Teresa Miller eyes a promotion, Karen Murphy moves to the private sector, Pennsylvanians will be able to fly again, and the DNC Host Committee continues to see fallout from the surplus spending.  See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Teresa Miller.  It was announced this week that current Insurance Commissioner Teresa Miller will take the lead of the merged Department of Health and Human Services.  Miller would jump ahead of the current heads of the four agencies that would be merged, Departments of Aging; Drug and Alcohol Programs; Health; and Human Services.  

Kevin Haggerty. State Representative Kevin Haggerty had a protection from abuse taken out against him by his wife late last week after he allegedly threw a water bottle at her head.  

Karen Murphy.  Health Secretary Karen Murphy announced this week that she is resigning from her position to join the private sector.  Murphy has overseen the first steps of medical marijuana implementation in Pennsylvania, and helped battle the opioid epidemic.  

Ed Rendell.  Former Governor Ed Rendell is still coming under fire for the decision of the DNC Host Committee to use part of their surplus to pay for bonuses for volunteers and staff.  Rendell was sent a letter this week asking him to testify before the Appropriations committee about where the state should support events like the DNC in the future.  

Pennsylvania IDs. Pennsylvanians looking to get on a plane or into federal buildings will no longer need a separate form of ID with the passage of Senate Bill 133 that repeals the REAL ID Nonparticipation Act and creates the Pennsylvania REAL ID Compliance Act which will put Pennsylvania in line with federal law.  While Pennsylvanians will have a choice between an ID that fall in line with federal regulations and a regular ID, for those who do not want to get a passport the choice helps.  

Internet Gambling.  The state Senate passed a bill that would legalize internet gambling, including purchasing lottery tickets online and fantasy sports

Ted Christian.  It was learned this week that Donald Trump’s State Director Ted Christian went through the entire campaign battling prostate cancer.  He had surgery over Thanksgiving and has been given a clean bill of health.  

Bonus Up/Down: Every week, PoliticsPA will be including a bonus up or down, that is exclusive to Playbook email subscribers.  To sign up to see the bonus arrow click here.

The tweet of the week goes to KDKA reporter Jon Delano for understanding the importance of following the right people on Twitter:

So far only person GOP guv candidate Paul @MangoforPA is following on Twitter is @WolfForPA — not the best way to build a following! LOL.

— Jon Delano KDKA (@JonDelano) May 22, 2017