A high-profile week for Allyson Schwartz, while Governor Corbett laid low. See who made the list.
Allyson Schwartz. The Democratic front-runner in the gubernatorial race definitely won the most headlines this week, although that may prove to be a blessing and a curse. This week Schwartz announced the first plank of her campaign platform, a 5% extraction tax on drilling for natural gas in the Marcellus Shale. While such a specific plan is refreshing, it has also already provided a large target for opponents to attack. As has been said before, the problem with being the front-runner is that your back is turned to everyone else.
Rob McCord. In contrast, Rob McCord continues to be able to run for the governorship, without actually saying he is running for the governorship. Earlier this week McCord even gave an interview laying out a campaign platform. This long, slow roll-out does have the advantage, however, of keeping the State Treasurer in the spotlight. He is definitely getting the most out of this initial phrase of the race.
Tom Corbett. I can hear you saying, but Corbett didn’t make any news this week. That’s exactly why it was a good week for the Governor. After a summer of resignations, revelations, and legislative frustrations, at this point a quiet week is a winning week for Corbett. In addition, with the Democratic primary heating up, it’s also possible their friendly fire will take the heat off of him and allow him to recover from his record low approval ratings.
Every PA Representative. Thanks to the President’s decision to seek congressional approval for a strike on Syria, every member of the state delegation must vote on the contentious and controversial proposal to reprimand the Assad regime for its use of chemical weapons. According to the Washington Post, three Republicans (Reps. Marino, Thompson and Shuster) are against the resolution while the other fifteen members of the House have yet to take a firm stand.
Minimum Wage. In the news vacuum that is the post-Labor Day week, the state minimum wage became an unlucky focus for PA politicians. It began on Tuesday when gubernatorial candidate Katie McGinty unveiled her plan for a $9 an hour minimum wage. Then on Thursday, Senator Casey gave a speech advocating increasing the national minimum wage. While we likely won’t see a minimum wage increase, its rare that the issue gets this much attention.
Tweet of the Week: In honor of Rosh Hashanah, we give the honor to Jake Tapper of CNN.
Sigh. I’m still writing 5773 on my checks.
– Jake Tapper (@JakeTapper) Sept. 4, 2013
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5 Responses
Come on PA Delegation – get on board with a NO vote – we cannot afford a WWIII just because Obama’s ego is bruised. You know that his surgical strike will cause chaos.
EACH PA REP. MUST VOTE NO AS PER THEIR CONSTITUENCY!!
Does the Corbett Administration have the independence to regulate our health care and our health care insurance industry? Isn’t time for the Corbett administration to come clean on John Brabender’s rumored ad deal with Highmark and for COS GROMIS-Baker to resign? http://www.pennlive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2013/09/making_sure_central_penn
sylvania_has_a_choice_on_healthcare_as_i_see_it.html#incart_flyout_opinion PLEASE GROMIS-BAKER RESIGN TODAY FOR THE JOB CREATORS!!!
I am so impressed by the new UPMC positive ads!!! COS Gromis-Baker: Did the Corbett Administration approve these ads? Thank you-they warm my very cold frozen cynical heart! Corbett COS Gromis-Baker: PLEASE RESIGN-RESIGN FOR THE PENNSYLVANIA JOB CREATORS! Gromis-Baker, you are unfit to have any part of Pennsylvania health care regulation!
GOP Congressional Challenger Larry Stiles Supports The Teachers in the Shaler School District Strike! Stiles Supports Public Education And Asks For The Endorsement of the PSEA!
Unlike Tom Corbett and his protégé, Keith Rothfus, GOP Congressional Candidate Larry Stiles supports public education. Stiles explains: “ I am a product of public education. Extremist Tea Party members like Tom Corbett and Keith Rothfus are starving to death our most important infrastructure, the education of our Pennsylvanian youth. It is not a surprise to find the starting teacher pay of Shaler, home of Tom Corbett, to be the 7th lowest in Allegheny County and these teachers have worked since 2011 with no contract. Private schools and cyber charter schools are important, but they are no substitute for a vibrant public school system, which has been the backbone of building a strong middle class in this state. I will not let extremists like Tom Corbett and Keith Rothfus dismantle a great American asset, public education. I seek the endorsement of all Republican PSEA members in the 12th Congressional District.”
Dear COS GROMIS-BAKER: A friend of mine works at Geisinger and he asked me to make a recommendation on who the System should hire as an equalizer to Acting Governor Brabedner’s rumored fine work for Highmark. Gromis-Baker can you help? COS GROMIS Baker, I do not believe there is a CHINESE WALL IN YOUR marital bedroom that separates your work for Governor Corbett and Acting Govenor Brabender from UPMC. COS Gromis-Baker please resign. RESIGN TO PROTECT PA JOB CREATORS! http://triblive.com/business/headlines/4569135-74/highmark-upmc-geisinger#axzz2dv4Un8D0