Attorney General Josh Shapiro and State Representative Austin Davis stop in Williamsport | News, Sports, Jobs


State District Attorney Josh Shapiro speaks Saturday in Williamsport. MARK MARONEY/Sun Gazette

State Attorney General Josh Shapiro, currently running for governor, and State Representative Austin Davis, who is seeking to become lieutenant governor, stopped in Williamsport on Saturday ahead of the May 17 primary to ask for votes and promise responsible administration if elected on November 8. for all Pennsylvanians.

Their appearance resulted in a packed Young Men’s Democratic Club at 230 East St.

With no challengers in the state primary, Shapiro stressed the importance of bringing 100 or 200 more people to the next election, alluding in particular to the crucial November 8 general election.

Shapiro said it was a critical moment and he and Davis were “bringing this moment together to build a Pennsylvania that includes us all.”

He also rejected the idea that it would be the only voters in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh who would end up winning, but rather eligible voters in Greater Williamsport who would. “close the margin” in what will likely be a close race.

Economic incentives

While saying that inflationary pressures were based as much on global as on national factors, Shapiro and Davis have a three-part plan for approaching the state in terms of revenue generation.

Primarily, they want to end nuisance taxes and Shapiro noted that the cellphone tax costs consumers 11% more when they pay their cellphone bill.

Shapiro said as governor he would eliminate the tax.

To ease the burden on consumers when they go to the gas pump, he would institute a rebate check of $250 per car. If the owner has two cars, that would be $500, etc.

Reducing the gas tax, Shapiro said, would not be the right path and would instead result in defunding the police. It would be better to use that money to fix bridges and roads than to line the pockets of those who operate big oil and gas companies, he said.

Shapiro vowed his administration would cut taxes, raise the minimum wage and fight for more bipartisanship in the public service.

Shaprio said he supports Davis because he has shown times of compromising and working with fellow Republicans in the House to achieve goals and get things done on behalf of all Pennsylvanians.

“Austin has a long track record and is respected for his ability to bring people together,” Shapiro said.

Overhaul of education and staying tough on criminals

In terms of improvements to the education system, Shapiro advocates for safer and better school environments that include the need for at least one mental health professional in every school district and the elimination of standardized testing in favor of a curriculum. and effective and proven results that involve the restoration of civic education and more investment in programs adapted to the workforce of tomorrow in science, mathematics, technology and professional streams.

Under an administration led by Shaprio-Davis, the economy would be world-class and expanded by investing in small and large businesses which they see as the lifeline of the state’s economy.

Shapiro promised to restore cities through investment — not funding police and public safety personnel.

As a twice-elected attorney general, Shapiro said he was responsible for securing 8,100 arrests of drug traffickers and has never backed down from white-collar criminals or public corruption at any level. .

Electoral Integrity

To do so, he will appoint a secretary of state who will ensure Pennsylvanians have a safe and fair election and has said in his campaign that he will protect mail-in voting.

As for his election integrity record, he said he fought 43 lawsuits from the former president and the former federal administration is 0 and 43.

He referenced the United States Capitol uprising on January 6, 2021 and said a likely Republican opponent chartered a bus to attend the rally which turned violent and deadly.

Rights for all law-abiding citizens

Shapiro said his administration would be recognized as non-discriminatory in protecting all rights, including for anyone, regardless of political orientation, gender, sexual orientation or any other bias of anyone following the law.

Shapiro addressed the topical issue that led to the leak of the Supreme Court majority opinion that alluded to the overturning of Roe v. Wade and a woman’s choice to have an abortion.

Abortion is legal in Pennsylvania under state law.

This will remain legal regardless of SCOTUS rules.

“The only way for women to lose their rights in Pennsylvania is if our Republican legislature passes an abortion ban and a governor signs it.”

“I’m going to fight like hell and veto this bill.”

The Lycoming County Democratic Party hosted the event with Party Chair Linda Sosniak introducing the guests and Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter and County Commissioner Rick Mirabito in attendance, along with Democratic Committee Member David Raker. State of Lycoming County.

Williamsport AG investigation notes

A spokesperson for Shapiro said this was a campaign stop and that any questions regarding a criminal investigation by Shapiro into the prior administration at Williamsport and the prior management of River Valley Transit should be directed to the attorney general’s office. Investigators told the Sun-Gazette they were not commenting. Several agents from the attorney general’s office attended city council meetings following the results of the previous year’s audits of River Valley Transit before Slaughter took office, which auditors said indicated possible misassignment and embezzlement.



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