A new role for our CEO and an encouraging start for the new Legislature

Committee of Seventy

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January 7, 2023

C70 CEO Al Schmidt nominated Secretary of the Commonwealth

Seventy CEO Al Schmidt has been tapped by Governor-elect Josh Shapiro to be the next Secretary of the Commonwealth. Schmidt will run the department that not only oversees elections but also licenses businesses and health professionals, and registers charities and corporations. “Al Schmidt has a proven track record of defending our democracy, protecting voting rights and standing up to extremism — even in the face of grave threats,” Shapiro said. “I know he is ready to continue the hard work of preserving and strengthening our democracy.”

It’s bitter sweet. This is a loss for Seventy but a major win for Pennsylvanians. The Board and staff agree with the Governor-elect that there is no better person for this important job at this critical moment. “We have cherished our working relationship with Al and are deeply grateful for his contributions to Seventy,” said Board chair Eric Kraeutler. “But this is a wonderful development for the Commonwealth and the cause of democracy.” Read our full statement.

Independents Day in the PA House—A bipartisan start to build on

In marked contrast to the dysfunction on display in the U.S. House, the PA House saw a stunning moment of bipartisanship this week as Blair County Republican Jim Gregory nominated Berks County Democrat Mark Rozzi for speaker. Rozzi was elected with the support of leaders in both parties and then announced that he would serve in the top post as an independent, caucusing with neither party. How this will shake out in terms of committee makeup and House rules remains to be seen. No word either on which, if any, proposed constitutional amendments may be considered and sent to the voters as ballot questions. But Rozzi did affirm two of three Allegheny County special elections that will likely determine control of the house. The question now is how to build on this moment of bipartisanship.

Rules reform now. The #FixHarrisburg campaign has championed reforms to shift power away from partisan gatekeepers and towards those lawmakers working across the aisle. Take action to call on Speaker Rozzi and his colleagues in both parties to embrace rules reform.

Repeal closed primaries. Rep. Rozzi underlined his independence pledge by deciding not to caucus with either party. Now should also be the time to finally allow the roughly one million Pennsylvanians who are registered independents to vote in primary elections they help pay for and so often determine their public officials. Sign Seventy’s BallotPA petition.

Caught Our Eye

Presidential Citizens Medal: C70 CEO Al Schmidt was honored at the White House today for pushing back against false claims of election irregularities in Philadelphia in 2020 in his role as a City Commissioner. Schmidt’s appointment Thursday to be Secretary of the Commonwealth was widely covered in PA and nationally. Here are reports from The Inquirer, Politico, CNN and the Associated Press.

On Our Radar

Media-savvy kids: A new law will require New Jersey public schools to teach media literacy—beginning at the kindergarten level. Julie Scelfo, the director of the Get Media Savvy initiative, describes why it’s so important for youngsters to be able to identify mis- and disinformation in an Inquirer op-ed.

Laying down the law: In another Inky op-ed, Philadelphia Board of Ethics chair Michael Reed and executive director Shane Creamer Jr., outline the city’s campaign-finance laws and remind candidates and political committees: “We are watching.”

Spreading the wealth: Allan Domb’s heavy spending on his mayoral campaign has crossed the city campaign-finance law “millionaires amendment” threshold, doubling the annual donation limits for other candidates from $3,100 to $6,200 from individual and from $12,600 to $25,200 for political committees.

Seth Bluestein on election security: Philadelphia’s Republican City Commissioner addresses misconceptions on mail-in voting, audits, ballot harvesting and other election issues in an interview with Broad + Liberty.

Events

Stabilizing Elections in PA & How Business Can Help

Mon., Jan. 9 12 noon-1 pm

Online

The antiquated PA Election Code is burdened by conflicting provisions that need to be resolved as we head into the 2024 election cycle — and it’s time for action. Join Business for America PA to hear from county election officials about how we can create a more functional electoral system in the commonwealth. Speakers announced to date include Philadelphia City Commissioner Seth Bluestein, Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach, and Indiana County Commissioner Sherene Hess. Register.

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