Keystone State News Connection

Religious Leaders Deliver “A Sermon to Heal America”

Andrea Sears

PHILADELPHIA — Faith leaders from Pennsylvania and around the country are raising their voices to support candidates in this year’s election who believe in the values of love, justice and inclusion.

They call themselves the New Moral Majority, and come from churches of many denominations and from across the country.

Bishop Dwayne Royster, national political director of the group Faith in Action and a native of Philadelphia, said their goal is to deliver a message that offers a different vision of what America and the world could be.

“Really leaning in on the side of compassion, the side of partnership with those that have been marginalized and hurting the deepest, and wanting to see every person in this nation be able to thrive,” Royster explained.

The New Moral Majority is releasing a video it’s calling “A Sermon to Heal America.” Royster emphasized it asks voters to see going to the polls as a sacred act.

Rev. Ryan Eller, founder of the New Moral Majority, believes the fact that some church leaders still support President Donald Trump – despite policies like family separation, and his lies and alleged financial fraud – make this a referendum on true Christian values.

“Many faith leaders recognize the moral crossroads that we are at as a nation,” Eller stressed. “And recognize that this is really a battle for the soul of our nation, and for our very democracy.”

He noted religious leaders who have traditionally been reluctant to express political opinions are now speaking out in record numbers, saying they will vote for change.

And Bishop Royster pointed out those joining the New Moral Majority include evangelicals and Pentecostals, as well as members of more mainstream denominations.

“We cross a variety of different theological spectrums,” Royster observed. “But we’re holding on deeply to this message from the gospel that each of us is created in the image and likeness of God; and that as a result of that, we ought to treat each other with dignity and respect, and see each other as fully valued members of our community.”

This week, another bipartisan group of Christian leaders launched a new political action committee with a similar message in a digital ad called “Not Our Vote, Not Our Faith.”

Keystone State News Connection

“Naked Ballot” Rule Could Void Thousands of PA Votes

Andrea Sears

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Thousands of Pennsylvania votes could be thrown out in November under a strict new rule for mail-in ballots.

Last month, the state Supreme Court handed down rulings that were seen as largely a win for Democrats. They extended the deadline for absentee ballots, allowed more ballot dropboxes and removed the Green Party candidate from the ballot for failing to follow proper procedures.

But the court also ruled that “naked ballots,” mail-in ballots returned without the second secrecy envelope, must be thrown out.

Scott Seeborg is state director of the group All Voting is Local. He said that could be as many as 40,000 ballots in Philadelphia alone, and 100,000 statewide.

“Those numbers are based on 2019 absentee ballot returns,” said Seeborg. “And I’m hoping that all that voter education that the state and lots of other folks have done will drive that number down.”

In 2016, Donald Trump won Pennsylvania by just 44,000 votes. Pennsylvania is one of 16 states that require a secrecy envelope for mail-in ballots.

Seeborg said that in response to that ruling, the Pennsylvania Department of State, county election officials and voting-advocacy groups are urging all voters using mail-in ballots to make sure they use the secrecy envelope and sign the outer envelope before mailing.

“All Voting is Local is putting together a public service announcement campaign and some ads on Facebook,” said Seeborg. “I think that advocates and folks in voter education are really laser focused on this and want to make sure that everybody’s vote is counted.”

Advocates fear that with many people new to mail-in voting expected to vote by mail for the first time because of the COVID pandemic, the number of naked ballots is likely to rise.

Seeborg said multiple bills in the General Assembly aim to try to improve the voting process in Pennsylvania, including a bipartisan measure to allow county officials to start processing mail-in ballots before Election Day.

“Every county is asking for this and the Legislature is unable to unite around that, so I hope they can reach a decision on this and work together,” said Seeborg. “And let’s say I’m cautiously pessimistic for that one.”

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.

HARRISBURG― Washington County’s former clerk of courts pleaded guilty today to stealing more than $96,000 from taxpayers and will serve 24 months on Home Electronic Monitoring and 7 years of probation, and pay more than $100,000, Attorney General Josh Shapiro announced this afternoon.

Frank Scandale pleaded guilty to Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Funds Received, Theft by Unlawful Taking, and Misapplication of Entrusted Property and Property of Government or Financial Institutions before Senior Visiting Fayette County Judge Gerald Solomon.

“Mr. Scandale broke the law and the oath he took on behalf of the people of Washington County when he stole nearly $100,000 from the public,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said today. “As a public official, Mr. Scandale had a duty to serve with integrity, and instead he admitted in court to violating the public’s trust. My office will continue to root out public corruption without fear or favor so we can have faith in the people who serve us.”

