News & Brews September 6, 2023
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Philly police commissioner resigns
Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is resigning her post to become a deputy security chief with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The Inquirer reports, “Outlaw said her departure was voluntary, but it comes just months before Mayor Jim Kenney is set to leave office….” The police commissioner is appointed by the mayor.
Controversial Zappala video now under gag order
A few weeks ago, I shared that Allegheny County DA Stephen Zappala had released a video briefing that raised alarm, as in it, Zappala called individuals “criminals” who have not been prosecuted or convicted. Now, a judge has signed a gag order to keep the video under seal. The issue drew particular attention as Zappala is running for re-election this year. He lost the Democrat primary to Soros-backed Matt Dugan, so instead is running as a Republican, having secured enough write-in votes to do so.
Biden-Harris targeting Pa. with new ad
As part of a 16-week, $25-million ad campaign targeting battleground states, the Biden-Harris campaign is launching a new ad in Pennsylvania. The ad, titled “Got to Work,” seeks to tout Biden’s supposed economic gains. Politics PA reports that it “will run in Pennsylvania on broadcast TV, as well as on digital and Connected TV.” You can watch the ad here.
Op-Ed: Pennsylvanians deserve Right to Work
Mark Mix, president of the National Right to Work Foundation, writes that our lack of Right to Work protections means unions “can legally have a worker fired for not paying union dues or fees.” He notes, “Even union members … believe union affiliation and financial support should be voluntary, with about 80% agreeing that workers ‘should never be forced or coerced to join or pay dues as a condition of employment.’” Yet, while 27 states protect workers via Right to Work laws, Pennsylvania does not. (And, notably, Gov. Shapiro has said that Pa. never will provide such protections while he is governor.)
Dem primary field grows in 10th congressional district
Another Democrat has entered the fray in hopes of challenging GOP U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in south central Pa. in 2024. PennLive reports that Mike O’Brien, a recently retired Marine, has announced his candidacy. He joins two other announced candidates—Sharmaine Daniels and Rick Coplen—as well as rumors of a third. Perry defeated Daniels in 2022 with nearly 54% of the vote.