News & Brews August 12, 2025
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Officials to investigate U.S. Steel explosion that killed 2
An explosion at U.S. Steel’s Clairton Coke Works yesterday tragically killed two workers and injured 10. Now, officials are investigating the cause of the deadly blast. Elected officials responded to the tragedy, with Lt. Gov. Austin Davis noting, “The Commonwealth is providing whatever resources and manpower are needed to help with emergency response.” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman was on the scene yesterday and said, “The steel way of life is sacred, and it’s still dangerous. And my thoughts go to the families who may lose something today.” And U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick said he and his wife “will be praying for all those endangered and their families.” At a press conference yesterday, investigators said, “This will be a time-consuming, technical investigation….”
Garrity: ‘Help is on the way’
POLITICO reports that Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrity “all but kicked off her campaign against Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro Monday with a scorching video labeling him a ‘career politician’ who is thirsting for a White House bid while presiding over late state budgets.” The video, which you can view here, goes after Shapiro for spending big taxpayer dollars to promote his own image and jet setting across the country campaigning while Pennsylvanians face high prices here at home. The story notes, “Garrity has not yet announced she is running for governor, but suggested she will soon, saying on X, ‘Help is on the way. Stay tuned.’”
Budget ‘blame game’ in full swing
Spotlight PA reports that as the Democrat-controlled House yesterday passed a SEPTA bailout bill, “GOP leaders predicted a chilly reception in the state Senate.” And House Minority Leader Jesse Topper said, “A budget will not be complete with the passage of this bill today.” Instead, Topper said Democrats are playing “the blame game” and the SEPTA bailout actually “moves us farther away” from passing a state budget, which was due on June 30. Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward has “said repeatedly that the state could take money out of its Public Transportation Trust Fund to temporarily cover SEPTA operating expenses while the legislature works on a longer-term solution.” The Senate will be in session today and is expected to consider a short-term budget.
Senate committee talks data centers
The Senate Majority Policy Committee held a hearing “to review the potential impacts [of data centers] for nearby communities and the economy.” Topics covered included “the demands on local electrical grids and watersheds,” economic development, and “the potential positive and negative impacts data centers could have on nearby communities.” You can read a more complete summary and watch the video of the hearing by clicking here.
Casey to join law firm
Last week, I shared that former U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, Jr. had joined the University of Scranton as a fellow. Yesterday, the Inquirer reported that he is also joining Philadelphia-based Dilworth Paxson law firm “in an of-counsel role for the firm’s corporate and business group.” In this role, “Casey said he expects to provide existing clients with expertise in state and federal government while working to recruit new clients.”