A voter steps from the voting booth after casting a ballot in the Pennsylvania primary in Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
Primary election results signal a response to governor’s handling of pandemic
Also on the program: Experts make case for "sound and sustainable" spending of federal stimulus funds
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Merideth Bucher
Matt Rourke / AP Photo
A voter steps from the voting booth after casting a ballot in the Pennsylvania primary in Philadelphia, Tuesday, May 18, 2021.
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Airdate: Friday, May 21, 2021
In the May 18 primary, Pennsylvania voters approved two constitutional amendments largely viewed as a referendum on the governor’s handling of emergency powers during the pandemic.
And in the Harrisburg mayoral race, Democrat voters selected City Council President Wanda Williams over the two-term incumbent Mayor Eric Papenfuse to run in the fall. This was a surprise to many, but not to the residents who believe Papenfuse does not represent the city’s best interests.
Smart Talk on Friday will analyze these and other primary results with G. Terry Madonna, Ph.D., Senior Fellow in Residence, Millersville University.
Experts make case for “sound and sustainable” spending of federal stimulus funds
Two months ago, President Joe Biden signed the American Rescue Plan Act into law. The plan will infuse states with a total of $195 billion in flexible funding, in addition to money earmarked for specific areas, such as education.
That significant infusion of cash is certainly welcome to states and municipalities who were experiencing dramatic revenue shortfalls due to the pandemic.
Experts caution that without careful planning, and careful spending, states could risk creating future shortfalls.
Josh Goodman, a Senior Officer with The Pew Charitable Trust, appears on Smart Talk Friday with recommendations to avoid future funding gaps.
