Stephen Caruso
@StephenJ_Caruso
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Pennsylvania Capitol reporter known to constantly tweet | @SpotlightPA | @ThePittNews alum | Yankee fan | DM for signal, or email scaruso(at)spotlightpa(dot)org
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New: An obscure partnership paid $12k for Gov. Josh Shapiro to attend six sporting events last year, and neither the governor nor a second nonprofit who have joint control of the bank account said who the donors are or how it raises funds. W/
@AngelasInk
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Good morning everyone! It's the morning after Election Day in Pennsylvania. The AP has called both the Governor and Senate races for Democrats. But something REALLY interesting is happening in the Legislature -- control of the Pennsylvania House could flip from R to D.
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U.S. Sen. John Fetterman has yanked his support for $1 million to renovate a Philadelphia LGBTQ center within the federal budget on the eve of the House voting on the spending bill.
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The Pa. Senate has preemptively waived a rule banning votes after 11 p.m., and now is holding a committee meeting on an omninus constitional amendment including voter ID and language that "the policy of Pa. is to protect the life of every unborn child from conception to birth."
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NEWS: Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) is stepping down as speaker effective immediatley, he told
@SpotlightPA
this morning. He plans to back Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton to replace him, making her the first woman to lead the 200+ year old chamber.
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*taps sign*
“I’m kind of undecided between Dr. Oz and Conor Lamb in the primary because I don’t think Oz is conservative enough, but I don’t like Lamb’s stance on fracking.” Is a real thing I just overheard a voter say.
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Fun fact: Pennsylvania's teacher pension fund owns ~42,000 shares of Gamestop. (It does not actively trade in its stock.) From end of day Tuesday to now, the fund's assets have grown by $11.4 million due to the increase in GME stock value.
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News: The Pennsylvania House has voted 103-100 to increase the state's $7.25 minimum wage to $15 by 2026, matching the tipped wage to 60% of that, and increasing the wage thereafter each year in line with inflation. It nows goes to the GOP-controlled state Senate.
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It's official: Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman, a Democrat, is running for the state's open Senate seat in 2022.
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"Women and their allies will not stand for this," state Rep. Katie Muth, D-Montgomery, said.
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ICYMI: The next round of Pennsylvania campaign finance reports are out. Democratic gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro has $13.4 million on hand heading into the summer. Republican candidate Doug Mastriano has $397,000.
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NEWS: In a 4-3 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has picked the Carter plan as the commonwealth's new congressional map. More TK.
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News: Pennsylvania House Democrats have won a special election for the sixth time in a year that maintains their one vote majority in the chamber, this time in suburban Philadelphia's Bucks County.
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"People should know at 11:29 pm this body in the dark of night is moving to eliminate the rights of women," state Sen. Vincent Hughes, D-Philly, says.
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"You think people of Pennaylvania are tucked away sleeping somewhere? They will be aware of what happens here," Muth adds.
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NEWS: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has UPHELD the state's mail-in voting law, Act 77, in a 5-2 decision. More TK. Majority opinion here:
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State Sen. Tim Kearney, D-Delaware, calls for Republican colleague Doug Mastriano, who was in the pro-Trump mob at the U.S. Capitol, calls for Mastriano to resign.
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News: Pennsylvania House Republicans don't have a majority, the state Democratic Party argues in a brief filed today, because at least 15 of the GOP members' wins have not been certified due to recount requests filed by conservative activist in a number of rural counties.
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But looking through unofficial results in counties where all precincts are reporting, Democrats are picking up a lot of seats. That includes knocking off at least two GOP incumbents in suburban Philly.
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A partisan infotainment website has now called for a member of the Pennsylvania House Democratic leadership to resign because of a *checks notes* mean Tweet.
Politics 2k21, baby!
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So Pennsylvania House Democrats very quietly just passed a $15 minimum wage bill w/ CPI increase and 60% tipped wage out of committee today with zero fanfare and could pass as the state House as soon as next week.
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Rozzi said he never expected to become speaker. Elected in a GOP engineered to forestall a Democratic majority, Rozzi told
@SpotlightPA
that he knew when he was approached that he was being used, but decided that the GOP "were gonna pay for it.”
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News: 75 Pa. House and Senate Republicans have signed a letter to Pennsylvania's congressional delegation calling for them to dispute the 2020 election results in Congress. Among the signatories is House Speaker Bryan Cutler, R-Lancaster.
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Inbox: Hours after signing a budget which included $8.2 million for a line item that historically funds crisis pregnancy centers (a $2 million bump), the Shapiro administration announces it is canceling its contract with the biggest provider of those services.
