News & Brews May 3, 2023
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Media poll finds distrust in media
A new poll from the Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research and Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights finds “[n]early three-quarters of U.S. adults say the news media is increasing political polarization in this country, and just under half say they have little to no trust in the media’s ability to report the news fairly and accurately.” Reporting on the poll, the AP ironically confirms its own bias, noting that the “breakdown in trust may prompt many Americans to reject the mainstream news media, often in favor of social media and unreliable websites that spread misleading claims…” In other words, the mainstream media is concerned that Americans don’t trust the mainstream media because they may go to other sources which, per the mainstream media, clearly aren’t accurate. Let’s just say the AP won’t be winning any awards for self-awareness.
Pa. lost 14K residents and $1.8 billion in 2020
The Center Square reports that per IRS data, Pennsylvania had “a net loss of 14,376 people” in 2020, “taking with them $1.86 billion in adjusted gross incomes.” The trend isn’t new, and “[f]rom 2010-2018, Pennsylvania lost $10.4 billion in gross income ”
Garrity leads national challenge to new mortgage fees
Pa. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity is leading a national pushback against the Biden administration’s new federal mortgage fees. The Center Square reports that the new rates, “raise upfront fees for some borrowers with credit scores over 679 and down payments between 5% and 20%.” Meanwhile, “borrowers with down payments of less than 5% will pay smaller fees — no matter their credit score.” Garrity called the new fee structure “absurd” as is “makes it more expensive for people with good credit to buy houses.”
House passes bill forcing doctors to take part in sex reassignment surgeries
Yesterday, the House passed HB300 which, among other things, would force physicians to participate in sex reassignment surgeries regardless of whether it violates their medical judgement or moral beliefs. The vote was 102-98. Two Republicans voted in favor of the bill, while one Democrat opposed it. Following the vote, freshman GOP state Rep. Stephenie Scialabba (Butler County) issued a statement, which said in part, “This legislation is not what it purports to be. It introduces gender ideology to school children, requires shared locker rooms, erases women’s sports and hijacks the practice of medicine.” During a hearing, Democrat Rep. Emily Kinkead (Allegheny County) confirmed that physicians would be forced to comply.
Pa. House GOP to talk priorities at morning press conference
This morning at 9:30 a.m., Pa. House Republican leadership will hold a press conference to discuss the “caucus platform and priorities.” The event will be live-streamed here.