DiGiorgio Wins GOP Chairmanship

DiGiorgio Wins GOP Chairmanship — Insider Val DiGiorgio was elected as expected chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican State Committee replacing Rob Gleason.

DiGiorgio Wins GOP Chairmanship
Chairman Val

He received 173 votes to 171 for Lawrence Tabas, the state GOP’s general counsel.

There was not a secret ballot as requested by Tabas.

The votes were cast by members of the Republican State Committee. Every county chairman is automatically a member of it with the rest being elected to four year terms during a municipal party primary.

Tabas noted in a public letter that many of those leaning in his direction were threatened by paid operatives of DiGiorgio.

The close vote shows a serious divide and problem for the state party. DiGiorgio’s win was to due to overwhelming numbers in the Philadelphia region. He lost the rest of the state, especially the Pittsburgh area.

DiGiorgio Wins GOP Chairmanship

 

Tabas Requests Secret Ballot

Tabas Requests Secret Ballot
Lawrence Tabas, Pennsylvania Republican Party general counsel.

Tabas Requests Secret Ballot — In an open letter to Val DiGiorgio, Lawrence Tabas has condemned attacks by all sides and requested a secret ballot for tomorrow’s (Feb. 4) vote for the Pennsylvania Republican Party chairmanship that the two men are seeking. 

Tabas is the Pennsylvania GOP general counsel. DiGiorgio, is party boss for Chester County.

Here is the letter:

Dear Val:

I understand why you’re upset, and rather than ignoring these attacks, I have been actively trying to stop this among my supporters.

Unfortunately, I cannot speak to people who are anonymous, and neither can you.  Therefore, I have issued an open letter regarding these attacks, which I am attaching.

I vehemently deny that these attacks have been by my paid supporters.  I have also been attacked in numerous ways, and many of the people supporting me have been threatened on your behalf, and I have proof that these attacks have often been perpetrated by your paid supporters.  I agree that this has gone too far and ask that you also stop the negative attacks by your supporters, paid or not.

Tabas Requests Secret Ballot
Val DiGiorgio, Chester County GOP boss

We both can stand on our records of service to the Party, and we each have our plans for making the Party better and that is what people should focus on when they are voting.  I have built my reputation on integrity, and I know that you have also.  Let’s therefore end this election on a positive note.

I believe it would be most effective and positive for our Party if we issue a joint letter condemning all attacks, threats, and repercussions, either pre- or post-election.  As part of that letter, we should jointly urge the State Committee members to vote for a secret ballot so that there is no fear of reprisal on either side.

I look forward to hearing from you,

Many Thanks,

Lawrence Tabas

Tabas Requests Secret Ballot

SB 167 Paycheck Protection

SB 167 Paycheck Protection — Leo Knepper of Citizens Alliance of Pennsylvania has let us know that bills providing for paycheck protection moved out of  the Senate State Government Committee, Jan. 31, on a party line vote.

Senate Bill 166 prohibits the use of dues collected from members of  public unions to be used for political causes. It specifically exempts “negotiation, resolution, arbitration, administration or enforcement” of collective bargaining agreements.

Senate Bill 167 prohibits the use of dues to be used for politics and voids all provisions in collective bargaining agreements allowing it.

“Currently, government unions can deduct contributions for their political action committees (PACs) and dues money that will be used for political purposes directly from government employees’ paychecks,” says Knepper. “In other words, the unions are using taxpayer funded systems to collect money for politics.

“Why should it be legal for unions to use the public payroll system for political purposes, but illegal for former-Speaker John Perzel to use the constituent data system to help sway elections?” he said.

Our question: Why should the state even collect union dues? If the money has to be deducted automatically, it’s a pretty good indication that the union member is not thrilled with the leadership?

Why should union dues that more often than not  merely enrich union bosses be a requirement for membership in the first place? SB 167

SB 167 Paycheck Protection

Independence Hall Foundation Praises Gorsuch

Independence Hall Foundation Praises Gorsuch — The Independence Hall Foundation is praising President Donald Trump’s selection of Judge Neil Gorsuch, of Colorado, a federal judge who currently serves on the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, to fill the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court created by the death of Justice Antonin Scalia.

“We believe Judge Gorsuch is cut out of the same cloth as Justice Scalia and will arrive at his court decisions after giving careful consideration to the orginal intent of the framers of the U.S. Constitution,” said Foundation spokeswoman, Teri Adams. 

“We are impressed with Judge Gorsuch’s written opinions and his recent decision affirming religious liberty.               

“Although we anticipate a confirmation battle from Democrats on the far left of the political spectrum, we think reasonable Democrats will defer to President Trump on this choice given Judge Gorsuch’s stellar record as a judge and his tremendous intellectual prowess.

“Our organization will do everything in its power to make sure Judge Gorsuch is confirmed,” said Ms. Adams.

“We also note that Judge Gorsuch clerked for former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Byron White, a Democrat appointed to the court by President John F. Kennedy.

“We are grateful to Republican senators, led by Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, for postponing, indefinitely, a vote on President Barach Obama’s choice to fill the Scalia vacancy, Judge Merrick Garland,” said Ms. Adams.

Independence Hall Foundation Praises Gorsuch

Delco Sanctuary Says Philly Mayor

Delco Sanctuary Says Philly Mayor — A bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania Senate — albeit it appears snarled — that would ban government units from adopting “sanctuary” policies. This basically means not checking immigration status and not complying with federal detention orders.

Philadelphia’s Jim Kenney, who mayors the bill’s numero uno target, is outraged. Delco and Montco and Chesco and Bucks do the the same he says.

That was a subject of discussion here in December. 

The Center for Immigration Studies (CIS) claimed — and still does— that Delaware County is a “sanctuary” for illegals.

The Philadelphia Field Office of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), however, sent us this: Delaware County, Pa and all police departments within Delaware County fully participate with PEP (Priority Enforcement Program).

Regarding the sanctuary city bill — SB 10 of 2017-2018–  what exactly is the problem with governments checking into someone’s immigration status and complying with federal detention orders?

By the way the CIS has added Pennsylvania counties to its list.
 

Delco Sanctuary Says Philly MayorDelco Sanctuary Says Philly Mayor