News & Brews July 12, 2024

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Budget: Done

Late yesterday, lawmakers passed and Gov. Shapiro signed a $47.6 billion state budget that increases spending 6.2% over the current fiscal year. PennLive reports that the budget “is about $700 million less than Shapiro sought when he introduced his plan in February. But it still easily sets a record for single-year state spending, and exceeds total revenue from the just completed fiscal year by $2.1 billion.” The budget does not include any cuts to the personal income tax rate, as the Senate had proposed, nor does it include Lifeline (or PASS) Scholarships. It reportedly includes more than $1 billion in new K-12 education spending, divided among several line items. The House voted 122-80 in favor of the spending plan, while the Senate voted 44-5 to pass it.

‘No’ voters on budget blast it as irresponsible

Calling the budget “irresponsible,” a “disaster,” “unsustainable,’ and more, Republican lawmakers who voted “no” issued multiple statements outlining their concerns over the massive spending increase their fellow lawmakers (including some Republicans) supported. See some of the statements (pro and con) here.

Johnny Doc sentenced to six years in prison

Yesterday, a federal judge sentenced former Philly labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty to six years in prison for his bribery and embezzlement convictions. The Inquirer reports that “in a stunning moment from a man who has maintained his innocence for years and insisted he’d be vindicated in court,” Dougherty told the judge “he took ‘full responsibility’ for his crimes.” The judge also sentenced Dougherty to three years probation and 100 hours of community service once he’s released from prison.

Pa. energy advocates react after judge blocks Biden’s LNG export pause

Last week, a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against President Biden’s “temporary pause” on liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, saying his actions were “outside the scope” of his authority. Responding to the ruling, Pennsylvania Energy Infrastructure Alliance spokesman Kurt Knaus said, “This ruling reinforces what we’ve long known: The moratorium, even if temporary, is foolish, dangerous, and harmful to the U.S. economy and our allies overseas.” Meanwhile, Marcellus Shale Coalition President Dave Callahan said, “We call on the Department of Energy to begin processing all pending permit applications immediately.”

Was Philly church’s Biden campaign event allowed?

I stand corrected! Recently, I said that when a pastor backs a Republican from the pulpit, the media goes nuts (“tax status!”), but when the same happens to a Democrat, there’s nary a peep. Well, I was just proven wrong. The Inquirer reports on President Biden’s recent visit to a Philadelphia church, complete with the church’s rousing support of him, and asks, Was this allowed under IRS guidelines for 501c3 nonprofits? (In a few words, no, not really.)

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