News & Brews May 2, 2022
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GOP insiders concerned over potential Mastriano nomination
The Inquirer reports that “most Pennsylvania Republican insiders see [GOP gubernatorial candidate Doug] Mastriano, one of the state’s leading election deniers, as the front-runner for the party’s nomination for governor — and are increasingly worried about it.” The story highlights concerns that Republicans may be ‘blowing their chance’ to nominate a candidate who would have a better shot at beating Democrat Josh Shapiro in November.
Op-Ed: ‘Elon musk demonstrates the power of entrepreneurs’
Our president and CEO, Matt Brouillette, writes in The Hill that varying opinions surrounding Elon Musk’s purchase of Twitter notwithstanding, at its root, his move is “a lesson in the power of entrepreneurship to shape American culture.”
WSJ: Trump’s influence faces test in May primaries
Pennsylvania gets a lot of attention in this Wall Street Journal piece, which notes that our May Republican primary for U.S. Senate, along with primaries in several other states, “represent[s] the biggest test yet of Donald Trump’s post-presidential influence on the Republican electorate, with the outcomes carrying implications for his potential third White House campaign and control of Congress.” Read more here (paywall).
Lawmaker aims to remove licensing roadblocks for cosmetology industry
Right now, a cosmetologist in Pennsylvania “must take a minimum of 1,250 hours of instruction at a licensed cosmetology school or have worked as an apprentice for at least 2,000 hours” in order to get a state license. The Morning Call reports that Rep. Dawn Keefer (York & Cumberland counties) plans to introduce legislation that “will help skilled professionals get to work without needing to undergo predatory cosmetology programs and burdensome licensing requirements.”
What’s on tap when lawmakers return to session after the primary?
Lawmakers are on recess until after the May 17 primary election. The Post-Gazette reports that when they return, budget negotiations will be in full force and three key fiscal issues at the center of the debate will be Pitt funding, the corporate net income tax, and what to do with remaining federal Covid relief funds.