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Inbox: The Pennsylvania State Troopers Association has endorsed Josh Shapiro for governor.
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NEWS: Gov. Tom Wolf has extended a moratorium on evictions and foreclosures in Pennsylvania for another seven weeks, until August 31. It was originally set to expire Friday.
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I've had too many of them to not believe whole heartedly that Sen. Bob Casey is drinking a Pennsylvania brewed, 9.5 percent, heart burn inducing Victory Sour Monkey at 11:11 a.m. on a Tuesday.
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NEWS: It's official. After 12 years out of power, Democrats have reclaimed the Pennsylvania House -- albeit with what looks like a single vote majority -- after Democratic challenger Melissa Cerrato received GOP Rep. Todd Stephens' concession this afternoon.
I just received a gracious congratulatory call from my opponent. I am grateful to
@RepToddStephens
for his past service to our community and his prompt concession, ensuring the balance of power in the
#PAHouse
is not hung up in court. Now, let’s get to work. ✌️💪
@PaHouseDems
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New: Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill to allow anyone over the age of 18 to carry a concealed firearm without a permit in Pennsylvania.
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News: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman will be banned from flying flags off his second floor Capitol balcony under a provision tucked into the proposed Pa. state budget. Fetterman has used the perch for both Pride and marijuana legalization banners.
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Emphasis on could. Ballots are still being counted, AP has made no calls (they have been a little busy!)
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Inbox: In a letter to Norfolk Southern, Gov. Josh Shapiro says the company "can be assured that PA will hold [it] accountable for any and all impacts to our Commonwealth" from the East Palestine, OH train derailment and chemical release, which occurred just across the state line.
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State Rep. Joe Webster (D., Montgomery) wants to establish a commission to redesign Pennsylvania's flag, arguing that many would struggle to identify it because PA's is "one of twenty state flags that features a seal on a blue background."
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Inbox: Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill banning trans women from playing women's school sports, and a bill from state Sen. Doug Mastriano, R-Franklin, expanding who can be a poll-watcher. The veto comes less than a hour after he signed the budget.
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Democrats say that the amendment will ban abortion. That's not true, but advocates say that the amendment will block state courts from protecting abortion access, and provide constitutional cover for bans on contraceptives and other reproductive care.
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State Sen. Nikil Saval, D-Philly, choked up while thanking his colleagues for backing the Whole Home Repairs Fund in the state budget that is up for a final vote in the Senate. The plan, which he designed, received $125 million in stimulus money.
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Some personal news, as they say.
1/ Excited to announce one of the most well-sourced, hardest-working political reporters in Pennsylvania is joining
@SpotlightPA
's team dedicated to covering the state government. Who is it? Well that's
@StephenJ_Caruso
... MORE -->
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UPDATE: Rep. Chris Quinn tells me that he and at least four other reps — Reps. Todd Polinchock, Megan Schroeder, Wendi Thomas and KC Tomlinson — did NOT mean to sign the letter. “I don’t know how mistakes like this happen." All are suburban Philly reps.
The signatories include a number of suburban Philadelphia representatives as well as some of the usual names signing onto the earlier resolutions or special session calls. I see most of the Bucks County GOP delegation here, minus Frank Farry.
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“But they tried to manipulate, hoodwink, snooker the members of this General Assembly by electing me, thinking that I would do their bidding for them. That I would turn against my party."
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But it's not the ones you think! Both Bucks and Chester counties are reporting all precincts, and GOP Rep. Todd Polinchok is down 400 votes, and Rep. Tim Hennessey is down 2100 votes.
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News: In a lame duck session, the Pennsylvania House has voted to impeach Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner 107-85. All eyes on now on the state Senate, who are now charged with holding a trial. Legislative session ends Nov. 30.
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Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, D-Philadelphia, has entered the chat.
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Here is the underlying bill. There's some other provisions in there as well (including having the LG be picked by the governor rather than run in a seprate primary.)
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NEWS: Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, has been elected House Minority Leader by Pennsylvania House Democrats. She is the second woman named as floor leader in Pa (after Kim Ward, who was elected an hour ago by Senate Republicans) and the first Black woman to hold the post.
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News: The Pennsylvania House has passed a bill banning discrimination against LGBTQ individuals in employment, housing and all other public accommodations 102-98. It now goes to the GOP-controlled state Senate. New Gov. Josh Shapiro has said it's a top priority.
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Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa had this to say.
Any attempt to steal this election away from the winner chosen by voters is an act of sedition. Full stop.
