August 11: Farm Talk

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PA Weather
Erie | Sunny, 74
State College | Mostly Sunny, 80
Wilkes-Barre | Patchy Fog Then Mostly Sunny, 82

What We’re Hearing
“I think there’s going to have to be an extension only because there’s a lot of moving parts,” said Rep. G.T. Thompson about the U.S. Farm Bill.

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Top Story

1. Congressman Glenn Thompson says short extension may be needed to pass U.S. Farm Bill.

“As the deadline looms for reauthorizing the sprawling national Farm Bill that Congress updates about every five years, Congressman Glenn “G.T.” Thompson, of Centre County, who is ushering it through the U.S. House, said more time may be needed to get it through Congress.” (WPSU)

Related

Shapiro stresses Pa. agriculture’s importance at Ag Progress Days. “Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday touted the agriculture industry’s importance to the state’s economy at the Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences’ Ag Progress Days.” (Bedford Gazette)

Unfinished Pennsylvania Budget Leaves Some Ag Programs in Limbo. “Funding for organic farming and Penn State remains delayed more than a month after Pennsylvania’s June 30 budget deadline, but most state ag programs are continuing as usual.” (Lancaster Farming)

Agriculture leaders worry about research funding, California regulations. “As the federal farm bill gets debated in Congress, Pennsylvania lawmakers and agricultural leaders hope to see a boost in research funding along with action to improve broadband internet and child care in the rural reaches of the state.” (The Center Square)

Fetterman visits Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman on Thursday toured Heller Orchards in Wapwallopen to gather information as he visits farms throughout Pennsylvania to hear farmers’ concerns, view their operations, and listen to what they would like to see from the Senate in the upcoming Farm Bill.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

PA Elected Officials Talk Farming at Ag Progress Days. “On Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro and other Pennsylvania lawmakers made an appearance at Penn State’s College of Agricultural Sciences’s Ag Progress Days to promote the importance of Agriculture in the state.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. Will Pa. be the next state to try to regulate prescription drug costs like public utilities?

“Prescription drugs should be regulated like public utilities, says state Rep. Dan Frankel, which is why the Allegheny County Democrat plans to reintroduce a bill this upcoming legislative session to establish a prescription drug affordability board.” (WESA)

Related

A Pa. Prescription Drug Affordability Board finds 87% support in a new poll. “Eight in 10 Pennsylvanians are at least slightly worried about affording their prescriptions, and 87% support the creation of a state regulatory body to help keep drug prices within reach, a new poll found. The results of the survey were presented Thursday during a webinar hosted by Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny, the sponsor of legislation establishing a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, along with health care advocates.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Gov. Shapiro’s signature on budget bill heralds start of more secure funding for state police. “Gov. Josh Shapiro’s signing of a budget bill last week set the stage for reaching a major bipartisan goal in Harrisburg: ending the use of transportation money to pay for state police.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Disagreement over status of $100 million for poorest school districts splits Democrats. “A disagreement within Democratic ranks on a key state budget item was revealed Thursday when a House member called it “unfortunate” Gov. Josh Shapiro did not share first with members of his own party news that has stalled money for needy schools.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Low-income seniors get bigger tax break under bill signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in Philadelphia. “Low-income Pennsylvania seniors are getting a bigger tax break under a bill that Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Thursday at a Germantown senior center.” (KYW Newsradio)

How a recent court ruling could put the brakes on water and sewer privatization in Pennsylvania. “A Pennsylvania court recently found a state commission should not have approved the sale of a municipal sewer system to a private company because the deal would harm consumers, a ruling that has the potential to raise the bar for such acquisitions.” (Spotlight PA)

Uproar cancels Pennsylvania injection well; locals not ‘easy pickings’. “A proposed injection well for fracking wastewater in Fayette County is no more, as the company withdrew its permit application after community opposition rallied against the project.” (The Center Square)

Pa. plan to distribute $1.16B in federal broadband funds approved by state officials. “A plan to distribute more than a billion dollars in federal funds to build and expand broadband infrastructure across Pennsylvania has been approved by the state agency overseeing the effort, according to state officials.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Pa. participation in RGGI has been held up for more than a year. What has the state lost? “Former Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature climate program has been on hold for more than a year. By some estimates, the state has lost close to $1 billion in the delay.” (StateImpact Pennsylvania)

Fund with numbers: Basic Education Funding Commission to go on tour. “Lawmakers have plenty of work to do when it comes to figuring out just how to fix the state’s now-unconstitutional public school funding system – and that work is set to begin this fall.” (City & State PA)

Labor shortages, red tape mean high home prices, months of delay. “Pennsylvania homebuilders are caught in a bind: labor costs are high and the state’s bureaucracy slows down construction.” (The Center Square)

Pa. tops states with most OSHA complaints against Amazon, FedEx, UPS. “A recent report has determined the amount of OSHA-reported injuries in each state, specifically at Amazon, FedEx, and UPS locations. And Pennsylvania was among the top three states with the most such complaints in the country.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Report: Lee to Face Dem Primary in 2024.

