Balancing state budgets, cracking down on illegal guns, and raising the minimum wage are some of his key pledges. Shapiro has been leaning into that image in the early stages of his campaign, saying that he has a unique ability to work across the aisle to get things done. Tracking Pennsylvania Gov. Shapiro's incoming secretary of legislative affairs, Mike Vereb, is one of the new governor's closest and for a powerful Democrat, most unusual allies. Isenhour said this duty was a difficult part of her job during the Wolf administration. Vereb also chaired the Montgomery County GOP committee from 2013 to 2015, years when Shapiro was a county commissioner. 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. 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. Learn more about Social Responsibility at WHYY. The office is marked by several significant periods in its history: 1643-1681: Attorneys General before William Penn He also was one of the first Pennsylvania politicians to endorse Trumps 2016 presidential bid. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. An email has been sent with a link to confirm list signup. While Shapiro was out creating a unifying platform that all Democrats could run under, Mastrianos refusal to talk to the mainstream press and lack of advertising allowed his opponents to define his campaign to swing voters, said Jeff Coleman, a former state legislator for Armstrong County and current GOP campaign strategist. The last significant change to the commonwealths firearm regulationscame in 2018, when the General Assembly passed a bill that made it easier for law enforcement to take away weapons from people convicted of domestic abuse. 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. Former labor union political director Tori Shriver will work on labor issues for Shapiro as deputy chief of staff for education and workforce development. He has saidhe plans to close a ghost gun loophole that allows sales of gun parts that can be assembled into untraceable firearms, enact universal background checks as a condition of gun purchases, and pass a red flag law that would temporarily withhold guns from people experiencing a mental health crisis. In the coming months, Spotlight PA will track Shapiros progress on some of the key commitments he made on the campaign trail, highlighting specific promises for the following reasons: Shapiro emphasized them during his run for governor; Passing them would require collaboration with the legislature; Or they could bring different factions of his supporters into conflict. He addressed union members on Aug. 18, 2022 in Philadelphia. But one of the main strategies he used didnt have much to do with the candidates at all it had to do with him, the messenger. 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. Have a tip for the WESA newsroom? An initiative to provide nonpartisan, independent elections journalism for southwestern Pennsylvania. 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. The Deputy Chiefs of Staff will serve key roles in Governor-Elect Shapiros leadership team, and they will work directly with state agencies, stakeholders, government officials, and local communities all across Pennsylvania as they assist in advancing the Governor-Elects top priorities. This will be a paradigm shift, McInerney said. She will serve as Shapiros deputy chief of staff for economic development. Before working with Shapiros 2022 campaign, Hossain was a government investigations attorney at major Philadelphia-based law firm Morgan, Lewis & Bockius and clerked for a U.S. district judge. But some observers are also focusing on areas where Shapiros results were weaker. I joked to him, I think you just need to, like, buy a house here already, youre here once a month, Bozinski said of Shapiros visits to Luzerne. Who is Joanna McClinton, Pa.s first woman House speaker? Other states with similar suits, however, have shown legislativeaction is not often swift. Shapiro spoke at the Teamsters Local 8 Union office and was joined by Centre County Commissioners Michael Pipe and Mark Higgins. The Attorney General is Pennsylvanias top law enforcement official, with a wide range of responsibilities to protect and serve the citizens and agencies of the Commonwealth. (Hamilton later defended printer John Peter Zenger in a case that became the foundation for the concept of freedom of press.). Various Attorneys General and the Governors who appointed them defined the duties of the Office in different and contradictory ways. A judgeruled in Februarythat the states system of funding public schools ultimately violates students constitutional rights siding with six school districts, the NAACP and the Pennsylvania Association of Rural and Small Schools in a lawsuit launched nearly a decade ago in pursuit of billions of dollars in additional annual aid. So he benefited from both swinging the votes of some number of independents, and he benefited from maintaining strong turnout among sometimes-voters, most strongly in upscale suburbs and exurbs.. Fritz grew up in Coplay in Lehigh County. Any plan must get through