DV Journal

Who were the biggest winners and losers in the Delaware Valley in 2024? And what’s on tap for 2025? Some local politicians and commentators weighed in.

Former Republican Chester County congressional candidate, now pundit Guy Ciarrocchi, said, “The biggest winner locally: that’s easy…Sen.-elect Joe Picozzi. He’s 29 years old and gave 110 percent to defeat a Democrat incumbent state senator. Picozzi is the first GOP Senate candidate to defeat an incumbent Democratic senator in Philly since 1984. And he was the only challenger in Pennsylvania to defeat an incumbent for the state Senate or state House in 2024.”

Jeff Jubelirer, vice president of Bellevue Communications, said the biggest winner was the “Bucks County GOP, No. 1 in the region for delivering for Trump and pulling ahead of the Democrats in voter registration again.”

Former Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies, a Montgomery County Democrat and the first woman Pennsylvania voters sent to Congress, is now president of Women’s Campaign International and a professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Margolies cited the “strong women” who’ve followed in her footsteps: Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery), Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware), and Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester).

David Galluch, a Republican who ran for Congress in Delaware County and a Delaware County GOP Executive Committee member, believes the biggest winner was the Delco GOP.

“We have long said that the Republican Party is a big tent whose foundation is built upon the tenets of economic opportunity and commonsense policies. Our gains in communities that 10 years ago would have never dreamed they’d vote Republican, show that the coalition we are building is real – and growing,” said Galluch.

Galluch said the biggest loser was “the hard-working residents of Delaware County.”

“A recent 24 percent tax hike approved by the 5-0 Democrat-controlled Delaware County Council will make life significantly harder for everyone in our county. For some already struggling to make ends meet, it could be the difference between a car payment and their tax bill. The trajectory this council has our county on is unsustainable,” said Galluch.

Jubelirer said the biggest loser was “the decision by the National Democrats to forego a mini-convention to pick a replacement for Biden, thus depriving the electorate and party members of an opportunity to select who they thought would be the best candidate.”

Ciarrocchi said, “The biggest loser locally was the Democrat Party. They wanted to run against Trump, and they got it. A year of calling him every attack name in the book—including ‘Hitler’—and a year of trying to tie every Republican to ‘Hitler’-Trump…and Trump’s support grew from 2020.”

Plus, Democrats “did not defeat one incumbent Republican in our region.”

Margolies said, “I think the biggest loser is messaging.”

“Democrats are always trying to fit too much into an answer…I think we lost because we didn’t get to how people felt when they walked into the grocery store. And that’s what we have to think of with regard to Democrats, because we’re the ones who care about those things…caring about the middle class,” she said.

As for the biggest winner statewide, Ciarrocchi said, “That’s easy: Dave McCormick. He got knocked down in 2022, dusted himself off, and ran a tireless campaign to defeat a Pennsylvania Democrat incumbent icon—Bob Casey, who had been in office since 1995 and whose dad had been in office in the 1970s.”

Jubelirer agreed the “No. 1 statewide winner was McCormick.”

McCormick “pulled off a strong comeback election victory and appears to be the top GOP ‘kingmaker’ with his endorsement of Sen. Greg Rothman as next party chair, which cleared the field.”

Ciarrocchi said the biggest statewide loser was “the legacy print media. It was also the biggest loser nationally, too. It’s a medium that has been losing readers and revenue for years. Most of the major papers devoted a year to attacking Trump, his supporters, [and] most GOP candidates—and their issues, in not only editorials but news stories and headlines, repeatedly. Most newspapers endorsed Harris and every or almost every Democrat running for major office. [It’s why DVJournal, Broad + Liberty, Center Square, the Citizen, talk radio and podcasts are growing.]”

For Jubelirer, “The current Democratic Party ‘brand’ is the  No.1 loser, although I am hesitant to use that word. I believe it’s temporary and cyclical, and things will shake out – the question is in what direction? Reasonable moderateness or farther to the left progressivism? If the party follows Gov. Josh Shapiro’s lead and works in moderation, in a bipartisan fashion, and sticks to bread-and-butter issues – the economy, our schools, safety, etc., then they have a great opportunity to bounce back.”

As for issues and people making headlines in 2025, Jubelirer said, “The battles for countywide offices will be interesting to observe given recent tax increase votes. Will Democratic voter registration advantages be enough to hold off a possible angrier electorate in Chester, Montgomery and Delaware Counties?”

