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Wednesday, December 4, 2024

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Police Hunt for Gunman After UnitedHealthcare C.E.O. Is Killed in Midtown Manhattan; Record number of women to serve in state legislatures nationwide; Onions caused McDonald's E. coli outbreak but beef production still a concern; Detroit suburb revitalized by federal funds.

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Trump reportedly is considering replacing Pete Hegseth as defense nominee, the French PM is ousted, South Korea rejects martial law, Montana blocks a trans bathroom ban, and women's representation in state legislatures hits new highs.

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Limited access to community resources negatively impacts rural Americans' health, a successful solar company is the result of a Georgia woman's determination to stay close to her ailing grandfather and Connecticut is looking for more ways to cut methane emissions.

Poll: PA voters favor protecting union jobs, labor laws, education

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Friday, November 1, 2024   

Ahead of Election Day, a new survey shows voters across the country and in the battleground state of Pennsylvania overwhelmingly support labor-law protections and would oppose cuts that affect teachers and other public-sector workers.

The survey focused in part on the Heritage Foundation's conservative playbook known as Project 2025, quizzing voters about whether they'd approve of dismantling the U.S. Department of Education. Around 57% said "no."

Arthur G. Steinberg, president of the American Federation of Teachers in Pennsylvania, said he thinks that would not only devastate public education, but affect the local economy.

"It would eliminate funding for programs that are targeted toward poor, disadvantaged and disabled youth," he said. "It would eliminate 9,300 jobs in Pennsylvania alone, and that would be the elimination of the Head Start program."

Steinberg said Head Start is important because research shows kids have a much greater chance of success with a proper preschool education - which Head Start provides to families who can't afford it. Around 58% of people surveyed said they'd oppose eliminating more teaching jobs.

Pollster John Davis, a partner with Red America, Blue America Research, said the results show that if Pennsylvanians are directly affected by things such as changes to overtime pay - or if they're worried about teacher shortages or children's class sizes, or current public services being put in jeopardy - they're likely to make their voices heard.

"You know, with Election Day upon us, get out and vote," he said. "And if these are topics that you care about, figure out where your local elected officials - but also other folks, up and down the ballot - would be on these important issues."

In the survey, voters also were asked about whether they think Democrats or Republicans would "do a better job standing up for freedoms." Pollsters found that 59% of voters said Democrats would, while 41% said they have more faith in Republicans.


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