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Breaking, from the state that thinks its residents are too dumb to pump their own gas or make a left turn:
BREAKING: Today I'm calling upon the Legislature to protect New Jerseyans from the biggest menace on the roads: Pennsylvania drivers.
All proceeds from the “Passing Lane Protection Act” will help pay for driving lessons across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
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A second open Bucks seat, vacated by Frank Farry who looks on track to secure an open Senate seat, is also within THREE votes (GOP lead) with all precincts reporting. GOP leads rn, but provisionals and overseas ballots could tip that margin.
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A take whose hill I'd die on: America's towns, cities and states need WAY MORE local holidays that celebrate silly folk customs or historical figures. These days should be a normal thing we all have, not just a sideshow we gawk at nationally when one comes around.
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Rozzi is giving his farewell address now, highlighting how his advocacy for survivors of chilhood sexual abuse brought him into public service.
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"There’s a lot of things wrong with Harrisburg. And the way I was elected speaker, that’s a prime description of what is wrong with Harrisburg because the Republicans had a majority at that time,” Rozzi said.
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News: Malcolm Kenyatta, a second term Democratic state representative from Philladelphia and the first Black LGBTQ lawmaker in legislature, has announced he will run for U.S. Senate in 2022.
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Pa. House Republicans preemptive bid to use the current legislative map in 2022 has been DENIED, per a Supreme Court order.
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I think the man who jumps in to cover the woman caught in the middle of this viral fight is former Pennsylvania Auditor General Eugene DePasquale. (He also calls for security around 1:28 and it sounds like him.)
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State Sen. Art Haywood (D., Montgomery) is holding a press conference to announce he is filing ethics charges against state Sen. Doug Mastriano's (R., Franklin) for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection, saying he violated his oath of office.
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News: State Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) has been elected as the next speaker of the Pennsylvania House by a 115-85 vote.
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New: The Pennsylvania House has voted 162-38 to find Philly DA Larry Krasner in contempt of the institution for not accepting subpoenas from a House committee investigating him and his office. Krasner has challenged the subpoenas in court.
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Rozzi added that he hopes his legacy, beyond the partisan rancor of the last two months, will be new rules that Republicans would be making a mistake to vote against them. He says on the floor they will "fundamentally change" the House.
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Unionized nursing home employees at 39 nursing homes in Pennsylvania, represented by SEIU HealthCare PA, have filed an unfair labor practice charge against three nursing home companies seeking info on staffing agency use amid contract negotiations.
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Philadelphia has gained an entire Pennsylvania state House district worth of population.
Philadelphia: 1,526,006 to 1,603,797 (+77,791)
Pike: 57,369 to 58,535 (+1,166)
Potter: 17,457 to 16,396 (-1,061)
Schuylkill: 148,289 to 143,049 (-5,240)
Snyder: 39,702 to 39,736 (+34)
Somerset: 77,742 to 74,129 (-3,613)
Sullivan: 6,428 to 5,840 (-588)
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Fetterman got headlines for backing the earmark in fall, but has seeming back out after Libs of TikTok highlighted the center's sex education.
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Rozzi highlights this in his speech -- "I will never he used again." He gets a standing ovation from Democrats.
Rozzi said he never expected to become speaker. Elected in a GOP engineered to forestall a Democratic majority, Rozzi told
@SpotlightPA
that he knew when he was approached that he was being used, but decided that the GOP "were gonna pay for it.”
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McClinton wins 102-99. Democrats break out in applause again. Leadership hugs McClinton
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Inbox: All five of Pennsylvania's living former governors -- Ridge, Schweiker, Randell, Corbett, and Wolf -- have signed a letter backing open primaries.
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Given the news in the U.S. Senate race, I propose a few questions for anyone planning to run in Pennsylvania:
1) What is the capital of Pennsylvania?
2) Who is the sitting governor of Pennsylvania?
3) What is the state amphibian of Pennsylvania?
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It's official: State Rep. Joanna McClinton (D., Philly) has been elected Speaker of the Pennsylvania House, the first woman and the second Black lawmaker to hold the gavel and run the legislative chamber.
NEWS: Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) is stepping down as speaker effective immediatley, he told
@SpotlightPA
this morning. He plans to back Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton to replace him, making her the first woman to lead the 200+ year old chamber.
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Democrats are now hoping to add their own amendments. Sen. Anthony Williams, D-Philly, has one on property taxes. Republicans are moving to table it. Democrats want to debate it; Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward, R-Westmoreland, says the motion isn't debatable.