Scandale frequently accepted cash payments from individuals, provided receipts, and then voided either the total amount – or significant portions – of the deposits. County audits revealed 24 deposits that should have been deposited into Washington County’s bank account were used by Scandale for his own purposes. The total of the missing deposits was $96,716.04.

Deputy Attorney General Evan Lowry prosecuted this case.

Wolf Administration Earns National Recognition in Technology for App Improving Road and Bridge Maintenance

Harrisburg, PA – Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome announced today that a mapping application developed for PennDOT is among the winners of the 2020 Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology awards presented by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).

The project was selected from a pool of over 90 nominations in 10 categories submitted by state governments.

“We are honored to see Pennsylvania recognized on the national level once again for its leadership and innovation in technology,” said Secretary of Administration Michael Newsome. “This award-winning project demonstrates how we can use data in new ways to uncover insights and improve outcomes for the people of Pennsylvania.”

The app, known as Maintenance IQ, has improved maintenance planning and the management of equipment, workers and other assets at PennDOT. The app ​uses data from ​existing PennDOT systems to better detect highway deficiencies, determine roadway treatments, plan operations and monitor production. This helps to ensure projects remain on schedule and are initiated in the proper sequence. Maintenance IQ was also integrated with another PennDOT app used to collect data on guide rails, stormwater facilities, shoulders and paved and unpaved roads. Maintenance IQ helps PennDOT complete the right maintenance or treatment at the right time, helps infrastructure last longer and maximizes the value of taxpayer investments.

“PennDOT’s maintenance crews are critical to keeping Pennsylvania’s roads safe all year round,” said PennDOT Secretary Yassmin Gramian. “Maintenance-IQ has been an incredible tool for our maintenance crews and I’m so glad that it’s getting this recognition.”

Additionally, PennDOT’s REAL ID implementation and the Office of Administration’s use of data to create key cybersecurity risk indicators were selected as runners-up in their respective award categories.

NASCIO presents the Outstanding Achievement in the Field of Information Technology awards to states that have implemented exceptional programs that have made an important contribution to the operation of state government.

To learn more about the NASCIO awards, visit www.nascio.org.

(File Photo)

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(New Brighton, Pa.) New Brighton Police Chief Ron Walton  confirmed   this morning that a complaint has been filed by borough  business owner/resident Valerie McElvey after  20 signs hung   on  both sides of Third Avenue were ripped off of trees  and thrown in trash  cans . Mrs. McKelvey said, “As I walked  yesterday morning at 7:30 a.m. I discovered one sign down, she said the vandals  actually ripped them from the trees, leaving the corn stalks that are part of the décor intact. She said the  signs covered in plastic were happy personal signs  at eye level  facing the sidewalk on both sides of the street.” The signs were  donated, and paid $10 each.

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Aliquippa, Pa.) Two  residents  addressed the  Aliquippa School Board  concerning students  with   IEP’s.   during the pandemic. Dr. Jason Guzie, Director of Student  Services  told the parents that any student needing learning support’s needs are being met.  He said no student has been turned away He said if anyone has concerns   they should contact. him .Junior Senior high School Principal Stacey Alexander told the  parents that students are  receiving the necessary assistance  with the virtual learning .

Story by Beaver County Radio News Correspondent Sandy Giordano

(Beaver, Pa.) Former Ambridge Police Chief   James Mann was found not guilty of theft by deception and witness intimidation at a jury trial that lasted 5 days.

WASHINGTON (AP) —Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden raised $383 million for his election effort in September, a record-breaking sum that eclipses the unprecedented fundraising from the previous month.
The haul, announced Wednesday night, leaves him with $432 million in the bank just weeks before the Nov. 3 election. He raised the money in conjunction with the Democratic National Committee.
The gobs of cash Biden has raised since securing the nomination amount to a complete reversal in fortune for the former vice president. During the Democratic primary, he struggled to raise cash and was almost broke by the time he won the South Carolina primary, which catapulted him to a commanding Super Tuesday performance.
In the months since, a flood of donations and low spending has enabled him to eclipse President Donald Trump’s once-formidable cash reserves. Biden’s campaign and the DNC raised $364 million in August.
In the tweet announcing his September haul, Biden thanked his supporters and said he was “humbled.” He added: “There’s still more work to be done, but I wanted to share the good news.”
The Trump campaign hasn’t yet released their September fundraising numbers.