Jubelirer named Shapiro is also a person to watch. His “continuing and perhaps further evolving leadership role in the state and in the party and maybe nationally.”

Margolies also believes all eyes should be on the Pennsylvania governor.

“He’s really terrific,” said Margolies. Shapiro “has a Ph.D.  in politics. He knows how to answer questions, not to offend. He’s very thoughtful and reasonable. He’s staying in the center, he’s moderate middle. Just keep your eye on him. Look what he did when the road [I-95] collapsed…I do think he’s going to be president someday.”

In 2025, Democrats should continue to press the issues of abortion rights and gun control. She said, “I would keep my eye on those two issues.”

Ciarrocchi added, “This election showed that due to the Democrats’ overreach and failing at governing, the GOP stayed united and grew. In 2025, will that trend continue?”

“Chesco and Delco Dems are raising taxes by 14-24 percent. And Bucks Dem Commissioners proudly ignored the [election] law.  Have the Dems gone too far left? Can the GOP begin to build back better?” Ciarrocchhi asked.

All I want for Christmas is an honest conversation in Pennsylvania on the state of our elections. I doubt Santa will be able to deliver.

The first step would be that our government officials (both elected and appointed, present and former), need to stop breathlessly proclaiming that Pennsylvania elections are “free, fair, safe, and secure.” Both Gov. Shapiro and Secretary Al Schmidt repeat that mantra over and over, ad nauseum, like clockwork, after every election.

But just saying it does not make it so. And such a broad brush manifesto sweeps the very real problems faced by Pennsylvanians out of sight. Keystone State citizens deserve a straightforward conversation and genuine efforts to fix the problems that continue to plague our election process.

Just this week, authorities in Delaware County arrested a woman named Jennifer Hill, charging her with multiple counts of forgery, tampering with public records, and knowingly registering voters who were not eligible. Ms. Hill was apparently associated with New Pennsylvania Project, a self-proclaimed voting rights organization. Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollmeister states his office continues to look into the voter registrations submitted by both Ms. Hill and the larger organization.

According to NBC10 Philadelphia, Kadia Kenner, the CEO of New Pennsylvania Project, stated that it does not provide “financial incentives or bonuses for voter application collection (and the) employees have no quota to meet.” That statement does not end the inquiry. In fact, it should just be the beginning.

The New Pennsylvania Project’s website states, “We’ve already collected nearly 35,000 voter registrations in our first two years. We plan to collect 60,000 more in 2024 and make an even larger impact.” So, even if individual employees did not have quotas, it is clear that the organization as a whole set lofty goals. How are those goals translated into employee productivity? While New Pennsylvania Project claims not to be working for a particular candidate or party, its board and staff list is chockablock full of prominent Democrats. Connecting the dots, it looks like this organization wanted more Democrats in Pennsylvania.

Right on cue, in an article about Ms. Hill’s arrest, the The Philadelphia Inquirer reported, “False voter registration forms are not uncommon but are generally caught by election officials and rarely lead to fraudulent votes.”  Wow – if these false forms are not uncommon – does that mean these are a common occurrence? And how does the Philadelphia Inquirer know that they are “generally” caught and “rarely” lead to fraudulent votes. Maybe The Inquirer takes its cue, and its messaging, from Gov. Shapiro and Secretary Schmidt — keep repeating that our elections are “free, fair, safe, and secure” to quash any suggestion that there is room for improvement.

According to the docket, as of Dec. 19, 2024, Ms. Hill was unable to post bail so remained confined in a Delaware County Prison. I imagine when she first applied to New Pennsylvania Project, responding to its call for “passionate individuals to join our team and help defend democracy by expanding the electorate” she did not envision sitting in jail just a few days before Christmas, facing multiple felony and misdemeanor charges.

Perhaps someone should investigate just what these passionate individuals were told in order to meet the organization’s goal of 60,000 new Pennsylvania voters in 2024. Were they trained as to what constituted a valid voter registration? Did a supervisor review their work? What safeguards were in place to make sure only eligible voters were registered?

Back in 1980, another person with the same name as Ms. Hill, but I am sure no relation, was arrested and faced a potentially long prison sentence. That man, Henry Hill, cooperated with authorities and provided information so that law enforcement could catch the bigger fish in the criminal enterprise. His story was made into a classic movie: “Goodfellas.” Using individuals to obtain useful information about larger operations has long been an effective investigative tool.

