🥶 It’s not nice outside. And we’ll have to get used to it for a few days.
🗞️ PoliticsPA guide is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
Weather in Pennsylvania
❄️ Erie | Snow showers, 12
☀️ Gettysburg | Mostly radiant, 20
⛅ Bethlehem | Rising clouds, 22
Sports PA
🏈 Eagles (16-3) | LA Rams 28-22 | Sun vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (19-21-8) | Buffalo 5-2 | Washington 1-4 | Mine vs. THERE
🏒 Flyers (21-20-6) | New Jersey 3-1 | Tue vs. Detroit
🏀 Sixes (15-26) | Indianapolis 102-115 | Milwaukee 109-123 | Tuesday vs. Denver
🔊 What we hear. “I say it’s bigger than shock and awe,” Steve Bannon said. “These are going to be stormy days.”
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representatives Joe Kerwin AND Chris Piella.
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media sites where you can get the latest political news from across the Commonwealth: Twitter | Blue | Facebook | LinkedIn
The most crucial story
1. Biden pardons Fauci, Milley and the Commission on January 6
“President Joe Biden on Monday issued preventive pardons for a number of high-profile targets President-elect Donald Trump — a striking last-minute attempt to shield them from prosecution, hours before the inauguration of Trump, who promised to punish his perceived enemies.
Biden granted a broad pardon to the former public health official Anthony Fauci and former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. He also pardoned members and staff of the House Select Committee that investigated the January 6 insurrection, as well as officers from the Washington Metropolitan Police Department and the United States Capitol Police who testified before the committee.” (POLICY)
Elsewhere
Who is and who is (not) attending Trump’s inauguration from the AP congressional delegation? “The majority of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation will be present at President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration today, although at least three members have chosen to skip the event.” (Penn Capital Star)
Trump’s Day 1 plans could impact Pennsylvania on energy and immigration. “Day 1. That’s when oil and gas industry leaders expect action from the new Trump administration as it seeks to make deeper use of Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources, strengthen national security, create jobs and reduce energy costs.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Trump’s inauguration will usher in a cryptocurrency-friendly administration and with it new state policies. “President-elect Donald Trump’s bitcoin-friendly administration and growing lobbying efforts in statehouses could push states to become more open to cryptocurrencies and prompt public pension funds and treasuries to purchase them.” (AP)
Bridging political differences to ‘wake up the echoes’ of Irish football. “It’s ‘Touchdown Jesus’ versus ‘Script Ohio.’ It’s gold helmets versus buckeye stickers on silver helmets. Notre Dame vs. Ohio State in the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night in Atlanta. “And this is the story of how three Pennsylvania politicians – two Republicans and one Democrat – managed to put politics aside for their love of the Fighting Irish.” (PoliticsPA)
Country
2. State Representative Matt Gergely has died
“The State of Allegheny County Rep. Matt Gergely died from complications following a medical emergency that occurred while on vacation. Gergely represented the 35th Legislative District.
Gergely was elected to the House of Representatives in a special election to succeed Lt. Gov. Austin Davis in 2023 and was re-elected in November.
He left behind his wife, Hollyand two sons.” (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
The competitiveness club is the latest addition to Harrisburg’s cross-site bridge. “For at least the second time in recent years, state lawmakers from across the political spectrum are seeking common ground in Harrisburg.” (Indiana newspaper)
Medical Debt Relief Act Reintroduced in Pennsylvania with Bipartisan Support. “A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the House of Representatives has reintroduced legislation to create the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Relief Program and potentially clear hundreds of millions of dollars in bad debt burdening qualifying residents for a fraction of the money owed.” (CNHI News)
The Forward Party looks to the future after learning from the 2024 elections. “As Democrats and Republicans analyze their wins and losses after the November elections, one alternative party believes their long-term strategy is starting to pay off.” (Central Square)
Democrats elect East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone to a special election in the 36th Senate District. “Malone, 51, will run in the March 25 special election to fill the remaining term of Ryan Aument, who resigned as U.S. Senator Dave McCormick’s state office director on December 31.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. How Gettysburg became a haven for embattled conservatives under Trump
“The country is embroiled in a bitter, decade-long tribal dispute over some earnest crime that no one can precisely pinpoint, but it has roots at least as far back as Donald Trump’s first campaign, and after his third campaign and second victory, it appears that stay. Our contemporary American battle, regardless of its origins, is fought online and offline. You feel it during tense baby showers and you see it during street fights. There is never a break. Nobody ever backs down.
But the people here in Gettysburg seek conflict. They become so absorbed in the conflict that, year after year, they adapt to their needs and go to the battlefield to face and even play a part in the worst, bloodiest, most disastrous battle in the worst, bloodiest, most disastrous war. in American history.” (POLICY)
Elsewhere
Immigration advocates brace for Trump’s day one deportation orders that could affect 47,000 Philadelphians. “President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations. This could include thousands of people living in Philadelphia.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Berks, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe and York Election Investigation Update Voter Form. “Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said Thursday that he is working with other counties, including Lancaster, to refer an investigation into fraudulent voter registration forms to the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Office.” (WITF)
After the Justice Department sues large Hazleton neighborhoods, leaders and candidates debate how changes could impact the city. “The lawsuit claims that general elections dilute the power of Latino candidates and Latino voters.” (Standard Hazleton speaker)
Facing a $20 million deficit, Albright College is making cuts by borrowing from its endowment fund. “Over the past year, Albright College in Berks County has cut 53 positions, canceled some academic majors and considered selling real estate and art as part of an effort to close a $20 million deficit.” (PA reflector)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Trump’s return casts a shadow, but America cannot ignore Biden’s legacy. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
- So long, “Scranton Joe.” (Chris Kelly)
- To make America great again, lend a hand America rebuild. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
- On the day commemorating the dream of Martin Luther King Jr. Trump’s nightmare returns. (Helena Ubinas)
- Our culture is changing in favor of protecting girls’ sports. (Emilia Kreps)
- AP Republicans must start engaging with Latino voters now. (Albert Eisenberg)
- Lancaster County GOP strategy: Use federal aid money to boost reserves, avoid tax increases and get out the vote. (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
1 item
5. Record high income needed to buy a house
“To buy a median-priced home in the U.S., you’d have to earn $117,000 a year — a new record for 2012, writes Axios’ Sami Sparber in a Redfin report.
That’s $33,000 more than the median U.S. household income – about $84,000.” (Axles)
