News & Brews April 2, 2021
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Pennsylvanians would pay more under Biden’s infrastructure plan
The Center Square reports that President Biden’s proposal to raise corporate taxes to fund his $2 trillion infrastructure package would lead to higher electricity bills for Pennsylvanians. According to Americans for Tax Reform, when the corporate tax rate was cut under the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017, “at least 17 utility companies in Pennsylvania passed $320 million in savings onto customers via a negative credit on their monthly bills.” An increase in the rate would drive an increase in electricity bills. And under the plan, our combined federal and state corporate income tax burden would rise to 35.2%, the 2nd-highest in the nation.
DOH: ‘Freedom’ hinges on vaccine
The word ‘disconnect’ comes to mind here. Secretary of Health Alison Beam says the state needs to convince Pennsylvanians in rural areas that the “freedom” and “local control” they want hinges on people doing what the state wants and getting vaccinated. Hey, if folks want to get vaccinated, by all means go ahead. But I’m thinking Secretary Beam does not accurately grasp what “freedom” and “local control” mean. The odd thing is, unlike Gov. Wolf, she actually is a lawyer.
Fetterman hauls in nearly $4M in Q1
Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s campaign for U.S. Senate raised more than $3.9 million in the first quarter of 2021, according to Fetterman, who announced yesterday that his support has come from more than 90,000 donors. The 2022 PA senate race will be hotly contested as Sen. Pat Toomey is not running for re-election, and Democrats are hoping to flip the seat blue.
Dems complain election hearings going too slowly
As Republican lawmakers in both the House and Senate continue to hold hearings on election reforms, Democrat lawmakers are upset the hearings are taking so long, complaining that changes won’t be in place for the May primary election. Republicans, meanwhile, note that they’re focused on making improvements in time for the November general election.
Where big teachers unions really stand on reopening schools
On March 19, American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingartensaid her union has “been trying to reopen schools since last April.” I think someone forgot to tell Weingarten that Opposites Day was actually in January of this year, not March. Because in reality, her union has been trying for a year to do exactly the opposite. The 74’s Mike Antonucci has a roundup of how AFT affiliates nationwide have fought to keep schools closed. Not surprisingly, the Philadelphia Federation of Teachers makes the list.
VoteYesPA to restore legislative check on Wolf’s emergency powers
As Pennsylvanians prepare to vote on May 18 on two proposed constitutional amendments that would restore a legislative check and balance on Gov. Wolf’s emergency powers, we’ve launched VoteYesPA to urge voters to support both amendments! Visit www.voteyespa.com for resources including a link to request a mail-in ballot, a VoteYesPA sign you can download and print, a sample email businesses can send encouraging others to vote yes on May 18, and more.