Committee of Seventy

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February 24, 2023

Statute of limitations measures pass House and “Rozzi Rules” released

The PA House returned from a seven-week recess Tuesday in a special session called by Speaker Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) to pass legislation opening a two-year window for survivors of childhood sex abuse to seek legal redress. But first, lawmakers had to adopt legislative rules for the session, which drew stiff opposition from Republicans. After several tense and argumentative voting days this week, the House passed along party lines statutory and constitutional measures to open the two-year window for lawsuits. These now go to the Republican-controlled Senate where their fate is uncertain.

“The Rozzi Rules”: The House’s first day of regular session since January 3 is next week and members must pass another set of operating rules for the two-year session. Speaker Mark Rozzi previewed a proposal Thursday that outlines changes that could fulfill the public’s calls for House rules that shift power away from party leaders and to the rank and file, while encouraging the support of bipartisan legislation. Now the public -- and lawmakers -- need to see the actual language before the vote.

Philly mayor's race: A guide for building a winning coalition

The Inquirer identified six regional clusters of Democratic voters in Philadelphia with similar voting patterns since 2015, finding stark demographic, economic and ideological differences. “It’s stunning that … our city remains this segregated,” noted political consultant Mustafa Rashed, who also pointed to the analysis as a roadmap for candidates to cobble together a winning coalition. With 10 of them seeking to get onto the ballot, only a small plurality may be needed to win the nomination. Michael Nutter beat the closest of his four major primary challengers by 12 percentage points with just 37% of the overall vote in 2007 while Jim Kenney blew away a six-candidate field in 2015 with 55%.

New-look Council: Darrell Clarke’s announcement Thursday that he won’t seek reelection means that the next Mayor will work with a new Council president as well as at least 12 members who will have served only one term or less.

Before you vote: C70’s Philadelphia Primary Voter Guide is live, and stay tuned for our Interactive Voter Guide, where you’ll be able to research candidates across the region, build your own ballot, and make your plan to vote. Other resources include the Lenfest Institute’s Every Voice, Every Vote initiative, which includes links to a voter toolkit, a table of endorsements and a listing of candidate forums.

Caught Our Eye

Patchwork of voting policies: Votebeat and Spotlight PA compiled the differences among the counties in matters related to voter access including the ability to cure issues with mail-in ballots, dropbox utilization and the number of voters per election precinct.

City Hall Roll Call

On Our Radar

A rule bent or broken? The Shapiro administration offered a dubious defense of the governor’s trip to the Super Bowl, paid for by a Harrisburg-based nonprofit that receives state grants related to economic development.

Still no gift ban in law: MarchOnHarrisburg executive director Michael Pollack and other activists will rally behind the 34th gift-ban bill offered in 23 years.

Anatomy of an election fiasco: Votebeat delves into reasons why a paper-ballot shortage overwhelmed Luzerne County in November and finds that high strain and turnover among election personnel led to “an immense loss of institutional knowledge.”

Which side are you on? Undersheriff Tariq El-Shabazz, the top counsel for Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, was fined by the city’s Ethics Board for representing clients charged with crimes by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office.

No time to retrench: An Inquirer editorial decries recent cutbacks in content moderation by social media companies despite the continuing onslaught of misinformation on their platforms, and urges policymakers to “strike the balance between upholding the First Amendment and regulating speech.”

Events

Conversation With Former Rep. Marjorie Margolies

Thurs., March 2, 5:30-7 pm

Temple University Center City

Room 320

1515 Market Street, Philadelphia

The League of Women Voters of Philadelphia and Temple's MPP program join C70 to host former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Margolies (D-PA). Marjorie will speak to her experiences as a mother of seven and a congresswoman, and will attempt to answer the question: "Can women have it all?" The event will be moderated by C70's Interim President & COO Lauren Cristella. Light refreshments will be offered and books will be available for purchase. Register.

Understanding the Judicial Rating Process

Tues., April 4, 12-1 pm

Facebook Live

Seventy will welcome Matt Olesh and Chimdi Tuffs of the Philadelphia Bar Association’s Campaign for Qualified Judges for a conversation about how the association issues ratings for judicial candidates, why these ratings matter, and what you can do to inform your community about judicial races this year. why these ratings matter and how to inform you community about them. RSVP on Facebook.

Get Involved

Poll Worker Training Sessions

Mon.-Thurs., 7:30 pm, beginning March 7

Online

Seventy, the League of Women Voters and veteran poll workers have partnered as part of the Pennsylvania Poll Worker Project to offer resources and supplemental info sessions for individuals seeking to staff polling places on Election Day across Pennsylvania. (Note: These sessions are not official trainings from a County Board of Elections, and participants are not compensated for their attendance.) Learn more about our poll worker sessions, and sign up.

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