First Read PA – Nov. 22, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: partly sunny, high of 58; Harrisburg: partly sunny, high of 54; Pittsburgh: mostly cloudy, with a chance of rain from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., high of 46.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration announced yesterday that it is appealing a lower court decision that blocked the state from entering into a regional effort to regulate carbon emissions. 

* Just hours before Shapiro announced his decision on RGGI, Clean Air Action Fund President Joseph Otis Minott penned a new op-ed explaining why Shapiro should appeal the Commonwealth Court’s decision.

NEW THIS MORNING:

* Federal Judge Susan Paradise Baxter ruled that county election boards must count mail ballots received without accurate dates or exterior envelopes, determining that failing to do so violates federal law, The Associated Press reports.

* Shapiro signed legislation into law this week sponsored by Democratic state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler that would penalize health care providers for conducting pelvic, rectal or prostate exams without a patient’s consent, The Center Square reports.

* After a Democratic school board sweep in the Central Bucks School District, Republicans are now challenging the results, claiming there was “fraud or error,” while Democrats are characterizing the effort as a waste of time, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

* Billy Penn takes a look at five things you need to know about Kevin Bethel, who is expected to take over as Philadelphia police commissioner when Democrat Cherelle Parker is sworn in as mayor in January.

* Members of the state’s congressional delegation from western Pennsylvania wrote to the Army Corps of Engineers this week expressing concerns with access and service cuts along the Allegheny River, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. 

* A Commonwealth Court judge has ordered the state Department of Health to release more information about medical marijuana certifications issued by individual doctors, which  could help identify any doctors who may be breaking the state’s rules, Spotlight PA reports.

* Roman Kozak, the chair of the Beaver County Republican Party, has launched a campaign to replace GOP state Rep. Jim Marshall in the state’s 14th state House District after Marshall announced he will not run again, Politics PA reports.

* Prosecutors say former Philadelphia labor leader John Dougherty paid for snow removal for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty, then-City Councilmember Bobby Henon, several city ward leaders and the head of the city’s police union using money from his union’s general fund in 2016, the Inquirer reports.

* Negotiations continue between SEPTA and the transit authority’s police as FOTP Lodge #109 – the union representing SEPTA’s 178 patrol officers – says its workers have been without a contract for the last seven months, WHYY reports.

* Pittsburgh Public Schools is extending its pause on the use of summary citations – a low-level, nontraffic citation – as the district works on crafting a new policy that outlines how the disciplinary measure can be used, WESA reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Tribune-Review writes that every Thanksgiving is an “opportunity to choose appreciation – as well as the compassion and generosity of spirit that is empathy. ”

* The Inquirer has an op-ed from Karen F. Zeitz, who recalls her memories of the day President John F. Kennedy was assassinated, which happened 60 years ago today.

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Officials from Qatar say Israel and Hamas have agreed to a brief ceasefire that will last at least four days and allow for the release of 50 hostages captured by Hamas, as well as the release of 150 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, The New York Times reports. 

* More and more cities across the United States are limiting the amount of time migrants can spend in shelters as the cities begin to hit a breaking point over the number of migrants they can support, Axios reports.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To state Sen. Tim Kearney … to Alan Zeiger, partner at Blank Rome LLP … to Kellan White, senior adviser, Bob Casey for Senate … and, on Thursday, to: Mike Mikus, principal, Chartiers Group … and, on Friday, to: Kirk Dorn, former senior vice president at Ceisler Media … to Nichole Duffy, vice president of government relations,  Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania … to Dan Mallinson, associated professor of public policy and administration, Penn State Harrisburg … to Neil Deegan, managing principal, Rittenhouse Political Partners … and, on Saturday, to: Cassandra Coleman, executive director, America250PA … and, on Sunday: to former Philadelphia City Councilmember Marian Tasco … to Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice P. Kevin Brobson … to Michelle Chenn, founder, Axiom Advancement Corporation … 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:

No events scheduled today.

KICKER: 

“This is a waste of time.” – Democratic elections attorney Adam Bonin on efforts to challenge school board results in Bucks County, via the Inquire