News & Brews October 19, 2023
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House bill changing primary ‘too little, too late’
Yesterday, the House voted 104-99 to move the 2024 Pa. primary election from April 23 to April 16. But the Senate, where the bill now heads, has little appetite for this latest proposed change. The Senate previously had voted to move the primary to March 19, and the AP reports that yesterday, Republican Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (Armstrong, Indiana, Jefferson, and Westmoreland counties) said the House bill was “too little, too late.”
Innamorato under fire for breaking debate contract
The Post-Gazette reports that Democrat Sara Innamorato, who is running against Republican Joe Rockey for Allegheny County Executive, is under fire after she “apparently violated an agreement with WTAE and the Pittsburgh chapter of the League of Women Voters, the hosts of a debate this month … not [to] use clips from that debate in political advertising.” According to the contract, “No part of any recording of this debate can be used by any candidate for any purpose whatsoever.” But Innamorato’s latest ad includes a clip from that debate.
Lawmakers ‘chip away’ at budget impasse
The AP reports that “Gov. Josh Shapiro will sign budget-related legislation passed Wednesday to boost Medicaid subsidies for Pennsylvania’s hospitals and ambulance services, provisions that have been stuck in a wider monthslong stalemate.” You’ll recall the stalemate commenced after Gov. Shapiro reneged on his promise to support Lifeline Scholarships after failing to get his own party in the House on board.
Boockvar launches consulting firm
Former Pa. Secretary of State Kathy Boockvar—who came under intense fire for her handling of the 2020 election, has launched an election consulting firm. The stated goal of the firm is to “increase dissemination of accurate election information to voters and the public” and “to help increase trust in and knowledge of our electoral processes.” Boockvar resigned from office after her agency failed to advertise the proposed constitutional amendment opening a window for victims of child sex abuse to sue—derailing the amendment and preventing it from getting on the ballot.
State rep. reportedly to announce bid for Pa. Senate
ABC27’s Dennis Owens reports that per sources, six-term Democrat state Rep. Patty Kim (Dauphin and Cumberland counties) plans to announce today that she’s running for state Senate for the seat currently held by Republican Sen. John DiSanto., Rep. Kim is one of the many on the Left who oppose school choice while sending her own child to private school.