News & Brews June 2, 2023
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DePasquale announces run for attorney general
Yesterday morning, former Auditor General Eugene DePasquale announced he will run for state attorney general in 2024. DePasquale, a Democrat, is the first candidate formally to enter the fray, and he enters the race highlighting his “strong progressive credentials.” DePasquale served two terms as state auditor general, and prior to that, he served in the Pa. state House. The Inquirer reports that other rumored candidates include former U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, Bucks County Solicitor Joe Khan, former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain, and state Reps. Craig Williams, Jared Solomon, and Natalie Mihalek.
‘Disconnect between student enrollment and teacher hiring’
Union researcher and self-proclaimed ”critic” Mike Antonucci writes that as public school enrollment has declined, the number of instructional staff has increased. These include “teachers, principals, counselors and other certified professionals.” In fact, “between 2020 and 2021, schools had 8,000 fewer students and 14,000 more teachers.” This data exposes a “disconnect between student enrollment and teacher hiring.”
Op-Ed: ‘Pa. budget should prioritize economic growth, workforce development’
Pa. Chamber of Business and Industry President and CEO Luke Bernstein has an op-ed in RealClear Pennsylvania highlighting bipartisan areas where lawmakers can improve the commonwealth’s economic climate. Specifically, he focuses on tax reform, permitting reform, and workforce development as areas ripe for attention as budget negotiations proceed.
Fetterman, Casey split on debt ceiling vote
Senators John Fetterman and Bob Casey cast opposing votes last night on legislation to raise the debt ceiling. While the Senate passed the measure 63-36, Fetterman was one of four Democrats to vote against it (five if you count Sen. Bernie Sanders, who technically is an Independent). Casey, meanwhile, was a ‘yes’ vote. The bill now heads to President Biden, who said he looks “forward to signing … [it] into law as soon as possible.”