Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 29, 2024

Pennsylvania

Commonwealth Court Orders Governor’s Office to Disclose Details on Law Firm Engagements

Stemming from a long-fought public records battle, a three-judge Commonwealth Court panel ordered the Governor’s Office to unseal certain financial records which purportedly reveal the reasons behind outside lawyer hirings, despite claims from the administration that the documents possess privileged information. Spotlight PA has more.

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PA Supreme Court Ends HD-117 Primary

The Pennsylvania State Supreme Court has denied state Representative Mike Cabell’s (R-Luzerne) request to count a handful of write-ins cast in his favor during the primary, ending the race in challenger Jamie Walsh’s favor. The dispute stemmed from voters writing-in Cabell’s name despite the ballot explicitly including his name as an official choice. PoliticsPA has more.

Grant Available for PA Schools to Offset Solar Costs

The Solar for Schools initiative paved the way for a corresponding grant program to offset the cost of solar installation and operation in Pennsylvania schools. The program will allocate capital from federal climate money to schools that qualify for the funds. Officials anticipate the application window will open soon. StateImpact Pennsylvania has more.

Lantern Flies Land in PA Once Again

Since 2014, lantern flies have plagued Pennsylvania and other states throughout the Northeast. The colorful sapsucking bugs have posed community-wide threats to agriculture, though with lantern fly populations finally declining in Philadelphia, scientists have discovered that while the bugs pose little danger to trees and woody plants, PA’s vineyards remain severely vulnerable. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philadelphia

Philadelphia Residents Shed Light on the Logan Triangle

A 35-acre section of Northwest Philadelphia known as the Logan Triangle remains bare after the City demolished hundreds of its rowhouse properties more than a decade ago. Community members are imploring the City to direct its attention back to Logan Square to redevelop the land and bring life back to its soil. WHYY has more.

Cyclists Peddled Philadelphia Streets to Protest Street Safety Issues 

After a CHOP Resident was struck and killed on her bike last week, protesters took to the streets to demand that Mayor Cherelle Parker immediately address the unacceptable number of pedestrian and cyclist deaths on Philadelphia streets this year. Hundreds of cyclists rode from Philadelphia Art Museum to City Hall, channeling their grief into action. Billy Penn has more.

Where Are the EV Chargers?

With Philadelphia attempting to adopt greener, more renewable energy practices, many residents have chosen to invest their environmental consciousness into electric vehicles (EVs). However, the City currently lacks the necessary infrastructure to realize the shift. With more than 9,700 registered electric and hybrid cars in Philadelphia, and an even greater number of EV and hybrid commuters, the City only offers 145 publicly accessible charging stations with 378 ports. Billy Penn has more.

Pittsburgh

Lena Andrews Steps Up as Leader of ACTION Housing

Lena Andrews will assume leadership of Pittsburgh’s largest nonprofit housing developer as CEO on October 1. With twelve years of experience at ACTION, Andrews has worked on some of Pittsburgh’s most consequential developments, such as Uptown Flats, Penn Lincoln Apartments, and the Robin Building. WESA has more.

Pittsburgh Opens its “Backyard” for Daily Use Post-Revamp

Adding benches, hammocks, and tables to its 2022-proposed outdoor communal space, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust announced that it plans to open its “Backyard” to the public on a daily basis. The Trust has commissioned the Texas-based Better Block Foundation to renovate the outdoor space for its intended daily use. WESA has more.

Prominent Pittsburgh Labor Organization Backs Rep. Deluzio for Reelection 

The Pittsburgh Regional Building Trades Council recently endorsed U.S. Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17) for reelection. The Council represents 17 trades, 33 unions, and 55,000 workers. The Pittsburgh Union Progress has more.

Federal

President Biden Seeks SCOTUS Term Limits

Revealing his long-speculated Supreme Court ethics overhaul, President Joe Biden has called on Congress to set term limits and ethics rules for Supreme Court justices. The president also implores federal lawmakers to mitigate presidential immunity after the Supreme Court’s recent decision to throw such litigation to lower courts. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

What a Harris-Shapiro Ticket Could Mean for Environmentalists

Despite avoiding questions around Harris’ presidential candidacy, Governor Shapiro has made Republicans increasingly weary of a potential Harris-Shapiro ticket. The GOP has eyed-down Pennsylvania as a must-win, fearing that a partnership between the vice president and the popular PA governor could severely weaken their chances of winning the Keystone State. Some Democrats continue to push for Harris to choose Shapiro; however, environmental advocates say that the governor’s tough position on fracking might not be enough to elicit their support given his relationship with oil and gas companies. Inside Climate News has more.

Beltway Briefing: Kamala Harris: A Choice for Double-Haters?

With Vice President Kamala Harris rising to the top of the Democratic ticket, the “double-haters” now have a choice this November. The shift from President Joe Biden to Harris has energized the Democratic base, bringing young voters back into the fold. What role will gender and race play in the election? Who will she select as her running mate? Listen to the latest episode featuring Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, and Patrick Martin here.

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