3 minute read
WINNERS LOSERS
Who was up and who was down last month
Leaves are beginning to change color and temperatures are starting to cool. Pennsylvania’s political drama, though, remains as hot as ever. There’s always a strong field of winners and losers each month, and this month’s inductees are no different. From people holding their government peers accountable to those making a mockery of their professions, read on for our most recent cast of characters.
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TIMOTHY DeFOOR
Last month, the auditor general revealed findings from a performance audit into a controversial COVID-19 business waiver program rolled out by the Wolf administration. It found that the process was flawed and inconsistent. A state agency later said DeFoor’s recommendations were “very constructive.”
WINNERS
OUR PICK
LOSERS
OUR PICK
MARK COMPTON
An internal Pennsylvania turnpike report found that more than $104 million in tolls went uncollected last year as the agency was shifting to all-electronic tolling. Nearly 11 million of the 170 million rides generated no revenue last fiscal year, which PTC CEO Mark Compton said is “a big number.” For once, it paid off to not have an E-ZPass.
THE BEST OF THE REST
TOM WOLF
The Wolf of State Street has been riding high, earning a bipartisan win in the legislature and a narrow victory from a state regulatory board – all in a month’s time. A state regulatory panel approved Wolf’s plan to put a price on carbon emissions. Then the General Assembly voted unanimously to extend hundreds of waived regulations designed to help combat COVID-19, which were originally implemented by Wolf’s administration. Wolf draws a lot of strong reactions from both sides of the aisle, but it’s hard to argue that he had a good month.
MELISSA MANN
The PHMC has a new HBIC. Mann was appointed director of the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission last month, where she’ll oversee the state’s 24 historic sites and museums. During her time with PHMC, Mann has been an advocate for inclusion and accessibility. We can all agree no one should be barred from learning.
THE REST OF THE WORST
JEFFREY LYNN THOMAS
Even those sworn to protect the law can break it, and in this case, may have in horrific fashion. Last month, Somerset County D.A. Jeffrey Lynn Thomas was arrested and charged with rape, strangulation and criminal trespass following an incident where he allegedly entered a female friend’s home and attacked her. Thomas will be taking a leave of absence to focus on the his case and charges that PA Attorney General Josh Shapiro described as “deeply disturbing.”
TANISHA JACKSON
Jackson, alongside two accomplices, were indicted last month on charges of ripping off the state for millions in reimbursements for federal low-income meals programs. They reportedly failed to deliver thousands of meals to children and instead used the money to buy cars, vacations and other luxuries. To them, FTK clearly didn’t mean “for the kids.”
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Vol. 1 Issue 4 October 2021
Fifty
over
Advocates, entrepreneurs, philanthropists & visionaries. Service & success have no age limit.
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Lorina Marshall-Blake
CITYANDSTATEPA.COM @CITYANDSTATEPA
OCTOBER 2021
Cover photography: Jared Gruenwald
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