🌬️ Windy Wednesday. It’s still blowing there.
🗞️ 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
☁️Cranberry Twp | Mostly shadowy, possible snowfall, 24
⛅ Cogan Station | Partly clear, 24
🌤️ Collegeville | Mostly clear, 28
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (14-20) | Wednesday vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (17-17-8) | Columbus 3-4 (SO) | Thu vs. Edmonton
🏒 Flyers (17-19-5) | Toronto 2-3 | Thu vs. Dallas
🔊 What we hear. “”There is a reason why HR29, the Laken Riley Act, is the first bill we vote on in the 119th Congress – and it is not immigration reform. HR29 was carefully written to deliberately weaken constitutional protections, starting with undocumented immigrants.” – Rep. Chrissy Houlahan
📱 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 essential story
1. Joanna McClinton re-elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
“Representative Joanna McClinton (Delaware/Philadelphia) was re-elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives as the chamber began its 2025-2026 legislative session on Tuesday.
McClinton received a second term as announcer after a 101-101 tie in the first round with Representative Jesse Topper (R-Bedford), chairman of the Republican Party. After the vote, Topper withdrew his name from consideration, clearing the way for McClinton.” (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia was re-elected as speaker despite a 101-101 tie in the AP chamber. “The Philadelphia Democrat, who was voted back into office, called for continued bipartisan cooperation in the chamber.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
House session begins with ‘feel good story’ about bipartisanship over potential for gridlock. “A dose of pragmatism and rule changes to give the minority Republican caucus a chance to advance its legislative agenda helped the chamber get off to an easy and orderly start to the 2025-2026 session.” (Penn Capital Star)
Fetterman is a co-sponsor of the GOP-led Laken Riley Bill, one of the few Democrats to support it. “The bill would require undocumented immigrants accused of theft to be held by federal authorities. It was passed by the House with Democratic support.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Deluzio and Boyle vote with the GOP on the border security bill in the U.S. House of Representatives. “The U.S. House of Representatives passed its first bill of the 119th Congress on Tuesday, a measure that would increase the number of migrants held in detention centers and was named after a Georgia nursing student whose murder of President-elect Donald Trump has been repeatedly linked to the Biden administration’s immigration policies.” (Penn Capital Star)
Country
2. Kim Ward re-elected as president of the Pennsylvania Senate and broadly advances the Republican agenda
“On Tuesday, the first day of the new legislative session, the Republican-controlled Pennsylvania Senate was re-elected Senator Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) as Senate President Pro Tempore.
In a speech to the Senate after her uncontested re-election, Ward highlighted what she called “many important items on our agenda in Pennsylvania.”
The issues Ward highlighted included many that Republicans and Democrats have sought to compromise on in the past, including transportation funding, school choice and cost cutting.” (Penn Capital Star)
Elsewhere
Who’s in charge here?
- Kim Ward re-elected as interim president of the PA Senate. (PoliticsPA)
- House Democrats choose leadership and committee chairs. (PoliticsPA)
- Senate Republicans announce leadership line-up. (PoliticsPA)
Governor’s office forced to reveal why it spent $368,000 dollars for private law firms. “Ethics investigation. Federal and state grand jury investigations. Tax consultancy. These are the reasons why former Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration spent tens of thousands of public dollars hiring private law firms – information that both Wolf’s office and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s top lawyers have fought hard for over the past two years. hide.” (PA reflector)
PA treasurer among 15 countries calling on countries to withdraw pension funds from China. “Together with the Federal Retirement Savings Investment Board and other state officials, they argue that ‘investments in China are no longer prudent investments'” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
What happened to the investigation into voter registration applications in York County? “Investigators in York and Lancaster counties continue to investigate the delivery of election materials in the weeks before the 2024 presidential election, although details about the investigation remain sparse.” (Shipment from York)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. As legal case takes shape, US steel fears activist investors and plant closures
“After a year spent bickering with its closest domestic rival, U.S. Steel may finally have a chance to publicly air its frustrations with Cleveland-Cliffs, even as the Ohio steelmaker denies allegations that it did anything inappropriate.
The lawsuit filed by the Pittsburgh steelmaker on Monday in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania accuses Cliffs of using public statements and behind-the-scenes negotiations to derail U.S. Steel’s proposed merger with Japan’s largest steelmaker, Nippon Steel. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Senator McCormick will open seven AP regional offices. “In a statement, he said the Harrisburg office opened on Monday and the remaining six will open by the end of next week.” (PennLive)
Sam DeMarco is leaving the Allegheny County Council to join Senator Dave McCormick’s office. “The district GOP chairman has been a council member since 2016 and was elected party chairman in 2019.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
A newly retired Berks legislator reflects on his time in Harrisburg. “As Many New Lawmakers Sworn In, Rep. Mark Rozzi Celebrates Leaving the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.” (WFMZ)
New Susquehanna County Commissioner Sworn In. “Susquehanna County Commissioner Judy Herschel has stepped down to take up a fresh position. Veteran and former educator Robert McNamara will serve her term. (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 Drinks
5. The best scorching chocolate ever
“Here’s how to make the best scorching chocolate in the world!
In this video, I show you how to make three tiers of luxurious, creamy scorching chocolate – perfect for any chocolate lover! Whether you’re just starting to make scorching drinks, want to improve the technology, or are ready to master luxuriously stout Italian scorching chocolate, follow the instructions to create the best scorching chocolate, with each recipe delivering more warmth, comfort and flavor. (Fitwaffle Kitchen)
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