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Primary Election Results Weigh on Session This Week 

Pennsylvania's primary election was one of the most-watched in the country, with a heavy focus at the federal level on replacing outgoing Republican Senator Pat Toomey. On the Democratic side, Lieutenant Governor John Fetterman handily beat Congressman Conor Lamb and state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta. The Republican Senate primary results are still too close to call, with Dr. Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick within the 0.5% margin guaranteeing an automatic recount. The two are currently in a battle over undated mail-in ballots. Dr. Oz's lead has shrunk to just over 1,000 votes, so Pennsylvania's automatic recount clause will shortly kick in with final results due by June 7^th.

Switching to the race for the next governor, running unopposed, Attorney General Josh Shapiro is the Democratic nominee, and his chosen running mate state Rep. Austin Davis was declared the Lieutenant Governor nominee on election night. State Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) was the resounding victor of the GOP gubernatorial primary, and state Rep. Carrie Lewis DelRosso (R-Allegheny) won the Republican Lieutenant Governor primary.

The primary also resulted in many surprises in the state legislature, including the defeat of eight incumbents by primary challengers. House Appropriations Majority Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York) lost to Wendy Fink by over 1,000 votes. Senate Appropriations Majority Chairman Pat Browne (R-Lehigh) is currently down 17 votes to opponent Jarrett Coleman. The race has not been officially called, and it is unclear whether it will also go to a recount. Other incumbent losses in the legislative branch include state Representatives Keith Gillespie (R-York), Brian Kirkland (D-Delaware), Pam DeLissio (D-Philadelphia), Mike Puskaric (R-Allegheny), and Jason Silvis (R-Westmoreland). Due to the redrawn electoral maps, three districts contained incumbent-on-incumbent match-ups. In those districts, Rep. Perry Stambaugh (R-Perry) defeated Rep. John Hershey (R-Juniata), Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) beat Rep. Gary Day (R-Lehigh), and Rep. Chris Rabb (D-Philadelphia) bested Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald (D-Philadelphia).

Coming out of last week’s primary, the state House and Senate are in Harrisburg this week for session activity and turning their focus to the June 30^th budget deadline. Yesterday, the House Education Committee approved: SB 224 to address the teacher shortage in PA, SB 932 to revise the definition of household income for educational tax credits, and SB 933, which modifies the rules for the PASSHE School of Governors. The House Insurance Committee also met and approved HB 2585, which prohibits DHS from limiting CHIP MCO plans from bidding to allow for more consumer choice; PPC sent a memo supporting the bill to the committee members. Today, companion legislation, SB 1222, is slated for a vote in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.

The Senate Education Committee also met today and approved the following bills: SB 1244 to allow for temporary graduation pathways for students impacted by COVID-19 testing waivers, HB 972 requiring children to play sports with the gender they were assigned at birth, and HB 1041 which would allow homeschooled children to participate in academic classes offered by the school districts in which they live.

Finally, the House passed HB 1866 by a unanimous vote Monday. The bill, a priority for PPC’s child welfare work, would improve permanency protections for transition age youth. It now heads to the Senate for consideration.

The General Assembly is off for the Memorial Day holiday, but longer session weeks begin on June 6^th. PPC will update you as budget negotiations heat up and a clear picture of state investments emerges.

Thyme to Invest in Kids 

This week, the Pre-K for PA campaign delivered thyme plants to state policymakers with a note, "When it comes to our kids, it's all about THYME," to encourage pre-k investments in the state budget so more children are ready for success in kindergarten and beyond. Over 100,000 eligible 3- and 4-year-olds lack access to high-quality, publicly funded pre-k. Our campaign supports serving additional children and increasing rates for full and half-day pre-k slots by investing in the Governor's proposed $70 million in Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Programs. Learn more about the Pre-K for PA campaign and become a supporter.

PPC is working to increase participation in WIC across Pennsylvania through the work of Thriving PA.

Source: PA DOH, Division of Health Informatics & Bureau of Women, Infants and Children (WIC), February 2022.

KIDS COUNT® Data Center Indicators 

Check out our data webpage to access updates to the Regulated Child Care indicators under the Education category within the Pennsylvania KIDS COUNT® Data Center. They include research-based context supporting how this data is essential to track the well-being of children and are under the "Why This Indicator Matters" section.

In Case You Missed It...

• The American Academy of Pediatrics and Georgetown Center for Children and Families co-authored an op-ed, COVID isn't over – we still need protections for children, urging the Biden Administration not to lift the public health emergency yet. Since no 60-day notification surfaced by the May 16^th deadline, the PHE will presumably be renewed again in July.
• Coverage from The New York Times of the recent mass shooting in Buffalo delves into systemic racism.
• ELIC recently launched a new website, Investments in Caring PA, for businesses to find resources and tools to support their workforce regarding access to child- and family-friendly policies.
• The US Senate unanimously passed a bill to add flexibility to WIC benefits and protect low-income families from infant formula shortages. The program is the largest infant formula buyer in the country—making up about half of all formula purchases. The legislation waives the contract requirements for emergencies and allows parents to purchase other formulas available without paying out-of-pocket.
• These resources from HHS can help families find baby formula during the shortage.
• With the GOP U.S. Senate Primary race still too close to call, leading candidates McCormick and Oz are currently in a battle over counting undated mail-in ballots.