Friday Politics Roundup for December 9, 2022

<p> </p> <p>This week the Supreme Court heard arguments in Moore v. Harper. The case will test the Court’s willingness to embrace a fringe Constitutional theory - the so-called “independent state legislature” theory - which would give power to state legislatures to override the results of democratic elections. </p> <p>Raphael Warnock wins the Georgia runoff. </p> <p>U.S. colleges and universities are facing a “crisis.” The shock doctrine “sky-is-falling” narrative tells a tale of natural disaster while political choices and destructive managerial policies and trends are largely excused. </p> <p><a href='https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/09/sinema-arizona-senate-independent-00073216'>Kyrsten Sinema</a> announced that she is changing her party affiliation to “independent.” </p> <p><a href='https://www.cbsnews.com/live-updates/brittney-griner-back-us-release-russia-prisoner-swap-viktor-bout/'>WNBA star Brittney Griner</a> returns to the U.S. after spending months in a Russian prison.</p> <p>Pennsylvania’s Department of Education has <a href='https://buckscountybeacon.com/2022/12/pennsylvania-takes-valuable-steps-forward-to-help-teachers-create-anti-racist-classrooms/'>released standards for “culturally relevant and sustaining education”</a> that seeks to integrate policies similar to DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) initiatives that drove right-wing extremists to flood school board meetings with conspiracy theories and vitriol.  </p> <p>Pennridge School District moves forward with a plan to cut social studies requirements despite strong opposition from parents, teachers, students, and members of the community. The school <a href='https://www.thereporteronline.com/2022/12/08/pennridge-school-board-cuts-social-studies-credit-requirements/'>board voted 5-4 to move ahead with the cuts</a> after a contentious debate even among members of the board. </p> <p>Starbucks in Whitehall, PA voted to unionize! The Starbucks on MacArthur Road in Whitehall Township now has a union. The location’s staff voted 16-10 in favo