Latest news with #DanGoughnour
CBS News
19-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Pennsylvania Rep. Dan Goughnour introduces bill to allow premixed cocktails on tap
A new bill introduced to the Pennsylvania legislature could soon make it easier for bars and restaurants to serve cocktails. State Rep. Dan Goughnour (D-Allegheny) has introduced legislation that would allow businesses with liquor licenses to store premixed cocktails on tap. Current law prohibits licensees from storing premixed cocktails for more than 24 hours due to health and safety standards. However, a new product stores these ingredients safely in kegs, which can be kept on tap, and only requires the addition of alcohol by the licensee, per a media release from the House Democratic Communications Office. "These products have become popular across the nation and can safely hold ingredients for an extended period of time," Goughnour said. "Adopting these new innovations would allow Pennsylvania businesses, from our world-class sports venues to our local taverns, to stay competitive in the alcohol industry." House Bill 1702 would create a legal definition for these products and allow them to be sold to Pennsylvania consumers. Under current law, they are not available in the Commonwealth because they must be discarded within 24 hours, even with a longer and safer shelf life. Rep. Goughnour's bill also touts other advantages, including consistent alcohol content in each drink and improved sanitation compared to hand-poured beverages. The legislation would also help businesses by simplifying tasks like training new employees to serve drinks. Thirty-six other states, including all states that border Pennsylvania except Delaware, currently permit premixed cocktail kegs, the media release added. Goughnour's bill has been approved by the House Liquor Control Committee and is now under consideration in the Rules Committee.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Special elections: Democrats claim Pa. House majority, lead in 36th Senate District
Democrats claimed a majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and held a narrow lead in a Lancaster County state Senate district where Republicans have a strong advantage, according to unofficial results in special elections late Tuesday. Democrat Dan Goughnour won the 35th House District seat, previously held by Rep. Matthew Gergely, D-Allegheny County, with 63.4% of the vote, according to unofficial results. His victory restores the 102-101 seat majority Democrats held in the House before Gergley died in January after suffering a medical emergency. More: When are Pa. elections happening in 2025? What's the voter registration deadline? A Democratic victory in the Lancaster County race would not change Republican control of the Senate, but would be a significant upset in the district, where President Donald Trump won by 15 percentage points in November. Unofficial results in the 36th Senate District election showed East Petersburg Mayor James Malone, a Democrat, ahead of Republican County Commissioner Chairman Joshua Parsons by fewer than 500 votes, or 0.89% of the 54,000 votes cast. The Associated Press said the race was too early to call, with an unknown number of provisional ballots still to be counted. The winner will take the place of former Republican Sen. Ryan Aument, who resigned to work for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. Party leaders said the Democratic victories were a statement on the Trump administration's cuts to federal agencies and chaotic first two months in power. 'Malone's victory is a loud and clear rebuke to Republicans' threats to the programs Pennsylvania families rely on ― from Social Security and Medicaid to our public schools,' Democratic National Committee Chairperson Ken Martin said in a statement. Sen. Vincent Hughes, chairman of the Senate Democratic Campaign Committee, said the election was a referendum on chaos in Washington and inaction by Republicans in Harrisburg. 'Voters are fed up, and they showed up tonight in Lancaster,' Hughes said. Malone, who works for a business information technology firm, says he is devoted to transparent, compassionate, inclusive and innovative government. His campaign website said his priorities are affordable housing, including support for first-time homeowners and property tax relief; public education; supporting first responders, and expanding social services and mental health support. Parsons is the Lancaster County commissioners chairperson, a veteran U.S. Army officer and former assistant district attorney. He gained prominence in conservative political circles for his defiance of state COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns, claiming credit for Lancaster County's economic recovery during the emergency, and touted his leadership as an abortion opponent. Parsons' campaign was supported by GOP activist Scott Presler, who helped turn out Amish voters in the 2024 general election. Presler, who has drawn criticism for his anti-Muslim language, rang early alarm bells about a possible Democratic victory, drawing the attention of billionaire megadonor Elon Musk, Lancaster Online reported this week. The 36th District covers a swath of northern Lancaster County including suburbs of the city of Lancaster, Elizabethtown and rural areas. More: Nomination petitions were challenged in Erie County judge race. The case quickly unraveled Goughnour is a member of the McKeesport Area School Board and captain of detectives in the McKeesport Police Department. He ran against Republican Charles Davis, who is president of the White Oak borough council. The 35th District, in the Monongahela River Valley south of Pittsburgh, includes the industrial cities of Clairton, Duquesne and McKeesport. Peter Hall has been a journalist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for more than 20 years, most recently covering criminal justice and legal affairs for The Morning Call in Allentown. Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, the nation's largest state-focused nonprofit news organization. This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Democrats take PA House majority in special election, lead Senate race
