2012’s big stories in the Delaware Valley: PA, NJ & DE

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We look back at the year’s biggest political stories in the three states of the Delaware Valley with a trio of excellent reporters. Joining guest-host Tracey Matisak to discuss the year in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia political news is our own DAVE DAVIES, WHYY’s senior reporter and Off Mic blogger for NewsWorks.org. Dave’s analysis will include, in Philadelphia, the AVI tax reform, Mayor Nutter and Council President Darrell Clarke’s years in office, the early signs of the next mayoral election, campaign finance and what the last election, with its Voter ID controversy and the Election Commissioners infighting, tells us about Philly politics. In Pennsylvania, Dave will look back on Governor Corbett’s year in office, the election of Pennsylvania’s first female attorney general, Kathleen Kane, the re-election of Senator Bob Casey, and the continuing ramifications of the Penn State sexual abuse scandal and the conviction of Jerry Sandusky. Then, we’ll shift gears to New Jersey, where Philadelphia Inquirer reporter MATT KATZ writes a political blog, “The Christie Chronicles,” that’s a must-read for those following politics in South Jersey. Matt will walk us through Governor Christie’s big year, including his underwhelming Keynote speech at the Republican National Convention, his controversial embrace of President Obama just days before the election, and most importantly, his response to Superstorm Sandy’s devastation of the Jersey Shore. Matt will also discuss Newark Mayor Corey Booker’s decision not to challenge Christie next year, and his chances of replacing Senator Frank Lautenberg in the Senate. Finally, we’ll check in on Delaware with a call to News Journal government/politics reporter JONATHAN STARKEY, who’ll talk about Governor Jack Markell’s re-election, Senator Tom Carper’s relatively tough re-election race, and whether the Republicans will ever rise in the First State.

Photo by Krissy.Venosdale

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