Electrician Union Leader John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilman Bobby Henon were convicted in a federal corruption trial. Here is the Playbook.
News
‘John Dougherty and Bobby Henon convicted of conspiracy in federal corruption trial’: WHYY reports that “a jury has found City Councilmember Bobby Henon and electricians union boss John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty guilty on the majority of counts in the federal corruption case against them, giving U.S. Justice Department investigators and prosecutors a win in their more than decade-long effort to put the powerful labor leader behind bars.”
‘GOP Rep. Scott Perry elected as next House Freedom Caucus chairman’: CNN reports that “the conservative House Freedom Caucus has elected GOP Rep. Scott Perryto be its next leader, elevating an original member and noted ally of former President Donald Trump to the group’s top post.”
‘Top state senator emphasizes experience in run for governor’: The Associated Press reports that “Jake Corman, the newest entrant to the crowded Republican gubernatorial field, said Monday that he will set himself apart by emphasizing his ability to break through gridlock and get things done with lawmakers in the institution where he has served for more than two decades.”
‘SEIU Pennsylvania State Council backs Josh Shapiro for governor’: City & State PA reports that “Attorney General Josh Shapiro picked up a major endorsement in his bid for governor on Monday, earning the support of the SEIU Pennsylvania State Council – a collection of four SEIU locals that represent more than 80,000 union members across the state.”
‘How Joanna McClinton’s evangelical upbringing shaped the way she works’: City & State PA reports on how House Minority Leader Joanna McClinton’s “evangelical upbringing shaped the way she works.”
‘Dems stage walkout of House hearing on bills tightening public sector labor laws’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Democratic lawmakers walked out of a House Republican-run committee hearing on public sector unions Monday, claiming the hearing’s focus was misplaced.”
‘The 2021 Pennsylvania Forty Under 40’: City & State PA released a list “recognizing some of the most influential Pennsylvanians under the age of 40.”
‘What to watch for in Pennsylvania politics this week.’: City & State PA reports on what to “watch for in the Keystone State this week.”
‘‘America is moving again’: Biden signs $1.2T infrastructure bill, bringing billions to Pa.’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “President Joe Biden on Monday signed his $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill into law during a ceremony at the White House packed with some 800 supporters, heralding what he said was a “truly consequential” spending bill that will improve Americans’ day-to-day lives.”
‘Ten years after Sandusky case, more work needed to protect Pa.’s kids, advocate says’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “ten years ago this month, the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse case rocked Pennsylvania. A decade later, one child abuse prevention advocate says there’s still more work to be done to protect children in the commonwealth.”
‘It’s not as simple as a ‘red wave.’ Here’s what really happened in the Pa. and N.J. elections.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “an in-depth analysis shows the results were more complicated than the election-night narratives suggest.”
‘Bill on magic mushrooms aims to make Pa. a national leader in psychedelic research’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania could become a leader in studying magic mushrooms as a treatment for mental illness under a bill that was introduced last month in the House of Representatives and is scheduled for a Health Committee vote Tuesday in Harrisburg.”
‘What the jury decided on each count in the John Dougherty and Bobby Henon trial’: The Philadelphia Inquirer provides a “look at how the jury ruled on each of the counts labor leader John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon faced.”
‘Labor leader John Dougherty still has more legal problems’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “IBEW Local 98’s longtime leader faces at least two more trials for embezzlement and extortion in the coming months. And the feds aren’t done with City Hall, either.”
‘What John Dougherty’s guilty verdict may mean for his powerful local and his future in the labor movement’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “with the Monday conviction of John Dougherty in his federal bribery trial, it’s almost certain that he will lose his $297,661-a-year position at IBEW Local 98, where he made himself into arguably Philadelphia’s most high-profile, politically influential labor leader.”
‘Why many Philly politicians still don’t want to talk about the convictions of ‘Johnny Doc’ and Councilmember Bobby Henon’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “only the handful of longtime critics of Dougherty and his union’s political influence were eager to speak at length on Monday.”
‘Pa. Lottery needs to keep closer tabs on frequent winners, Auditor General DeFoor says’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the Pennsylvania Lottery needs to keep closer tabs on frequent winners, and state lawmakers should tighten the rules for retailers who play the Lottery, the state’s elected fiscal watchdog said Monday.”
‘Cartwright aims to win third tough reelection with Republicans in hot pursuit’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the results of the Virginia and New Jersey governors elections two weeks ago terrified many Democrats about losing control of Congress after the election next year. U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright sounds confident the Republicans won’t beat him.”