When authorities discover these fraudulent voter registration dumps, perhaps a comprehensive inquiry is warranted. It may be more than just one bad actor or one individual who went astray. If an organization’s primary purpose is to simply add voters to the rolls, is there also an attendant responsibility to make sure that the laws are scrupulously followed? If not, there should be. Ms. Hill’s case is not an isolated incident as the issue arose in multiple counties over the course of the 2024 election.

Make no mistake, what Ms. Hill allegedly did was illegal and this behavior undermines trust in elections. It also bloats the rolls with ineligible voters, opening the door for malfeasance. However, if voter registration groups encourage, cajole, and support quantity over quality when it comes to voter registration, even if there was no specific corresponding payment or required quota, the organization as a whole may be just as culpable. Our election laws should be drafted to prevent this nonsense. If we truly want Pennsylvania’s elections to be “free, fair, safe, and secure,” investigations into voter registration violations should be exhaustive and not stop simply with the person who turned in the forms.

Thousands of unexplained drone sightings have spooked New Jersey residents. Now, drones are appearing in Pennsylvania night skies.

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) issued a statement saying the drones in the Delaware Valley and New Jersey “demand immediate and decisive federal action. As chairman of the National Intelligence Enterprise subcommittee on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, I am treating this matter with the urgency it requires and taking proactive steps to safeguard our public safely and national security.”

Fitzpatrick, a former FBI agent, is coordinating with federal agencies.

“This is not a time for complacency—it is a time for action and accountability,” Fitzpatrick said.

Rep.  Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) is also concerned about the drone situation. She sent a letter with Rep. Andrew Garbario (R-N.Y.) to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries urging passage of a bipartisan law giving the federal government, along with state and local authorities, the power to address the drone issue. Johnson also sponsored the bill.

And she discussed the issue with her constituents at a town hall Friday.

Houlahan urged people to remain calm and not to “take the law into our own hands,” noting they can contact the FBI.

The FBI issued this statement: “The FBI is aware of reported sightings of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)—commonly referred to as drones—observed flying in multiple locations over the past several weeks. The FBI remains engaged with our federal, state, local, and tribal partners to share information and protect the public. UAVs that pose a danger to any aircraft or are observed operating in restricted airspace or near critical infrastructure and other sensitive sites, can be reported to the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) or online.”

Several people commented on the Montco/Bucks Incident Facebook page.

Cody Rutledge said, “I think it’s funny how these drones are allowed to go over military bases, but if a civilian flew one over they’d get arrested . Tell me how this has nothing to do with the government…”

“They need to be shot down,” said Jessica Lucas. “The government is lying to us again.”

Andrew Clementi said, “Meanwhile, there’s a semi active military base in Horsham with active radar systems, and people think that we don’t know what’s going on… c’mon now, people.”

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro asked the state police to look into it. It will be “flying helicopters to try and determine where these drones are originating from and what the purpose of these drones are.”

“We’ve been told, again, by our federal partners, it does not pose any kind of national security or personal security risk. But you know, as the old saying goes, trust but verify, and Col. Christopher Paris, a native of northeastern Pennsylvania, leads our Pennsylvania State Police very ably. I know they’ll get to the bottom of it,” said Shapiro.

State Sen. Rosemary Brown (R-Lackawanna) is also taking action. She’s introduced a resolution urging the federal government to give states the authority to to respond to the drones. Sens. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester), Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Luzerne) and Elder Vogel (R-Beaver) are cosponsors.

Brown also rote a letter to Federal Aviation Administration Administrator Michael Whitaker, calling on the FAA to provide states with the authority to act.

“Current federal regulations tie the hands of state and local governments, preventing them from taking immediate action when drones threaten the safety and privacy of our communities,” said Brown. “This resolution is a necessary step to empower states to respond swiftly and decisively to these threats.”

President-elect Donald Trump weighed in about the drone issue at a press conference Monday at Mar-a-Lago, saying the government knows what is going on and should tell the public.

“And I think they’d be better off saying what it is,” Trump said. “Our military knows, and our president knows. And for some reason, they want to keep people in suspense.”

When the Trump administration begins deporting illegal immigrants currently living in Pennsylvania, will Gov. Josh Shapiro step up and help, stand aside, or try to stop them?

Shapiro spokesman Manuel Bonder made it sound like the governor was ready to take on the Trump administration, telling Newsweek that Shapiro would “never back down from defending Pennsylvanians’ fundamental freedoms.”

