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Sen. Scott Wagner, R-Spring Garden Township (File photo)

York County state Sen. Scott Wagner today threw his support behind a member of the lower state House, state Rep. Todd Stephens, for Pennsylvania Attorney General. But is there more to the endorsement?

Stephens is a third-term Republican state representative from Montgomery County where he worked for nearly a decade as an assistant district attorney, according to a news release. It’s a career that Wagner said makes him a “proven prosecutor.”

“I determine who to support based off of the same principles that are used in the private sector business world to find the best candidates — I look at experience and background,” Wagner said in the release. “Todd and I do not agree on every issue, but I know he will be a no-nonsense Attorney General who will keep us safe and stand up against anyone against who breaks the law.”

But there’s another Republican lawmaker from Montgomery County who not only also boats prosecutorial experience — as an assistant in the Attorney General’s office itself — but also serves in Wagner’s house, the state senate.

That man is state Sen. John Rafferty, who’s also running as the state’s top attorney.

Sen. John Rafferty, R-Montgomery County. (An official portrait)

But he and Wagner aren’t known as the best of friends. Wagner even called Rafferty “the most disingenuous member of the Republican Caucus.”

Related: Sen. Wagner targets another colleague

Rafferty responded with “… we’ll see if he wants to be a big man and talk to me about it.”

The beef arose when Rafferty voted against a senate bill — SB 501, sponsored by state Sen. John Eichelberger, R-Blair County — to stop automatic paycheck deductions from state employees to collect union dues.

Rafferty wanted his amendment to exempt police, firefighters and other emergency responders from the bill but otherwise supported the idea.

Interestingly, he voted for Eichelberger’s legislation today when it passed the senate without his amendment included.

Related: Pa. Senate OKs limits on union dues, PAC collection

Despite that, there may still be some love lost between the two men.

REGAN ANNOUNCES BID for PA SENATE to CONTINUE

PROTECTING TAXPAYERS, FAMILIES, and OUR VALUES

Former U.S. Marshal and Deputy Inspector General running for open State Senate Seat

CARROLL TOWNSHIP, PA (August 27) – State Representative Mike Regan officially announced today that he will be a candidate for State Senate District 31 in 2016. He is honored to have respected community leaders Wayne Pecht of Cumberland County and Frank Sourbeer of York County serving as Co-Chairs of his committee.

Regan has always dedicated his career to public service, and protecting families and taxpayers. He served our country and Commonwealth as the U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania and as Deputy Inspector General of Pennsylvania, and is now serving residents in Cumberland and York counties as State Representative.

“I grew up in Cumberland County, graduated from Cedar Cliff High School, and started my own family in Camp Hill,” Regan said. “It was there that I learned the principles and values that have guided my entire life. I am committed to being a strong leader in the Senate and will continue to focus on the priorities of working families, retirees, and all of the citizens of Cumberland and York counties.”

Regan is a proven fiscal conservative who believes in the importance of family, and service to country and community. Regan has held the line on taxes and has only voted for balanced budgets that protected taxpayers. He is a member of the Speaker’s Task Force on Pension Reform and has focused on protecting current workers while creating a 401(k) – like retirement system for all new hires that is more in line with the private sector.

“The pension issue has impacted every level of government across Pennsylvania and our country,” Regan said. “I take my task force responsibilities very seriously, and understand that we need to have the courage to fix this issue for our generation and the next.”

Elected to the House of Representatives in 2012, Regan represents portions of Cumberland and York counties in the House, where he has led on reform and has worked to protect taxpayers and our families. His legislation to increase penalties for luring a child was signed into law last session. Regan also authored legislation, which has passed the House, to deny welfare benefits to persons convicted of drug distribution crimes and non-compliant Megan’s Law registrants. His bills are designed to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in the welfare system so that help is provided to those citizens most in need. 

From an early age, Regan wanted to be in law enforcement. He went on to serve as a member of the United States Marshals Service within the U.S. Department of Justice. He started his career as a Deputy U.S. Marshal, where he was known for his integrity, intelligence, and attention to detail – qualities that have served him well in the State House.

In 2002, Regan was nominated by President George W. Bush and confirmed by the United States Senate to be the U.S. Marshal for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. During his tenure, his office increased felony fugitive arrests by 300% and received the highest audit program review score of any of the 94 districts across the country. This review focused on all aspects of operations, including financial, management, and investigative practices. In 2012, Regan was awarded the U.S. Marshals Distinguished Service Medal for his dedicated service to our country.

