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What We’re Hearing
“But it’s not me, and it’s not my caucus … but you have to have the votes to win.”

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Sen. Art Haywood (Sat.)

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Top Story

1. Has Time Run Out For Child Sex Abuse Victims, Again?

While Republicans and Democrats play politics over who is the majority party or who sets the rules or who chairs committees, the real-life impact of their delay hits home Friday.

Most are aware that the controversial amendments to the Pennsylvania Constitution must be passed by both chambers of the General Assembly in consecutive sessions to appear before voters on a ballot.

Most are unaware that the real deadline for passage is Friday, January 27, 2023. (PoliticsPA)

Related

Ballot Deadline For Proposed Constitutional Amendments About to Expire. “Lawmakers warned of a tight turnaround ahead of the upcoming spring primary election to adopt proposed ballot questions to amend Pennsylvania’s constitution. That deadline is about to be blown.” (New Castle News)

Harrisburg

2. ‘A Dream Deferred’: Democratic House Leader McClinton Unsure Whether She’ll Be The State’s First Female Speaker

“While everyone is questioning the future of the Pennsylvania House, so is House Democratic Leader Joanna McClinton.

Democrats won a majority of seats in the state House in the November election. But three vacancies — one from a death and two from resignations after members won higher office — put Democrats at a two-seat disadvantage on the first day of legislative session earlier this month. Immediately after the election, McClinton was expected to take the speaker’s gavel and become the first woman and second Black person to lead the state House.

Instead, all House Democrats and GOP leaders supported Rep. Mark Rozzi (D., Berks) to be the new House speaker.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

GOP Names House Committee Chairs. “As the Pennsylvania House remains in limbo over a special session rules fight, the House Republican leadership team has selected its committee chairs for the 2023-24 session.” (PoliticsPA)

New State Reps From Area ‘Alarmed’ At Long Recess. “A pair of newly elected Republican state representatives from northeast Pennsylvania said they are disappointed and alarmed by a stalemate in the House that could prevent lawmakers from returning to Harrisburg for five weeks.” (Standard-Speaker)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Krasner Impeachment Managers File Appeal With PA Supreme Court

“The impeachment trial involving Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner has taken another turn. Impeachment managers Craig Williams and Tim Bonner announced they are filing an appeal to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to the Commonwealth Court’s decision on December 30.” (PoliticsPA)

• Lawmakers Appeal Ruling On Legality Of Impeaching Philly DA. (AP)
• GOP Impeachment Managers Look to Revive Philly DA Krasner’s Senate Trial. (WESA)

Related

Over Trump and On to DeSantis, Philly’s Deep Pocket, Private Club Looks to 2024. “Look beyond the cacophonous conflict of this week’s visit to Philadelphia by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and one pertinent point of agreement emerges between his eager audiences and angry antagonists.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Fetterman Got Committee Assignments Overseeing Agriculture, Banking and the Environment. “Sen. John Fetterman will begin his Senate career on committees that oversee agriculture, banking, and the environment, assignments that will help shape his early work in the Capitol.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Kelly Will Chair House Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee. “Rep. Mike Kelly on Thursday was appointed chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee’s Subcommittee on Tax in the 118th Congress.” (Erie Times-News)

Swearing In: What The Recent Bout of Political Profanity Says About the System. “As a public radio outlet, WESA generally avoids profanity. We believe our audience deserves respectful, rational discourse. (By which I mean we’re afraid of the FCC.) But it takes work … especially when discussing Allegheny County Councilor Bethany Hallam and an even more provocative topic: the rules of procedure in the state House.” (WESA)

Philadelphia Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown Criticizes DA Krasner and Shifts Tone on Police Funding. “The rhetoric represented a shift in tone for Brown, who has before positioned himself as generally progressive on criminal justice.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Lancaster Mayor Dorene Sorace Seeks Home Rule Charter To Ease Deficit. “Mayor Danene Sorace introduced the idea of Lancaster city adopting a home rule charter Thursday during her State of the City address.” (LNP)

Officials: One Step Left For Johnstown’s Act 47 Exit. “Only one main step remains for the city of Johnstown to exit Pennsylvania’s Act 47 program for financially distressed municipalities.” (Tribune-Democrat)

Lawmaker: All PA Schools Should Start After Labor Day. “The idea wasn’t his. But state Rep. Jose Giral (D-Philadelphia) thought it was a good one, so he’s introducing a bill that would establish a post-Labor Day start for Pennsylvania schools. ” (CBS Philadelphia)

Report: PA’s Slashed Corporate Tax Rate Still Lags. “Most states collect a corporate income tax – and historically, Pennsylvania levies one of the highest rates. That’s why lawmakers approved a plan in 2022 to cut it in half over the next decade. A new report shows it’s still not enough, however, to bring Pennsylvania near the top of the leaderboard – the state won’t even crack the top 10.” (The Center Square)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

• What Is College For? Gov. Shapiro Raises The Question. Higher Ed Leaders Are Listening. (Will Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Close Loophole That Allows School Districts To Skirt Law. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• To Really Fix Harrisburg, We Need To Fix The PA Constitution. (Patrick Beaty, PA Capital-Star)
• Can Anything Be Done To Assuage Rural Rage? (Paul Krugman, New York Times)
• Cooperation, Not Partisanship, Will Solve PA’s Environmental Challenges. (Sen. Scott Martin, Broad + Liberty)
• Schools Should Boost Taxpayers, Not Fund Balances. (Media News Group)

1 Thing

5. Can I See Some ID?

“Pulled over or getting ID’d at the bar and you forgot your wallet? Soon, you may be able to just take out your smartphone to show ID in Pennsylvania.

This could be a reality as interest is brewing for a digital driver’s license from both state legislators and PennDOT. Mobile ID and digital records have become more common in the U.S. with states like Arizona, Delaware and Maryland, along with others, adopting digital driver’s licenses. Additionally, many states and cities developed digital vaccine cards for residents to use in lieu of paper records.” (Times-Tribune)

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