Tom Wolf. Meanwhile, Browning and other Republican legislative candidates were hit with cookie-cutter ads, he said, connecting the individual candidates to Mastrianos support for criminalizing abortion, overturning the 2020 election, and cutting public education spending. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Route 33 closed after major crash involving multiple vehicles, Pa. Gov. Other top appointments include the people who will oversee state budgeting, provide legal counsel to the entire administration, and back up the chief of staff. Dana Fritz, who managed Attorney General Josh Shapiros winning gubernatorial campaign, will be his chief of staff in Harrisburg. But Dean Browning, an unsuccessful GOP candidate for state Senate in the Lehigh Valley, did not see any carryover. She is a graduate of Allegheny College and the Widener University School of Law, worked for the Westmoreland County Legal Aid Office, and clerked for now retired Lancaster County President Judge Michael Georgelis. Weve got some very conservative Democrats, some very progressive Democrats here.. At a recent news conference on the gubernatorial transition, Shapiro told reporters hell assemble a working group to assess it. You want to do your job without the obstructionists getting in the way.. Whats next:The move would require legislative approval, and many Republicans in the state House have previously opposed increasing the minimum wage. 1981-present: Elected Attorneys General. Shapiro achieved better margins than Fetterman across most of the state which Putnam mostly attributes to the fact that Fetterman had a relatively more formidable opponent in Mehmet Oz. However, the governors office can grant clemency and commute sentences. Mastriano never amassed much of a campaign chest or mainstream following, and it showed in both his limited fundraising and his insular events. Its how we live. In his successful bid for Pennsylvania governor, Josh Shapiro received more votes than any other gubernatorial candidate in commonwealth history. WebThen, as Chairman of the Board of Commissioners in Montgomery County, Pennsylvanias third-largest, Josh led a fiscal and ethical turnaround. Pennsylvania Gov. The Office of General Counsel houses dozens of lawyers in about 30 state agencies and often goes to court on the state's behalf, particularly when the attorney general's office declines the task or delegates it. If Fetterman does resign, Shapiro will need to appoint a temporary replacement, and then a special election would be called to fill the remainder of his six-year term. Spotlight PA is funded by foundations and readers like you who are committed to accountability journalism that gets results. Last year, then Gov. One of the biggest focusesof Shapiros platformwas a promise to bolster the economy and lower consumer prices for Pennsylvania residents. By the year 1850, through improperly drafted legislation, the Office was stripped of its authority at the county level and was rendered almost powerless in state government. The union Unite Here, which primarily represents hotel, food service, and airport workers, among others, knocked on over 980,000 doors in Pennsylvania this year for Fetterman and Shapiro, which made it the biggest door-to-door effort on Fetterman and Shapiros behalves in the commonwealth. The Public Protection Division handles consumer complaints through the Bureau of Consumer Protection and the Health Care Section, oversees Tobacco enforcement, Charitable Trusts and Organizations, Antitrust actions and Civil Rights Enforcement. Sign up for our free newsletters. Josh Shapiro fills executive staff with loyal allies, political veterans, Pa. lawmakers push bill to crack down on cell phone use while driving, Pa. judges offer conflicting opinions on whether fraud evidence is needed for recount requests, Paul Muschick: How to end the legislative standoff over child sex victim lawsuits. On the ground, canvassers said they repeatedly encountered this kind of attitude in relatively poor, urban neighborhoods. Heres what you need to know. His picks include Al Schmidt, Val Arkoosh, and Pat Browne. Pennsylvania Democratic Josh Shapiro on Tuesday, Nov. 8, in Oaks, Pa. Shapiros first big political job came in the late 90s, when he became chief of staff the youngest chief of staff on Capitol Hill to then-U.S. Rep. Joe Hoeffel, a Democrat. Shapiro, who has worked closely with Fritz for the last decade, called her "my most trusted adviser.". The same pattern basically appeared nationwide this year in disadvantaged urban core areas and in heavily African American areas.. Throughout his campaign, Shapiro highlighted his work defending Pennsylvania against former President Donald Trumps attempts to overturn the 2020 election, and he framed his victory as a rejection of radicalism and misinformation. Their strategy included offering job training and connections at the door, noted Rosslyn Wuchinich, who is a president of Unite Here Local 274 and served as campaign director for the effort. Senate Republicans' campaign operation is taking steps to avoid a repeat of their party's disastrous showing in last year's midterms. Her district, like much of that region, has gotten increasingly Republican during her tenure a process she says accelerated rapidly with Donald Trumps 2016 election. Tom Wolf and the legislature agreed to lower the tax rate to 4.99% over the course of the next decade. Shapiro, who is finishing his sixth year as state attorney general, will be sworn in Jan. 17. 