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What We’re Hearing
“You’ve got the possibility of very public displays – not certifying, paralyzing the state and possibly the country after an election.”

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Top Story

1. Lobbyist Names Lawmaker For Sexual Harassment, Calls For Resignation

“A lobbyist for one of Pennsylvania’s most influential unions says state Rep. Mike Zabel sexually harassed her, and is calling for him to resign.

Andi Perez, a lobbyist for Service Employees International Union 32BJ, publicly shared her story for the first time in January at a meeting organized by then-state House Speaker Mark Rozzi.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Lobbyist Names PA Lawmaker She Says Sexually Harassed Her. “A Pennsylvania lobbyist on Wednesday named the Democratic state representative who she says sexually harassed her four years ago, going public with his name hours after he and other lawmakers passed expanded workplace protections that were prompted in part by her story.” (AP)

Lobbyist Identifies State Rep She Accuses of Sexually Harassing Her, Calls For Him To Resign. “The political director for a labor union has publicly identified a Delaware County Democratic representative as the man she accused of sexually harassing her and is calling on him to resign.” (PennLive)

Source: Delaware County Rep Is Alleged Groper Of Lobbyist, Also Allegedly Sexually Propositioned Fellow State House Member. “A sitting member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives gave Broad + Liberty a firsthand account of how three months ago she was propositioned — and later followed to her car — by a drunken” state representative. (Broad + Liberty)

New PA House Rules Expand Who Can File a Sexual Harassment Complaint Against Lawmakers. “Two months into an impasse-riddled session, the members of Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives have passed the rules that will allow the chamber to function.” (Spotlight PA)

Harrisburg

2. With Court Win, PA Schools Want Plan, Downpayment

“When Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro unveils his first budget next week, the poor districts that won a landmark school-funding lawsuit will want to see him propose a significant down payment and a plan to overhaul how the state pays for K-12 education in what could be a term-defining moment for the Democrat.” (AP)

Related

How O’Melveny Upended Public Education Funding in PA. “Leaking roofs. Cockroaches. Textbooks that list Bill Clinton as the last president. Principals who double as reading specialists or school counselors.” (Reuters)

PA Senate Committee Subpoenas Norfolk Southern CEO. “The Pennsylvania Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee has voted to subpoena Alan Shaw, CEO of Norfolk Southern, to testify at a hearing on Wednesday, March 8.” (PoliticsPA)

Railroad CEO To Testify In Congress About Train Derailment. “The railroad said Wednesday that Alan Shaw had agreed to appear before the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works next Thursday.” (AP)

PA Lawmakers Introduce Rail Regulation Bills In Wake of Ohio Train Derailment. “U.S. Sens. Bob Casey and John Fetterman have introduced the bipartisan Railway Safety Act of 2023, while U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio has introduced the Decreasing Emergency Railroad Accident Instances Locally Act.” (Tribune-Review)

PA Capitol Standoff Continues Over Child Sexual Abuse Statute Limitations. “The debate over reforming the civil statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse in Pennsylvania has been a long, arduous fight that shows no signs of let up.” (PennLive)

Three-Piece Senate Bill Whittled Down By House Committee To Single Proposal For Abuse Survivors. “Pennsylvania House Democrats stripped an omnibus Senate bill of two proposed constitutional amendments on Wednesday, advancing the measure out of the Judiciary Committee as a standalone bill.” (CNHI News)

Access and Equity Are Top Priorities For Women’s Health Caucus In 2023-24 Session. “With operating rules now in place in the Democratically controlled House, caucus members said that they plan to prioritize reproductive rights, address the maternal mortality crisis, and expand access and equity in health care. ” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Senate Republicans Talk Up Education, Economy As Priorities In PA. “Senate Republicans emphasized family-friendly policies and economic growth as they described their agenda for the legislative session on Wednesday.” (The Center Square)

Around The Commonwealth

3. The Winners of This Year’s Local Races Will Run PA’s 2024 Election, And The Stakes Are High

“Counties, not the state, run elections — and the county boards of elections that certify results are on the ballot this year for the first time since the 2020 presidential race.

If they choose to contest those results, local officials can use their individual counties to hold the entire state’s results hostage.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Unsealed Court Records Show Perry’s Fight to Keep Phone Messages From DOJ. “Court documents released last week show some details about how and why Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry has tried to prevent the Department of Justice from reviewing his communications as part of the investigation into attempts by Donald Trump and his supporters to overturn the 2020 election.” (WITF)

Philadelphia’s Mayoral Candidates Address Gun Violence At Forum. “The forum focused on Philadelphia’s rising gun violence crisis, and asked candidates how they plan to tackle the issue, if elected.” (WHYY)

Henon Gets 3 1/2 Years In Philly Bribery Trial. “Former Philadelphia City Council member Bobby Henon was sentenced today to 3 1/2 years in prison followed by three years of supervised release for taking bribes from former IBEW Local 98 leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty and related charges.” (PoliticsPA)

Ex-Philly Councilmember Bobby Henon Sentenced to 3 1/2 Years In Union Bribery Case. “Former Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon was sentenced to 3½ years in federal prison Wednesday — a punishment the judge said he had earned through actions that “exposed the dirty underbelly of how Philadelphia politics works.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

• We Need to Act to Keep the Capitol Safe From the Accused Sexual Harasser. (Rep. Kristin Marcell, Broad + Liberty)
• Teacher Financial Aid Would Fill State Education Needs. (Tribune-Review)
• Rupert Murdoch Rides The Trump Tiger – And Gets Eaten. (Jack Shafer, POLITICO)
• Don’t Confuse Fox With Facts. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• How To End The Legislative Standoff Over Child Sex Victims Lawsuits. (Paul Muschick, Morning Call)
• Reflections and Regrets, 20 Years After I Opened The Department of Homeland Security. (Tom Ridge, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• How PA Gov. Shapiro Is (So Far) Showing Harrisburg Some Love. (John Baer, PennLive)
• Speaker McClinton Makes History At Just The Right Time. (Joyce M. Davis, PennLive)
• When Does Clinical Depression Become An Emergency? 4 Questions Answered. (John B. Williamson, PA Capital-Star)
• The Lust For Power. (Lowman Henry, PATownHall.com)
• Pass Bill to Improve Train Safety. (Times-Tribune)

1 Thing

5. Best Craft Brewery Bracket

If it’s March, it’s time for Breweries In PA’s annual Malt Mania bracket to determine the, duh, best brewery in the Commonwealth.

Readers of the site have the opportunity to vote for their favorite among 64 different breweries in the state, broken into four regions – Citra, Mosaic, Galaxy and Simcoe – or, four different types of hops.

Users may vote once per day in each round.

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