News & Brews June 2, 2022
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(Another) hearing set for (another) ballot issue
The Commonwealth Court has scheduled a hearing for this coming Monday on GOP Senate candidate David McCormick’s request for a hand-count of ballots in 12 counties. The Inquirer reports, “McCormick, who trails Oz by fewer than 1,000 votes, or less than 0.1% of the total ballots cast, said in his lawsuit Monday that his campaign has identified data discrepancies in 150 precincts in the 12 counties that require a closer look.” Right now, the recount currently underway must be completed by Tuesday, so who knows how the outcome of Monday’s hearing would impact that timeline.
Business owners pessimistic about state’s economy
A new survey conducted by the Lincoln Institute of Public Opinion & Research found that 49% of business owners in Pennsylvania say economic conditions have worsened over the past six months, while 27% say conditions are the same and 22% say conditions have improved. Lincoln Institute Chairman Lowman Henry explained, however, that “[f]or context, ‘same’ is not good as responses to this question have been substantially negative since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in the spring of 2020.” Among business owners’ top concerns are inflation (67%), labor shortages (42%), and supply chain disruptions (42%). The Center Square has more.
PA public schools see big enrollment drop
Since the beginning of the pandemic, public school enrollment in Philly has dropped 8.9%, and district officials project 7,000 students will exit next year. Statewide, enrollment dropped almost 3% from 2020-22. A key takeaway? “[F]amilies who are frustrated with remote learning and other pandemic-related difficulties are likely to toggle their children to other options like charter schools, private schools, or homeschooling.” Read more at Axios.
Wolf wants $2,000 direct payments to some Pennsylvanians
Gov. Wolf is pitching a plan to send $2,000 directly to Pennsylvania households making under $80,000 to offset the pain of inflation. Of course, this does nothing to actually bring down costs for families. Gee, how about government stop its spending tactics that drive inflation and then government wouldn’t see the need to try to save families from the pain government has created. What a novel idea.
Exit Interviews: Doyle & Keller
City & State PA’s interviews #4 and #5 with exiting public officials are posted. Follow the links for conversations with U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle, who’s retiring after 14 terms in office, and U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, who was drawn out of his current district following redistricting. (If you missed interviews #1-3, they were with Sen. Toomey, Gov. Wolf, and state Sen. Jake Corman.