Republican U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey is asking voters to send him back to Washington.
The first-term senator from the Lehigh Valley officially kicked off his campaign for another six-year term on Sunday in Montgomery County.Toomey is optimistic about two of his big measures – aid for crime victims and school employee background checks. Some other goals, such as background checks on gun purchases, remain elusive but he said he plans to keep trying.The 2016 contest for Toomey’s seat is shaping up to be one of the most closely watched in the nation as Democrats see the race as a way to regain control of the Senate. Retired Navy Admiral Joe Sestak and Katie McGinty, a former top aide to Gov. Tom Wolf, are competing for the Democratic nomination. John Fetterman, the Harvard-educated mayor of the small steel town of Braddock, is expected to announce his candidacy for the Democratic nomination today.Sestak, a 63-year-old former congressman who narrowly lost to Toomey in 2010, kicked off his campaign months ago. McGinty, 52, joined the race last month after being courted to do so by top Democrats concerned that Sestak couldn’t beat Toomey in a rematch.No other candidates have come forth to challenge Toomey on the Republican ticket in the primary.Polls have given Toomey an edge over the Democratic candidates. But unlike Toomey’s Senate victory in 2010, Toomey will be running during a presidential election and that could offer a boost to the Democratic nominee.
Fattah seeks help with legal defense
Even as he faces criminal charges, U.S. Rep. Chaka Fattah is asking donors to support his re-election efforts and his legal defense fund.
A Philadelphia Democrat, Fattah was indicted by federal prosecutors in July. Federal prosecutors accuse Fattah of engaging in a broad conspiracy involving bribery and the theft of federal and charitable funds.Fattah maintains his innocence and he’s asking people to help finance what could be an expensive legal defense.”The Preservation of Public Service Legal Trust will ensure that I have the best people and resources necessary to defend my name and my good works in Congress,” Fattah said in a statement on his website, fattah2016.com.Fattah and others allegedly borrowed $1 million from a wealthy supporter and disguised the funds as a loan to a consulting company, prosecutors say. Fattah also is accused of misappropriating funds from his congressional campaigns and a failed mayoral bid to pay his son’s student loan debt.
State task force tackles hackers
Cybersecurity has emerged as a big topic in federal government, and now it’s getting more attention in state government.
Last week Secretary of Banking and Securities Robin L. Wiessmann announced the formation of a Cybersecurity Task Force. It is comprised of banking department staff along with legal and information technology staffers.”As cybersecurity threats to businesses and institutions continue and increase, the need for the financial services industry to implement effective cybersecurity measures is more pressing than ever,” Wiessmann said in a statement.Wiessmann urged businesses and institutions to assess their cybersecurity risks and develop strategies to protect their networks and data.The department is offering tools and educational resources at its website: www.dobs.pa.gov.
Moving to merge fire departments
Spring Township’s Board of Supervisors will discuss the consolidation between the Wyomissing and Spring fire departments during their regular supervisors meeting tonight.
Spring’s Board of Supervisors will meet at 7 p.m. in the Administration Building on Windmill Road.Last week the Wyomissing Borough Council signed over managerial control of the borough’s fire department to Spring Township.Under the proposed agreement, the Spring Fire Department will oversee the Wyomissing Fire Department’s operations. Both departments will remain separate entities and their employees will continue to be employed by their respective municipalities.If Spring officials approve the agreement, it will take effect on Sept. 16.
Costello, Pitts form land caucus
Two House Republicans representing part of Berks County have helped revive a bipartisan Land Conservation Caucus.
U.S. Reps. Ryan Costello and Joe Pitts, both based in Chester County, are among the members of the group. The caucus is designed to generate conversation and ideas about federal conservation policies.The lawmakers said they want to generate partnerships through federal competitive grant programs.Costello said preserving the Delaware and Susquehanna river basins are top priorities.”It is my hope that the Land Conservation Caucus will work in a bipartisan fashion to promote the safekeeping of our public lands,” Costello said in a statement.Pitts said he has worked to preserve White Clay Creek and its tributaries in Delaware and Pennsylvania, and he hoped the caucus would have more success in protecting natural resources.
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