🦁 ☘️ Thursday. Who do you have? Nittany Lions or Fighting Irish?
🗞️ 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
☁️Ebensburg | Mostly overcast, snow showers, 19
🌤️ Shickshinny | Mostly radiant, 29
☀️Mohnton | Sunny, 30
Sports PA
🏈 Penn State (12-2) | Thu vs. Notre Dame
🏒 Penguins (17-17-8) | Thu vs. Edmonton
🏒 Flyers (17-19-5) | Thu vs. Dallas
🏀 Sixes (15-20) | Washington 109-103 | Friday vs. New Orleans
✝️ What’s happening today. It is a national day of mourning for former President Jimmy Carter. Federal offices and exchanges are closed and mail delivery is suspended.
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a range 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. Shapiro urged to support US steel lawsuit or loses Ohio
“Governor Josh Shapiro faces a new challenge after the White House blocked a foreign takeover of US Steel.
Join the lawsuit the company filed with its potential Japanese-owned buyer, Nippon Steel, and make sure Pennsylvania doesn’t lose any more jobs to “fucking Ohio.”
Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward he threw down the gauntlet on Monday during Marty Griffin on KDKA radio, referencing the governor’s infamous quote from his February 2024 budget speech: Build an economy that puts the Buckeye State to shame.” (Central Square)
Elsewhere
Trump may still have influence on the US Steel-Nippon deal. “President-elect Donald Trump’s comments on Tuesday, in which he touted a planned $20 billion investment by a United Arab Emirates company in U.S. data centers, may raise hopes for the proposed takeover of U.S. Steel by Japanese company Nippon Steel.” (Greensburg Tribune Review)
Democrats warn that to win, the Party must go beyond the “blue wall”.. “Let’s take the blue wall states: Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. For years, the wall has been a Democratic mainstay and a safety net in presidential politics, often catapulting the winner of states to the White House. However, due to demographic trends over the next six years, 2028 may be the last time Democrats can count on states to help them win 270 electoral votes.” (Hill)
Biden’s name will remain on two Scranton roads; Council takes no action on residents’ removal requests or ballot referendums. “Scranton officials have no intention of removing President Joe Biden’s name from two local roads in the city of his birth.” (Scranton Times Tribune)
Country
2. Meuser is considering running for governor
“Pennsylvania Congressman Dan Meuser (R-9) says abc27 Dennis Owens that he is seriously considering running for governor in 2026.
Meuser would likely be faced with his current position Governor Josh Shapiro who defeated Stan Senator Doug Mastriano in 2022 with 56% of the votes and a then-record 3 million votes.
In November, Meuser was re-elected to represent Pennsylvania’s 9th District, which covers 12 counties stretching from Lebanon County in central Pennsylvania to Bradford County on the northern border. (abc27)
Elsewhere
Shapiro tours a Pennsylvania agricultural show, talks budget, bird flu, Trump and more. “Governor Josh Shapiro made his annual gubernatorial tour of the Pennsylvania Farm Show on Wednesday, welcoming attendees as well as talking about agricultural investments in the state budget and the potential impact of the new federal administration.” (PennLive)
The lieutenant governor sets the date for the special election in the 36th Senatorial District. “In his constitutional capacity as President of the State Senate, Lt. Governor Austin Davis has set the date for the special election in Pennsylvania’s 36th Senate District as Tuesday, March 25.” (PoliticsPA)
- Lancaster County Commissioner Josh Parsons is leading GOP polls in the special election for the 36th Senate District. (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
AP Senate Democratic Caucus announces committee chairs. “The Pennsylvania Senate Democratic Caucus announced its committee chairs for the 2025-2026 legislative session.” (PoliticsPA)
Lynne Ryan announces campaign for AP GOP vice chair. “As a new leadership change emerges in the Republican Party in this state, now a woman has announced her candidacy – for the position of second-in-command: PAGOP vice-chair. Lynne Ryan, chairwoman of the Lawrence County Republican Committee, has officially announced her candidacy for the position. (Harrisburg100)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Department of Justice Files Voting Rights Lawsuit Against City of Hazleton
“The Department of Justice announced today that it has filed a lawsuit against the city of Hazleton, Pennsylvania, challenging the city council’s general election method.
The lawsuit alleges that the city’s common method of electing city council members results in Latino citizens having less opportunity than other members of the electorate to participate in the political process and elect candidates of their choice, in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Regulations. Bill of Rights.” (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
A Philadelphia judge accused of bias is reprimanded by the state Judiciary Commission but will avoid sanctions. “The committee’s confidential decision closes the case against Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge Anne Marie Coyle without charges being brought before the Court of Judicial Discipline.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Tax increases won’t replace countywide property reassessments, the Pittsburgh school district argues. “Tax increases,” Visiting Judge Kenneth Valasek said, “are not a viable, long-term solution” to fixing Allegheny County’s assessment system, which he called “broken and unfair.”Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
A longtime Dauphin County commissioner will be deposed as board chairman. “Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick may have just one week left as the county’s top leader after his colleagues tried to unseat him on Wednesday amid continued turmoil in the county.” (PennLive)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Pepper Jack Grilled Cheese and Potato Donuts: PA Farm Show Food Reviews
