News & Brews May 7, 2026
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Shapiro changed the rules for Merck after lobbying
The Inquirer reports that shortly after taking office, Gov. Shapiro “fast-tracked a proposal backed by drugmaker Merck to ease water pollution reporting regulations.” After lobbying from Merck, “Within months, Shapiro’s office directed the state Department of Environmental Protection to draft less stringent spill reporting rules on a ‘very expedited timeline’ that did not adhere to the ‘usual process.’” This is per emails between Merck and the Shapiro administration that “show … an openness to lobbying from one of the biggest pharmaceutical companies in the world on an issue that affects public health and the environment.”
Shapiro hits Fetterman but ignores Pennsylvanians
This is ironic. Amid attacks against Sen. John Fetterman and rumors that Republicans are courting him to switch parties, PennLive reports that appearing on CNN’s Jake Tapper, Gov. Shapiro said, “I don’t know what Senator Fetterman’s going to do. I know that Pennsylvanians voted for a Democrat to represent them in the U.S. Senate. So, I think he needs to honor that and continue with his service with Pennsylvania and get back to what he was elected to do and reflect the will of the people.” But funny thing. Most Pennsylvanians support school choice, and Shapiro campaigned on supporting school choice. But since taking office, he’s vetoed school choice. Maybe he needs to “get back to what he was elected to do and reflect the will of the people.”
Upcoming primary will ‘test Shapiro’s coattails’
POLITICO reports that the upcoming Democrat primary in Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional district will not only determine the Democrat nominee but also will be a “big test” for Shapiro. He’s endorsed firefighter Bob Brooks but “was unable to clear the field” of other contenders. Meanwhile, his endorsement “has also frustrated some local Democrats — primarily those aligned with other candidates — who say the governor should have stayed out of the primary.
More money isn’t what Philly schools need
Every year (and in between), we hear politicians and local Philly leaders claim the city school district is in desperate need of more money. But Commonwealth Foundation Chief Policy Officer Nathan Benefield writes in the Philadelphia Citizen that “Excluding charter expenses, the District spent $32,122 per student — about $9,000 more than the state average. This per-student rate is almost double what it was in 2016.” And this is amid “dwindling enrollment” as the non-charter student population has fallen 12% in the last decade. What does the district need? Click here to find out.
McCormick backs faster energy permitting
During a visit to western Pennsylvania, U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick “promoted legislation that he said would streamline the federal permitting process for energy infrastructure projects,” the Tribune-Review reports. “Permitting delays and complications can drive up project costs, force some would-be developers to pull the plug on proposed projects and prompt other developers to look elsewhere, McCormick said.” Among other things, his “bill would establish a one-year deadline for states to review permits sought under the Clean Water Act’s water quality certification process and require states to provide written explanations for any denials.”
Pa. gas prices up $1.31 per gallon since last year
The Center Square reports that per AAA, the average price per gallon of unleaded gasoline in Pennsylvania hit $4.64 this week, an increase from $3.33 a year ago. “The increase in diesel fuel was even more dramatic, going from $3.98 a gallon to $5.99.” While some lawmakers want to suspend the state gas tax, other thought leaders aren’t on board. Pa. Manufacturers’ Association President and CEO David N. Taylor said efforts to suspend the tax “are well-meaning but wrong-headed. The tax on gasoline is the primary revenue source for infrastructure that everyone uses.”