HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — The Republican Party is losing voters as it’s pulled in opposite directions after the attack on Congress by Trump loyalists. On one side are GOP voters disgusted with President Donald Trump’s behavior. Some, like former House Speaker John Boehner, say the president should leave office now.

 

Others have even switched their registration from the party since the Jan. 6 insurrection. At the same time, Trump supporters argue the vast majority of the rank-and-file remains loyal. The attack is deepening the schism in the party that was papered over by an uneasy truce during most of Trump’s term.

WASHINGTON (AP) — This time, they’ll be ready. The inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden will be held on the same risers in the same spot at the U.S. Capitol where a violent, pro-Trump mob descended last week. U.S. Secret Service Special Agent in Charge Michael Plati is leading the inauguration security, and he says the two events aren’t comparable from a security standpoint. The theme for the event will be “America United,” an issue that’s long been a central focus for Biden but one that’s taken on added weight following last Wednesday’s insurrection. Biden himself hasn’t expressed concern about his own personal security at the inauguration.

WASHINGTON (AP) — With impeachment pressure mounting, the House is speeding ahead to try to oust President Donald Trump from office. Democrats are pushing first for the vice president and Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to remove Trump from office. If that fails, impeachment proceedings are set for Wednesday. Pence met with Trump Monday evening for the first time since the Capitol attack, and the vice president he has shown no inclination to invoke the Constitution’s 25th Amendment to push Trump out. President-elect Joe Biden said Monday that those who “engaged in sedition” must be held accountable. Trump is to face a single charge — “incitement of insurrection” — over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. The FBI is warning of more unrest ahead of Inauguration Day.

Harrisburg, Pa. – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced his intention to appoint Liz Gerloff Wagenseller to serve a six-year term as Executive Director of the Office of Open Records, effective January 19.

“Liz brings a wealth of experience to the Office of Open Records,” said Gov. Wolf. “She is an astute administrator with a deep commitment to transparency. Liz will be an asset to the Office of Open Records and a key player in my administration’s efforts to improve transparency in government.

“I extend my gratitude to departing Executive Director Erik Arneson, whose term expires this week. Erik’s hard work and dedication were critical to maintaining and improving the open records process.”

As Chief of Staff to the Auditor General, Gerloff Wagenseller oversees operations, directs strategy and ensures transparency through collaboration with stakeholders, legislators and the public. Gerloff Wagenseller has more than 16 years of experience in the public and private sectors designing and implementing political and communications strategy. She previously worked at two public opinion research firms in Washington, DC — Greenberg Quinlan Rosner Research and Peter D. Hart Research Associates, where she conducted public opinion research and devised strategies to help non-profit organizations, unions, political campaigns, corporations, and advocacy groups achieve their mission.

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Pope says women can read at Mass, but still can’t be priests
By NICOLE WINFIELD Associated Press
ROME (AP) — Pope Francis has changed church law to explicitly allow women to do more things during Mass, granting them access to the altar, while reaffirming they cannot be priests. Francis amended the law to formalize what is common practice in many parts of the world: that women can read Scripture and serve on the altar as eucharistic ministers.

Previously, such roles were officially reserved to men even though exceptions were made. Francis said he was making the change to increase recognition of the “precious contribution” women make in the church, while emphasizing that all baptized Catholics have a role to play in the church’s mission.

Dems prep ‘incitement of insurrection’ charge against Trump
By LISA MASCARO, DARLENE SUPERVILLE and MARY CLARE JALONICK Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP) — Impeachment pressure mounting, the House is working swiftly to try to oust President Donald Trump from office. Democrats are pushing the vice president and Cabinet to invoke constitutional authority to remove Trump from office. A resolution calling on Pence to do so was blocked Monday by Republicans. But more votes are expected Tuesday, with an impeachment vote Wednesday. Trump faces a single charge — “incitement of insurrection” — over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump if Pence doesn’t help.  Trump is set to leave Jan. 20 when Democrat Joe Biden is inaugurated.

Bernstine Appointed to Four Key Legislative Committees

 HARRISBURG – Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver/Butler/Lawrence) today announced that he has been appointed to serve on the House Commerce, Game and Fisheries, Health and Insurance committees for the 2021-22 Legislative Session. Bernstine is serving his third term in the House of Representatives.

“I’m excited to work on these committees that focus on the well-being of our citizens as well as important issues that affect the fiscal health of the 10^th District and the Commonwealth,” said Bernstine. “Bills begin and end their lives in committees, whether they are passed into law or not. The House’s committees consider bills and issues and oversee agencies, programs, and activities within their jurisdictions.”

The House Commerce Committee is responsible for originating legislation and overseeing implementation of programs which affect Pennsylvania companies. The committee has primary jurisdiction over corporate governance through the business corporation law, as well as regulation of offers of sale and credit through such statutes as the Goods Services Installment Sales Act, the Unfair Sales Act, and the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Act.

As a member of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, Bernstine and his colleagues will receive and review annual performance and status reports from the Pennsylvania Game Commission and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. The committee also addresses all legislation that affects the agencies, as well as the state’s hunters, anglers and boaters.

“Preserving Pennsylvania’s rich outdoor sports heritage has always been of special interest to me,” said Bernstine.

The House Health Committee focuses on issues such as abortion, disease management, stem cell research, health savings accounts, hospital-acquired infections, Medical Assistance, patient safety, pharmaceutical issues, telemedicine and much more.

The House Insurance Committee helps oversee the Insurance Department and ensure any legislation running through the House that pertains to insurance matters is studied with extreme care.

“Each of these committees addresses issues important to all of us,” said Bernstine. “It is now time to get to work.”

WASHINGTON (AP) — A House resolution calling on Vice President Mike Pence to invoke constitutional authority to remove President Donald Trump from office has been blocked by Republicans. As the House prepares for impeachment, President Donald Trump faces a single charge — “incitement of insurrection” — over the deadly riot at the U.S. Capitol. That’s according to a draft of the articles obtained by The Associated Press. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says the House will proceed with legislation to impeach Trump as she pushes the vice president to invoke constitutional authority to force him out. The House action could start as soon as Monday. The president is holed up at the White House.

Harrisburg, PA – Governor Tom Wolf today announced nearly $4.7 million in PAsmart Next Generation Industry Partnership grants were awarded to bolster workforce development across Pennsylvania.

“Employers need skilled workers now more than ever,” said Governor Wolf. “My administration created PAsmart to help close the skills gap and allow more people to get the education and training they need to get better paying jobs. Strengthening job and skills training continues to be a priority and the 28 grants announced today further enhances that goal.”

The Next Generation Industry Partnership grants bring together multiple employers in the same industry to collectively provide targeted job training so that students, workers, and job seekers get the skills for good jobs in those industries.

“Programs like the Next Generation Industry Partnership are helping Pennsylvania be at the forefront of the economic changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Department of Labor & Industry Acting Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “By aligning businesses in the same industry to create training programs, we can provide Pennsylvania workers with the skills they need for today’s job opportunities while helping multiple businesses develop a strong candidate pool.”

The Wolf Administration has invested $88 million through the PAsmart since 2018. The initiative provided $28 million to expand job training through registered apprenticeships and industry partnerships and $60 million to support STEM and computer science education in hundreds of schools across Pennsylvania.

This funding is in addition to $6.5 million in PAsmart grants awarded to expand apprenticeship job training. Those grants support registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship through ambassador networks, build a diverse talent pipeline while expanding non-traditional registered apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships and build diversity within the construction and building trades.