🏁 End of another week. I must admit that Philly’s has had better sports nights.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities. How do the budget plans of AP Democrats and Republicans differ? What should you know about the Philly DA race? Glamping in Pennsylvania.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Bad. Michael Jackson
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️Maryki | Frost, then Sunny, 62 years senior
☀️Carlisle | Frost, then Sunny, 65
☀️ Drexel Hill | Sunny, 65
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (1-3) | To Dodgers 1-2 (11)
🏈 Eagles (4-2) | Giants 17-34 | October 19 in Minnesota
🏈 Penn State (3-2) | Saturday vs. Northwestern
🏈 Pitt (3-2) | I was based at Florida State
🏈 Temple (3-2) | Saturday vs. Navy
🏈 Steelers (3-1) | Sun vs. Cleveland
🏒 Flyers (0-1) | Florida 1-2 | I was sitting in Carolina
🏒 Penguins (2-0) | Island 4-3 | Saturday vs. NY Rangers
🎙️Voices of reason. From insider trading loopholes to the Fair Act, the voices of reason are falling apart why lawmakers’ investments have become one of the most discussed ethical issues in Washington – and what bipartisan reforms could finally fix it. Dylan Hedtler-Gaudettedirector of government affairs at the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), joins our discussion.
📰 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most vital story
1. Pennsylvania joins multi-state lawsuit over Trump’s deployment of the National Guard to cities
“Pennsylvania has joined several states that have taken legal action against President Donald Trump deployment of National Guard troops in US cities, Governor Josh Shapiro announced on Wednesday evening.
“Deploying the National Guard to patrol American cities against the wishes of their governors is extremely dangerous and an unprecedented violation of states’ rights,” Shapiro wrote on social media. “Pennsylvania just took legal action to support our fellow states and put an end to the dangerous overreach of power we are seeing with the deployment of Donald Trump’s Guard.” (Penn Capital Star)
Elsewhere
These judicial races in Pennsylvania are usually sleepy. This year they will spend millions. “Three Democrat-backed justices scheduled to vote on retention in November.” If everyone loses, it could lock the high court in critical swing for years. (NBC News)
LWVPA condemns the billionaire-funded disinformation campaign to uphold Supreme Court elections. “As the saying goes, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” Or, in this case, women voting. The League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania (LWVPA) has established special interest groups and political action committees that it believes are misleading voters ahead of the State Supreme Court elections.” (PoliticsPA)
Fetterman irritates Democrats, attracts GOP supporters. “In early 2025, some Democrats viewed Sen. John Fetterman (R-Pennsylvania) as a potential contender in the 2028 presidential primary. However, Fetterman has recently fallen out of favor with Democrats as he has increasingly defied the party on many issues.” (Hill)
Lawmakers propose an amendment to overturn Citizens United. “Democratic lawmakers from four states, including Pennsylvania Republican Summer Lee (D-12), have proposed a constitutional amendment to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Citizens United v. Federal Election Commission. The 2010 ruling allowed corporations, unions and special interest groups to spend unlimited money on political communication, as long as these expenses are independent of the candidate’s campaign. Previously, such financing was limited. “(Central Square)
Country
2. Fact check: How are the budget plans of Democrats and Republicans different in Pennsylvania?

“Pennsylvania’s Democratic and Republican budget plans differ mainly on overall spending levels, revenue assumptions and priorities for education, Medicaid and transportation, with Republicans pushing for lower spending tied to conservative revenue estimates and Democrats pushing for additional K-12, Medicaid protections and stable transit funding.
Republicans say Governor Shapiro’s $51.5 billion proposal exceeds realistic revenues and risks drawing down reserves, while Democrats are pushing for at least $500 million more to ensure school adequacy, protect Medicaid in the face of federal cuts and maintain transit subsidies. (Really)
Elsewhere
PA-10: New ad calls on Scott Perry to cut Medicaid to fund tax breaks for billionaires. “Affordable Pennsylvania releases fifth accountability ad on Friday, highlighting Rep. Scott Perry’s vote to cut $1 trillion from Medicaid.” (Key)
As the fight against the shutdown drags on, the DNC is launching an advertising campaign on the cost of health insurance. “The Democratic National Committee is entering an advertising fight amid the ongoing government shutdown. On Friday, the DNC is releasing digital spots on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook, along with billboards and bus stop ads near hospitals and clinics in several Republican-controlled House districts where the battle is taking place, including Brian’s districts. Fitzpatrick (R-01) and Ryan Mackenzie (R-07). The ads focus on announcements that health insurance providers plan to send out details this month about premium costs for their 2026 plans.” (Roll call)
Nearly half of IRS employees have been laid off due to the government shutdown, which has led to the closure of offices in western Pennsylvania. “About half of the approximately 500 Internal Revenue Service employees in western Pennsylvania have been furloughed, and service offices from Erie to Uniontown are closed due to the federal government shutdown” (Union Progress in Pittsburgh)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Philadelphia District Attorney Race: What to Know About Incumbent Larry Krasner and Challenger Pat Dugan

“The 2025 Philadelphia District Attorney race is unfolding as a highly unusual rematch that will feature an incumbent Larry Krasner against the challenger Pat Duganthis time across party lines.
Krasner, a progressive reformer who has led the city attorney’s office since 2018, unseated Dugan in the decisive Democratic primary in May and now faces him again in November after Dugan secured the Republican nomination via write-in voting.” (WHY)
Elsewhere
Davis, Vogel Dispute about experience, leadership style only in debate. “In their first and only debate, Erie County Executive Brenton Davis and Democratic challenger Christina Vogel clashed over experience, preparation and temperament, offering voters starkly different ideas of what county leadership should look like.” (Erie Times-News)
Duplicate absentee ballots are being issued to dozens of Pennsylvania voters. “In recent weeks, several Pennsylvania counties mistakenly issued duplicate absentee ballots to several of their voters. Why this happened is unclear – state and county officials gave different explanations – but cautioned that the error would not result in anyone having the opportunity to have their vote counted twice.” (Vote for Pennsylvania)
Study: One in three Pennsylvania voters have no retirement savings at all. “More than half of all Pennsylvania voters are approaching retirement with less than $50,000 in savings, and one-third have nothing saved at all.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- The up-to-date funding means you’ll still see plenty of Thompson on C-SPAN Jonathan D. Salant
- Pennsylvania’s energy renaissance isn’t about politics – it’s about people | Mark Schweiker
- Is Donald Trump a stable genius? | Painful stew
- Holding our friends accountable is perhaps more vital than calling out our enemies | Lori false
- The Statue of Liberty says we want the masses gathered, but we really don’t | Nancy Eshelman
1 item
5. Glamping in Pennsylvania State Parks

“Pennsylvania is raising the standard for camping – partnering with Timberline Glamping to bring glamping sites to eight state parks next year.
Intrigue: Guests can ditch the dirt and settle into furnished canvas tents equipped with king, queen and/or bunk beds, complete with rugs, lighting, ceiling fans and coffee stations. Each site is equipped with heating, air conditioning, electrical outlets and outdoor hammocks. Guests can add s’mores sets, cornhole or a round of giant Jenga.
Enlarge: Reservations are now open for Pymatuning State Park in Mercer and Crawford counties and Laurel Hill State Park in Somerset County for next spring. (Axios Pittsburgh)
Thank you for starting your day with us.
We turn around and head towards the weekend.