“The Shapiro administration is preparing for all scenarios and taking steps to safeguard our commonwealth from potential federal actions that could be harmful to Pennsylvania families and communities,” Bonder added.

But when DVJournal followed up with Bonder about whether Shapiro was going to join Democrats like Denver Mayor Mike Johnston or Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and try to hinder Trump’s deportation plans, he appeared to walk back his bold talk. Bonder pointed DVJournal to a statement Shapiro made last month while visiting a York County business in which he said he would hold off deciding how to respond until he new more about the specifics of Trump’s plans.

“Let’s wait and see,” Shapiro said.

That’s a very different response from Democrats like Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-Ill.) who have clearly announced their plans to resist Trump’s mass deportation efforts.

“I am going to do everything that I can to protect our undocumented immigrants. They are residents of our state,” Pritzker told MSNBC. “And I also, obviously, need to make sure that whatever (federal immigration agents) are doing in our state, that it is actually within federal law or state law for them to do it.”

Shapiro is sometimes labeled a moderate within the Democratic Party, though he largely embraces the progressive policies of the Biden-Harris administration. And he’s clearly not staking out a centrist position like New York City Democrat  Mayor Eric Adams, who has said he will work with President-elect Donald Trump to deport illegal immigrants who commit crimes.

Even Shapiro’s fellow Keystone State Democrat, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, says it’s time for their party to support border security.

“Well, one area where we kind of lost ourselves was the border,” he told Fox News after the November election. “And I’ve been on this network saying, ‘Hey, you know, it can’t be controversial for our party to have pro-immigration, but we need a secure border.'”

Polls show a solid 57 percent of Americans support mass deportation of people in the U.S. illegally. And Gallup polling shows a huge swing in voters’ attitudes about immigration during the Biden presidency. In May 2020, slightly more Americans wanted to see increased vs. decreased immigration (34 to 28 percent).

By June of this year, support for increased immigration had plunged to 16 percent, while the number supporting decreased immigration soared to 55 percent — a 45 percent swing.

Reports of crimes by illegals, including apartment buildings taken over by Venezuelan gang members in Aurora, Colo., and brutal murders, including Laken Riley and Lizbeth Medina, have galvanized public opinion.

In the Delaware Valley, a jailbreak in Chester County by undocumented Brazilian and convicted murderer Danelo Cavalcante resulted in widespread outrage last year in the two weeks he was on the loose.

Other problems caused by the influx of undocumented immigrants include overcrowded schools and hospitals, deadly drugs, and some 300,000 missing migrant children.

Pennsylvania has an estimated 170,000 undocumented immigrants. Lancaster resident Kevin Lynn, executive director of the Institute for Sound Public Policy, believes the government can and should deport illegal immigrants. He said the 2,500 or so Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) agents could remove 2.4 million illegal immigrants a year.

“We have the capacity to do it,” said Lynn. “We have the personnel to do it. We’ll be able to remove all the people who have come here [illegally] in the last four years. Now people are screaming about the expense.”

But he noted, there is already the cost to the government of “putting them up at the Roosevelt Hotel (in New York), they don’t seem to care about that.” These undocumented immigrants also receive taxpayer paid cellphones, housing and food stamps.

The U.S. House Budge Committee found in May the cost of the open southern border was $150.7 billion and counting. Various religious and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) receive block grants from the federal government to resettle the immigrants, who are being relabeled “newcomers.”

“I think removing the grants and bringing back ‘public charge’ rules, where if you come here you have to demonstrate that you can get by without being on the government dime would go a long way. That’s easy enough to do,” Lynn said.

Many illegal immigrants can be “removed expeditiously. They don’t have to go in front of an immigration judge or anything like that,” said Lynn. “If there’s a mayor or a governor impeding that, as far as I’m concerned, they’re aiding and abetting a criminal.”

“Mass deportations are possible and they’re justified. We have to do that because we won’t have a country if we don’t,” said Lynn. “I’ve just sat by in absolute horror watching it happen.”

Gov. Josh Shapiro has a unique opportunity to lead Pennsylvania through some of its most pressing issues. However, his approach to governing has left many frustrated, particularly in areas like transportation, education, and political accountability. With his eyes on the future, particularly the prospect of higher office, Shapiro risks losing sight of his primary responsibility: serving the people of Pennsylvania.

