News & Brews November 22, 2024
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Casey concedes
More than two weeks after Election Day and two weeks after the AP called the race for Republican Dave McCormick, Democrat U.S. Sen. Bob Casey conceded to McCormick yesterday. A statewide recount had been underway, but no serious observers had suggested the recount could come anywhere near to closing the gap between the two candidates. Casey’s loss signals the close of his 18-year Senate career and 28 consecutive years in elected office (he was previously state auditor general and state treasurer).
Liberal billionaire funds governors against Trump
Last week, the New York Times reported on a group of Democrat governors who claim to have come together to “safeguard democracy” by resisting President-elect Trump’s policies. (Given Gov. Shapiro’s statements and record of opposing Trump, it’s safe to assume he’s part of the group). But wait, for all the Left’s pretend hatred of “billionaires” funding politics (even as they accept billionaire funding themselves), it turns out the money behind the new group is billionaire Pierre Omidyar, according to reporting by the Capital Research Center.
Q&A with GOP state Senator-elect Joe Picozzi
Republican Joe Picozzo was the only candidate to flip a Pa. state legislative seat this year, defeating Democrat state Sen. Jimmy Dillon in Northeast Philly. City & State PA spoke with Senator-elect Picozzi about how he did it, whether he was surprised by his win, and what he’s focused on heading into office.
Medical malpractice cases skyrocket in Philly
Surprising no one who recognized this is exactly what would happen when the Pa. Supreme Court changed the rules to allow plaintiffs to file malpractice cases in counties other than where the alleged offense occurred, the number of medical malpractice cases filed in plaintiff-friendly Philly has continued to surge. The Inquirer reports, “Philadelphia courts are on track to see 600 new medical malpractice cases this year…. That would represent a 46% increase from the annual average in the three years before the pandemic,” Among the many ill effects of so-called “venue shopping,” the Hospital and Healthsystem Association of Pennsylvania lists a few, including increased difficulty in attracting and keeping healthcare providers in Pennsylvania, reduced services at hospitals, and the exit of insurers from the market.
Marcellus Shale Coalition president to retire
The Marcellus Shale Coalition (MSC) announced that its president, Dave Callahan, will retire at the close of this year “after decades of service to Pennsylvania’s energy industry.” Callahan said, “Leading the MSC has been an incredible honor, both professionally and personally. Success starts with people, and our industry, as well as MSC’s talented staff, are second to none.” Vice President of Government Affairs Jim Welty will become MSC’s new president on January 1. We thank Dave for his years of advocacy and leadership on behalf of Pennsylvania’s energy industry and wish him all the best in his retirement. And we congratulate Jim on his new role.