News & Brews May 12, 2026
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Pa. Supreme Court Justice Wecht exits Dem Party
Pennsylvania State Supreme Court Justice David Wecht announced yesterday that he has left the Democrat Party due to its now-rampant antisemitism. In a statement, Wecht wrote, “From 1998 to 2001 … I served as Vice-Chair of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party. In the quarter century that has passed since then, the Democratic Party has changed. Nazi tattoos, jihadist chants, intimidation and attacks at synagogues, and other hateful anti-Jewish invective and actions are minimized, ignored, and even coddled. Acquiescence to Jew-hatred is now disturbingly common among activists, leaders, and even many elected officials in the Democratic Party. I can no longer abide this. So, I won’t. I am no longer registered with any political party.”
Pa. public school funding hits nearly $24K per child
From the way public school funding per pupil in Pennsylvania continues to grow, you’d think we must be producing stellar academic results. You’d think wrong. The Commonwealth Foundation notes that despite per pupil spending hitting a record high of nearly $24,000 per year, “student achievement continues to plateau. Recent test scores reveal that more than half of kids are reading below grade level. And nearly two-in-three students are below average in math.” Hmm maybe something other than more money would be a better approach—say, school choice, for example?
An education idea for Mamdani
Here’s an interesting piece by Jeff Yass in the Wall Street Journal. He reminds us that NYC spends $42,000 per child per year on public education. But the results are “abysmal.” Here’s his plan: Give every mom $21,000 per year to educate her child and put the other $21,000 in an account. Even at 2%, the child would graduate high school with $300,000. The resistance to any idea like this? Mr. Yass explains: “The people in charge are not interested in solving the problem; they just want power. Our public education-system isn’t about education; it is a jobs program for the teachers union.”
Shapiro administration ‘hunting down’ AI chatbots
Spotlight PA reports that a task force within the Pennsylvania Department of State “has been working since February to hunt down AI chatbots that may be misleading users into believing the bots are licensed professionals.” The state “is crowdsourcing tips on what software the state should investigate through its ‘Unlicensed Practice by a Chatbot’ complaint system and hotline.” Here’s what I want to know: Previously, the Shapiro admin touted how state government is now using AI. So, is the administration using AI to hunt down AI? That would be … interesting.
Mastriano nominated as ambassador to Slovakia
President Trump has nominated Pa. state Sen. Doug Mastriano to be ambassador to Slovakia. In a statement, Mastriano said, “I am deeply honored and humbled by President Trump’s nomination to serve as United States Ambassador to the Slovak Republic. Upon Senate confirmation, I look forward to representing our nation abroad, strengthening the friendship between our two countries, and advancing the interests of the American people.” ABC27 notes, “Mastriano now faces a confirmation hearing in the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which Sen. Dave McCormick (R-PA) sits on.” Per Mastriano, he will continue serving in the state Senate as his nomination is under consideration.