Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled his administration’s Pennsylvania Climate Action Plan 2021 on Wednesday. Here is the Playbook.
News
‘Tom Wolf wants PA to have a carbon-free electric grid by 2050’: City & State PA reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration on Wednesday unveiled a new plan to fight climate change that calls for the state’s electric grid to be made 100% carbon-free by 2050.”
‘Turnpike’s $104M in unpaid tolls draws senators’ scrutiny’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania senators grilled turnpike executives over their efforts to collect unpaid tolls that amounted to $104 million last year during a hearing Wednesday prompted by an Associated Press report last week regarding some 11 million rides that generated no revenue for the debt-hobbled agency.”
‘Pa. Sen. Mastriano barred from attending private Senate GOP meetings’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, will no longer have access to the closed-door caucus meetings, Jason Thompson, a spokesperson for Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman, R-Centre, confirmed on Wednesday.”
‘Pa. lawmakers know a dementia care crisis is coming. Will they agree on a response?’: Spotlight PA reports that “Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf this week said he supports large investments to address a growing dementia care crisis in one of the nation’s most rapidly aging states, including millions to back contested reforms of Pennsylvania’s troubled eldercare industry. But the governor offered no concrete numbers for the total investment needed and no outline of the political path forward through the GOP-led General Assembly. For their part, legislative leaders declined to comment on what, if anything, must be done.”
‘Pennsylvania high court OKs ‘comfort dogs’ for witnesses’: The Associated Press reports that “a trial witness may be accompanied by a “comfort dog” if the animal will help yield reliable, complete and truthful testimony, the justices ruled Wednesday in a precedent-setting opinion that established a “balancing test” for Pennsylvania judges confronted with such a request.”
‘Here are the candidates to replace Pat Toomey in the U.S. Senate’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania is a marquee political battleground, and it has one of the country’s most critical 2022 campaigns: the wide-open race to replace Toomey, the retiring Republican.”
‘Here are the candidates to replace Gov. Tom Wolf as Pa. Governor’: The Philadelphia Inquirer details which Democratic and Republican candidates have launched campaigns for Governor and which elected officials are likely to run.
‘Senators praised David Cohen at a hearing on his nomination to be ambassador to Canada’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “David L. Cohen, a decades-long fixture in Philadelphia and Pennsylvania’s political, civic and business circles, won bipartisan praise Wednesday during a Senate committee hearing on his nomination to become the U.S. ambassador to Canada.”
‘Pa. state universities’ faculty given job assurance as morale booster as it prepares to consolidate schools’: PennLive reports that “faculty at the 14 state universities will get a three-year reprieve from having to worry about losing their job, provided additional one-time state funding promised by Gov. Tom Wolf and the General Assembly comes through.”
‘Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reports record net income during most recent fiscal year’: PennLive reports that “the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB) on Wednesday released unaudited financial results for fiscal year 2020-21 that reflect record net income and the largest annual sales increase in PLCB history.”
‘School district that shunned mask mandate reverses decision’: The Associated Press reports that “a Pennsylvania school district that openly flouted a statewide mask mandate for K-12 schools has reversed course and said it will require universal masking for students and others inside school buildings.”
‘Pa. legislators promised #MeToo reforms inside Capitol. So far, few changes have become law’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “three years after a handful of sexual harassment and assault cases plagued the Pennsylvania Capitol and prompted calls for reform, little has changed in how the state’s political leaders handle new accusations.”
‘Independent 113th state House candidate off election ballot’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “a state appeals court removed an independent state House candidate from the upcoming election ballot Wednesday after he acknowledged he lacked enough valid signatures on his nomination papers.”
‘Pennsylvania House approves extension for prescription database considered vital to drug abuse fight’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “in its first week of voting since it took on a greater role in fighting the opioid crisis, the state House on Wednesday approved a measure to extend the life of a prescription database considered vital to that fight.”
‘Nearly 100 lawmakers ask Biden admin for details on UPitt’s federally funded fetal tissue research’: Fox News reports that “nearly 100 members of Congress are asking the Biden administration to provide detailed information on abortion procedures that resulted in tissue for federally-funded research at the University of Pittsburgh.”
‘Pennsylvania nurses union holding rallies to push hospitals for improved staffing levels’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia-area nurses represented by the Pennsylvania Association of Staff Nurses and Allied Professionals (PASNAP) are planning go hold a series of “public actions” to call attention to what they say are critical staffing concerns at local medical centers.”
‘PennDOT Says Roundabouts Preventing Injuries And Saving Lives’: KDKA reports that “ PennDOT has said that roundabouts are achieving their goal: saving lives and preventing injuries.”
‘Pennsylvania university tells students ‘action could be taken’ if they use wrong pronouns’: Fox News reports that “a university in Pennsylvania told students that “action could be taken” against them if they do not respect their classmates’ preferred pronouns.”