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An earthquake and an eclipse within a week? This would be jackpot for a Medieval grifter
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News: Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro is announcing 48 criminal charges against Texas-based Energy Transfer Partners from the construction of the Mariner East II pipeline. Watch here:
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Scenes from election night:
@pghDSA
backed candidate Anita Prizio reacts as she realizes she won the District 3 race for Allegheny County Council. Via
@ThePLSReporter
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- In Harrisburg, white male incumbent mayor loses to Black woman.
- In Pittsburgh, white male incumbent mayor loses to Black man and non-binary judicial candidate beats white male incumbent.
- In Erie County, trans candidate on cusp of winning crowded primary for executive.
People, weird things are happening in PA's small cities tonight. Not like, super radical left things. Just, incumbent/establishment Dem men being held accountable by getting voted out of office things 🧐
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Just want to add here: Constitutional amendments in PA become law by passing the Legislature two sessions in a row (2021-22, 2023-24) then getting put up for a referendum. Assuming this measure passes Senate and House now, than the earliest it could reach voters is spring 2023
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Inbox: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says that the U.S. Senate "should consider suspending the filibuster rule if it means protecting the foundation of democracy that this county is built upon," and calls for the passage of federal voting rights protections.
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Morning everyone. Today is The Day ™️ in the Pennsylvania House, swearing-in day, where we find out how lawmakers will resolve a month of politicking and legal fights over who controls the lower chamber. Follow this thread for updates.
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Want to know more about constitional amendments in PA?
@SpotlightPA
has ya covered. Tldr; the governor can't veto amendments so its a way to get around him.
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Rep. Summer Lee, D-Allegheny, on the developing 2022 field in light of Toomey news: "I honestly wasn't thinking anything about it. Trying to make it through 2020! We deserve a more diverse group of candidates than all white men, though."
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Inbox: Three former Pa. Governors - Ed Rendell, (D) Tom Ridge (R) and Mark Schweiker (R) - all say in a statement from Gov. Tom Wolf's office that they support his COVID-19 measures.
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Rozzi resigns, bangs the gavel a last time, and walks off to another standing Democratic ovation.
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News: An amendment requiring Penn State to reveal where the statue of Joe Paterno is to receive $242 million in state funding has failed 38-162.
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State Rep. Ryan Bizzarro walked past and leaned over. "This f*cking place," he said, and continued on.
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And Stephens, the guy Democrats literary told me they need to win a majority, is up 26 votes on opponent Missy Cerrato. Same as with the Bucks race, that's a small margin and race could shift from provisionals/overseas.
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The abortion language has not been added yet; lawmakers are currently debating it in committee.
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Per three lawmakers, Speaker Mark Rozzi has just sent an email telling all 203 House members he will order the House doors locked when not in session after the GOP staged a photo on the floor last night. "It is my hope to revist this policy in the coming months..."
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State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D., Philly) nominates McClinton for the speakership.
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On the other side of the building: State Sen. Katie Muth (D., Chester) has won another term as the Senate Democratic Policy Chair.
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Rozzi says his rules will allow 102 votes, no matter the party, to carry the day. That gets tepid applause from some Ds -- and nothing from Rs.
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A quick note: Some of you may have noticed I'm moving slower the last few months. I've been facing some health issues, and some days are better than others. I hope medical science has an answer, but in the mean time, thank you for your kindness and understanding.
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So with all this said, stay tuned. The Pennsylvania legislature is the biggest thing to watch as results shake out! (Tho I may be biased)
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NEWS: State Rep. Mike Zabel (D., Delaware) is resigning from office effective March 16 he says in a letter to House Speaker Joanna McClinton (D., Philadelphia).
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News: The Pennsylvania House has passed 122-81 a state earned income tax credit giving families making under $60k a year forgiveness or a refund on their state income taxes equal to 25% of their federal benefits. It'll give $1.4 billion back to taxpayers in the next 4 years.
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"I was not elected for this office, and I will not stand in the way of the woman who was," Rozzi said. He references a previous interview where he said he knows how to count votes, noting McClinton has 101, and he will be 102.
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News: A Pennsylvania House committee has just scheduled a vote on a bill enshrining LGBTQ non-discrimination into state law Monday morning at 9:30 a.m..
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It is tabled. Now Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, D-Allegheny, offers stricter campaign finance laws via constitional amendment to the bill. Says it would restore faith in elections by removing private influence. GOP moves to table. It is tabled, party line vote.
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If you want a sense how PA elections work, Allegheny County is already two-thirds through pre-canvassing the ~86,000 mail-in ballots returned before election day a spokesperson says, with another ~37,000 yet to be returned.
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Republicans tabled a broad anti-discrimination amendment. Now Dems offer an amendment to clarify that access to contraceptions won't be impacted. It is also tabled.
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