It’s time for Shapiro to focus on actions over words when addressing the state’s problems rather than relying on political expediency. One of the most pressing challenges is the financial instability of SEPTA, Pennsylvania’s largest transit agency. Shapiro has suggested using federal highway funds to address SEPTA’s budget shortfalls, but this is a shortsighted solution.

Federal funds should be reserved for maintaining highways and reducing traffic congestion, not for propping up a failing transit system. Shapiro has yet to rally the Pennsylvania legislature to find a long-term solution, and his failure to do so speaks to his inability to lead effectively. Temporary fixes, like federal bailouts, will not address SEPTA’s ongoing financial crisis and are merely distractions from the real issue.

This lack of leadership extends beyond transportation to other critical areas, such as education. Gov. Shapiro has contradicted his platform of educational reform by vetoing the Lifeline Scholarship program, which would have provided families in failing public schools with the opportunity to attend private institutions. By vetoing this bipartisan initiative, Shapiro has denied parents more educational choices for their children.

A true leader would work across the aisle to provide better opportunities for all Pennsylvanians, whether through public or private schooling. Shapiro’s veto sends a message that he is more interested in political calculations than in genuinely improving Pennsylvania’s education system.

Equally concerning is Shapiro’s handling of ethical and workplace issues within his administration. His failure to address allegations of sexual harassment involving his former secretary, Mike Vereb and current Secretary Akbar Hossian, raises questions about his commitment to accountability and transparency.

A governor who is serious about ethical leadership should take swift action to address such allegations and hold those responsible accountable. Additionally, Shapiro’s silence on political matters like Bucks County Commissioner Diane Ellis-Marseglia’s open defiance of a Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling on illegal ballots is deeply troubling. This inaction undermines the rule of law and calls into question Shapiro’s commitment to upholding Pennsylvania’s democratic institutions.

Gov. Shapiro has the political capital to address these issues head-on, but his failure to so reflects a broader leadership problem. His reliance on temporary fixes and avoidance of hard political work only deepens the state’s challenges. Pennsylvanians deserve more than superficial victories and political finger-pointing—they deserve a leader who can unite the state, build coalitions, and address the root causes of the problems facing the Commonwealth.

Even though tax increases are looming, Philadelphia and the Delaware Valley counties have promised to jointly contribute $22.95 million to help shore up the coffers of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).

That is unwelcome news for Delaware County taxpayers. Delaware County faces a $76 million budget deficit, and residents are looking at a 28 percent tax hike. A county spokesman said nearly $13, 5 million of county funds will be allocated for SEPTA for 2025.

That pledge was announced at a recent press conference where Gov. Josh Shapiro said he would shift $153 million in federal funds from Pennsylvania road and bridge repairs to the transit agency.

“As governor, I have a responsibility to serve every region of our commonwealth — rural, suburban, and urban,” said Shapiro. “Over the past two years, we’ve come together on a bipartisan basis to invest $330.5 million in additional funding for Pennsylvania’s roads and bridges, repairing more poor-condition bridges than any other state and improving more miles of roadway than at any time in the past decade.

“But while we’ve made great progress on our roadways, we must also address the needs of mass transit riders, particularly those in Southeastern Pennsylvania who rely on SEPTA every day to get to work, school, medical appointments, and more.”

Critics say throwing money at the problem won’t solve it, pointing instead to the drastic decline in ridership. Since 2019, SEPTA ridership has decreased by 38 percent, the Commonwealth Foundation reports. At the same time, SEPTA’s operating budget to serve fewer riders has increased by 9.3 percent since 2019.

“SEPTA has repeatedly failed to serve customers, residents, and taxpayers, and not because of state funding issues,” said Commonwealth Foundation Senior Vice President Nathan Benefield.” Even before this new bailout, Pennsylvania taxpayers and drivers were footing the bill for SEPTA’s bureaucracy. Shapiro’s bailout attempts to avoid the deep issues he and SEPTA leaders must address. They have refused to deal with rising crime and quality of life violations, nor have they evaluated routes in decades.

“SEPTA leadership should focus on streamlining service, finding efficiencies, and relying more on fares and local support—like most major metropolitan transportation systems,” Benefield added.

That analysis has largely been ignored by Delaware Valley elected officials.

“Montgomery County, much like the Governor’s Office, is on a mission to repair our aging infrastructure,” Montgomery County Commissioners Chair Jamila Winder said at the Shapiro press conference. “Better infrastructure improves quality of life, reduces transportation costs, and makes our region more attractive for investment and economic growth. Our economic productivity [is] only possible with a robust mass transit network.”

