Gov. Josh Shapiro Archives - The Pennsylvania Daily Star

University of Pennsylvania Temporarily Bans Encampments

August 28, 2024August 27, 2024 The Center Square

UPenn Students participating in a pro-Palestinian protest

In response to pro-Palestine unrest on campus last semester, the University of Pennsylvania has temporarily banned encampments and overnight demonstrations for the 2024-2025 school year.

“To ensure the safety of the Penn community and to protect the health and property of individuals, encampments and overnight demonstrations are not permitted in any University location, regardless of space (indoor or outdoor),” the university announced in its policy book’s section entitled Temporary Standards and Procedures for Campus Events and Demonstrations section.

Gov. Josh Shapiro Denies Antisemitism Played Role After Being Skipped by Harris Campaign in VP Search

August 23, 2024August 22, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Josh Shapiro on Thursday denied that antisemitism played a role in the decision by Vice President Kamala Harris to skip over him in favor of Governor Tim Walz in her bid to find a running mate for the 2024 presidential election.

Shapiro made the remarks to German-owned Politico from the Democratic National Convention (DNC) in Chicago, Illinois, where he delivered a speech on Wednesday.

Joe Biden to Campaign for Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania Despite Disapproval from Majority of Voters

August 11, 2024August 11, 2024 Tom Pappert

President Joe Biden confirmed in an interview broadcast Sunday that he will campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris in Pennsylvania, even as nearly 60 percent of voters in the commonwealth disapprove of his performance in the White House.

Commentary: Six Things to Know About Kamala Harris’ Possible VP Pick Gov. Josh Shapiro

August 5, 2024 Admin

Vice President Kamala Harris has a short list for running mates, and it seems Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro is her most likely choice.

Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro on Defensive After College Paper Skeptical of Mid East Peace Resurfaces

August 5, 2024 Just the News

Pennsylvania Gov. and Democratic vice president short-lister Josh Shapiro is defending his record on the Israel-Palestine conflict after an op-ed he wrote in college resurfaced. Shapiro says the op-ed no longer represents his beliefs.

Fetterman Reportedly Warns Harris Campaign Against Picking Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro as VP over ‘Excessive’ Ambitions

August 4, 2024August 4, 2024 Tom Pappert

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) on Saturday reportedly warned the presidential campaign for Vice President Kamala Harris that Governor Josh Shapiro holds “excessive” political ambitions.

Fetterman contacted the Harris campaign to provide information about Shapiro as the vice president interviewed the short list of contestants to become complete the Democratic presidential ticket ahead, which reportedly includes the first-term governor, according to German-owned Politico, which reported, “the senator believes that Shapiro is excessively focused on his own personal ambitions.”

Nearly 50 Progressive Democrats Label Gov. Josh Shapiro an ‘Unnecessary Obstacle’ for Kamala Harris Presidential Campaign

August 2, 2024August 1, 2024 Tom Pappert

Nearly 50 progressive Democrats signed a letter urging Vice President Kamala Harris not to select Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to complete her presidential ticket, claiming he will be an “unnecessary obstacle” in her effort to hold the White House against former President Donald Trump in November.

Led by the chair and former chair of the California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus, the letter includes a total of 47 names from progressive groups affiliated with the Democrats across the country.

Kamala Harris Reportedly to Announce VP in Philadelphia Speech amid Speculation over Gov. Josh Shapiro

July 31, 2024July 31, 2024 Tom Pappert

Campaign spokesmen for Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly confirmed to media outlets Wednesday that the candidate intends to share a Philadelphia stage with her vice presidential nominee on Tuesday.

Pennsylvania 2024 Election Results Could be Delayed by Mail-in Ballots After Democrats Refused to Allow Voter ID

July 29, 2024 Tom Pappert

Experts claimed in an article published Saturday by The Washington Post that the results of the 2024 elections in Pennsylvania could be delayed because state lawmakers did not pass bills that would allow election workers to begin processing mail-in ballots prior to Election Day.

Because Pennsylvania does not allow its election workers to pre-canvass mail-in votes, which is the process of counting and validating the authenticity of the ballots, experts claim workers could need significant time after Election Day to determine which presidential candidate will carry the Keystone state’s Electoral College votes.

Pennsylvania Teachers Union Illegally Sent Nearly $1.5 Million to Possible Democrat VP Josh Shapiro, Complaints Claim

July 26, 2024July 25, 2024 Tom Pappert

Three complaints filed on Wednesday by the Freedom Foundation allege almost $1.5 million in Pennsylvania State Education Association (PSEA) money, raised from teachers’ union dues, was given to the 2022 political campaign of Governor Josh Shapiro.

The Freedom Foundation revealed on Thursday it filed complaints which allege PSEA made two contributions, totaling about $1.475 million, that were then transferred through an outside organization before reaching the Shapiro for Pennsylvania campaign committee.

