News & Brews October 13, 2023
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Counties say it’s too late to move 2024 primary date
The AP reports that the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania has sent a letter to Gov. Shapiro and lawmakers that “said there is no longer enough time for counties to handle the tasks associated with moving next year’s primary election from the current date set in law, April 23.” Lawmakers have long spoken of moving the date, both so it wouldn’t conflict with Passover and to give Pennsylvanians a greater voice in the presidential primary. The House and Senate disagree, however, on what the new date should be.
Krasner gets blame on crime at GOP Policy Committee hearing
The Center Square reports that at a House Republican Policy Committee hearing on crime yesterday, “Suburban Philadelphia legislators and law enforcement officials lambasted the city’s crime policies, blaming District Attorney Larry Krasner for not prosecuting criminals.” Krasner has long been criticized for his lax attitude toward prosecuting crime. Among those testifying at the committee were local and county public servants and elected officials.
Fetterman calls on Senate to oust Menendez
Sen. John Fetterman is calling on his colleagues in the U.S. Senate to expel fellow Democrat Sen. Bob Menendez of New Jersey in light of the latest charges against him that he acted as a foreign agent for Egypt. (In case you missed the overarching story of the other charges against Menendez, read it here). Fetterman was the first senator to call for Menendez’s resignation following his indictment last month on bribery charges.
Major UPenn donor calls for leaders to resign over handling of antisemitism
Apollo Global Management CEO Marc Rowan, a Wharton alum who gave $50 million to Wharton School at UPenn in 2018, is calling on the university’s leaders to resign due to their response to antisemitism on campus. The Inquirer reports that Rowan was one of 4,000 alum to send an open letter “challenging Penn’s handling of the Palestine Writes literature festival.” They wrote, “The fact that University of Pennsylvania academic departments are co-sponsoring the festival and its platforming of outright antisemitism without denunciation from the university is unacceptable.” Rowan is also asking other alumni and supporters to “close their checkbooks” until UPenn’s President and Chairman both step down.
Amid criticism from Muslim groups, Shapiro stands with Israel
Several Pa. Muslim groups have criticized Gov. Josh Shapiro, saying that in his statement in support of Israel, Shapiro “chose to intentionally ignore the civilian loss of life in Gaza” and “missed the opportunity to speak as the Governor of all Pennsylvanians.” In response, Shapiro’s office said that the governor had previously agreed to meet with several of the groups at their request, “and the offer remains.” Further, Shapiro’s spokesman said, “Governor Shapiro is pained by the violence and anguish across the region and the loss of innocent lives”, but he “firmly stands by his public comments and his core belief that there is no moral equivalency between Hamas—a terrorist organization—and Israel. In the face of these crimes against humanity, we all must speak with moral clarity and support Israel’s right to defend itself.”