She said Montgomery County plans to increase its SEPTA funding from $8.3 million in 2024 to $9.4 million in 2025. Montgomery County taxes will rise by 9 percent in the proposed 2025 budget.

If Delaware County Council Chair Monica Taylor had any reservations about increasing spending and taxes, she didn’t show it during the press conference.

“It is vital to our community that SEPTA stays fully functional at the rate they’re at,” Taylor said, noting Delaware County has the second-highest transit ridership in the region. “SEPTA is the backbone of so many of us. The 101 trolley line runs right behind my home. I take it to Media. I take it into the El. I take it into Center City. Over 18,000 people who ride SEPTA every single day. Those individuals are riding it to work, who are riding it to school, to their doctor’s appointments, and so much more.

“But as we all know, the pandemic hit SEPTA hard,” said Taylor. “And without some sort of relief, we all know this system is not going to maintain itself.”

She thanked Shapiro for his “true leadership.”

Representatives from Chester and Bucks Counties did not attend the press conference. Bucks County released its 2025 budget with no tax increase, while Chester County homeowners will pay less than 1 percent more next year.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker said SEPTA is “at the heart of the economic engine of Southeastern Pennsylvania.”

“If you claim to be pro-business,” she said. “If you claim to be pro-growth. I don’t care what your party is, you will find a way to partner with our governor and our legislative to continue the tradition that we started in the commonwealth and from our county leaders here in Southeastern Pennsylvania. Let’s get stuff done.”

Despite the influx of state and local funds, SEPTA riders are paying 7.5 percent more as of Dec. 1. However, a second round of fare hikes that was to take effect next year has been postponed. SEPTA had not raised its fares since 2017.

(From a press release)

Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg was thrilled to take part in the signing of PA House Bill 269, which amends the state statute of 1868 authorizing Recorders of Deeds to record military discharge papers. The bill extends the confidentiality of recorded military discharges from 75 to 85 years after recording.

“This is such an important win for Pennsylvania veterans,” said Sorg. “Our veterans are living longer and these documents are the most important piece of paper a veteran can hold in their hand. They also include a lot of sensitive information. We want to keep our veterans information, safe and secure for as long as possible.”

“I am grateful to Montgomery County Recorder of Deeds Jeanne Sorg and her staff for their advocacy for Pennsylvania’s veterans, and for bringing this issue to my attention,” said Rep. Joe Webster (D-Collegeville). “Our veterans deserve the reassurance that their personal information is safeguarded. It’s our job as a grateful nation to protect those who protect us, and I’m honored and thankful to see this extension of privacy be enacted into law.”

“This represents another win for our veterans,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during the recent bill signing.

Sorg presented this issue to Webster in 2019, and she testified in front of the House Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee in 2023 about the importance of this legislation. HB269 was subsequently brought out of committee in 2023 and passed unanimously through the Pennsylvania House and Senate in October 2024.

“I have spent much of my time as Recorder of Deeds fighting for this bill,” said Sorg. “I am delighted to have been at the State Capitol when Governor Shapiro signed the bill into law.”

Before a recorded discharge hits the 85 year threshold, the document is only available to the veteran, their immediate family, and Veterans Affairs. Veterans and their families should contact the Recorder of Deeds for the steps to request copies of recorded military discharge papers.

“We know veterans and seniors are top targets for fraud,” said Sorg. In a recent survey conducted by the Recorder of Deeds of Montgomery County veterans, 56 percent responded as being over 75 years of age, while another 31 percent responded as being between 65 and 74 years old. “This additional 10 years will help to keep the personal information of our veterans secure,” she continued.

The Recorder of Deeds is responsible for maintaining the integrity of all land records in Montgomery County and acts as the repository for bonds and commissions of county elected officials, common pleas judges and magisterial district judges; military discharge papers (DD214s) of all eligible service and reserve members; subdivision, state highway, and railroad plans; powers of attorney; and other miscellaneous documents.

When Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a $47.6 billion budget this summer, he promised it was “cutting costs and reducing taxes” for residents.

Months later, he received a ‘D’ grade from the libertarian Cato Institute in its Fiscal Policy Report Card on America’s Governors. Six Republican governors received A grades while six Democrat governors – including Tim Walz of Minnesota, the party’s vice-presidential nominee – received F grades.

Scholars at the Washington, DC-based think tank took umbrage at Gov. Shapiro’s claim about not raising taxes.

