Congrats to Ross Feller Casey, a Philadelphia law firm, and Inquirer reporter Mario Cattabiani, their new Communications Director. The firm, started by Matt Casey, Sen. Bob Casey’s brother, has quickly become one of the top firms in Pennsylvania, and their gain is the capitol newsroom’s loss.
Former Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R) reportedly raised $500k in the first quarter, a strong showing for the man that current Rep. Patrick Murphy (D) ousted in ’06. PoliticsPA ranks the 8th District as only the 10th most vulnerable in Pa., but Fitzpatrick’s haul is a good start for the former congressman. Murphy, though, is a proven fundraiser, and Fitzpatrick will need much more than half a million oust the sophomore congressman in Bucks.
We’re all still in the dark about the FBI’s surprise search of state Sen. Ray Musto‘s home yesterday, but it’s never a good sign when those guys in the FBI windbreakers show up with a warrant. Musto, 81, announced in February that he would retire after this term after serving for 28 years in the state Senate.
The Dept. of Transportation officially rejected Pennsylvania’s request to toll I-80, leaving state lawmakers with, oh, $472 million dollars to come up with for the transportation budget. How bad is that gap? State Rep. Joe Markosek called it a ”transportation funding nuclear winter.” Governor Rendell, sounding very much like a man that doesn’t have to run for office again, simply called it a “bummer.” Indeed.
LG candidate Russ Diamond, best known for founding PA Clean Sweep, came out with a music video to go with his campaign single “We Are Free.” We won’t even try to describe it. Just…watch.
The Orie sisters, quietly one of Pennsylvania’s most powerful political families, took a serious hit this week, and the worst may not be over. State Sen. Jane Orie and her sister Janine, an aide to another sister Joan, were charged this week with using resources from Jane’s office to work on Joan’s campaign. Still following? Try this three times fast: Jane, Janine and Joan sell seashells by the seashore.
Mike Fitzpatrick’s fund raising is serious enough to give Congressman Murphy pause. This race appears to be moving up on the political radar screen.
You people must have your head up your butts; lighten up! Russ Diamonds video is great! Quote: “we won’t even try to describe it” Hey ; move to another country and you’ll see how free you are!