News & Brews March 4, 2022
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Wolf lashes out at lawmakers for seeking energy independence from Russia
Yesterday, Gov. Wolf issued a ridiculous attack on Republican lawmakers who are seeking to unleash Pennsylvania’s energy potential in order to reduce reliance on Russian energy—which Putin depends on to fund his continued attack on Ukraine. Wolf praised himself for seeking “to strike a balance between natural gas development and environmental protection.” In reality, Wolf has stymied Pennsylvania’s natural gas production. And while Wolf ‘strikes a balance,’ Russia strikes Ukraine. We issued our own response to Wolf’s attacks. Read it here.
Shapiro says TikTok harms kids, but he’s using it to campaign
Democrat Attorney General and gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro has joined a group of attorneys general launching a nationwide investigation into TikTok for potentially harming the mental health of young people. In a statement, Shapiro said, “My job is to protect all Pennsylvanians, especially children, from online threats. Parents and children deserve to know the risks associated with these platforms. And if TikTok is found to have prioritized business growth over the physical and emotional well being of Pennsylvania’s children, they will be held responsible for that.” If TikTok is so harmful to youth, why is Josh Shapiro using it to campaign for governor?
Takeaways from yesterday’s House budget hearings
House Appropriations Committee Chair Stan Saylor (York County) released several takeaways from his committee’s budget hearings yesterday with the Department of Health and Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs. Among them: DOH wants $5 million for gene therapy research but had only one line on what this means. When asked for more info, DOH couldn’t give details. Read more takeaways here.
Allegheny County GOP head considering congressional bid
Allegheny County GOP Chair Sam DeMarco is reportedly “testing the waters” for a run for congress in the newly mapped 17th district. The seat will be open this year, as incumbent Democrat Rep. Conor Lamb is running for U.S. Senate. The Post-Gazette has more.