Erie This Week: Shapiro Talks about Boosting Local Economy and Creating Jobs, while Mastriano Brings Alt-Right “Pizzagate” Conspiracy Theorist to Headline Rally - Shapiro For Governor
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October 13, 2022Press Releases

Erie This Week: Shapiro Talks about Boosting Local Economy and Creating Jobs, while Mastriano Brings Alt-Right “Pizzagate” Conspiracy Theorist to Headline Rally

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 13, 2022

Contact:

SPA Press, Press@joshshapiro.org

Erie This Week: Shapiro Talks about Boosting Local Economy and Creating Jobs, while Mastriano Brings Alt-Right “Pizzagate” Conspiracy Theorist to Headline Rally”

PENNSYLVANIA – Yesterday, Attorney General Josh Shapiro visited Erie to discuss his plans to expand Pennsylvania’s workforce and reignite the economy. Josh met with union leaders and toured the Plumbers Local 27 facility. He spoke with local union members about his plan to cut red tape, lower taxes, invest in job skills training and vocational training programs, and remove other unnecessary barriers preventing workers from supporting themselves and their families.

“Josh Shapiro prosecuted the largest employer wage theft in the history of Pennsylvania, and put $21 million back in the pockets of exploited workers. If that’s not being for the working man, I don’t know what is,“ said TJ Sandell, business agent, Plumbers Union Local 27.

While Josh Shapiro is focused on what matters to Erie voters, Doug Mastriano is bringing a far-right activist who spread the “Pizzagate” conspiracy and has collaborated with white nationalists, Proud Boys, and neo-Nazis to headline his rally in Erie tomorrow. This news does not come as a surprise to Pennsylvania voters, as Mastriano has spent his entire campaign associating with far-right extremists. From having far-right militia groups march with his campaign on the 4th of July, to paying thousands of dollars to the white supremacist website Gab to recruit extremists and white supremacists, and to suggesting he plans to elevate a Qanon conspiracy theorist to one of the highest offices in the Commonwealth.

Now, less than four weeks before Election Day and in a swing county, Mastriano is promoting his dangerous far-right extremism, proving once again that he is unfit to lead the Commonwealth.

As Mastriano continues to focus on his extreme and dangerous agenda, instead of the issues impacting Pennsylvania families, Josh Shapiro continues to rally “enthusiastic” crowds of supporters and share his vision for a better Commonwealth.

Check out some of what Pennsylvanians have been seeing and reading about Josh’s visits below:

YourErie: Shapiro visits Erie plumbers training center, talks plans for expanding Pennsylvania’s workforce

It’s campaign season and gubernatorial candidate Josh Shapiro made several stops in Erie on Wednesday.

The candidate toured a local plumbers training center, where he shared his plans to expand the Pennsylvania workforce. Josh Shapiro, Democratic candidate for governor of Pennsylvania, visited Erie and toured Plumbers Local 27.

Shapiro met with union leaders to discuss the importance of investing in vocational training programs.

“This is the way of the future: investing in these kind of trades, investing in apprenticeship programs, showing young people the opportunity to a future that is full of success through VO tech and computer training,” said Josh Shapiro (D), candidate for Pennsylvania governor. […]

“Josh Shapiro prosecuted the largest employer wage theft in the history of Pennsylvania, and put $21 million back in the pockets of exploited workers. If that’s not being for the working man, I don’t know what is,“ said TJ Sandell, business agent, Plumbers Union Local 27.

Erie Times-News: In Erie campaign stop, Shapiro lays out his vision for education in Pennsylvania
David Bruce 10/13/22

Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania’s attorney general and Democratic nominee for governor, wants the state’s public high schools to focus less on standardized tests and more on offering vocational programs.

Shapiro spoke Wednesday during a daylong campaign visit to Erie. He toured the Plumbers Union Local 27 facility in Summit Township before attending a meet-and-greet Wednesday evening with Erie-area Democrats at City Gallery, 1503 State St.

After touring the plumbers union facility, Shapiro explained how reducing the time spent teaching students to do well on standardized tests could boost schools’ vocational programs.

“We need to do away with our reliance on standardized testing,” Shapiro said. “It’s not a measurement of how well a teacher teaches, nor how well a young person — a student — learns. And one of the byproducts of doing away with the standardized testing is we can reclaim a whole bunch of classroom time where we can teach kids Vo-Tech, we can teach them music and art again.” […]

“We know a worker who attends an apprenticeship program is able to earn more than 30% more in wages throughout their lifetime,” Shapiro said. “We have to create a pathway to success … make it more affordable.”

YourErie: Josh Shapiro holds rally at Democratic headquarters in Erie

Erie Democrats rallied for their gubernatorial candidate this evening.

Josh Shapiro appeared before an enthusiastic crowd at Democratic headquarters, 1503 State Street.

Shapiro visits Erie plumbers training center, talks plans for expanding Pennsylvania’s workforce
With less than a month until the election, Shapiro touted his policy positions on issues, including abortion rights, health care, and plans for dealing with inflation and crime.

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