‘More than 2,500 people are in Pa. hospitals due to COVID-19. That’s 10 times higher than in July.’: PennLive reports that “more than 2,500 people are now being treated in Pennsylvania hospitals for COVID-19, the state Department of Health said Wednesday.”
‘With hard-won support of Philly’s top cop, bill to ban minor traffic stops moves ahead’: WHYY reports that “a bill that would ban police enforcement of certain vehicle stops that disproportionately affect Black drivers moved forward Wednesday after months of debate.”
‘AG touts $26B opioid settlement during visit to North Strabane treatment facility’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro met with workers at Greenbriar Treatment Center in North Strabane Township on Tuesday to discuss how a recent multibillion-dollar settlement with pharmaceutical companies can help them fight the opioid epidemic that continues to claim lives.”
‘Philadelphia leans on past experience in hosting major events during pitch for 2026 World Cup’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia leaders hope the city’s past experience in hosting large-scale events will be an advantage in convincing FIFA officials to bring 2026 World Cup Games to town. FIFA decision makers stopped in Philadelphia on Wednesday as part of a nine-day tour of potential host cities for the 2026 World Cup.”
‘Somerset County district attorney arrested on rape, assault charges’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the Somerset County district attorney was arrested Wednesday amid allegations that he raped and physically assaulted a female acquaintance, Pennsylvania State Police say.”
‘Affordable housing details would be required for developers under proposed Pittsburgh legislation’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “developers seeking approval from the City of Pittsburgh may have to provide affordable housing impact statements, if proposed legislation being considered by City Council is approved.”
‘Former Chester County judge guilty of theft, election code violations’: The Daily Local News reports that “a former Chester County judge charged with using campaign contributions to gamble has pleaded guilty to theft and election code violations.”
‘Pittsburgh City Council Takes Up Ban On Declawing Of Cats’: WESA reports that “Pittsburgh City Council has preliminarily approved legislation that would ban declawing cats within the city. Councilor Bobby Wilson introduced the legislation, which received a warm reception around the council table Wednesday.”
‘Weekly COVID-19 testing now recommended for all unvaccinated Philadelphia students’: KYW Newsradio reports that “there’s new guidance from the city on testing for COVID-19 in schools. The school district this fall has been testing only students who showed symptoms, but the Department of Public Health is now recommending that unvaccinated schoolchildren be screened weekly.”
‘Community members urge Pa. to nix Covanta permit renewal’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection held a virtual hearing Wednesday in which members of the public urged the agency not to renew the Title V operating permit for Covanta Delaware Valley’s waste-to-energy facility on Highland Avenue in Chester.”
‘Pittsburgh city schools may form group to address education issues caused by pandemic’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the Pittsburgh Public Schools may form a committee to help it develop policies that will address the negative impact that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the educational progress of students.”
‘Bogen hears concerns about lack of fans masking at Heinz Field’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “Allegheny County Health Department Director Dr. Debra Bogen said Wednesday she’s heard from people who attended Sunday’s Pittsburgh Steelers games concerned by how few people in the stands were wearing masks to protect against Covid-19.”
‘With U.S. Steel looking to build new mini-mill, local leaders pitching Johnstown’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “Johnstown’s government representatives are hoping to court U.S. Steel Corp. back to town.”
‘Erie Mayor Joe Schember reflects on successes, critics as he cruises toward 2nd term’: The Erie Times-News talks with Erie Mayor Joe Schember about his first term.
‘Election Board fires back in suit over DA election’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “in a continuing battle of court briefs, the Luzerne County Election Board presented new arguments on why a judge should reject an injunction that would stop the board from holding the county District Attorney election Nov. 2.”
Opinion
Malcolm Kenyatta: Pennsylvania is on the precipice of a major political showdown over voting rights
Peter Schweyer: How Pennsylvania Senate Republicans are putting your personal information at risk
Art Haywood: Biden’s infrastructure plan would help Philly fulfill clean water promise
Deja Alvarez: Let’s Stop Focusing On Disaster Cleanup
Jonathan Lipman: Million dollar investments from Penn, the city, and William Penn Foundation push us closer to climate crisis
Inquirer Editorial Board: The Big Lie gets more dangerous with every step it takes
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Banning books and other materials by, and about, people of color was a misguided attempt to whitewash education
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Rallying against Alzheimer’s epidemic
Rory Fleming: Perry Co.’s DA could put a homeless man in jail over a Mountain Dew. Is that justice?
Ash Fritzsche: New legislation could use union workers to detox and upgrade Philly’s broken schools
Helen Ubiñas: New murals of formerly incarcerated Philadelphians aim to change the narrative of life after prison
Christine Flowers: What makes the Gabby Petito case so special?
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By: John Cole
Title: September 23rd Playbook
Sourced From: www.politicspa.com/september-23rd-playbook-3/99148/
Published Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2021 12:21:17 +0000
