News & Brews March 24, 2022
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PSERS names new chair of investment committee
Yesterday, our state’s largest pension fund announced the election of PSERS Trustee Richard Vague as the new chair of the fund’s investment committee. Following the vote, Joe DiStefano, who’s covered the PSERS drama for the Inquirer, tweeted some additional info: “PA banking sec and ex banker Richard Vague, who supported leadership change and opposed private investments, succeeds teacher Jason Davis as Pa. $75B school investment chair after Davis drops out. Sen Muth abstained, denying Vague outright majority. Davis now vice chair.”
Auditor General to transfer school audits back to Dep’t of Education
Auditor General Tim DeFoor announced his office will transfer the responsibility of specific school audits back to the Department of Education, which handled the audits until several decades ago when it asked the Auditor General’s office to take over. PennLive reports, “The types of audits being transferred back to the education department look at whether schools performed the required number of fire drills, checked teacher certification and made sure districts were properly reimbursed by the state for transportation costs,” according to DeFoor’s office, which added, “These were not fiscal audits of a school district. School boards hire independent CPA firms to do those independent fiscal audits to make sure that the money that people are paying to the school district in taxes is being properly accounted for.” Read more here.
Watch replay: GOP gubernatorial candidates talk issues at Erie forum
Yesterday, seven GOP candidates for governor participated in a forum hosted by the Manufacturer & Business Association, discussing “their views on infrastructure, the economy, education and other important topics affecting Pennsylvania’s workforce.” Scroll down at this link to watch the full replay. And tonight at 7pm, candidates will gather at a forum hosted by the PA Family Institute and Talk Radio WPHT 1210 Philadelphia. Click here for info on how to watch.
Battle for Hispanic voters comes to Allentown
RealClear Pennsylvania Deputy Editor Michael Torres writes, “The battle for Hispanic voters in traditional Democratic strongholds is intensifying in Pennsylvania. Last month, the Republican National Committee opened a Hispanic community center in Allentown, the state’s third-largest city. It’s the sixth such center that the RNC has opened nationwide.” Torres notes, however, that some are skeptical of the RNC”s efforts. Click here for more.
PLCB nixes selling CBD edibles, after previously approving
The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board reversed its earlier decision and now says it won’t let beer and wine licensees sell CBD edibles. The AP reports, “The decision to rescind the approval was made at the request of the state Department of Agriculture, which told the liquor board that the sale of such consumable products is illegal in Pennsylvania, a board spokesperson said.” Meanwhile, why again does the PLCB exist?