What goes around comes around in the Pennsylvania Legislature.
Former state Rep. Frank Dermody, who used to appoint members to the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, on Thursday received an appointment of his own and the $145,000 annual salary it brings.
Dermody, 69, the longtime House minority leader, in November lost his campaign for election to a 16th term to Republican Carrie Lewis DelRosso.
That 923-vote loss, however, served to fatten Dermody’s paycheck.
His new post on the Gaming Control Board pays about $15,000 a year more than he collected in the Legislature. At the same time, the Oakmont Democrat could be eligible to begin drawing a lifetime pension of about $110,000 a year, based on 30 years of service in Harrisburg.
J.D. Prose, USA TODAY Network - PA State Capitol Bureau
Following a sometimes heated debate on Wednesday, the Pennsylvania House passed a constitutional amendment to limit emergency declarations by the governor, after the state Senate approved a similar bill the previous night.
One of the bills needs to be passed by the other body before Feb. 18 so the constitutional amendment can go to a statewide referendum on the May primary ballot. Republicans control both the House and Senate and both bills passed mostly along party lines.
Rep. Jordan Harris, D-Philadelphia, mocked Republicans for claiming the legislation was not about politics, but returning power to the Legislature.
Candy Woodall
USA TODAY Network Pennsylvania Capitol Bureau
Pennsylvania Victim Advocate Jennifer Storm on Friday sent her resignation to Gov. Tom Wolf after facing Senate opposition for months.
Wolf nominated Storm for a second six-year term about a year ago, but the Republican-controlled Senate voted against her in November.
Storm called it a political witch hunt in her resignation letter.
“I came into the role as Commonwealth Victim Advocate knowing the political realities of the position, and I did so with fidelity and determination,” Storm said.
“I leave the office knowing that I have served crime victims and survivors - and the office - well and with uncompromising courage.”
Gov. Wolf says he’s nominating Alison Beam as new Pa. Health Secretary
Updated Jan 22, 2021;
Posted Jan 22, 2021
Alison Beam has been nominated to be Pennsylvania s next Secretary of Health. Beam, who is Gov. Tom Wolf s deputy chief of staff, would replace outgoing Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine.
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Gov. Tom Wolf is going outside the Pennsylvania Department of Health for his next health secretary.
Beam’s top priority will be the distribution of the COVID-19 vaccines, a source of frustration for many Pennsylvanians anxious to get the shots. The governor’s administration this week expanded eligibility for the vaccines to those 65 and over and younger people with chronic medical issues or high risk. But the demand for vaccines far exceeds the available supply and officials are asking for patience.
Photo: courtesy Pa. House Democrats Rep. Dan Frankel speaks at a joint session to honor the Tree of Life victims. In October 2019, a year after Robert Bowers allegedly went on a hate-fueled, killing spree at Pittsburgh’s Tree of Life synagogue, the security director for the Jewish Federation of Greater Pittsburgh told the Capital-Star that he couldn’t turn a blind eye to any sign of hate, the price was too dear. Days later, with much fanfare, lawmakers in the Pennsylvania House and Senate, surrounded by stakeholders from a constellation of advocacy groups, would roll out a hate crimes bill, saying they hoped for swift action on the legislation.