‘With Gainey’s mayoral win, more changes looming in state House for Pittsburgh’s Democratic seats’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “state Rep. Ed Gainey takes over as mayor of Pittsburgh in January and is likely to bring with him state Rep. Jake Wheatley for a post in his administration — leaving two seats open in heavily blue districts that have been hit especially hard by the pandemic and its economic impacts.”
‘Pa.’s Brian Fitzpatrick explains why he supported Biden’s infrastructure bill. Now he’s facing the backlash from some fellow Republicans’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is facing a GOP backlash for being one of 13 Republicans to support President Joe Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill, but those kind of votes have helped him keep winning.”
‘Bill to allow permitless concealed carry of guns draws protesters on both sides’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “competing against chants from counter-protesters outside the office of a local Republican state lawmaker, gun safety advocates warned that a new bill allowing permitless concealed carry in Pennsylvania would make communities less secure, put children at risk and undermine public safety.”
‘Pa. not following other states in opening COVID-19 boosters to all’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “as other states across the nation open up COVID-19 booster shots to anyone 18 and older, Pennsylvania says it plans to continue to follow the guidelines set forth by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.”
‘GOP lawmakers push for more say on air quality advisory board’: StateImpactPA reports that “some Republican state lawmakers are pushing to overhaul how appointments to an air quality advisory board are made.”
‘Governor Wolf joins President Biden at signing Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law’: WJET reports that “on November 15th, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf joined fellow governors and President Joe Biden at the White House while President Biden signed the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act into law.”
‘Pa. highways in line for funding from infrastructure package’: CNHI reports that “three main highway projects across the middle of Pennsylvania are eligible for funding as part of the Appalachian Development Highway System, which is set to receive $1.25 billion over five years from the federal infrastructure bill signed by President Joe Biden on Monday.”
‘Pa.’s share of the $1.2 trillion infrastructure deal won’t arrive for a while’: WITF reports that “though Pennsylvania is poised to receive some $18 billion from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure spending deal reached by Congress this month, the money will take some time to reach communities that need it.”
‘Meuser delivers Republicans’ weekly address from Berks’: WFMZ reports that “Republican U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser delivered his party’s weekly address from the Fraternal Order of Police memorial in Bern Township.”
‘Philly suburb appeals ruling on gas pipeline records’: The Associated Press reports that “a Philadelphia suburb is fighting a court order to release communications between municipal officials and the developer of a natural gas pipeline that was recently charged with environmental crimes related to the pipeline’s construction.”
‘Keller lends ear to issues facing business’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “COVID-19 has posed challenges for many businesses including the problem of finding people to hire. It’s among the issues U.S. Rep. Fred Keller, R-Kreamer, has heard repeatedly in visits to companies across his 12th Congressional District.”
‘Pa. reports 14,001 new COVID-19 infections, 132 new deaths since Thursday’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania reported 14,001 new COVID-19 infections from Friday through midnight Sunday as the daily average of new cases has turned upward.”
Opinion
Joanna McClinton: Federal bill invests in Pa.; state legislative leaders need to do the same
Nikil Saval and Rick Krajewski: Bills that fill jails are Harrisburg’s version of bipartisanship. We can do without it
Charles H. Ramsey: I’ve led two of the nation’s largest police departments. Here are six steps to make law enforcement fairer and more equitable. | Rebuilding Philly
John L. Micek: With Biden signing infrastructure bill, Pa. Dems go on offense to sell it | Monday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: Why state personal income is up from pre-pandemic levels, despite less aid | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: Bobby Henon should resign his City Council seat now
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh’s newest park is a healthy addition
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A TV series illustrates the reality of the opioid crisis
Charles D. Ellison and Christina D. Rosan: Why The Philadelphia Tire Fire Should Scare You
Nila Bala and Maria Ponomarenko: Pa. should follow Philly’s lead and ban minor traffic stops that criminalize ‘driving while Black’
Bret Grote, Rupalee Rashatwar, and Nia Holston: Differing treatment of police and Delco teens shows culture of racial discrimination
Robyn Lane: Who is caring for health care workers struggling with burnout?
Elaine Maimon: Social Capital Is More Important Than College Majors
Shari Botwin: How to help Lower Merion students mourn the loss of principal killed in car crash
Dick Polman: Charlottesville defendants turn trial into a platform for hate
Michael Coard: AT&T must to cut its ties with far-right OANN News
