News & Brews August 1, 2024
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Trump returns to Pa.
Marking his first public appearance in Pa. since the July 13 assassination attempt on his life, former President Donald Trump came to Harrisburg yesterday for a campaign rally. The event, at the Pennsylvania Farm Show New Holland Arena, was attended by more than 8,000 people. PennLive highlights that Trump “sees little trouble in pivoting from a race against President Joe Biden to Vice President Kamala Harris, because he sees her as a true believer in the same liberal movement that he thinks is bad for America.”
Op-Ed: Harris & Shapiro are a perfect pair
From scandal to prosecution disasters to leadership ineffectiveness, Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Josh Shapiro share such a similar record that they would make a perfect pair on the Democrat ticket. Our president and CEO, Matt Brouillette, explains more in an op-ed in RealClear Pennsylvania. Click here to read it.
What’s in the 2024-25 state budget
If you’re curious what’s really in the 2024-25 state budget enacted last month, along with how the new spending plan will impact Pa.’s finances, then set your alarm clock for 1:00 p.m. today and tune in to a budget briefing by Pa. House Republican Appropriations Committee Chair (and budget genius) Rep. Seth Grove. The event is targeted for media, and it will also be live-streamed here.
Pa. Supreme Court will hear Ellen Greenberg case
This isn’t exactly public policy or political news, but since it’s raised serious questions of possible government corruption and coverup—with efforts to get to the truth going all the way up to then-Attorney General (and now Gov.), Shapiro—it’s worth mentioning. The Pa. Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case of Ellen Greenberg, whose 2011 death by 20 stab wounds was ruled a homicide, then changed to a suicide with no explanation. Ellen’s family—which has been fighting for years to have the cause of death changed back to homicide—has accused Shapiro, in his role as attorney general, of doing nothing to help the case and then returning it to Philly. Now, the case is heading to the state’s highest court.
Still no final resolution in Luzerne County GOP primary race
As most of the rest of the state has all-but-forgotten the 117th House District GOP primary election in Luzerne County, the candidates certainly have not. That’s because more than three months after the April primary, the race remains undecided. The Hazleton Standard Speaker reported on Tuesday that after the state Supreme Court declined to hear a final appeal in the case, “It appears [Republican challenger Jamie] Walsh will win the Republican nomination unless [incumbent state Rep. Mike] Cabell petitions Luzerne County court for a recount and that recount shows errors in the vote totals.” Walsh currently leads by five votes.