Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, October 10, 2022

Pennsylvania

Don’t Discount Senator Mastriano in Gubernatorial Race, Say Campaign Insiders

Despite faring poorly by traditional metrics such as fundraising and conventionally accepted polling numbers, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Doug Mastriano shouldn’t be counted out just yet, according to political experts and campaign insiders who say that such metrics underestimate the state senator’s base of support. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Pennsylvania Losing Out on Millions of Dollars Due to Stalled Efforts to Join RGGI

According to a recent statement from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), its third carbon-allowance auction of 2022 in September generated more than $301 million in revenue — meaning Pennsylvania is missing out on potentially millions of dollars in revenue for reinvestment as its membership in the initiative continues to stall along partisan lines at the state level. The Pennsylvania Capital-Star has more.

State Representative DeLuca Dies at 85

Democratic State Representative Anthony M. “Tony” DeLuca died at his home on Sunday of lymphoma at the age of 85. He served the 32nd legislative district for 39 years. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Shapiro v. Mastriano on How to Fix Pennsylvania’s Aging Infrastructure

In 2018, Pennsylvania received a C- on its infrastructure by the Pennsylvania State Council of the American Society of Civil Engineers. This begs the question: How will the next governor address the state’s crumbling roads, bridges, and other infrastructure? WHYY has more.

Philadelphia

New Vision Zero Bike Lanes Open; Intended to Mitigate Safety Risk to Pedestrians, Cyclists

This week, several new protected bike lanes are opening on Chestnut Street as part of Philadelphia’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety. The city currently has one of the highest rates of traffic deaths in the country. WHYY has more.

Retired PPD Members Draw Attention to Inflation’s Impact on Frozen Pensions

Pensions for members of the Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) have remained stagnant for years, with no cost-of-living increases to account for rising rates of inflation, which is taking its toll on long-retired members of the force. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

PHS, ICNA Relief Team Up to Address Food Insecurity, Provide Fresh Produce to Philadelphia-Area Residents

The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing economic fallout have exacerbated food insecurity among many Philadelphia area residents. Over the past year, the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society (PHS) partnered with ICNA Relief to distribute more than 6,000 pounds of produce grown in Montgomery County to people in Norristown and Philadelphia on a monthly basis. WHYY has more.

SEPTA to Expand Key Advantage Program With Help of Local Companies

After six months of piloting the program with the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, and Wawa, SEPTA is moving forward with an expansion of its Key Advantage program, which allows local companies to purchase transit passes at a discount to provide to their employees at no cost. FMC Corporation is the latest company to announce that it will be joining the program. KYW has more.

Pittsburgh

PoliticsPA Hones in on Southwestern Pennsylvania in House Preview Series

PoliticsPA has updated its series profiling Pennsylvania State House candidates, with the most recent installment focusing on races in Southwestern Pennsylvania. Read more about the races to watch.

Western Pennsylvania Schools Not Testing for Radon Regularly Enough

A recent investigation conducted by reporters at the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review found that the majority of schools in Southwestern Pennsylvania do not test for radon regularly, despite high levels of the radioactive gas found throughout the state. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer and is undetectable by the human senses alone. Read the investigation findings here.

Federal

Beltway Briefing: Nuclear Anxiety

Public Strategies’ Howard Schweitzer, Mark Alderman, Towner French, and Kaitlyn Martin ponder the seriousness of the prospect of Armageddon, raised for the first time since President Kennedy and the Cuban missile crisis. They also break down the implications of President Biden’s decision to take his first major steps toward decriminalizing marijuana by issuing a blanket pardon for all prior federal offenses for simple possession of the drug, and discuss the latest developments in the 2022 midterm races. Listen to the episode here.

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