The First Read — June 10, 2009

Good Morning!

Every Monday-Thursday morning, pa2010.com compiles the most important political news of the day, from newspapers to the blogosphere and back. Enjoy this edition.

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Poll: Pennsylvanians opposed to card-check
A sizable majority of Pennsylvania voters oppose passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which is quickly becoming issue No. 1 in…

Congressman Sestak Supports Bill to Put More Fuel-Efficient Vehicles on the Road

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOE SESTAK (D-7)

Washington, D.C. – To encourage increased purchases of fuel-efficient vehicles – and support the dealers who sell them – Congressman Joe Sestak (PA-07) voted for the Consumer Assistance to Recycle and Save (CARS) Act, HR 2751, which passed the House by a 298-119 margin. The proposal provides a voucher program in which the federal government offers rebates on cars and trucks that meet certain miles-per-gallon standards. This…

Congressman Platts Appointed to Serve on the House Armed Services Committee

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN TODD PLATTS (R-19)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Todd Platts (PA-19) has been appointed as the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.  Congressman Platts was appointed to the Committee following the resignation of Congressman John McHugh (NY-23), who was recently nominated by President Barack Obama to serve as Secretary of the Army.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the House Armed Services…

More good econ. press for Onorato leading up to G20

Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato can add one more national press clipping to his collection of stories about Pittsburgh’s econimic revival.

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Poll: Pennsylvanians opposed to card-check

A sizable majority of Pennsylvania voters oppose passage of the Employee Free Choice Act, which is quickly becoming issue No. 1 in the 2010 Senate race, according to a new poll.

The survey of 700 registered voters, conducted by the GOP firm Susquehanna Polling & Research, found 55 percent of voters opposed to the “card-check” bill and only 29 percent in favor. Forty percent were “strongly” opposed while only 15 percent were “strongly” in favor,…

While Democrats wined and dined, the Republican Party went to work

As you probably have read on pa2010.com, the Democratic Party held a meeting in Pittsburgh this weekend to welcome their newest member, Senator Arlen Specter. It was clear from the comments I read from Specter that he has begun his mad dash to the left, taking a more liberal stance on many important issues, like “card-check,” in an effort to persuade Congressman Joe Sestak (D-7) from taking him on in the primary next year. This…

Dems come out of Pittsburgh on ‘Cloud Nine’

More than 350 people attended the Democratic State Committee meeting in Pittsburgh this past Saturday to hear Senator Arlen Specter speak to them as a Democrat.

Yes, he also spoke on Friday night, but he did so more in remembrance of the late Lt. Gov. Catherine Baker Knoll, the Party’s “Grande Dame” who made history as the first female to hold that post.

On Friday night, Gov. Ed Rendell formally welcomed Specter to the Party…

The Hoeffel endorsement

Quite frankly, the Joe Hoeffel endorsement of Joe Sestak meant nothing politically. However, I was surprised it came from him. The fact Chaka Fattah has endorsed Arlen Specter, and Bob Brady came pretty close, was truly surprising. Honestly, I would of seen them as a better challenger in a Democratic Primary than a suburban Democrat. Next on the chopping block for an endorsement is basically the entire Congressional delegation. Especially interesting me are Chris Carney…

Former state Rep. Kennedy considering jumping into Lt. Gov. race

More than a dozen Republicans are already thinking of running for Lieutenant Govenor, but former state Representative John Kennedy is mulling adding his name to that list, too.

Kennedy, who represented Cumberland County in the 1980s before losing GOP primaries for state Tresurer and state Senate, told pa2010.com that he was considering a run for the office, which he said could be far better utilized than it has been in the past.

“I’m not looking…

Murtha: House Appropriations Committee Funds Local Public Safety and Small Business Projects

By THE OFFICE OF CONGRESSMAN JOHN MURTHA (D-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman John P. Murtha, Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, announced today that the House Appropriations Committee has passed a $64.4 billion fiscal year 2010 Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Bill that includes funding to improve public safety communication systems in Fayette and Indiana Counties, to assist local small businesses with international opportunities, and to provide full funding for the National Drug…