News & Brews April 14, 2021
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Hospitality industry testifies of impact of Wolf’s shutdowns
Yesterday, the Senate Majority Policy Committee held a hearing on the economic impact of Gov. Wolf’s business shutdowns on the state’s hospitality and tourism industries. Testifiers spoke of the “devastating” impact of Wolf’s shutdown orders and blamed the governor for creating an “unequal playing field.”
About those private election grants…
Last year, at least 21 PA counties received about $20.8 million to ‘help’ with elections from the Mark Zuckerberg-funded Center for Tech and Civic Life. Despite the claim that this money went to both red and blue counties, a Broad + Liberty analysis shows the grants “were heavily skewed toward counties with high Democratic registration and recent voting turnout.” How convenient.
Following federal guidance, PA ‘pauses’ J&J vaccine
The Wolf administration said the impact of halting the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine until at least April 20 will be small in PA, given most people have been getting either the Moderna or Pfizer shots. The halt came following a federal recommendation after several women experienced unusual blood clots.
Anti-charter-school media strikes again
We rarely expect the progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star to offer unbiased perspective, and its latest piece on cyber charter schools is no exception. Let’s review some truths: Education dollars should go to educate children, not prop up a system. If parents are “flocking” to charter schools, it’s because their district schools aren’t providing the quality they want for their kids. If district schools were confident in their product, they wouldn’t be so opposed to competition. Oh, and for every child that leaves a district school to attend a charter, the district keeps a portion of the revenue for that student. When was the last time one of your customers went to a competitor but you kept part of the revenue from that customer? Never? Shall I go on?
State police to alter fitness requirements so more women pass
The Associated Press reports that per a court settlement, our state police will change its fitness standards so more women pass. The agency will also prioritize hiring as many as 65 women who couldn’t make it through the earlier standards. I don’t know about you, but this makes me feel SUPER safe. After all, our police force should never prioritize public safety (that’s so yesterday….), only gender. Who’s with me? Relatedly, I’m wondering if all the Democrat state lawmakers (and candidates) who signed onto a “Defund the Police” platform last year will now want to change their minds. Otherwise, are they anti-women? Hmmm.
On May 18, VoteYesPA to save lives and livelihoods
On May 18, voters can approve two proposed constitutional amendments that would restore a legislative check and balance on Gov. Wolf’s (and any future governor’s) emergency powers. Check out VoteYesPA.com, which has resources including 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.