News & Brews September 28, 2023
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Top Shapiro official ‘abruptly resigns’
Gov. Shapiro’s Secretary of Legislative Affairs, Mike Vereb, resigned suddenly yesterday, with no explanation given. The news release announcing his resignation included a statement from Shapiro’s chief of staff, but no direct comment from Shapiro—a fact that drew attention. Further, Shapiro’s office declined to answer questions about the resignation, and Vereb did not respond to requests for comment.
With budget still incomplete, House leaves town (again)
Spotlight PA reports that three months after the traditional budget deadline, the budget still isn’t complete. Now, after a near three-month hiatus, House lawmakers returned to Harrisburg this week, only to leave again without considering legislation passed by the Senate to help bring the budget to the finish line. All this started after Gov. Josh Shapiro reneged on his promise to support Lifeline Scholarships due to his inability to get his own majority party in the House on board. We’d say Shapiro should spend the next few days working to get his Democrat allies to get the budget done, but he’s off to New Hampshire to seemingly get a head start on his presidential campaign.
Shapiro has, had, will have economic plan
Capitolwire reports that Gov. Josh Shapiro’s “administration is developing a statewide economic development plan to be ready by year’s end. The governor said the plan will help guide state investment decisions, promote Pennsylvania’s areas of economic strength and look at realigning the array of state economic development incentives and programs.” So, nine months into his administration, Shapiro plans to develop a plan.
Looting and lawlessness in Philly
The mass looting in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening that led to the arrests of more than 50 people was not spontaneous. The Inquirer reports that the plans “were an open secret Tuesday, and the destruction was documented in videos through the night.” The criminal activity, which got attention in last evening’s GOP presidential debate, left businesses ransacked and boarded up and many people outraged at the continued lack of enforcement of the law by elected officials in Philadelphia.
Ed Funding Commission resumes hearings today
The Basic Education Funding Commission will continue its hearings today, with a 10:00 a.m. meeting in Hanover, Pa. Click here for the agenda, and click here to watch the live stream at 10:00 a.m.
Fetterman’s non-dress code is no more
Well, it turns out Sen. John Fetterman will no longer be able to wear a hoodie and shorts on the Senate floor. Yesterday, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution reinstating a formal dress code after Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had previously ditched the code simply because Fetterman didn’t like it. Glad America resolved this totally avoidable problem.