717-787-3391. Mastriano did nothing to counter any of the charges against him, Browning told Spotlight PA. I did not see anything in the way of mail. That includes earmarking extra aid for the poorest districts and saving the districts money by reducing payments to charter schools. HARRISBURG Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. But Joyal said the conversations were worthwhile: I really believe that a bunch of those folks, even if they didnt vote for the governor-elect, felt respected, felt heard.. Tom Wolf. She next managed his 2020 reelection campaign, then his 2022 campaign for governor. Promise:Shapiro said he will put Pennsylvania on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. Under a policy instituted in January, Democratic Gov. Promise:Shapiro has pledgedto help hire 2,000 more police officers across the commonwealth.. Its impossible to talk about Shapiros victory without talking about his opponent, far-right state Sen. Doug Mastriano of Franklin County. Youre putting out fires all the time, said Mary Isenhour, who served as both legislative director and chief of staff for Shapiros predecessor, Democratic Gov. One of the reasons why I was so involved in his campaign is because I see [Shapiro] as a Democrat like me: pragmatic, Snyder said. To represent the Commonwealth and its citizens in any action brought about for violation of the antitrust laws of the United States. On the campaign trail, Shapiro talked about transitioning to renewable energy sources but he also stressed that he thinks fossil fuels are currently indispensable. Its always difficult to take specific lessons from broad turnout trends, but Putnam pointed out one more data point that she thinks sheds light on Shapiros relatively weak showing in poor urban areas: comparison with Lt. Gov. Danielle Okai is currently deputy director of public engagement at the U.S Department of Commerce and previously worked in the White House, on President Joe Bidens campaign, and in the Wolf administration. WebThe Shapiro Squad is an interactive community of online supporters working together to elect Josh Shapiro and Austin Davis on November 8, 2022. Dan Urevick-Ackelsberg, senior attorney at Public Interest Law Center, said theyre hoping to see an action plan from Shapiro that shows how the state will develop a system that funds schools based on what students need. Support local journalism. This was especially the case in poorer, heavily Black and Hispanic precincts. Now the political world is figuring out what lessons to take from that victory. Beyond winning open races, the party also knocked off four GOP incumbents in suburban Philadelphia to win a one-vote state House majority putting Republicans in the minority for the first time in 12 years. HARRISBURG Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. A month into his tenure as Pennsylvanias top executive, Shapiro has so far avoided conflict and focused on what he can do unilaterally. HARRISBURG Gov. Believe me, I had this on my bingo card 25 years ago.. Shapiros incoming secretary of legislative affairs, Mike Vereb, is one of the new governors closest and for a powerful Democrat, most unusual allies. If Fetterman does resign, Shapiro will need to appoint a temporary replacement, and then a special election would be called to fill the remainder of his six-year term. Mastriano and his backers argued that grassroots enthusiasm in redder, rural areas would overcome the deficits in more moderate suburbs. The Constitution further provided the Attorney General shall be the chief law enforcement officer of the Commonwealth and shall exercise such powers and perform such duties as may be imposed by law. People there, she said, seemed starved for elected officials to take a personal interest in their problems. Paddling in the middle of a fast moving stream of news and information. Meanwhile, Shapiro broke spending records. All of them have extensive experience in state politics. Promise:Shapiro made several commitments to tighten gun control. Uri Monson, currently the Philadelphia School Districts chief financial officer, will serve as budget secretary. The Human Rights Campaign, an activist group known for its strong support of the medical transition of children, has endorsed Josh Shapiro for governor of Pennsylvania, just months after it awarded the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia an award for excellence in LGBTQ+ healthcare. This allowed Shapiros campaign to run ad after TV ad across the state portraying Mastriano as a dangerous radical and Shapiro as a reasonable consensus-builder. Matt Slocum. Snyder, who will retire from the state House at the end of this years legislative session, has for nearly a decade represented a seat in the far southwestern corner of Pennsylvania. And outside Philly, turnout was also relatively weak in smaller cities where lots of Black and Latino people live, such as Allentown, Hazleton, and Reading. After Shapiros 2016 election as Attorney General, Fritz served for three years as a deputy chief of staff and communications director there, leading public-facing efforts around the Catholic Church investigation, UPMC/Highmark dispute, lawsuits against the Trump Administration, and more. Shapiro told The Inquirer that he hasnt spoken with Fetterman since he entered Walter Reed, but that hes exchanged texts with the senators wife, Gisele. Montgomery County Commissioner Josh Shapiro has been hovering on the edge of the states political radar for quite awhile now. Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf administration veteran Sam Robinson, who among other roles worked as the former governors deputy chief of staff focused on environmental policy, will stay in a similar role in the Shapiro administration, serving as deputy chief of staff for consumers and the environment. Patrick Joyal, who was Shapiros deputy political director, spent the early months of Shapiros uncontested primary talking to people he calls community validators county commissioners, township supervisors, sheriffs, and other elected officials. It never happened, but not because theres significant opposition to the measure. This story originally appeared on Spotlight PA. Balancing state budgets, cracking down on illegal guns and raising the minimum wage are some of his key pledges. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke). The arrival of William Penn in 1681 as the proprietor of Pennsylvania began a continuing succession of notable Attorneys General including David Lloyd (1686-1710), who designed Pennsylvanias first judicial system, and Andrew Hamilton (1717-1726), who defined the early role of the Office by making significant changes from the European systems of justice. Josh Shapiro unveils his first budget next week, the poor districts that won a landmark school-funding lawsuit will want to see him propose a significant down payment and a plan to overhaul how the state pays for K-12 education in what could be a term-defining moment for the Democrat. Where was that with the American people or the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania? . Widely recognized for her work ethic and singular dedication to public service, Michelle rose from intern in the Westmoreland County District Attorneys Office to now serve as the chief law enforcement officer for the Commonwealth. Dana Fritz, who managed Attorney General Josh Shapiros winning gubernatorial campaign, will be his chief of staff in Harrisburg. The executive staffers will help the governor strategize, offer policy expertise and serve as his representatives in talks with the legislature, departments and interest groups as he tries to deliver on key campaign promises. Governor-elect Josh Shapiro looks onduring his inauguration ceremony, Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2023, at the State Capitol in Harrisburg. HARRISBURG The Shapiro administration insists the governor did not violate his own gift ban when he and top staff went to Arizona for the Super Bowl on the dime of a nonprofit that has received millions of dollars in state money. She was deputy campaign manager in Shapiros 2016 bid for attorney general and stayed with him after he took office, working over several years in communications and as deputy chief of staff. The new administrations chief of staff, Dana Fritz, has been with Shapiro since his days in Montgomery County government, where she first managed finance and political efforts for the then-county commissioner, according to Shapiros transition team. However, the new Democratic majority in the state House gives Shapiro an edge in the legislature. Josh Shapiros biggest campaign promises, By opting into newsletters you are agreeing to our, perennial topic of conversation when lawmakers negotiated state budgets, Pennsylvania Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards Act to require that companies selling energy to the commonwealths, a significant source of emissions in Pennsylvania, brought the topics up often during his campaign, Court ruling on education funding causes multi-billion-dollar budget challenge, Control up for grabs in Pa. State House; Democrats can claim majority if they win three special elections today, Public calls for change as state House remains deadlocked ahead of special elections, Let there (not?) Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro made a gubernatorial campaign stop at a home in Forest Hills, Allegheny County on March 18, 2022. Michelle was raised in Westmoreland County, graduated from Greensburg-Salem public schools and remains a proud Golden Lion. Pennsylvanias legal representation will be overseen by Jennifer Selber, who already worked closely with Shapiro as executive deputy attorney general in charge of the offices criminal division. Danas leadership skills, knowledge of the Commonwealth, and sharp instincts are unmatched and I have complete confidence in her ability to lead our Administration and help move Pennsylvania forward.. In 2005, Shapiro was elected to the state legislature, becoming the first Democrat to hold the seat since 1985, when Hoeffel himself had left it. The announcement, released by Shapiros transition team, included statements from chiefs of staff to the last four governors. The executive staffers will help the governor strategize, offer policy expertise, and serve as his representatives in talks with the legislature, departments, and interest groups as he tries to deliver on key campaign promises. Republicans in Harrisburg have generally been unwilling to tighten gun laws despite being open to some of Democrats criminal justice priorities in the past. Many of Shapiros proposed criminal justice changes focus on the prison system rather than law enforcement. Spotlight PAis an independent, nonpartisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Former labor union political director Tori Shriver will work on labor issues for Shapiro as deputy chief of staff for education and workforce development. Before serving as First Deputy Attorney General, Michelle dedicated over 20 years of her career to the Bucks County District Attorneys Office taking on critical jobs including Chief of Major Crimes, Chief of Child Abuse, and First Assistant. Unlike department secretaries, the Democrats top staffers wont need to be confirmed by the state Senate. Eric Scicchitano erics@cnhinews.com. Freeman was shot in the leg in 2019 a case of wrong place at the wrong time, he said. Shapiro has also named his campaign manager, Dana Fritz, as his chief of staff atop a state government of roughly 80,000 employees that doles out more than $100 billion a year in state and federal money. Lawmakers have not often approved enough funds to be