News & Brews April 28, 2023
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Poll: Philly mayoral primary is ‘dead heat’
The Inquirer reports that a new poll shows the Democrat mayoral primary in Philly is pretty much tied among the top five contenders. The poll showed: “Rebecca Rhynhart (18%), Cherelle Parker (17%), Helen Gym (15%), Allan Domb (14%), and Jeff Brown (11%) led the pack. The poll’s credibility interval, which is similar to a margin of error, was plus or minus 3.8 percentage points. All five top contenders fell within that margin.”
Committee hearing looks at manufacturing in Pa.
At a House GOP Policy Committee hearing yesterday, lawmakers considered “Pennsylvania’s role in promoting cutting-edge manufacturing and how to prepare the workforce for the jobs of tomorrow.” The first of two panels “focused on the economic impact of current manufacturers in the Commonwealth and what they need to grow and expand.” The second panel highlighted “best practices to prepare the workforce for the jobs and industries of the future….”
Tracking proposed constitutional amendments
Since the beginning of this calendar year, lawmakers have proposed almost 40 changes to our state constitution. Of course, that doesn’t mean most of these proposals will go anywhere. Spotlight PA gives a rundown of what each proposed amendment would do and where it stands in the legislative process.
Union-backed group spends big in county exec. race
The Post-Gazette reports that the union-backed Working Families Party has placed a $260,000 TV ad buy, presumably to boost progressive state Rep. Sara Innamorato’s campaign for Allegheny County executive. Among the Working Families Party’s biggest donors are the Communications Workers of America and SEIU, the story notes. Innamorato is involved in a six-way Democratic primary for county exec. Separately, incumbent County Exec. Rich Fitzgerald is spending almost $50K in ad buys to support Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb to succeed him.
House passes multiple bills with bipartisan support
Despite the divisiveness that’s most often highlighted, House lawmakers do often agree on things. The progressive Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that in their return to session this week, House lawmakers passed eight bipartisan bills, including four with unanimous approval.