the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives and the Republican-controlled Senate. we can do A, B, or C. Youre the governor, you get to decide.. Now, he faces the new challenge of keeping them. If Shapiro were to pull out of RGGI, it would signal a lack of seriousness, according to University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Dana Fritz, who led Shapiro's successful bid for governor, will be his chief of staff. The Civil Law Division defends the constitutionality of Pennsylvania law, represents Commonwealth agencies, defends the Commonwealth in tax appeals, collects delinquent taxes and other debts owed to the Commonwealth, handles or supervises various appeals and reviews Commonwealth contracts, regulations and bond issues for form and legality. In Bucks County, colleagues credited her for leading by example and being first in line for the toughest cases. I'm interested in what unites and separates us, shifts in voting trends, and grassroots movements. Youre trying to coordinate between agencies, advocacy groups, the legislature and the legislature was challenging, she said. Despitesome bipartisan supportfor funding indigent defense in the past, no proposal has ever gotten traction. Chief of Staff is the most important job in government without a job description, Steve Crawford, former chief of staff to Gov. Promise:Shapiro said he will put Pennsylvania on track to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. 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. Promise:Shapiro made several commitments to tighten gun control. The position of Attorney General was created in 1643, before the arrival of English Common Law, as an office within government of the area known as New Sweden. HARRISBURG Gov. Topper did not specify what policies he hoped to pursue. By using them things and letting them know whats at stake, like with the gun control laws people open up and really understand the importance of getting out there, he said, adding that in-person pitches always beat TV ads. While the work does not end in one budget cycle, changing that course begins now, and lawyers for the school districts told The Associated Press at least $2 billion in additional funding for education would be a good start toward the billions more they say the poorest school districts need. Michelle was admired as an excellent attorney who also pushed major initiatives she was instrumental in helping start the countys childrens advocacy center and took a leading role in educating junior prosecutors from across the Commonwealth. WebShapiros campaign political director and a former government affairs manager for the Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce Larry Hailsham, Jr. will serve as his When news emerged this summer that Mastrianos campaign had shelled out $5,000 to Gab for consulting services, Shapiro didnt hesitate. WebEndorsements - Shapiro For Governor Endorsements Im humbled to have the endorsements from unions, advocacy groups, and so many more from across the Commonwealth. She thinks that Shapiro, whom she has known for 25 years, is well-positioned to negotiate. The audit also recommends making support programs more accessible to incarcerated parents and their children. People there, she said, seemed starved for elected officials to take a personal interest in their problems. 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. During his campaign, Shapiro had the support of two factions that are often at odds: environmental protection advocates and the energy industry. Support local journalism. A lot of people were saying that they really didnt care for voting because they didnt see things change, he said. Whats next:Shapiro has indicated he wants to put money into plugging abandoned wells a significant source of emissions in Pennsylvania and said such an effort could create jobs. Fritz was deputy campaign manager and finance director for Shapiros 2016 election to attorney general. They worked together for 10 years. Isenhour said offering recommendations was part of her job, though she added of Wolf, I wasnt giving advice, because hes the one with the Ph.D. She often helped the governor make tough calls, telling Wolf, OK governor, here are our options . Isenhour said offering recommendations was part of her job, though she added of Wolf, I wasnt giving advice, because hes the one with the Ph.D. She often helped the governor make tough calls, telling Wolf, OK governor, here are our options we can do A, B, or C. Youre the governor, you get to decide.. Those advantages gave Democrats a powerful cudgel against the GOP up and down the ticket. Selber oversees 13 sections and more than 500 agents, lawyers and administrative staff in the criminal division, Shapiro's campaign said. 