First Read PA - Oct. 30, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: chance showers and patchy fog, high of 71; Harrisburg: rain likely and areas of fog, high of 60; Pittsburgh: rain and areas of fog, high of 53.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* Few people in Pennsylvania have more first-hand experience with the kind of damage that can be wrought by misinformation – and even fewer are in a position to do more about it – than PA Secretary of State Al Schmidt. City & State spoke with Schmidt about what the commonwealth is doing to better inform voters and to combat fake news before and during the election. 

NEW THIS MORNING:

* U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, who joined calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, has become one of several progressive lawmakers facing new pressure from primary challengers, The New York Times reports.

* Washington County Coroner Timothy Warco wants a police officer who shot and killed a man after a car chase to be charged in his death, a recommendation that has generated strong backlash from the local prosecutor who maintains the shooting was justified, The Associated Press reports. 

* Officials and experts in the commonwealth are confident that new technology and growing familiarity with mail ballots among poll workers will make for smooth sailing during the upcoming Nov. 7 election, Spotlight PA reports.

* About 1,000 demonstrators marched through Center City Philadelphia Saturday evening to protest Israel’s escalating assault on the besieged Gaza Strip as concerns deepen over the humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

* U.S. Rep. Susan Wild, who represents the Lehigh Valley, issued a statement Friday calling for a “temporary cessation of hostilities in Gaza” to allow humanitarian aid to reach the region, the Inquirer reports.

* Off-years, or odd-numbered years, tend to be favorable for the party out of the White House, and 2023 looks to be no exception. Since October 2022, Republicans have seen impressive gains all across the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports. 

* Philadelphia has asked a judge to hold the state in contempt of court for failing to address a crisis of overcrowding inside the city’s juvenile jail – escalating a blame game that has continued for more than a year, the Inquirer reports. 

* Allegheny County residents won't just be selecting new leaders next week – they’ll also decide how their county council members will be paid, WESA reports.

* SEPTA reached a tentative agreement with the Transport Workers Union on Friday to avert a strike, WHYY reports.

* With a record number of teachers leaving Pennsylvania classrooms, Point Park University is developing an on-the-job teacher certification program to help fill the gaps. The university is collaborating with Pittsburgh-based tech company BloomBoard to roll out several bachelor’s degree programs that will allow school support staff to earn their certificate to teach while they work, WESA reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Inquirer has a column from Inga Saffron, who writes that it took half a century to repurpose Philadelphia's vast inventory of obsolete factory buildings. Now those lessons can apply to office towers.

* The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review writes that in the discussion of securing school safety, taking any steps to protect kids is worth discussing – the real issue is the logistics.

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Nearly three months before Robert R. Card II fatally shot 18 people in Lewiston, Maine, a gun shop declined to let him complete his purchase of a firearm silencer after he disclosed on a form that he had mental health issues, The New York Times reports. 

* A federal judge has reimposed limits on former President Donald Trump’s public statements in advance of his trial on charges of conspiring to subvert the results of the 2020 election, The Washington Post reports.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson … to former state Rep. Thomas Caltagirone … to Natural Lands President Oliver Bass … and to Laura Manion, president and CEO of the Chester County Chamber of Business and Industry … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

10 a.m. – The House Consumer Protection, Technology & Utilities Committee holds a public hearing on HB 1607. Room 205, Ryan Office Building, Harrisburg. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Education Committee holds an informational meeting on school transportation, Room 515, Irvis Office Building. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Environmental Resources & Energy Committee holds a public hearing on unconventional well setbacks, Room G50, Irvis Office. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Judiciary Committee holds a public hearing on HB 1410, Room 140, Main Capitol. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Transportation Committee meets, Room 523, Irvis Office. Watch here.

11 a.m. – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee holds a public hearing on background checks for firearm purchases, Roxborough YMCA, 7201 Ridge Ave., Philadelphia. Watch here. 

11 a.m. – The House Liquor Control Committee meets, Room 523, Irvis Office. Watch here.

11 a.m. – Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney to announce the winning artist selected to create the permanent Harriet Tubman statue, City Hall, Second Floor, Mayor’s Reception Room, Philadelphia. 

Call of Chair – The House Appropriations Committee meets, Room 140, Main Capitol. Watch here.

Call of Chair – The House Health Committee meets, Room 205, Ryan Office Building. Watch here.

Conclusion of Session – The House Republican Policy Committee holds a public hearing on energy policies, Republican Caucus Room 418, Main Capitol. 

KICKER: 

“I am a little disappointed that (Summer Lee) has not been more proactive in finding the right language and forum in which to speak to and support her Jewish constituents on Israel.” – Rabbi Seth Adelson, via The New York Times