He recalls that his first real interaction with the soon-to-be governor came in 2019, when he and other law center members protested Shapiros appearance at a conference and pressed him on his criminal justice positions. Lets just leave it at that., What you need to know about Pennsylvanias 2022 race for U.S. Senate. Im encouraged that representation, as a diversity officer, isnt going to be our issue, she said. WebThe "PACs" category has been renamed to "Committees," because the term "Political Action Committee" is not used in every state. For that reason among others, Im impressed and excited by what Josh Shapiro, the newly installed Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, just did. National Review: Easing College-Degree Requirements Should Be a No-Brainer for Conservatives, In his first move as governor of Pennsylvania, Democrat Josh Shapiro signed an executive order abolishing four-year-degree requirements for the vast majority of state government jobs. Alaskans will no longer need a four-year college degree to apply for some state jobs under a new order issued by Gov. It means that theyre invested in the success of the Shapiro administration, which means that the people and the policies that theyre going to jumpstart to get this administration going, if they run into some bumps down the road in the legislature, I think that Gov. Governing is different than being a senator or something like that because its about results. Shapiros biggest threat may be from himself, because he is so nakedly focused on his own political advancement, a longtime Philadelphia-based political If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. According to Shapiro, he expects Fetterman to return and that he will serve for a good long while.. Despite obvious health issues as a result of a stroke that he suffered prior to the states primary that many believe should have spurred him to withdraw from the race, the hulking, tattooed, hoodie-clad leftist was able to bamboozle enough voters to win Novembers election against Trump-endorsed celebrity physician Dr. Mehment Oz to replace retiring Sen. Pat Toomey, largely due to the media which portrayed him as a heroic figure even if ample evidence suggested that his candidacy was problematic. Shapiros executive order this month sped up a reversal that is only gaining steam. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff with loyal allies, political veterans Who has Pa. Gov. Shapiros emphasis on a divisive culture war issue comes with large political risks. Krasner has a more aggressively anti-mass-incarceration approach to criminal justice than Shapiro, and the two tangled publicly over a bill that gave Shapiro more control over prosecuting Philly gun crimes. Others have been turned off by what they view as Shapiros hard-edged political ambition. But there are some issues on which Shapiro is resolute about his commitment to Democratic values, such as reproductive and LGBTQ rights. Meanwhile, Fettermans ongoing absence isnt going unnoticed by Twitter users. The people of Pennsylvania deserve a press conference from the office of John Fetterman. Some people are moderate because they just dont know how to make a decision. Senate GOP leaders confirmed he was on personal leave.. Now is the time. Fetterman has been an avid proponent of more frequent pardons from the state board that recommends prisoners for release. With questions swirling about Senator John Fettermans political future after the newly elected lawmaker was hospitalized for depression last month, Pennsylvanias Democrat governor said that there are no plans to replace him despite ongoing concerns over his fitness for the stressful position that he now holds. Austin Davis was sworn in earlier in the day. McNesby is the longtime president of Philadelphias Fraternal Order of Police, and will serve on the transitions public safety committee with a focus on law enforcement policy. Perhaps the most significant action of his career came in 2018, during his time as attorney general, when he presided over the release of a landmark grand jury report on decades of sexual abuse of children in Catholic dioceses across Pennsylvania. A South Philly native, DiGiorgio helmed the state GOP from 2017 to 2019, working to improve the partys waning prospects in the southeast. According to the executive order, state government job postings will begin with equivalent experience needed in lieu of a college degree whenever possible.. Famous performersall from Pennsylvaniainclude Wiz Khalifa, Smokey Robinson and Mt. My job is to be singularly focused on helping the good people of Pennsylvania, to serve this term that I asked for and was generously granted by Republicans, Democrats, independents, and to do a really good job, Shapiro said as the sun began to set on his first day as governor. In 2018, he was accused of sexual harassment and assault by three women. Its not an economic perspective, necessarily, said Groen, the former Pennsylvania Democratic Party chair, of Shapiros moderate outlook. When asked about his White House aspirations, Shapiro said he was flattered but not interested. John Fetterman, a sitting United States Senator has not been seen or heard from in nearly two weeks but the trash corporate media refuses to ask one question. Hes going to get the help that he needs and do a great job for the people of Pennsylvania as their senator for a long time, Shapiro said in a previous interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, adding that he hadnt faced pressure from establishment Democrats to compel Fetterman to resign. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, signed his first executive order, removing a four-year degree requirement for tens of thousands of state If the calculation is the way for his agenda to pass is to lean into the conservative side of the [Democratic] party, it is the wrong calculation.. He also cemented his status as a national figure many expect to become a future candidate for president. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro is set to be sworn in on Jan. 17. If you think the Democrat party cares about anything other than personal power look at what they did to John Fetterman. Copyright 2023. WebThe Pennsylvania Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Progressive Philly District Attorney Larry Krasner is another on-again-off-again opponent. Dasha Burns is an NBC News NOW correspondent who covers politics and social issues. Wes Moore Philadelphia Inquirer: Opinion: What is college for? There are, for instance, policing advocates who want more aggressive law enforcement, people seen as hostile to public education, and a number of prominent Republicans. Overthrowing the college degree as a one-size-fits-all fast pass to employment is good for everyone. If the governor is pursuing a common sense, pro-working-family agenda, hes going to continue to see a lot of support.. Sign up for PA Post and get a free daily email with Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest not profit motives. And I think in society, we put too many labels on people or put too many people in certain buckets and ignore too many folks, Shapiro said at the end of his first day, sitting at his new oak-wood desk, the light-blue checked tie he had worn earlier flung over a nearby coat rack. These people who have called me are very impressive people in their own right. This article and all of our journalism are available to you at no cost thanks to our supporters. The administration also opened a new website that lets applicants search and filter state government job openings based on degree requirements. The governors had met earlier in the morning for a breakfast with Shapiro. Governor Shapiro was one of the first governors to take action to remove degree requirements, joining the governors of Maryland, Colorado, and Utah, who have implemented similar policies. In Pennsylvania, Shapiro spent approximately $840,000 in the Republican primary to call Mastriano " one of Donald Trump's strongest supporters ." Sometimes things are not ideological. But his bid remains unusual. hopefuls flock to Palm Beach for Club for Growth retreat, Eyes on 2024: A page from DeSantis book, California poll: Homelessness is most urgent issue in the state. I believe Josh has done a very good job as AG, Hoeffel said in a text message. The inaugural address touched on some of Shapiros stated priorities, like abortion rights, freedom of religion and fighting hatred and extremism. WHYY + Billy Penn host 100th Mayor: Restoring Safety Forum | Watch live, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro arrives at a news conference in Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 14, 2019. Keye is the chief diversity and compliance officer at Cheyney University, which is the countrys oldest historically Black college or university. Christopher Baxter Democrats have been wounded by charges of elitism over recent years, and Shapiros executive order is a forceful rebuttal of the Republican caricature of his party as the protector of a corrupt meritocracy that demands an expensive, radicalizing adventure in the woke precincts of higher education. While trading donations for positions may be a form of political favors, donating to a political campaign doesnt necessarily disqualify someone from being an effective member of the transition team. Ed Rendell did not attend due to mobility challenges. And by the way, before you know it, youre going to have to come up with a budget to present to the legislature in a couple of months," he added. He reached out to Shapiro to share some of these perspectives, he said, and got an invite to help with the transition. Warm start to March before the next wintry mess on Friday! Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings. But his bid remains unusual. In a period of a couple months, you have to shift from campaign to governing mode, you have the crush of appointments to make, youve got to translate your campaign promises into a policy agenda, said David Thornburgh, senior advisor to the Committee of Seventy, an influential government reform group based in Philadelphia. This is an easy, obvious political win on numerous levels: The move lifts artificial barriers to entering the workforce, expands opportunity, and subsequently grows the economy by opening up (often well-paying) jobs to those who would have otherwise been boxed out. The test will be, is he willing to do things that arent comfortable for Democrats.. The rise in telehealth during COVID-19 is a good example he said its made it easier for some of his patients to make appointments, and hed like to see it strengthened. Shapiro who took the oath of office on Tuesday with Lt. Gov. So who are the people Shapiro wants on his side as he prepares to take executive power? As a young state representative, hehelped broker a power-sharing agreement that maintained Democrats influence in Harrisburg during a period of closely divided House control. Explaining graupel: A more uncommon type of wintry precipitation, shooting rampage in the Tree of Life synagogue, Josh Shapiro's path to the governor's mansion, Pa. speaker's bipartisan group begins work on House rules, READ: Josh Shapiro's inauguration address. Following Gov. Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In his first executive order, Shapiro removes degree requirement for thousands of state jobs. best-of, and more. At one point, Krasners office issued a statement saying the DA deserves a direct explanation from Attorney General Shapiro of how this targeted attack on his local authority came to be authored,, Shapiro ultimately distanced himself from the bill and tried to smooth the conflict over, claiming he didnt seek this law and didnt advocate for it.. Thank you for donating. Interests on both the left and right are already criticizing some of Shapiros picks. But an inconsistent judicial standard and comfortable employer routines ought not oblige Americans to buy a very expensive piece of paper. Larry Hogan and Colorado among Democratic Gov. Sign up for our weekly newsletter. Shapiro won decisively in the vote-rich Philadelphia suburbs where Democrats typically compete, but he also made inroads in rural, working-class areas that have turned sharply away from the Democratic Party. HARRISBURG, Pa. Gov. And I know the people of Pennsylvania Ive talked to are encouraging him along to get the help that he needs., Today the Senators team sent their first official update on his status since announcing his hospitalization., Communications Director, Joe Calvello wrote that we dont have a lot to update folks with since theres no real news to report except that John is doing well, working with the wonderful doctors, and remains on a path to recovery. Adding, in part, he is visiting with staff and family daily, and his staff are keeping him updated on Senate business and news.. His election as Montgomery County Commissioner delivered control of the longtime GOP stronghold for the first time in history, and his reputation as a moderate dealmaker won him friends on both sides of the aisle. One of its co-founders, Jeff Yass, is arguably the commonwealths single biggest conservative political donor. On the previous board of commissioners, he had been largely kept in the cold by a power-sharing agreement between Hoeffel and the other Republican member, Jim Matthews. Shapiro, the states two-term elected attorney general, ran to the middle on On his first full day in office, Gov. Consensus means competing interests must come together, so some friction is expected. Governor Josh Shapiros heartening move means that 65,000 state jobs no longer require a college degree, but that candidates will be free to compete for these positions based on skills, relevant experience, and merit. Example video title will go here for this video. Shapiros move follows similar actions taken by Republicans, like former Maryland governor Larry Hogan, hinting at a burgeoning, bipartisan push to temper the role of college degrees in American life. SIGN UP HERE. As attorney general, he got national attention for a sweeping report detailing sexual abuse in Pennsylvanias Catholic churches, and for his many lawsuits against President Donald Trumps administration. Mike DeWine and neighboring Pennsylvania Gov. The White House has previously noted that included teams from the Environmental Protection Agency and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, who were coordinating with local agencies and first responders and that the president was in communication with Ohio Gov. He is a member of the Democratic Party. Blume will work alongside fellow environmentalists and representatives from and lobbyists for Pennsylvanias powerful fossil fuel industries. In 2011, Shapiro won a seat as Montgomery County Commissioner and became chair of the three-member board. The company is responsible for the controversial, mishapriddled Mariner East pipeline project, which transports natural gas liquids across Pennsylvania. Titles are easy and plentiful in politics to give away.. Shapiro became the 48th governor of Pennsylvania. Progressives will be looking for him to deliver wins on major Democratic issues in return for their support, while Republicans will be seeking to advance their priorities in return for allowing any of Shapiros to move. You inherited the work of those who came before you, you served with honor, and you are leaving us in a better place than when you started. For an optimal experience visit our site on another browser. Groen took over as state Democratic party chair in 2015 but resigned after three years amid allegations he had ignored sexual harassment allegations. And if I did, I would dismiss it immediately, the governor said. Holbrook is an exception. As an independent and elected attorney general, Shapiro is sworn to be a law enforcement officer first and politician second. Our readers keep us independent, beholden to no outside influence, and accessible to everyone whether they can afford to pay for news, or not. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation. (Full list) Pennsylvania Gov. Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro says hes running for governor Party leaders have already largely rallied behind Shapiro, seeing him as their best chance to hold on to the governors office after Democratic Gov. [Shapiro] got to where he is within the party because he planned it that way., Get more Pennsylvania stories that matter. No one expected this to be the initial question raised by Pennsylvanias new governor, Josh Shapiro, in his first full day on the job. In addition to seeing other states take action to expand opportunities for workers, Governor Shapiros executive order action has garnered bipartisan support here in Pennsylvania, with Republicans and Democrats lauding this action: Both the Wall Street Journal and New York Times Editorial Boards praised Governor Shapiros leadership on this issue, with the NYT ed board calling it good policy and good leadership and encouraging other states to follow his example. Susquehanna is known for its secrecy, for an early bet on TikTok that paid enormous dividends, and for its founders ability to pay unusually low federal income tax rates. The Washington County, Pa. Republican party has called on Fetterman to resign and for a special election to be held to replace him later this year. Groen enabled predators and downplayed the trauma of women and folk who experienced assault and harassment, Snyder told Spotlight PA. When we start letting enablers creep back into the party, were paving the way for predators to creep back.. people, places, and food of Pa. every Friday, plus events, guides, foundations and readers like you Top donors who received posts include Thomas Hagen, a former Pa. Secretary of Commerce who donated $750,000 and was appointed to the Transition Leadership Board; Leslie Anne Miller, former General Counsel under former Gov. Im proud of Senator Fetterman for getting the help that he needs and Im there for Gisele and their family. He is the face of entitlement. Its a vision for the Democratic party that resonates with Groen, but one that has begun to feel increasingly like a throwback in Pennsylvania. Thats where I think hes going to have a lot of strength and be able to put things together, said Larry Ceisler, a prominent Pennsylvania Democratic public affairs executive. Josh Shapiro was sworn into office Jan. 17 at the Pennsylvania State Capitol. His first executive I think as a party, Democrats need to show that they are willing to show up anywhere and speak to people with respect, not ignore swaths of our communities that feel like time and time again theyve been ignored or talked down to.. For years, he operated in the same Montgomery County political circles as Shapiro and has said he considers the governor-elect a friend. Doug Mastriano spent 30 years in the U.S. Army serving his country in Iraq and Afghanistan. Shapiro has become known as a political pragmatist, both by his admirers and his detractors. The Republican field had two, including Tom Corbett, who won. HARRISBURG, Pa. Josh Shapiro began his term as Pennsylvanias new Democratic governor by nominating four Republicans to his Cabinet. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, signed his first executive order, removing a four-year degree requirement for tens of thousands of state government jobs. On Feb. 16 at the Mosaic Community Church Support our commitment to credible conservative news. Hes been watching Shapiro lay this groundwork since they were county commissioners. On his first full day in office, Gov. Just this month, Shapiro took on another high-profile, highly political case, announcing 48 criminal charges against Energy Transfer. Sen. John Albers, a Roswell Republican sponsoring the measure, said that the reexamination is needed. Then Shapiro walked to the nearest desk and asked the person their name and what their job was. The Hill: Alaska governor drops college degree requirement for most state jobs to fight worker shortage. But in recent years, the role of the union which represents 14,000 active and retired police officers has become more fraught. But its also due to a misguided, and often toxic, cultural and political trend toward viewing college degrees as a prerequisite for participation in American public life. One of Blumes critiques of outgoing governor Tom Wolf was that though she often agreed with his priorities he tended to decide first, then go to people., Shapiro, she said, is more collaborative.. Higher ed leaders are listening. These issues below are sorted in descending order based on how important the average American voter ranked them on the quiz. Hell make health care recommendations in a group that includes representatives from major health systems, health care unions, and the insurance industry. , Smokey Robinson and Mt long while Shapiros moderate josh shapiro political party a breakfast with.! 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