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. Because the legislature has been unwilling to consider single-change election legislation in the past, Shapiro would likely have to agree to a more comprehensive bill that contains his priorities as well as compromises hes willing to accept in exchange for GOP support. I think this moment was made for Josh, she said. Spotlight PA Staff He was elected speaker in a 115-85 vote with the support of all Democratic lawmakers and 16 Republicans, including the partys entire leadership team. Unlike One would allow older incarcerated people toapply for geriatric parole. The Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General enforces the law and defends the interests of the Commonwealth and its diverse citizens by: As provided by the Commonwealth Attorneys Act, the fundamental duties of the Attorney General are: Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General Strawberry Square 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. She thinks that Shapiro, whom she has known for 25 years, is well-positioned to negotiate. Putnam did not have a firm answer as to why. Spotlight PA is an independent, non-partisan newsroom powered by The Philadelphia Inquirer in partnership with PennLive/The Patriot-News, TribLIVE/Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, and WITF Public Media. Kathy Bozinski, who chairs the Democratic committee in Luzerne County, where Clinton notoriously lost six years ago, said that to this day people will shake their heads and say, Hillary Clinton never came here. HARRISBURG A longtime aide of Josh Shapiro was chosen to become his chief of staff when Pennsylvanias current attorney general transitions to the office of And campaign operative Larry Hailsham Jr., who was political director on Shapiros bid for governor, will be the new executive deputy chief of staff. Hossain served as executive director of Shapiros transition, and was the first person of Asian American or Pacific Islander heritage to have that role in Pennsylvania, according to transition staff. / AP. Last year, then Gov. Ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Pennsylvanians; Advocating for fair and equitable treatment of all consumers; Providing leadership in preventing and controlling crime committed against Pennsylvanians; Pursuing just punishment without fear or favor for those guilty of unlawful behavior. This law enforcement effort includes a criminal investigation unit and a drug law enforcement program as well as direction of statewide and multi-county investigating grand juries and a Medicaid Fraud Control Section, To collect, by suit or otherwise, all debts, taxes and accounts due the Commonwealth which shall be referred to and placed with the Attorney General, To represent the Commonwealth and all Commonwealth agencies and upon request the Auditor General, State Treasurer and Public Utility Commission in any action brought by or against the Commonwealth or its Agencies, To administer the provision relating to consumer protection laws. Last year, he was named a Rising Star by NBCs Chuck Todd and won one of our reader polls. Shapirohas signaledthat he would likely accept some kind of stricter voter identification requirement in order to enact his priorities. Josh Shapiro leaves the Capitol with his wife, Lori, before being sworn in. At the same time, Shapiro hasnt committed to maintaining his predecessors biggest environmental accomplishment: joining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative. There have been too many losses, too many narrow wins.. And Shapiros campaign, organizers said, really took the every-county approach to heart. Promise:Against a backdrop of rising food and gas prices in 2021, Shapiro said he would provide a$250 gas tax refundfor every personal passenger car registered in the state (up to four per household) andeliminate the states 11% salestax on cell phone service. Want a digest of WHYYs programs, events & stories? 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 Meanwhile, Shapiro broke spending records. 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. 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.. Dana Fritz, who managed Attorney General Josh Shapiros winning gubernatorial campaign, will be his chief of staff in Harrisburg. Eric Scicchitano erics@cnhinews.com. 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. 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. She noted that Republicans no longer have the firm hold on the state House that they did during Wolfs tenure. We need your help to keep Pennsylvania in Democratic hands. Newly minted Pennsylvania Gov. We just assumed Bidens unpopular, gas prices are high, said state Rep. Jesse Topper (R., Bedford). 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. Factions that are often at odds: environmental protection advocates and the energy industry not specify what he..., the legislature and the Governors who appointed them defined the duties of the office in different contradictory! The same time, Shapiro 's successful bid for governor, will be his chief of staff education... To provide nonpartisan, independent elections journalism for southwestern Pennsylvania see things change, he named. Members on Aug. 18, 2022 in Philadelphia on areas where Shapiros results were weaker for and. The same time, Shapiro 's campaign said seemed starved for elected officials take! 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