News & Brews April 18, 2022
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Polls: Here’s who’s leading in GOP Gov., Senate primaries
On Friday, the Trafalgar Group released new polls of the Republican primaries for governorand U.S. Senate in PA. On the governor’s side, Doug Mastriano is in the lead (21.9%), with Lou Barletta in second (18.8%), followed by Bill McSwain in third (17.4%). More than 19% are undecided. On the Senate front, Mehmet Oz leads (22.7%), followed by David McCormick (19.7%) and then Kathy Barnette (18.4%). Undecideds stand at 17%.
Ad kerfuffle in Dem. Lt. Gov. race
After Democrat Lt. Gov. candidate Brian Sims released an ad noting he’s endorsed Josh Shapiro for governor, Shapiro sent him a cease and desist order, claiming “Not only does the ad mislead voters, it also places Attorney General Shapiro in a false light.” Why would Shapiro not want fellow Dem Sims highlighting an endorsement of Shapiro? The recent op-ed by our president and CEO Matt Brouillette gives a hint.
The latest on election reform efforts
The Post-Gazette reports that following Gov. Wolf’s veto of comprehensive election reform last year, lawmakers are taking a “piecemeal approach … to try and reform parts of the state’s voter expansion they say threaten the safety and security of the state’s elections.” Regarding this and last year’s comprehensive reform effort, GOP Rep. Seth Grove (York County) stated, “I said it in June, it’s the best deal the governor is going to get, and it’s coming to fruition. Things are going to get unwound and unraveled. … ” Read more here.
PA union leaders respond to allegations against PA AFL-CIO incoming president
The progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports, “Labor leaders across the commonwealth are calling for a thorough but expeditious investigation into allegations of workplace misconduct and gender discrimination brought against Pennsylvania American Federation of Labor Secretary-Treasurer Frank Snyder.” The allegations came to light last week. Snyder is scheduled to take over as president of the state AFL-CIO on June 1.
Musician takes union to court over forced dues
A principal timpanist with the Allentown Symphony Orchestra is taking the orchestra and its union to court for refusing to let him play unless he forks over union dues. Glen Wilkofsky argues that the 2018 Supreme Court Janus ruling applies to the union, as the orchestra receives public funding and the union was certified under the state’s Public Employe Relations Act. Read the story here.