Politics Of Russian Invasion

-- TribLive: Electric Costs Are Up, Here’s How To Shop For Electricity Supplier And Save Money [Caused By Natural Gas Price Spikes]  

-- Marcellus Drilling News: Marcellus/Utica Drillers Reimburse Stockholders As Cash Piles Up 

-- Marcellus Drilling News: Natural Gas Is Hottest Commodity In The World!   U.S. Price Up 100%, Europe 700%

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Jumps 6% On Output Drop, Hotter Forecasts

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Prices Jump 7% As Heat Wave Boosts Air Conditioning Use

-- Reuters: U.S. Natural Gas Futures Jump Another 9% On Output Drop, Hotter Forecasts

-- TribLive: Pittsburgh Gasoline Prices Falling But Remain Higher Than State, National Averages

-- Post-Gazette: High Gasoline Prices Have Some Consumers Looking To Electric Vehicles, But Supply Chains Lag Behind Demand

-- AAA: Prices For Gasoline, Diesel In PA Have Always Been Higher Than National Average

-- White House: Price Of Crude Oil Dropped 20%, Price Of Gasoline Dropped 8%

-- TribLive Guest Essay: Washington’s Corn-Based Ethanol Mandates Are Poorly Timed - Grove City College Professor

-- Harrisburg Politics Potpourri

-- PennLive - John Baer: Lawmakers’ Late-Night Moves On Abortion Amendment Sure Look Familiar

-- AP: Gov. Wolf Says He’ll Protect Abortion Seekers

-- PennLive: PA House Democratic Leader’s Speech For Abortion Rights Goes Viral

-- PennLive - Charles Thompson: PA Law Firm Forced To Turn Over Documents In PA ‘Skill Games’ War [Gambling]

-- WITF/AP: Pennsylvania Toughens Penalties For Repeat DUI Drivers

-- Dept. Of Revenue: Scam Warning: Fraudsters Impersonate Dept. Of Revenue Letters Targeting PA Businesses

-- TribLive Editorial: New Law Past Due To Protect Vulnerable Elderly

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: Gov. Wolf’s Legacy: Lost Lives, Livelihoods, Abandoning The Vulnerable - Commonwealth Foundation

-- PA Horse Racing Commission Releases Equine Safety & Welfare Action Plan Quarterly Report

-- Budget 2022

-- AP: With Lots Of Cash On Hand, PA Wraps Up Budget Deal

-- MCall - Ford Turner: Latest Inflation News Makes PA Leaders Glad They Set Money Aside

-- PennLive Guest Essay: State Budget Reflects Needs Of Today And Tomorrow - House Republican Leader Benninghoff

-- MCall: PA Just Passed Biggest Corporate Tax Cut ‘In More Than A Generation,’ How It Could Make Lehigh Valley More Attractive To Businesses

-- PA Capital-Star: State Budget Added Money For Gun Violence Prevention; Bigger Reforms Left Undone

-- Spotlight PA: Here’s What You Need To Know About PA’s New Child Care Tax Credit

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: ‘Whole Home Repair’ Law Proof Lawmakers Can Work Together When They Want To

-- COVID Pandemic/Health

-- MCall: PA COVID Cases Surge To 20,000, Hospitalizations, Deaths Drop

-- MCall: Newest, Most Contagious COVID Variant In Lehigh Valley; Here’s What Local Experts Say About It

-- TribLive: New COVID Variants Highly Contagious, Immune Evasive, Experts Say

-- Inquirer Guest Essay: New COVID Variant Is The Most Contagious Yet, What Happens Next Is Up To Us

-- MCall/TNS: PA Receives First Major Shipment Of Monkeypox Vaccine

-- Opioid Deaths

-- PA Capital-Star: Local Agencies Respond As Overdoses Surge In Allegheny County

-- Spotlight PA: PA Court System Says It’s Not Responsible For County Judges Banning Opioid Addiction Medication

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Opioid Lawsuit Should Support Effective Drug Treatment

-- School Districts/Higher Education

-- PA Capital-Star Guest Essay: A Bipartisan Plea For Lawmakers To Get Private Charter School Reform Legislation Across The Finish Line - Robert Bleason & Eugene DePasquale

