News & Brews April 19, 2023
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The latest on relief for victims of child sexual abuse
Yesterday, the House Judiciary Committee advanced two measures to provide victims of child sex abuse a two-year window to sue. Although the Senate previously passed this effort, the Democrat-controlled House has refused to consider the Senate version as it would also allow voters to weigh in on voter ID and regulatory reform. Meanwhile, the Senate has no intention of re-doing what it’s already done by taking up the House version. The far-left Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.
Disagreement on how to spend opioid settlement money
As attorney general, Gov. Josh Shapiro touted the more than $1 billion settlement reached with opioid companies. (This was even though several counties thought they could have done better for their residents via individual lawsuits rather than through joining Shapiro’s effort). Now, however, disagreement abounds over how to spend this money, as some want more policing and others want more treatment.
Former Philly Councilman Bobby Henon reports to prison
On Monday, former Philadelphia Councilman Bobby Henon reported to a federal correctional institution in New Jersey to serve out a 3-1/2 year sentence. The Inquirer reports that Henon “was convicted in 2021 of selling the powers of his office to labor leader John J. Dougherty in exchange for a $70,000-a-year salary from their politically powerful union, Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.” John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty was long considered the most powerful unelected politician in Philly. Johnny Doc was also convicted on charges of bribery, and “awaits sentencing and two additional trials.”
Op-ed: Unions put politics first
Our President and CEO Matt Brouillette has an op-ed in the American Spectator with Commonwealth Foundation President and CEO Charles Mitchell, highlighting how government unions prioritize their political agenda over the interests of students and teachers. “If we want to make advancements in parental choice and educational freedom,” Matt and Charles write, “we need to rein in the powerful influence of government unions.”
Op-Ed: Stop chasing folks away with high taxes
The Commonwealth Foundation’s Kevin Kane writes that per a new poll, “more than four-in-ten Pennsylvanians have either thought about leaving the state or know someone who has thoughts about leaving or has already left. They point to lower cost of living, better jobs and opportunities, and lower taxes among the top reasons for leaving.” What’s more, “almost 70 percent of Pennsylvanians think their taxes are too high.” To fix the problem, Kane urges “lawmakers to pass the Taxpayer Protection Act (TPA), a constitutional amendment that would tie state spending growth to inflation and population growth.”