June 10: Taking Credit

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Top Story

1. How Vulnerable GOP Lawmakers Are Taking Credit For An Infrastructure Law They Opposed

“Billions of dollars in infrastructure funding are flowing into cities and towns nationwide, nearly three years after Congress passed a $1.2 trillion bipartisan bill approving the cash.

And some vulnerable House Republicans, including Rep. Scott Perry, are tacitly taking credit for the local funds, despite opposing that bill.

Those moves will test how much voters care about federal dollars’ ability to create local jobs and investments and how much credit they’re willing to give lawmakers who are playing both sides of the issue.” (Politico)

Related

Government Shall Unseal Documents Tied To Scott Perry Cellphone Warrant, Judge Orders. “The public is one step closer to seeing the contents of the warrant served on Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry for his cellphone as part of the Department of Justice’s Jan. 6 investigation.” (York Dispatch)

Trump’s Youth Movement. “Why some young voters in deep blue Philadelphia are backing the former president.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

AJC Survey Finds Significant Majorities Of Jews Concerned About Antisemitism, Support Israel. “It also finds that President Joe Biden is maintaining most of his support within the Jewish community in anticipation of a 2024 presidential rematch against former President Donald Trump. ” (Jewish Insider)

Trump’s Mail-In Ballot Reversal: As He Backs It, GOP Lawyers Are Still Fighting Against It. “Still-pending lawsuits are in various stages of litigation in closely contested states like Nevada, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan. The Trump forces are seeking to disqualify mail-in ballots received after Election Day with no postmark. They also want to eliminate mail-in ballots that are not filled out property or have alleged issues about signature verification.” (USA Today)

Why Robert F. Kennedy’s Jr.’s Current Presidential Polling Numbers Might Not Hold Up Into November. “It is pretty common for third-party candidates to look like they have polling momentum in the months before an election, only to come up far short at the ballot box, according to an Associated Press analysis of Gallup data going back to 1980.” (AP)

State

2. Cyber Charter Changes That Could Save Public Schools $530M May Be In This Year’s Budget

“Pennsylvania’s public school districts could save roughly $530 million annually if the legislature makes long-sought changes to how cyber charters are funded.

Democratic and Republican lawmakers told Spotlight PA such reforms could be included in this year’s budget, which is expected to focus on education. The Democratic-controlled state House is already moving a sweeping bill that would cap the tuition that districts pay to cyber charters, change the tuition calculation for disabled students, and increase oversight.

“It’s no secret that education is the centerpiece of this budget,” said state Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford), the minority chair of the House Education Committee.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Fetterman Explains Political Independence: “I’ve Been Dead Once Already, It’s Very Liberating” “Sen. John Fetterman on Friday’s edition on ‘Real Time’ explained to HBO’s Bill Maher the “freeing” feeling of being able to speak without fear of blowback and quoted Joker from the critically acclaimed major motion picture Batman starring Michael Keaton and Jack Nicholson, “I’ve already been dead once already. It’s very liberating.”” (Real Clear Politics)

Got Raw Milk? Despite Health Concerns, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Even New Jersey Look To Loosen Regulations. “The U.S. Food & Drug Administration says raw milk “can harbor dangerous germs that can pose serious health risks.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Israeli Divestment Ban Proposed in Pennsylvania. “Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to protect the state’s Israeli financial holdings despite mounting public pressure to cut ties amid the ongoing war with Hamas.” (The Center Square)

Push For Local Tourism Districts Advance in Pennsylvania House. “House Bill 1891, introduced by Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Wyomissing, would give counties and municipalities the option to create a tourism improvement district and establish a tax to support it.” (Broad + Liberty)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Western PA Education Leaders Seek Solutions To Statewide Teacher Shortage

“Thousands of teaching positions in Pennsylvania were vacant or filled by someone on an emergency certificate in the past year, leaving education across the state in crisis mode, one industry onlooker said.

More than 2,000 teaching positions were vacant in Pennsylvania as of October, according to data released by the state. Six in 10 of those positions were filled with a substitute teacher, while 40% remained vacant, resolved by teachers covering classes during their free periods or students being assigned to other sections of a course.

In Laura Boyce’s assessment, the state is in a crisis.” (Tribune-Review)

Related

Coalition of Philly Public School and Charter Officials Call On PA Lawmakers To Approve House Democrats’ Funding Plan. “The unusual 15-member coalition, led by Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and City Council President Kenyatta Johnson, includes public school, charter school and union officials from groups such as the African American Charter School Coalition, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers, Esperanza, and SEIU 32BJ.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Jay-Z’s Roc Nation Launches Campaign To Help Philly Students Attend Private School. “The organization announced plans for an educational campaign for Philadelphia that will secure about $300 million in scholarships for kids in grades K-12 from low-income households so they can attend one of the city’s array of private schools.” (NBC Philadelphia)

Election Workers Worry That Federal Threats Task Force Isn’t Enough To Keep Them Safe. “Aiming to send a message, the Biden administration recently spotlighted its indictments and convictions in cases involving threats to election officials or workers. But with no letup in reports of attacks, some elections professionals say federal law enforcement still isn’t doing enough to deter bad actors and ensure that those on the front lines of democracy are protected this fall.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Small Games Of Chance In PA May Be Big Business, But Social Clubs Want Bigger Payouts. “The Mechanicsburg Club donated nearly half a million dollars to community nonprofits over the past three years from its small games of chance proceeds. It’s a stunning amount coming out of the pockets of its nearly 2,700 members, but club officers believe the amount could be even higher. The only thing holding them back is the state’s small games of chance law.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Pennsylvania Needs To Ensure All Ballots Are Counted on Election Day. (Rep. Bryan Cutler)
• Republicans Came To Philly To Court Black Voters — And Wound Up Insulting Them Instead. (Jenice Armstrong)
• Return Some Of Pennsylvania’s Surplus To The People — But Not Too Much. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Americans Can Separate Decency From Deception. (Mark S. Singel)
• The Governor’s Education Budget is a No-Brainer. (Dr. Susan Boser)
• In Erie Co. Both Parties Support Mail-In Voting – Here Are Ways To Make It Better. (Kyle Foust)
• Trump Ramps Up Violent Rhetoric After Guilty Verdict – And GOP Just Keep Ignoring It. (Chris Brennan)

1 Thing

5. Protecting Buckingham Palace

The best mascot in sports!

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