News & Brews August 21, 2024
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‘Pa. pols make their presence felt at DNC’
City & State PA gives a rundown of which Pennsylvania politicians have been spotted and/or have taken the stage at the Democrat National Convention in Chicago. Among those making an appearance, aside from Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, are Pa. Democrat Party Chair Sharif Street, U.S. Sen Bob Casey, Pa. House Speaker Joanna McClinton, Democrat auditor general nominee Malcolm Kenyatta, Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker, and some state reps.
Shapiro dodges question on anti-Israel protestors at DNC
Following President Biden’s comment that anti-Israel protestors at the Democrat National Convention “have a point,” Shapiro was asked if he agrees with the president. Here’s how Shapiro responded: “Look, I, I haven’t heard specifically what they’ve said. I’m not trying to duck your question. I’ll, I’ll address it. I, I think protesters absolutely have a right to have their voices be heard. Whatever the rules of the road are. The mayor of Chicago, I assume he sets that.” In the words of the Jewish Insider, Shapiro “equivocated” on the answer—basically another word for ducking the question.
RFK, Jr. shows up to court too late to testify
Blaming a canceled flight, independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. showed up to Commonwealth Court yesterday an hour and 40 minutes late, missing his chance to testify in his effort to stay on the Pa. ballot as the judge decided to move forward without his witness. It’s unclear when the judge will rule. Meanwhile, Kennedy’s running-mate said in a new interview that the pair is considering dropping out and supporting Trump.
Editorial: ‘Be wary … of price controls’
The Williamsport Sun-Gazette Editorial Board writes, “It is our long-standing belief that government intervention in free markets, no matter how well-intentioned, produces, even under the best circumstances, unintended consequences — consequences that government authorities are neither nimble or nuanced enough to address.” And they echo the sentiment that price controls—such as those being suggested by Vice President Kamala Harris—”have been disastrous whenever they’ve been implemented.”
Your chance to weigh in on proposed health insurance rate increases
Pennsylvanians have until September 2 to voice their opinions on proposed rate increases for insurance plans purchased through the government’s online marketplace (and I use that term loosely). WHYY reports, “The state Insurance Department wants the public to weigh in before it approves final health plan rates this fall, just ahead of the annual open enrollment period.” Insurance companies are seeking rate increases of between 2.9% and 15.2%. Folks can email comments to rateform@pa.gov.