Kamala Harris Reportedly Considers Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, Arizona U.S. Senator Mark Kelly for Vice President

July 24, 2024July 23, 2024 Tom Pappert

Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly considering either Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro or U.S. Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ) of Arizona to serve as the Democratic Party’s nominee for vice president, a Monday report revealed.

After Harris claimed to obtain the support of the required the number of delegates to be declared the party’s nominee, ABC News reported on Tuesday that Kelly and Shapiro are already the “leading VP candidates” under consideration.

VP Rumors Swirl Around Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro After Biden Withdrawal

July 23, 2024July 22, 2024 The Center Square

Rumors swirled Monday that Vice President Kamala Harris may select Pennsylvania’s governor as her running mate.

The news comes as Gov. Josh Shapiro himself encouraged Pennsylvania Democrats to unite behind her, just hours after President Joe Biden stepped down from his campaign.

Alternate Democratic Presidential Candidates Perform Better than Biden, New Polling Data Shows

July 17, 2024 Just the News

Mark Kelly, Wes Moore, Josh Shapiro, and Gretchen Whitmer in front of the White House (composite image)

The strongest potential Democratic presidential candidates in the poll were Sen. Mark Kelly, D-Ariz., Gov. Wes Moore, D-Md., Gov. Josh Shapiro, D-Pa. and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, D-Mich.

Alternate Democratic presidential candidates perform better than President Biden against former President Trump, according to new polling from BlueLabs Analytics of 15,000 voters in seven swing states.

Pennsylvania Progressives Resolute in Palestinian Support

June 26, 2024June 25, 2024 The Center Square

Recent critical remarks from top-ranking state officials, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, have not deterred Palestinian support among progressive lawmakers and advocacy groups in Pennsylvania.

Earlier this month, Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill, R-Jacobus, and Steven Santarsiero, D-Doylestown, announced a bill to prevent state-funded institutions from divesting from Israel. The legislation explicitly names schools like Penn and Pitt whose encampments made headlines across the globe.

Pennsylvania’s Education Reform Recap

June 18, 2024 The Center Square

Both legislative chambers left town this week after advancing sweeping educational reforms likely to wind up – in some form – woven into the state budget due June 30.

While the plans don’t necessarily clash, Senate and House leaders do. The ideological strife will boil down to the estimated return on investment.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Bans ‘Scandalous’ Conduct amid Israel-Hamas Debate, Months After Admin’s Sexual Harassment Settlement

May 15, 2024May 14, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Josh Shapiro introduced updates on May 8 to his administration’s code of conduct that prohibits “scandalous or disgraceful” acts from state employees, a Tuesday Spotlight PA report revealed.

The report noted that Shapiro quietly signed an executive order that changed his administration’s code of conduct for all state employees amid intense public debate over the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro Used Private Plane for over 100 Trips at Taxpayer Expense in 2023

May 7, 2024 Tom Pappert

Governor Josh Shapiro authorized more than 100 flights on the private airplane owned by the State of Pennsylvania in 2023, exceeding the controversial amount of air travel by his predecessor, a Spotlight Pennsylvania report revealed on Tuesday.

The state-owned Beechcraft King Air 350i, which generally sells for between $4.3 million and $6.7 million, was used for 113 separate trips in 2023. According to Spotlight Pennsylvania, the flight time amounted to more than 200 hours and cost the state’s taxpayers $410,000.

Commentary: Voters Aren’t Buying What Shapiro Is Selling

April 30, 2024 RealClearWire

As inflation persists, Pennsylvania voters are rejecting increased government spending, according to new polling data released by the Commonwealth Foundation.

Inflation and the rising cost of living remain Pennsylvanians’ chief concerns. With more than two-thirds of voters saying that high prices are eating away at their standard of living, it’s no wonder that a plurality reports their family is worse off than two years ago.

Pennsylvania Latest State to Embrace Automatic Voter Registration, Triggers New Integrity Fears

October 2, 2023October 1, 2023 Just the News

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) has implemented automatic voter registration, triggering new legal and election integrity concerns over voter roll maintenance as nearly half of U.S. states now follow such a policy.

Shapiro announced last Tuesday that the commonwealth would implement automatic voter registration, which means that residents obtaining state ID cards and driver’s licenses at Department of Transportation (PennDOT) centers will be automatically registered to vote.

Many Pennsylvanians Uncertain About State Elected Officials: Poll

July 12, 2023July 11, 2023 The Center Square

New survey results suggest many residents don’t know much about elected leaders in Pennsylvania.

Aside from Gov. Josh Shapiro, most respondents said they either “never heard of” or were “unsure” about the performance of certain administration officials and legislative leaders — including Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, Democratic House Speaker Joanna McClinton, and Republican Senate President Kim Ward.

