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Just in from the Senate: Minority leader Jay Costa says Wolf recalled his nomination of state victim advocate Jennifer Storm, whose appointment to another term was about to come up for a vote. She faced opposition from most Rs and a pair of Ds. https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/who-should-speak-for-crime-victims-in-pennsylvania-the-move-to-oust-the-state-victim-advocate-explained/
Sen. Costa made a motion to accept the Governor's recall. It fails 20-30.
Costa tries another procedural move to delay a vote on Storm, who likely doesn't have the votes she needs to be reconfirmed. He says the Senate should reconsider her in another committee meeting, but Maj. leader Jake Corman says senators are prepared to vote today.
Sen. president pro tempore Joe Scarnati made a rare remark from the floor to oppose Storm's nomination. He says Storm is being investigated by state ethics commission and criticizes her for recommending commutation for a lifer without, he says, consulting the victim's family.
Democrats go to bat in Storm's support. Costa lists her record in office, saying she's been instrumental in high-profile cases like the Sandusky trial. Sen. Santisiero says the Senate should honor Wolf's recall to let any ethics investigation play out.
Sen. Joe Pittman, R-Indiana, reiterates the argument that the victim advocate should be a licensed attorney. People experienced in victim advocacy told me this fall that a law degree is a specious requirement that won't help advocates do their jobs. https://www.penncapital-star.com/criminal-justice/who-should-speak-for-crime-victims-in-pennsylvania-the-move-to-oust-the-state-victim-advocate-explained/
Sen. Larry Farnese argues that there's a double standard for the victim advocate here, given that district judges in PA aren't required to be attorneys.
Sen. Street is one of the only Dems opposing Storm's nomination. "I don't believe she speaks for all victims. We have had so many shootings in my district... and Jen Storm hasn't shown up."
Storm told me last month that her office has reps on the ground in Philly who respond to shootings and other crime scenes in the city.
An emotional Street says Storm "is prepared to stand with sexual assault victims in the suburbs," but not with victims of gun violence in Philadelphia. "I do not think she has served all communities," he says.
"Just because our victimhood is different, just because we look different... doesn't mean we are not victims," Street says.
Will note that I've watched a good amount of Senate floor action over the last two years and have not seen this lengthy a debate over an executive nomination.