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Democrats keep majority control of PA State House after special election
The Brief Democrats have won a special election in western Pennsylvania, keeping majority control of the state House. Democrat Dan Goughnour beat Republican Chuck Davis on Tuesday for a seat in the Mon Valley region southeast of Pittsburgh. HARRISBURG, Pa. - On Tuesday, voters in a western Pennsylvania district determined if Democrats will hold onto a bare one-vote majority and keep control of the state House of Representatives. The results are in. What we know Democrat Dan Goughnour is the winner of a special election in western Pennsylvania, keeping majority control of the state House in his party's hands. Goughnour beat Republican Chuck Davis on Tuesday for a seat in the Mon Valley region southeast of Pittsburgh. The seat became vacant in January when Democratic state Rep. Matthew Gergely died. Goughnour's victory means Democrats hold the House by a single vote, 102 members to 101. Holding the majority means Democrats can keep House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia as the chamber's presiding officer. Goughnour has spent well over a decade as a police officer in McKeesport and currently serves as supervisor of detectives. He is a Teamster and a first-term member of the school board in McKeesport, where he graduated high school. Goughnour is married and has three children. Davis, a veteran volunteer firefighter and fire chief, is president of the White Oak Borough Council. The district is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Pittsburgh, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. Many of the towns that make up the district were part of the once-thriving steelmaking region, but the area is now economically challenged. Dig deeper The win means Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia will remain as the chamber's presiding officer. There's also a special election Tuesday for a vacancy in the state Senate created when Sen. Ryan Aument, a Lancaster Republican, quit to take a job working for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. Republican Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons is running against Democrat James Andrew Malone, the mayor of East Petersburg. No matter which candidate wins, the Republican majority in the state Senate will not change. The Source The information in this story was provided by the Associated Press.
Washington Post
26-03-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Democrats keep control of Pennsylvania House with election win; GOP Senate district sees close race
HARRISBURG, Pa. — Democrat Dan Goughnour handily won a special election in western Pennsylvania on Tuesday, keeping majority control of the state House in his party's hands by a single seat . Goughnour beat Republican Chuck Davis in a district in the Mon Valley region southeast of Pittsburgh, winning a seat that became vacant in January with the death of Democratic state Rep. Matthew Gergely.
CBS News
26-03-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Democrat Dan Goughnour wins election in Pennsylvania, keeping party in control of the state House
Democrat Dan Goughnour is the winner of a special election in western Pennsylvania, keeping majority control of the state House in his party's hands. Goughnour beat Republican Chuck Davis on Tuesday for a seat in the Mon Valley region southeast of Pittsburgh. The seat became vacant in January when Democratic state Rep. Matthew Gergely died. Goughnour's victory means Democrats hold the House by a single vote, 102 members to 101. Holding the majority means Democrats can keep House Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia as the chamber's presiding officer. Goughnour has spent well over a decade as a police officer in McKeesport and currently serves as supervisor of detectives. He is a Teamster and a first-term member of the school board in McKeesport, where he graduated high school. Goughnour is married and has three children. Davis, a veteran volunteer firefighter and fire chief, is president of the White Oak Borough Council. The district is about 12 miles (19 kilometers) southeast of Pittsburgh, at the confluence of the Monongahela and Youghiogheny rivers. Many of the towns that make up the district were part of the once-thriving steelmaking region, but the area is now economically challenged. There's also a special election Tuesday for a vacancy in the state Senate created when Sen. Ryan Aument, a Lancaster Republican, quit to take a job working for U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick. Republican Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons is running against Democrat James Andrew Malone, the mayor of East Petersburg. No matter which candidate wins, the Republican majority in the state Senate will not change.