“A primary contest is reportedly brewing in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District.

According to Jewish Insider, Edgewood Council Member Bhavini Patel is “planning to challenge” Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) for the Democratic Party nomination in the Pittsburgh-based congressional seat.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

AIPAC signals potential 2024 moves against U.S. Rep. Summer Lee. “The Jewish Insider reports that AIPAC, a hardline pro-Israel political group that spent several million dollars trying to defeat U.S. Rep. Summer Lee last year, “seeks to pick off a handful of incumbents who have been unusually hostile to Israel.” Relatedly, it reports that Bhavini Patel, who mounted a brief Congressional bid of her own last year, “is planning to challenge Lee” again in 2024.” (WESA)

AIPAC steps up efforts to oust anti-Israel lawmakers. “In recent months, AIPAC has stepped up its recruitment efforts to challenge Democratic incumbents who have clashed with the pro-Israel establishment, pushing the activist left into a defensive crouch as it prepares for a potentially bruising primary cycle.” (Jewish Insider)

Centrists back Seth Bluestein for Philly city commissioner, with an eye to 2024. “The Forward Party, a centrist political group, is backing Seth Bluestein for city commissioner in Philadelphia amid concerns that the 2024 presidential election could be as pandemonius as 2020’s.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

A free program in Philly continues to limit the number of eviction filings in the city. “Eviction filings in Philadelphia have remained below pre-pandemic levels, bucking a national trend that’s seen many cities return to, and in several cases, exceed their pre-COVID averages.” (WHYY)

Cartwright: $6M for Luzerne, Lackawanna police, public safety. “U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright on Thursday announced $6 million in Community Project Funding that will support law enforcement and first responders in Luzerne and Lackawanna counties.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

Pa. Lt. Gov. Austin Davis visits Kennywood to celebrate park’s 125th anniversary. “Pennsylvania Lieutenant Governor Austin Davis made a stop at Kennywood on Thursday to celebrate the park’s 125th anniversary.” (KDKA News)

Results of study looking into potential link between natural gas drilling and rare cancers to be released. “The Pennsylvania Department of Health and the University of Pittsburgh did long-term studies on a group of rare childhood cancers in Washington County.” (KDKA News)

Central Bucks’ proposed policy on trans athletes: Teams shouldn’t be segregated by ‘irrelevant classifications’. “The Central Bucks school board is considering a policy that would ban transgender students from playing on sports teams aligned with their gender identities.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Judge orders Fayette elections bureau to turn over ballots, vote records. “A judge ordered the Fayette County Elections Bureau to turn over its digital “cast vote record” tabulation and copies of paper ballots in several precincts from the primary election that are being challenged as petitioners are aiming to review those votes and possibly request a countywide recount.” (Observer-Reporter)

Former Pa. corrections officers’ union leaders charged with theft. “Five former leaders of Pennsylvania’s corrections officers’ union have been charged with theft after police say they stole union funds by using credit cards for personal expenses and conspiring to conceal their actions.” (PennLive)

Domestic violence charges withdrawn against DA Zappala’s son. “State prosecutors Thursday morning withdrew domestic violence charges against the son of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., court records show.” (Tribune-Review)

Easton elected official attends 1st city council meeting since arrest. “Easton elected official Taiba Sultana on Wednesday night attended her first meeting of the city council since being arrested last month in what police described as a domestic incident. The city councilwoman made no public statements during the brief meeting in City Hall on her situation, and declined to comment afterward.” (The Express-Times)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

Troubled by choices like Trump vs. Biden? Start looking to the states (John Baer)
Ghost of chance for gun safety (Scranton Times-Tribune)
Keep, expand whole home repair program (Scranton Times-Tribune)
College students are returning. Let’s encourage them to stay. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Pa.’s public school system doesn’t serve low-income communities (Bishop Dwayne Royster)
Philadelphia needs a citywide gun lock campaign — now (Helen Ubiñas)
The Inquirer editorial board’s ongoing war with the facts at the Central Bucks School District (Terry Tracy)

1 Thing

5. Pa. 1 win away from Little League World Series, advances to Mid-Atlantic final.

“Pennsylvania is one win away from heading to the Little League World Series for the second straight year.

On Tuesday night, Media scored 16 unanswered runs to get past Washington, D.C. 16-3, in the Mid-Atlantic winner’s bracket game. Media will play in the regional final on Friday at 3 p.m. The game will air on ESPN.” (PennLive)

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