-- PennLive: PIAA Paves Way For High School Athletes To Be Paid With Name, Image And Likeness Plan

-- PennLive: Coaches Hoping ‘Intelligence Prevails’ With Potential NIL Rights For PA High School Athletes

-- Scranton Times Editorial: Reject NIL In High School Athletics

-- Inquirer: Pennsbury School District To Pay 4 Men $300,000 To Settle Lawsuit Over Curtailed, ‘Abusive’  Public Comments

-- WPSU: Penn State President At Center Of Whistleblower Lawsuit Against University Of Louisville

-- Inquirer/Spotlight PA: Judge Makes Public Search Warrants Involving Penn State Student Crime Victims After University Had Them Sealed

-- Post-Gazette: Pitt To Raise Tuition 3.5%, Following Nationwide Trends

-- Gun Violence/Law Enforcement

-- Inquirer: 659 Women Shot In Philadelphia Since 2020, Rising Gun Violence Is Taking Toll On Pregnant Women

-- Inquirer: 14 People Shot, Including 4 Juveniles And A Mother Accompanied By Her Kids During 24 Hours In Philadelphia

-- Inquirer: Photo Project Of 51 Mothers Who Lost Children To Gun Violence Will Debut In Philadelphia Park

-- WHYY: 2 Philadelphia Summer Events Canceled As Gun Violence Escalates

-- Inquirer: 14-Year-Old Turns Himself In For Shooting On SEPTA Platform In Philly

-- Inquirer: Philadelphia Man Who Killed 3 People In Random Attacks Arrested By Police

-- PennLive: 90% Of Shooters In City Of Harrisburg Don’t Get Arrested

-- PA Capital-Star: State Budget Added Money For Gun Violence Prevention; Bigger Reforms Left Undone

-- WESA: AG Shapiro, 19 Other State Attorneys General Defend New Rule To Regulate Ghost Guns

-- Citizens Voice Editorial: Yes, ‘Ghost’ Guns Truly Are Guns

-- Inquirer Editorial: School Shootings, Mental Health Illness, New Gun Safety Law

-- PA Capital-Star: Members Named To House Panel Investigating Philly DA

-- Inquirer: Youthful Offenders Stagger Under Impact Of Restitution Payments, Report Says

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: End Co-Pays For Prison Health Care

-- Inquirer/Spotlight PA: Judge Makes Public Search Warrants Involving Penn State Student Crime Victims After University Had Them Sealed

-- WVIA: Tioga Borough Accepts Resignations From Police Officer, Officials Involved In Hiring Former Cleveland Cop Who Killed 12-Year Old Tamir Rice In 2014

-- PennLive: Centre County DA Went For A Drive 17 Years Ago And Hasn’t Been Seen Since

-- TribLive: Western PA U.S. Attorney Cindy Chung Nominated To Federal Court

-- PA Economy

-- MCall: PA Just Passed Biggest Corporate Tax Cut ‘In More Than A Generation,’ How It Could Make Lehigh Valley More Attractive To Businesses

-- Spotlight PA: Here’s What You Need To Know About PA’s New Child Care Tax Credit

-- PennLive: Hershey Co Proposes Building Massive Manufacturing Facility In Dauphin County

-- PennLive: Federal Aid Program For Businesses Awash In Fraud, One Lender Might Finally Face A Legal Reckoning  [PA Businesses Got $30.7 Billion In Aid]

-- Independent Fiscal Office: Where Did All The Workers Go?

-- Post-Gazette: Bridge Tolling Proposal Dead, Republicans Negotiate New Public-Private Funding Rules With Wolf

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: Make Bridge Assessment Report Public

Other

-- 20th Anniversary Of Quecreek Mine Rescue To Be Celebrated In July 22-23 In Somerset County  ​[PaEN]

-- WITF/AP: Jim Thorpe Reinstated As Sole Winner For 1912 Olympic Gold Medals

-- NextPittsburgh: Steelers Football Fans Oppose Renaming Heinz Field

-- Post-Gazette Editorial: New Steelers Football Stadium Unconnected To Hometown Identity

[Posted: July 17, 2022]