“That is not entirely correct as he proposed a new tax on electronic gaming machines to raise $150 million a year. He also called for legalizing recreational marijuana and imposing a 20 percent tax on the wholesale price, which would raise about $200 million a year,” wrote Cato analysts.

Those plans did not become law.

They also found multiple faults with Shapiro’s spending plans, specifically the failed Pennsylvania Climate Emissions Reduction Act (PACER).

Shapiro claimed PACER was a plan “tailored for Pennsylvania” and necessary for the future. He suggested it would result in lower prices on utilities, reduce carbon emissions, and create 14,500 jobs.

Cato scholars, however, called PACER a tax hike because it would have capped carbon emissions and used “about three-quarters of the money raised to recycle back to electricity consumers in a progressive manner, with the rest spent on green energy programs.”

Energy advocates and Pennsylvania Republicans long called the PACER proposal a tax on consumers. They argued any plan to raise carbon prices would cause prices on other products to also rise. They said those prices would then be passed along to residential and business consumers.

The Pennsylvania legislature didn’t pass the PACER plan, nor were any hearings held on it.

Shapiro also received criticism for backing budget hikes and wanting to use surpluses to increase spending. Pennsylvania’s budget grew 9 percent this year and could increase 8 percent in 2025.

The Pennsylvania Independent Fiscal Office warned over the summer that the state’s budget surplus would be wiped out due to the Shapiro-led spending spree.

Nathan Benefield with the Commonwealth Foundation wasn’t surprised by Cato’s grade for Shapiro. He told DVJournal the increased spending will eventually lead to tax hikes for Pennsylvania families.

“If Shapiro wants to be taken seriously as a fiscally responsible governor, he needs to control spending and keep his promises to provide tax relief,” said Benefield.

It wasn’t all doom and gloom for the governor’s work.

Cato praised Shapiro for eschewing a severance tax on energy companies – despite pressure from House Democrats. He was also credited for a proposal to exempt cell phone bills from certain taxes that would have saved taxpayers $124 million a year.

He also received praise for signing the 2023 budget that included an increased childcare tax credit and credits for donors to private school scholarships.

The Shapiro administration did not return a request for comment.

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(From a press release)

Monday, Gov. Josh Shapiro signed Senate Bill 402 into law — officially recognizing Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania while attending a Diwali, Tihar, and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebration hosted by the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs in the atrium of the Keystone Building in downtown Harrisburg.

The bipartisan legislation marks a significant moment for the Commonwealth, celebrating the rich cultural diversity of its residents and the traditions of the over one billion Buddhists, Hindus, Jains, and Sikhs worldwide who celebrate Diwali, including hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvanians.

“By signing this bill into law, we are not only recognizing the importance of Diwali but also celebrating the rich cultural heritage and many contributions of the Asian American community to Pennsylvania,” said Governor Shapiro. “Diwali symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair – values that should help guide our Commonwealth. Pennsylvania is stronger because of its diversity, and this new state holiday is a powerful reflection of the inclusion, respect, and unity that we cherish in this Commonwealth. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to honoring the traditions and cultures that make our state vibrant and dynamic.”

Diwali, known as the “Festival of Lights,” is one of the most significant festivals in South Asian culture. It symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The festival lasts five days, with the main celebration occurring on the third day, which is marked by family gatherings, the lighting of lamps, and fireworks. This year, Diwali will be celebrated from October 29 to November 3, with the main festival day falling on October 31.

“Diwali is the festival of lights. It is the most important festival for the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh community,” said Razin Karu, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Asian American & Pacific Islander Affairs. “It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, of good over evil, of knowledge over ignorance, and of truth over falsehood. Many Pennsylvanians with roots in India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Bangladesh observe the festival of Diwali and more than 1 billion people around the world celebrate this holiday in South Asia and the diaspora around the world. It’s a privilege to join Governor Shapiro as he signs this law to officially recognize Diwali as a state holiday in Pennsylvania.”

The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) and Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia), garnered broad bipartisan support in both the Senate and House. Representative Arvind Venkat championed companion legislation, House Bill 436, which passed in April 2023.

“Recognizing Diwali as an official state holiday celebrates our Commonwealth’s rich cultural diversity,” said Rothman. “I’m grateful for Governor Shapiro’s signature on this historic legislation.”

