News & Brews March 4, 2026
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Shapiro’s donations draw scrutiny
An Inquirer headline this morning reads, “As Josh Shapiro seeks reelection, his business-friendly brand has drawn millions from CEOs — including some with interests in Harrisburg.” The story notes that Shapiro has “proven adept at raising campaign cash from people who have business interests before state government in Harrisburg.” State Treasurer Stacy Garrity, who is challenging Shapiro in the governor’s race, noted a disconnect between Shapiro’s brand and his actions. “Liberal national donors may be investing in Josh Shapiro’s political vanity project, but hardworking Pennsylvanians are seeing nothing in return,” Garrity said.
Op-Ed: The many GSDs of Gov. Josh Shapiro
”Maya Angelou once said, ‘When someone shows you who they are, believe them.’ Pennsylvanians would be wise to take these words to heart when it comes to Gov. Josh Shapiro.” Thus writes our president and CEO, Matt Brouillette, in a new op-ed in Broad + Liberty. For years, Shapiro has shown us that despite his “get stuff done” rhetoric, his true GSDs include “Grandstanding sans delivering,” “Gaslighting statewide daily,” and more.
Op-Ed: Time for Shapiro to support school choice
Education philanthropist Janine Yass writes in the Inquirer that as schools close in the Philadelphia School District, “families deserve more than reassignment letters and uncertainty. They deserve meaningful options. Two solutions are within reach: Lifeline Scholarships for Pennsylvania and the federal program, the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA).” But Gov. Shapiro must do something to deliver these solutions. He “has the opportunity to act, and he needs to opt in now. By supporting Lifeline Scholarships and opting Pennsylvania into federal education choice programs like ECCA, the state could help families immediately.”
PA, DE, NJ, NY, & MD drivers pay most in tolls
The Center Square relays that per a new report from Beck & Beck law firm, “drivers in Pennsylvania and its neighboring states pay the most tolls each year.” Specifically, the report “calculated the amount of tolls paid per 1,000 miles traveled and found that Delaware ($41.12), New Jersey ($26.92), New York ($22.10), Pennsylvania ($18.68) and Maryland ($17.71), were the top five highestout 27 states with paid public roads…. The data is unsurprising given the Pennsylvania Turnpike’s consistent ranking as the most expensive toll road in the United States, costing drivers $113 to cross the state.”
Fetterman and ‘political nonconformity’
In the wake of the recent Quinnipiac poll showing Democrat U.S. Sen. John Fetterman enjoying strong approval among Republicans, the Liberal Patriot notes, “Fetterman’s popularity with everyone but his base no doubt has to do with his ‘heterodox’ views and penchant for bucking orthodoxies on his side, especially on hot-button topics.” While some Democrats argue Fetterman isn’t a “team player,” the story notes, “it’s important to remember that Fetterman represents Pennsylvania, perhaps the ultimate swing state. And while he typically votes the way one might expect of a Democrat, he also clearly believes he should work to represent all Pennsylvanians, not just those in his party.”