This week, the second-ranking executives from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts found common ground in a discussion that highlighted how both states are driving innovation and economic growth through investments in education, workforce development, technology and health care.
“Here in Pennsylvania, the Shapiro-Davis Administration has secured nearly $26 billion in private-sector investment and created more than 12,000 new jobs since we took office — and we’re continuing to make strategic investments that will keep our state growing,” said Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. Austin Davis. “It was great to sit down with my friend and fellow lieutenant governor, Kim Driscoll, to talk about the opportunities we have for collaboration, as well as the challenges Pennsylvania and Massachusetts are facing, as the federal government continues to cut vital investments in research and education.”
“In Massachusetts, we have made historic investments that keep our state at the forefront of education, health care and innovation,” said Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. “I want to thank Lieutenant Gov. Austin Davis for hosting us in Pennsylvania this week, and for all of his efforts to build the connections and insights that lead us to better policy, stronger partnerships and lower costs for the residents of our states.”
During their conversation, the lieutenant governors discussed how federal cuts to research and higher education are hurting their states’ economies. Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania and the University of Maryland have estimated that cuts to the National Institutes of Health cost Pennsylvania’s economy more than $100 million, including lost salaries from those laid off and the decreased spending of those workers. In Massachusetts, those federal cuts have cost the state more than $3 billion and 14,000 jobs.
Both Pennsylvania and Massachusetts continue to advocate for maintaining robust levels of federal research funding, including through the Business for Federal Research Funding Coalition, with participating chambers of commerce from across both states.
The lieutenant governors also emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure and public transit.
AG announces elections-related charges
This week, Attorney General Dave Sunday announced the filing of criminal charges regarding numerous voter registration forms that contained falsified information and were submitted in multiple counties prior to the 2024 General Election.
The Office of Attorney General charged six street canvassers paid to collect registrations last year in multiple counties, as well as Guillermo Sainz, who served as director of a company’s registration drive efforts in Pennsylvania.
The Office of Attorney General investigation involved reviews of several thousand voter registration forms that were delivered on or close to the voter registration deadline in Pennsylvania in Berks, Lancaster, and York counties.
Some forms were flagged by the respective counties’ elections officials as potentially problematic, while others were verified as legitimate applications. County election offices processed these forms through verification systems before approving or denying any application. A significant portion of forms were not approved by county offices because the information could not be verified as being associated with any real persons.
The comprehensive investigation involved meticulous reviews of many thousands of documents, interviews with numerous individuals across the state and country, and collaboration with impacted county officials.
The Office of Attorney General determined that the crimes were not motivated by efforts to sway any election or voter rolls for any specific party or candidate. Rather, the charged defendants were motivated to maintain employment and income by reaching quotas.
The voter registration forms collected by Sainz’s operation included all party affiliations.
“We are confident that the motive behind these crimes was personal financial gain, and not a conspiracy or organized effort to tip any election for any one candidate or party,” Sunday said. “Pennsylvanians should have peace of mind that the election process worked in this case. County election offices have the most important role in ensuring the safety and integrity of our elections and voter rolls, and we received full cooperation from those offices in this investigation. My office will continue to protect every citizen’s right to a free, fair, and transparent election process.”
The investigation remains active and ongoing.
The Office of Attorney General offered assistance to Monroe County officials regarding similar conduct in that county.
AG secures settlement valued at $4.8M
Sunday this week announced a $4.8 million multi-state settlement with TFG Holding Inc. — an online retailer that offers shoes, clothing, and accessories through several different brands, including JustFab, ShoeDazzle, and FabKids.
The settlement resolves allegations that the company deceptively marketed its VIP Membership Program to consumers, charged them costly recurring monthly fees, and then made the cancellation process difficult.
Under the terms of the settlement, the company agreed to issue automatic refunds, valued at approximately $3.8 million, to eligible consumers and pay $1 million in costs to the participating states.
The settlement will deliver more than $300,000 in automatic refunds to eligible Pennsylvania consumers. Additional consumers have 90 days from Oct. 23, 2025, to file a complaint to be considered for restitution.
Pennsylvania will get $141,250 of the $1 million in costs.
“Companies cannot enroll consumers into costly subscription programs without their plain and clear consent,” Sunday said. “This settlement will enable hundreds of Pennsylvanians who were misled into these seemingly never-ending subscription charges to be free of those financial obligations and recover their payments.”
Consumers who feel they may have been impacted by the business dealings of TFG Holding are encouraged to contact the Bureau of Consumer Protection online, over the phone at 717-787-3391, or by emailing [email protected].
Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.