Winners & Losers
This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Who’s up and who’s down this week?
City & State
This week brought news of a different kind to Harrisburg. While the state budget impasse continued, one of two main buildings at the city’s historic Broad Street Market was destroyed by a fire caused by an electrical malfunction. However, the community has quickly rallied together. Mayor Wanda Williams said the market will be rebuilt “better than ever before,” the Harrisburg Senators pitched in on relief efforts and affected vendors even made a return to the market’s courtyard. It’s good to know it’s possible for a city’s public and private sector leaders to come together to help find solutions for the destruction of an essential space used by so many residents.
Keep reading for more of this week’s Winners & Losers!
Amaya Capellán -
You could say the administration has its newest IT girl. Amaya Capellán, who currently serves as a vice president at Comcast overseeing the launch of the Xfinity app and mobile services, has been appointed as the commonwealth’s Chief Information Officer. In leading the Office of Information Technology, Capellán will be tasked with improving online services, data management and cybersecurity.
Tim Wagner -
Democrats think 2024 is the year for them to take the state Senate. The hope is that Tim Wagner can get them there. Wagner, who most recently served as the political director for Florida Senate Victory, has been named head of the Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Campaign Committee. Wagner comes to the Keystone State with a breadth of experience in the Sunshine State, where he also worked as Florida Deputy Director for Bloomberg 2020, as well as managed successful campaigns for Tampa Mayor Jane Castor.
WITF -
Central Pennsylvania’s public media organization WITF was the recipient of a historic gift from Steinman Communications Inc. this week, with WITF receiving LNP, a daily newspaper focused on Lancaster and the surrounding area. Working together, WITF and LNP plan to expand local news and educational programs. The Steinman Institute for Civic Engagement has also been created by WITF to support education, journalism and community engagement initiatives.
Clarice Schillinger -
Former GOP lieutenant governor candidate Clarice Schillinger found herself on the receiving end of a Pennsylvania State Ethics Commission penalty this week. The commission fined Schillinger for failing to file a “complete and accurate” Statement of Financial Interests form for 2021, which is required by the state’s Ethics Act.
Temple University -
Leadership at Temple University is putting the ‘TU’ in turmoil as of late. Following a tumultuous school year during which Temple saw a graduate student strike and its president resign, the university’s board of trustees voted to raise tuition by 4%. With another enrollment drop expected this fall, the school will apply increases to both undergraduate and graduate students, including in-state and out-of-state tuition. You could also say they’re putting the “TU” in tuition, but we’ll leave that up TU you.
Pennsylvania’s economic clout -
A new report that six southern states now account for a larger proportion of national GDP than northeastern states – including Pennsylvania. Also troubling is that Pennsylvania’s percentage of the national GDP fell from 4.02% in 2010 to 3.63% last year, according to Axios. The figures come as the commonwealth’s population continues to drop, with the state losing residents to states such as Florida and North Carolina, according to the Independent Fiscal Office.