“When I was growing up, I had a passion for law enforcement,” Regan said. “To this day, my mom remembers me talking about wanting to be a police officer. Serving as the U.S. Marshal allowed me the opportunity to protect families, fight to defend the Constitution, and help reduce the presence of drugs and violence in our communities. I take those experiences to Harrisburg every day while I continue fighting for the families I represent in Cumberland and York counties in the legislature.”

In 2011, Regan became the Deputy Inspector General of Pennsylvania. There, his mission was to prevent, investigate, and eradicate waste, fraud, and abuse in state agencies and the Department of Public Welfare. During his service, he saw firsthand how government can and needs to become more efficient and effective with our tax dollars. 

“At the heart of protecting taxpayers is ensuring fiscal discipline at every level of government and reforming how business is done in Harrisburg,” Regan said. “I have never taken per diems, held the line on taxes, and am helping bring greater openness and transparency to government so that we know how our hard-earned money is being spent. In the Senate, I’ll continue the fight to reform state government and protect our tax dollars.”

Regan was raised in Lower Allen Township, Cumberland County, and graduated from Cedar Cliff High School, where he was recently inducted into their Hall of Fame for public service. He and his wife, Fran, are raising their four children, Shea, Brooke, Ty, and Chase, in Carroll Township. Over the years, Regan has always found time to share countless hours with his children and other children in the region as a wrestling, football and soccer coach.

 

We found that for the fiscal year ending in 2012, Pennsylvania ranked 44th, slightly ahead of Florida, when it comes to the share of funding for elementary and secondary public school systems.

That measurement compares percentages, not total dollars spent or averages spent per student.

The U.S. Census Bureau has since released updated info for the fiscal year ending in 2013. Here is how that changes Pennsylvania’s status.

1. Pennsylvania’s rank dropped to 46 for the state share of education funding.

Pennsylvania ranked ahead of New Hampshire, Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota.

2. But Pennsylvania’s percentage of funding stayed pretty much the same.

For the fiscal year ending in 2012, Pennsylvania provided 36.14. Local sources provided 55.8 percent of the funding, while federal sources provided about 8.1 percent.

For the fiscal year ending in 2013, Pennsylvania provided 36.13 percent. Local sources provided about 56.3 percent, while federal sources provided about 7.6 percent.

Here’s what people are saying about the decision (comments below came from statements):

House Democrats praised the move.

“Republicans wasted a lot of time in the last few days working on a dead-end budget that wasn’t balanced and would have ultimately created a $3 billion deficit,” said House Democratic Leader Frank Dermody. “Now that the governor vetoed the budget, it’s time for all of us to get back to work on a real budget plan that constructively helps the people of Pennsylvania.”

“The governor has been more than willing to meet and work with Republicans and Democrats since he took office in January,” said House Democratic Whip Mike Hanna. “His door has been open and he made it clear that he’s ready to continue discussions. Democrats will be there with him.”

The state GOP criticized it.

“Republicans in the state Senate and state House have taken clear actions that will improve the lives of families across Pennsylvania by passing a  ‘Taxpayers Budget,’’ Republican Party of Pennsylvania Chairman Rob Gleason said.  “Tonight, Governor Tom Wolf chose to veto that ‘Taxpayers Budget’ and side with liberal special interest benefactors over Pennsylvania taxpayers.”

And here is what some people said on Twitter:

Proud to stand with @GovernorTomWolf in full support of his veto #GimmicksOverGoverning #PAGOPFail pic.twitter.com/qvnJOteTVS

— Mike Schlossberg (@MikeSchlossberg) July 1, 2015

Wolf is great for PA! #GOP has been a #Failure! HHbh https://t.co/xtEAdjiMRj

— PHIL ANDERSON (@TRACKSTARTER) July 1, 2015

pic.twitter.com/li4qoJI9AU

— Stephen A. Miskin (@Sam1963) July 1, 2015

Very proud of my governor @GovernorTomWolf who just announced he’s vetoing the GOP #pabudget

— Ben Waxman (@bwaxman) July 1, 2015

@GovernorTomWolf vetos sham, unbalanced Republican #pabudget. Let the real negotiation begin for our schools, jobs, economy #papolitics

— PA Budget and Policy (@PBPC) July 1, 2015

.@GovernorTomWolf in March: “It’s not good enough to just say no”. Tonight: “No”. #pabudget

— NathanBenefield (@NathanBenefield) July 1, 2015

@GovernorTomWolf vetoed BILLIONS in education funding in the state budget and the school code. No PlanCON reimbursements.

