News & Brews May 23, 2025
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Path forward for Nippon Steel/U.S. Steel deal
Reuters reports that on Wednesday, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) submitted an updated recommendation to President Trump on “the national security implications of the merger” between Nippon Steel and U.S. Steel. Per a White House official, “CFIUS agencies were not unanimous in their recommendation, but the majority believe any risks can likely be addressed through mitigation.” Also on Wednesday, Pa. Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward had an op-ed in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette urging the sale. “Should this sale be approved,” Ward wrote, “it will not only transform the domestic steel industry as we know it, but it will also be the necessary shot in the arm for steelworkers and the communities built around steel.”
Philly must come clean on ‘rubber rooms’
Commonwealth Foundation Senior Director of Labor Policy David Osborne writes in the Philadelphia Citizen that the School District of Philadelphia is being super secretive about its so-called “rubber rooms,” which “house District employees under investigation for misconduct.” Specifically, the District balked at answering basic questions, including: “How many employees have been ‘reassigned’ to the rubber rooms over the last 15 years? How long have the employees been there? How much money did the District spend on staff to do nothing?” David argues that the district needs to come clean on this info.
Lawsuit abuse is ‘killing’ Pa. healthcare
Writing in Broad + Liberty, Seth Higgins reflects on the “hospital closures” and “reductions in healthcare services” that have occurred in Pa. since the end of the pandemic. Often blamed are “federal funding” along with “inflationary pressures and labor shortages.” But, Higgins writes, two things could be helpful: tort reform and an end to venue shopping. “Pennsylvania has a toxic legal framework that combines unlimited claims on non-economic damages in medical malpractice cases with the ability for trial lawyers to venue shop for plaintiff friendly courts and jury pools.” Unfortunately, the roadblock to reform is “trial lawyers and politicians beholden to them.”
Penn State board approves campus closures
The Penn State Board of Trustees voted 25-8 in favor of closing seven campuses. “Citing declining enrollments and financial challenges,” Spotlight PA reports, “the university will close the DuBois, Fayette, Mont Alto, New Kensington, Shenango, Wilkes-Barre, and York locations after May 2027.” The state secretary of education must also reportedly approve the closures.
Fetterman, McCormick to ‘debate’ in June
Pennsylvania’s two U.S. Senators—Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dave McCormick—will participate in a “debate” (of sorts) in Boston in June. The Inquirer reports that the debate is part of The Senate Project, which is “hosted by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate and the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation, two organizations named for deceased senators known for their dealmaking during their long tenures.” And it’s intended “to encourage dialogue between senators from opposing parties.” For their part, Fetterman and McCormick have already shown good rapport and a willingness to work together. The event will take place on Monday, June 2, at 9:00 a.m. and will stream on Fox Nation.