With the announcement Sunday from President Joe Biden that he will not accept the Democratic Party nomination to run for a second term, speculation on potential vice presidential running mates continues to include Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro. Vice President Kamala Harris is widely expected to seek the nomination during the Democratic National Convention in August and was endorsed Sunday by President Biden in his announcement.
Who is Josh Shapiro?
Joshua David Shapiro, born June 20, 1973, is an American politician and attorney serving as the 48th governor of Pennsylvania since 2023. A Democrat, he previously held the position of Pennsylvania’s attorney general from 2017 to 2023. Shapiro has a background in public service, having served as a state representative and Montgomery County Commissioner, where he addressed budget deficits and initiated social reforms. He is known for exposing child abuse within the Catholic Church and advocating for voting rights and consumer protection during his tenure as attorney general. Shapiro is married to Lori Shapiro, with whom he has four children.
What are some of the critical achievements of Governor Josh Shapiro since he took office
- Since taking office in January 2023, Governor Josh Shapiro has achieved several notable accomplishments: Rebuilding I-95: One of his most highlighted achievements is the rapid reconstruction of a collapsed section of Interstate 95 in Philadelphia, completed in just 12 days following a truck explosion on June 11, 2023. This swift action garnered national attention and praise for its efficiency.
- Automatic Voter Registration: On National Voter Registration Day, Shapiro signed an executive order to implement automatic voter registration for eligible residents obtaining a driver’s license or ID. This move made Pennsylvania the 24th state to adopt such a policy to enhance election security and streamline the registration process.
- Ending Funding for Anti-Abortion Centers: Shapiro terminated state funding for Real Alternatives, an organization linked with anti-abortion centres. This decision aligns with his pro-choice platform and has been supported by reproductive rights advocates.
- Public Engagement: He has actively engaged with Pennsylvanians, visiting 37 counties to listen to their concerns and needs, which is part of his broader agenda to create opportunities across the state.
- Legislative Challenges: Although he faced difficulties passing a state budget due to disagreements over school vouchers, he successfully signed a partial budget and later finalized the budget in December 2023, demonstrating his commitment to fiscal responsibility amidst partisan challenges.
These accomplishments reflect Shapiro’s focus on infrastructure, voter access, and social issues during his initial months in office.
What specific initiatives has Shapiro implemented to support small businesses in Pennsylvania
Governor Josh Shapiro has implemented several key initiatives to support small businesses in Pennsylvania since taking office:
- Amazon Business Initiative: Announced in June 2024, this initiative allows Pennsylvania state agencies to purchase supplies directly from Pennsylvania-based small businesses through Amazon Business. This program aims to enhance economic growth and diversity in the supply chain, expecting to increase state spending on local small businesses significantly.
- Main Street Matters Program: As part of his 2024-25 budget proposal, Shapiro has introduced the Main Street Matters program, which allocates $25 million to support small businesses and commercial corridors. This program is designed to revitalize downtowns and main streets, recognizing their critical role in the local economy.
- Executive Order on Small Business Contracts: In September 2023, Shapiro signed an executive order to increase the share of state contracts awarded to small, minority, and women-owned businesses. This includes strategies to ensure that more prime contracts go to these businesses rather than subcontracting opportunities, alongside establishing a public dashboard to track progress.
- Economic Development Strategy: Shapiro launched Pennsylvania’s first comprehensive economic development strategy in nearly two decades, focusing on job creation and innovation. This strategy emphasizes collaboration between the public and private sectors to bolster economic opportunities for small businesses across critical sectors.
These initiatives reflect Shapiro’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for small businesses, which is vital to Pennsylvania’s economy.