Pennsylvania Perspective for Thursday, November, 17, 2022

Pennsylvania

Cerrato Has Likely Won PA-151, Clinching Historic State House Win for Democrats

While the final two races still have yet to be officially called, it is very likely that Democrats have won the state House for the first time since 2010 after Democrat Melissa Cerrato, who is running in the 151st District in Montgomery County, pulled ahead of her Republican opponent, incumbent Representative Todd Stephens, by 37 votes on Wednesday. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Governor-Elect Shapiro Visits Harrisburg to Announce Transition Plans With Governor Wolf

Governor-Elect Josh Shapiro visited the state Capitol for the first time since winning his election on Wednesday, meeting with Governor Tom Wolf to announce transition plans. The announcement included the naming of three advisors — Akbar Hossain as executive director of the transition, Amanda Warren as executive director of the inauguration, and Manuel Bonder as top spokesman for both the transition and inauguration, all of whom played pivotal roles in Shapiro’s campaign — as well as a hiring call for those interested in joining his administration. PennLive has more.

PSERS Begins Litigation Process Over 2020 Accounting Errors

Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS), the $70 billion state school pension system, has agreed to litigation based on a report released two years ago regarding the mismanagement of its pension fund by its investment consultant, Aon Investments USA Inc. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Majority Chairwoman of Health, Human Services Committee Takes Issue With Special Commission’s Recommendations on Funding for Adult Mental Health

State Senator Michele Brooks, who serves as Majority Chairwoman of the Health and Human Services Committee, raised several concerns about recommendations presented to the committee by the Behavioral Health Commission for Adult Mental Health on Tuesday. Senator Brooks stated that she would like to see a statewide formula for distributing the money, assurances the money is distributed equitably among local service providers, and to hear the views of workers in the mental health field. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

State Launches “Don’t Gamble With Kids” Campaign

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board launched a new campaign aimed at deterring parents from leaving their children unattended in casino parking lots in order to gamble. The rate of such incidents has risen by about 60% over the past year. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Philadelphia

State House Impeaches DA Krasner

The Pennsylvania State House voted 107-85 on Wednesday to impeach Democratic Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for “misbehavior in office,” including a dereliction of his duties and noncompliance with a subpoena issued as part of an investigation into his policies and conduct in August. The Republican-led effort marks the first time since 1994 that the House has impeached an officeholder, and a two-thirds majority vote by the Senate would be required to remove DA Krasner from his elected office. Historically, impeachment has only been brought against officeholders who have been convicted of crimes. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Immigrants Arrive in Philadelphia Via Bus From Texas

Early Wednesday morning, a bus with 28 asylum seekers — originally from Colombia, the Dominican Republic, and Cuba, but sent to Philadelphia from Del Rio, Texas, as part of Governor Greg Abbott’s migrant busing program — arrived at 30th Street Station, where they were greeted by City Councilmember Helen Gym and a group of volunteers giving out winter coats, blankets, and hot chocolate. One 10-year-old girl was suffering from a fever and dehydration. CBS News has more.

Councilmember Gym Ends Rule-Change Proposal Introduction With Impassioned Speech, Signaling Potential Resignation for Mayoral Run

During Thursday morning’s City Council meeting, Councilmember Helen Gym proposed a residency requirement hiring rule change — which would likely undo a key policy initiative of Council President Derrell L. Clarke’s — giving a speech in what very well may have been her last meeting as a councilmember. Gym is expected to step down from her current at-large position in order to comply with the city’s resign-to-run rule before launching her 2023 mayoral campaign. The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Pittsburgh

Allegheny County Judge Publicly Criticizes Pittsburgh Public Schools Regarding Appeal of His Property Assessment Ruling

Earlier this week, Allegheny County Common Pleas Court Judge Alan Hertzberg railed against the School District of Pittsburgh’s appeal of his decision that will set the figure that determines the value at which real estate in the county is taxed. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has more.

Pittsburgh Career Institute Making Final Arrangements for Students, Staff

The Pittsburgh Career Institute will be officially closing at the end of the year, and organization leaders are scrambling to institute refunds, manage student transfers, and staff layoffs in its final days of operation. The closure comes after the private, for-profit school lost accreditation. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

Representative-Elect Summer Lee to Join Congress as Latest Progressive Firebrand

Representative-elect Summer Lee of Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District has broken down barriers in order to be elected to the U.S. House. Now, she heads to Washington, D.C., where she will no doubt continue advocating for progressive policies. The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review has more.

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