News & Brews February 13, 2023
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Dems have House control — can they govern?
The Inquirer looks at Democrats’ new “by the skin of their teeth” control of the Pa. House, highlighting the unpredictability of the rest of this legislative session. Democrats hold a 102-101 majority, and this means they’ll “need to ensure every single member of the caucus supports their legislation. Then they’ll need to reach compromises with the GOP-controlled state Senate.” Meanwhile, it’s never too early to start thinking about 2024. And the story notes that “Democrats will use this legislative session to bolster their numbers and try to create a larger majority next session. Republicans will use it to try to win back the House.”
Fetterman discharged from hospital
Sen. John Fetterman was discharged from the hospital on Friday, with tests finding “no evidence of a new stroke or seizure,” the AP reports. Fetterman had been hospitalized after feeling lightheaded at an event on Wednesday evening.
Editorial: Expand school choice
The PennLive Editorial Board takes a strong stance and says, “Pennsylvania should expand school choice, not prop up a broken public school system.” The editorial follows last week’s Commonwealth Court ruling that Pa.’s system of funding public education is unconstitutional. The Ed Board urges Gov. Shapiro “to rethink the entire educational system, expand school choice and do what’s best for Pennsylvania’s kids.”
Johnny Doc rethinking support for his successor
After Philly labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty resigned as head of IBEW Local 98 following conviction on federal bribery charges, he backed Mark Lynch as his successor. Now, Dougherty seems to be seeking to oust Lynch. For his part, Lynch appears to have no interest in keeping good relations with Johnny Doc. Lynch said, “I have neither the time nor interest in responding to the attacks of individuals whose own past actions have resulted in their current situations.”
With Eagles’ Super Bowl loss, Shapiro loses bets
Well, it looks like the Kansas City Chiefs’ flag will hang in Gov. Shapiro’s office this week. This is because of a bet Shapiro made with Missouri Gov. Mike Parson. And because of a bet with Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly, Shapiro will be sending her “soft pretzels from Philly Style Hand Twisted Soft Pretzels Bakery in Bucks County, cheesesteaks from Tony Luke’s in Philadelphia and Eagles mini doughnuts from Collegeville Italian Bakery in Montgomery County.” The Chiefs defeated the Eagles 38-35 in yesterday’s game.