Shapiro Touts Broadband Expansion as Industry Worries Over Regulatory Hurdles

July 11, 2023July 11, 2023 The Center Square

Gov. Josh Shapiro touted federal money for broadband expansion in western Pennsylvania on Friday, arguing for bipartisanship and efficient governance.

“I wanted to be here today because Beaver County’s got its act together,” Shapiro said. “Folks want people in government — regardless of what party they’re in — to find ways to work together, to come together and actually solve problems, and to get stuff done.”

Poll: Taxes, Cost of Living Driving Away Young Residents from the Keystone State

July 4, 2023July 3, 2023 The Center Square

A new survey suggests the price residents pay to live in Pennsylvania tempts younger generations to move.

Results from the Commonwealth Foundation poll conducted last month show more than half of respondents between the ages of 18 and 44 have considered moving to another state – or know someone who wants to do the same.

Shapiro Takes Property Tax and Rent Rebate Plan on the Road

May 9, 2023May 8, 2023 The Center Square

Gov. Josh Shapiro visited Erie recently to highlight his plan to grow the state’s property tax and rent rebate program for the first time in nearly two decades.

It’s the most recent stop in an unofficial statewide budget tour touting many of the administration’s key spending proposals meant to build the workforce and, by extension, a bank account flush enough to keep Pennsylvania from falling off a “demographic cliff.”

Pennsylvania Voters Spurn ‘Scranton Joe’ in Favor of Trump, DeSantis, Poll Shows

April 10, 2023April 9, 2023 The Center Square

More Pennsylvania voters want former President Donald Trump or Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis to run for President than President Joe Biden, despite the fact he has the affectionate nickname “Scranton Joe” after his birth town in the state, according to a new poll.

The Commonwealth Foundation, a group promoting free markets in Pennsylvania, found in a survey last week that 34 percent of registered voters in the state want Trump to run for President in 2024, followed by 26 percent who want DeSantis to run. Biden, however, earned 24 percent in the poll that allowed respondents to select all candidates that they want to see run. Close behind Biden is Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro at 20 percent. Out of the four top potential candidates, only Trump has formally declared his presidential campaign for 2024.

Commentary: Governor Shapiro’s First Budget Falls Short

March 21, 2023March 20, 2023 RealClearWire

Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first state budget proposal perpetuates unsustainable spending and fails to address the most promising ideas he put forward during his campaign. For starters, his budget calls for $45.9 billion in ongoing General Fund spending – but the state has only $43 billion in net revenues, so the governor is positioning us for a nearly $3 billion annual deficit.

Spending that exceeds revenue is unsustainable and fiscally irresponsible for individuals, businesses, and certainly for government.

Gov Shapiro, Norfolk Southern Broker $7.4 Million Aid Deal

March 7, 2023March 6, 2023 The Center Square

Norfolk Southern agreed this week to reimburse first responders, county relief funds and state agencies nearly $7.4 million in the wake of the February 3 train derailment near the Pennsylvania-Ohio border.

Gov. Josh Shapiro said Monday he secured a deal with Alan Shaw, the railroad’s chief executive officer, to cover all of the costs the state incurred responding to the accident, as well as establishing a $1 million community relief fund in Beaver and Lawrence counties for impacted residents and businesses.

Special Session Revived in the Pennsylvania State House

February 21, 2023February 20, 2023 The Center Square

Pennsylvania’s stalled special session gets a second chance on Tuesday when House lawmakers return to the chamber floor after a month-long break.

In an email sent Friday afternoon, House leadership canceled three regular session days scheduled for Monday through Wednesday and substituted four special session days in their place, lasting Tuesday through Friday.

Woke ESG Management Fund BlackRock Owns 6 Percent of Norfolk Southern, Whose Train Derailed in Ohio

February 16, 2023February 16, 2023 Michael Patrick Leahy

BlackRock owns more than 6 percent of Norfolk Southern Railway, the huge railway company whose train derailed in East Palestine, Ohio on February 3, causing what many are describing as an ecological and health disaster for residents of Ohio and nearby Pennsylvania. Fintel.io reports that as of February 16, 2023, BlackRock owns 6.8 percent of Norfolk Southern Railway.

Pennsylvania Governor Orders Refunds Licensing, Permitting Fees for Slow State Processing

February 2, 2023February 1, 2023 The Center Square

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Tuesday the state will refund residents every time it delays processing applications for occupational licenses, certifications and permits.

“Under my administration, Pennsylvanians will have certainty,” he said. “They will know how long it will take for agencies to respond, and if an agency doesn’t live up to that promise, they deserve their money back.”

Pennsylvania Governor Drops Four-Year Degree Requirements for Government Jobs

January 31, 2023January 31, 2023 Admin

Pennsylvania’s new Governor Josh Shapiro issued an executive order last week that removes four-year degrees from 92 percent of government jobs. Shapiro stated that this initiative will open approximately 65,000 jobs in the state to those without college education, he announced on Twitter.