News & Brews August 6, 2024
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Harris to rally in Philly tonight with TBA VP pick
Democrat presidential candidate Kamala Harris will hold a campaign rally this evening in Philadelphia with her VP pick, but the AP reports that “with the event mere hours away, her choice remains a mystery.” The story notes, “Harris’ campaign planned to make the announcement via video message before the rally, though the exact timing remained unclear….”
Shapiro and the Ellen Greenberg case
The Inquirer revisits the tie between gov. Josh Shapiro and the case of Ellen Greenberg, the young teacher who was found dead in 2011 of 20 stab wounds and whose death was ruled a homicide then inexplicably changed to suicide. Shapiro came under criticism as Attorney General for how he handled (or rather didn’t handle) attempts to have the manner of death changed back to homicide.
Law firm vetting potential VPs also lobbies the government
The Post-Gazette reports that Covington & Burling, the law firm that’s been vetting Kamala Harris’ potential vice presidential nominees, is also “paid millions of dollars a year to lobby the federal government” and “has received $266.7 million for lobbying since 1998, making it the 13th-biggest lobbying firm in terms of revenue.” The story continues, “During the first six months of 2024, Covington was paid $4.5 million by Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, the drug industry’s trade group; the National Football League; Qualcomm; and other clients.” This led one observer to call the setup “influence peddling at its rawest.”
Op-Ed: High gas prices threaten Pa. economy
We may have a nifty new state tourism slogan, but the price of gas in Pa. is hardly welcoming to visitors. The Commonwealth Foundation’s Hanna Bechtel writes that in June, Pennsylvania’s average gas prices were “higher than all neighboring states except New York.” What’s more, “While Pennsylvania’s gasoline price has decreased from its 2022 record high, the long-term picture shows an average price — up 84 cents a gallon since 2019 — consistently above the national average.” Hanna writes that instead of following in California’s footsteps by “imposing more and more taxes and fees on energy companies,” Pa. lawmakers “should unshackle the regulatory regime, streamline permitting for the state’s crude oil producers, and codify clear, objective timelines with transparent success benchmarks.”
Pa. House committee ‘Back to School’ hearing today
The Pa. House Republican Policy Committee will hold the first in a series of “Back to School” hearings this morning at 10:00 a.m. This hearing, at the Centennial School in Bethlehem, Pa., will “highlight The Centennial School’s unique program for students with emotional disturbance and autism. The school, affiliated with Lehigh University College of Education, prepares high-quality special education teachers to enter the workforce in Pennsylvania.” Watch the live stream at 10:00 a.m. here.