— Rep. Seth Grove (@RepGrove) July 1, 2015

Perry, R-York County, represents Pennsylvania’s 4th Congressional District, which includes Gettysburg.

Here is Perry’s statement:

“I have strong concerns and many questions about the National Park Service (NPS) decision regarding the display of the Confederate Flag at Gettysburg National Military Park (GNMP).  The Battle of Gettysburg marks a turning point in American history, and this park is a living museum of that history. One of GNMP’s most important duties is to educate our citizens about the significance of the Gettysburg Campaign, the Civil War and the bravery of all Soldiers who fought there – on both sides. At first glance, this seems like a rushed decision by NPS officials in Washington based on public and media pressure rather than a thoughtful evaluation of the Confederate Flag’s educational and historic value to park visitors. Local business owners and officials in Gettysburg are justified in wondering what other uses of the Confederate flag, such as battle re-enactments, will be called into question next. I’m in the process of setting up a discussion early next week with GNMP officials so we can gather all the facts before I comment further.”

Sen. Scott Wagner, R-Spring Garden Township (File photo)

Tweeting live from the “Commonwealth’s Skies,” Twitter account Wagner’s Chopper seeks to provide “Guidance from above. Solving Pennsylvania’s budget problems… from 2,500 feet,” according to the bio.

As of about 5 p.m. today, the account had 173 followers and had tweeted 78 times.

The account was created in the wake of a May 27 ABC27 — WHTM-TV — report called “Senator: Pa. schools not underfunded” in which state Sen. Scott Wagner, R-Spring Garden Township, chartered a helicopter and brought station reporter Dennis Owens with him on a bird’s eye view tour of some south central Pennsylvania high schools.

Soon thereafter, letter writers and interest groups were calling the move a “stunt,” and a “most out-of-touch way” to prove a point about school funding.

The first tweet came on June 6:

Hitting the skies over Pennsylvania today to solve any and all budget problems. Suggests problems for me to look at using #WagnersChopper

— Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 6, 2015

Soon many more tweets followed, many of which dealt with school funding:  

Just flew over an elementary school’s summer reading program kick off. Looked like they bought the kids snowcones. $NOWCONE$!!!! #PABudget — Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 6, 2015

Almost at the site of the chem fire in AdamsCo and just flew over what I assume is a public school teacher’s house. pic.twitter.com/ozvQQKNqwk

— Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 8, 2015

But the account quickly became a general parody of the senator, including a nudge against his East Manchester Township-based company, Penn Waste:  

Just flew over PennWaste. Looks rough. Probably should budget some economic stimulus funds. #PABudget #WagnersChopper pic.twitter.com/hTJCbusaE1 — Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 6, 2015

And hits against observing anything from such a vantage point:

Ascended to 3,500 feet and couldn’t see a single damn pothole on the turnpike. We’re overspending on PennDOT. #PABudget #WagnersChopper

— Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 6, 2015

There was even a response to the York Daily Record’s own fact check on claims Wagner made about public sector versus private sector benefits:  

These jokers are looking at this from a ground-level perspective. Get in the air for a better look, idiots. https://t.co/UAYdhaCNyK — Wagner’s Chopper (@WagnersChopper) June 15, 2015

For his own part, Wagner — and his chief of staff, Jason High — gets the humor.

“It’s obviously funny. We have no idea who’s doing it but it is probably a member of one of the groups that have a vested interest in keeping things the same,” High said. “But as funny as it is we would prefer to have a serious conversation about where the money is being spent.”

A direct message to the account this afternoon for additional comment was not immediately returned, but this post will be updated should whoever is behind the account respond.

High said it’s important for viewers to understand that the helicopter tour was “not a gimmick” because the senator rides helicopters often and just invited Owens along for this ride. The view showed extensive and well maintained sports infrastructure and other larger expenditures.

“But we have schools complaining that they can’t afford pencils and paper then that’s a problem,” High said.

Andrew Staub at PA Independent has a story about mailers targeting lawmakers for opposing Wolf’s proposed extraction tax on natural gas drilling.

Glossy mailers began landing in mailboxes over the weekend. They included an accusation that GOP representatives were “putting oil & gas companies over kids” when they voted against legislation that includes a severance tax on the natural gas industry to help fund education.

It was a quick turnaround for such an expansive and coordinated mail blitz, considering the vote happened just five days earlier. Districts targeted includes those of state Reps. Daryl Metcalfe, Warren Kampf,Dan Truitt, Bernie O’Neill, Kate Harper and Bill Adolph, the chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.