entirely compliant with a courts ruling, or the cases can return to court time and time again in attempts to push lawmakers to act. But its only a start of what the winning school districts hope to see. Despitesome bipartisan supportfor funding indigent defense in the past, no proposal has ever gotten traction. In many instances though, he voted the party line in ways that clash with the current Democratic party platform. Pennsylvanias corporate net income tax was previously the second-highest in the country, at 9.99% aperennial topic of conversation when lawmakers negotiated state budgets. Promise:As a part of his campaign platform, Shapiro promised to improve access to the ballot box. A former police officer who also worked in corporate security, Vereb is a Republican who held a Montgomery County state House seat from 2006 to 2016. Not all were on board with his candidacy, but 10 people assembled in a hunting club in Butler County in December 2021, Joyal said. Before he took office, Montgomery When Pennsylvania Gov. Dana Fritz will be Shapiros top advisor and staffer. An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. These people include campaign operatives, people who worked with Shapiro at the attorney generals office and a onetime Republican lawmaker who supported former President Donald Trump in 2016. In Bucks County, colleagues credited her for leading by example and being first in line for the toughest cases. She was deputy Dana Fritz, who managed Attorney General Josh Shapiros winning gubernatorial campaign, will be his chief of staff in Harrisburg. HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro is tapping longtime aides to take top positions in his office weeks before he is sworn in as Pennsylvania's 48th governor, as he prepares to leave the attorney general's office for a sprawling administration that runs the nation's fifth-most populous state. That strategy emerged from failure, they noted. Its not a surprise. California residents do not sell my data request. WebRecently, in 2022, I worked on Josh Shapiros Pennsylvania Gubernatorial campaign. We want to hear their stories as well.. You'll also have a direct line to the campaign's digital staff, to brainstorm ideas to get Josh's message out in your community. Josh Shapiro nominated for his cabinet? Before that, he ran the Pennsylvania Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, which the state created to oversee Philadelphia's finances. Some of Shapiros ventures into less friendly territories were fraught. Shapiros transition team John Morris was the first Attorney General appointed under the Constitution. A lot of people were saying that they really didnt care for voting because they didnt see things change, he said. Any plan must get through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and the Republican-controlled Senate. But where was Newt Gingrichs Contract With America? HARRISBURG Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. But she thinks theres a broad perception that Democrats want to stop the use of fossil fuels. Together we can reach 100% of WHYYs fiscal year goal. Who is Joanna McClinton, Pa.s first woman House speaker? Shapiros secretary of policy and planning, Akbar Hossain, likewise comes from a top campaign job in his case, policy director and will continue to serve in a similar role, helping set Shapiros agenda. Mastriano had quickly moved from the fringe of his party to its center before the election, propelled by his commitment to conspiracy theories about widespread 2020 election fraud. She noted that Republicans no longer have the firm hold on the state House that they did during Wolfs tenure. But they have some of the most important jobs in the new administration, and will work behind the scenes with Shapiro to help him implement his plans as governor. By the time he emerged from a bruising primary with little support from mainstream Republicans, Shapiro had spent his uncontested primary raising tens of millions of dollars and building campaign infrastructure across the state. HARRISBURG Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. December 6, 2022 / 1:40 PM Youre trying to coordinate between agencies, advocacy groups, the legislature and the legislature was challenging, she said. They worked together for 10 years. He believes the GOP could use the situation to retake Congress by attempting to unseat U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio). The school districts lawyers presented evidence during last years trial that schools are underfunded by $4.6 billion, an estimate they said does not account for gaps in spending on special education, school buildings and other facilities. Former Centre County Commissioners Chair Michael Pipe, who often focused on public safety issues during his time in county government, will be the deputy chief of staff for public safety. And he didnt just get a lot of votes. ANDY BLACKBURN | Staff During her tenure as First Deputy, Henry was recognized for her tireless work safeguarding the Offices mission to protect and serve Pennsylvanians as the legal advocate for the Commonwealth. we can do A, B, or C. Youre the governor, you get to decide.. One of the campaigns bigger events in Greene County was hosted in a barn on Snyders family farm. WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. Analysts, activists, campaign operatives, supporters, and detractors all tend to agree that a few key things sealed the deal for Shapiro: a politically extreme, cash-poor opponent in Mastriano, strong outreach to rural areas Democrats sometimes neglect, and a pragmatic and at times, flexible policy message that appealed to voters in populous urban and suburban areas, as well as those in rural communities.