“Wherever we’re from and whatever our background, all of us deserve to have our cultures recognized and honored. As the number of Asian Americans grows steadily here in Pennsylvania and across the country, our Commonwealth’s official recognition of Diwali sends a clear message of inclusion,” said Saval. “I am so proud to have worked with my colleagues in the state legislature to put Pennsylvania at the forefront by acknowledging Diwali’s deep cultural significance and inviting all people to reflect on the endless struggle of light over darkness.”

“Diwali, the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by over a billion Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists worldwide, including hundreds of thousands in Pennsylvania. It represents not only the celebration of the triumph of good over evil, but also a sacred time for families of multiple faiths to celebrate the bond that keeps them together and strengthens their connections with one another,” said Representative Venkat. “This bill recognizes and honors our diversity in Pennsylvania and fosters a stronger sense of community and inclusivity throughout the commonwealth.”

Though officially designated as a state holiday, schools, government offices, and businesses are not required to close on Diwali. The recognition serves as an acknowledgment of the cultural significance of the festival and encourages all Pennsylvanians to embrace and celebrate the diverse traditions that make up the fabric of the state.

The law, which designates the 15th day of the Hindu lunisolar month of Kartik as “Diwali Day” annually, takes effect immediately, making Diwali 2024 the first official celebration under the new law.

Pennsylvania is in play and may end up in the win column for former President Donald Trump.

When historians write the saga of why Vice President Kamala Harris failed in her presidential bid, they may attribute it to one fatal choice: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz as her VP pick.

When I watched Ohio Sen. JD Vance take apart Walz in the vice-presidential debate, I imagined the Democratic governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, sparring with Vance.

Shapiro would have held his own against Vance and perhaps scored a few points.

So, why didn’t Harris pick Shapiro, a slam-dunk choice who enjoys immense popularity in a state that she needs to win?

The first reason underlines why Harris does no real interviews and can’t answer basic questions about solutions to inflation and the illegal immigrant crisis. Shapiro would upstage her. He is much better on his feet and has a much more commanding speaking style, not to mention a commanding grasp of the issues. People would wonder why he is not at the top of the ticket.

The second reason he wasn’t chosen intersects with the anniversary of the Oct. 7 terror attack on Israel. Shapiro, who is Jewish, not only called out the horrors of the Oct. 7—horrific attacks by Hamas on Israelis—he pointed out the hatred and antisemitism on many college campuses protesting against Israel and told university officials to remove the encampments.

Shapiro forcefully and eloquently laid out the case against the haters.

Despite his political talents and the fact that he might have carried Pennsylvania for Harris, it seems clear that the far-left Democrats found his defense of Israel and Jewish college students abhorrent.

On the first anniversary of Oct. 7, the Anti-Defamation League released data indicating antisemitic attacks increased by 200 percent over the past year. And at least 1,200 of the 10,000 reported incidents occurred on college campuses.

I have found few, if any, messages from college and university presidents on the anniversary reminding people of the savagery of the original attacks and the fact that rape and torture were not acts of rogue outliers but the policy of Hamas when it massacred innocent Israelis.

The national office of The Council on American  Islamic Relations issued a statement that read, “ On the first anniversary of the Oct. 7 attacks and the start of the genocide in Gaza, we reiterate our condemnation of such violence and demand that President Biden use American power to end this year-long disaster. It is long past time for President Biden to force Benjamin Netanyahu to accept a comprehensive ceasefire deal that ends Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” On the same day, Vice President Harris, in a “60 Minutes” interview, refused to say that President Netanyahu was an ally of the United States.

I visited Israel on a tour with 30 of my listeners, and I came away with a deep sense of Israel’s need for security. I support its need to continue to hunt down members of the terrorist groups Hamas and Hezbollah.

But stopping Israel from rooting out Hamas in Gaza is where many in the Democratic Party have landed, and each week we get further away from the memory of Oct. 7, the more they will push for a ceasefire.

Amanda Greenberg, writing at Broad  + Liberty, makes the point many try to disguise as DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion). She writes, “According to believers of DEI, Jews are “White” and are, therefore, oppressors.”

This oppressor-colonizer narrative that’s now taught in many schools plays into the ongoing criticism of Israel and is used ultimately to mitigate the appalling Oct. 7 attacks.

So, as we move past the first anniversary of Oct. 7, I contend that Josh Shapiro was not chosen as the Democratic vice-presidential candidate because of bias. The Democrats will see the result of that bias when Trump wins Pennsylvania and is once again president of the United States.

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