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Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (1-1) | Tuesday vs. NY Mets
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🗣️ What we hear. President Joe Biden will be fully adopted by Democrats Senator Bob Casey when he attends an evening fundraiser in Philadelphia for Pennsylvania’s senior senator.
📊 PoliticsPA Poll Tracker (average of the last 5 PA polls)
President: Harris +0.8% | Senate: Casey +4.6%
🗞️ Political news from the Swing State. Where you can find the latest information about what’s going on in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Guide. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The most vital story
1. A strategy that could decide Pennsylvania – and the election
“Before November, both political parties made a similar bet: that they could improve their chances of winning key swing states by attacking in places they don’t normally contest.
For Republicans, that means building on the 2020 trends seen by their leading candidates Donald Trumppenetrate working-class voters of color, especially in urban centers. For Democrats, this looks like narrowing the GOP’s margin of victory in rural areas and accelerating change in the suburbs.
With only a few weeks left until Election Day, the key to putting these strategies into action may lie in the ground efforts each side has prepared to make the case to new, undecided or persuadable voters. ”(Vox)
Elsewhere
SCOTUS won’t hear PA Republicans’ objections to executive actions expanding voting access. “The U.S. Supreme Court announced on the first day of the new session that it will not hear a case to reinstate a lawsuit by Pennsylvania Republicans who challenged executive actions expanding voting access.” (PoliticsPA)
I’m watching Battleground in Pennsylvania. “NBC News national political correspondent Steve Kornacki explains what to watch out for in the Pennsylvania battleground with less than a month until Election Day.” (PoliticsPA)
Fracking policy covers more than just fossil fuels. “It’s not just about the wells; it’s also about other issues – such as the rural economy, the state budget and finding the right attitude for traditional constituencies that are not necessarily where you would expect them to be.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Country
2. Control of the Pennsylvania Legislature can change laws and the Constitution itself
“It has been ten years since one party controlled the Governor’s Mansion and the Pennsylvania Legislature. Democrats hope that a rousing voter turnout in a presidential election year will give them their first “trifecta” since 1993.
Whether that happens or not – and it won’t be easy – the fall elections could pave the way for new state laws or changes to the state constitution itself.” (WESA)
Elsewhere
As Democrats fight to maintain control of the AP chamber, polling shows their agenda is popular. “Under Democratic control, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives advanced policies to expand universal gun background checks, provide anti-discrimination protections for people based on sexual orientation and raise the minimum wage to $15.” (PA reflector)
PA-10. How to watch Janelle Stelson and Scott Perry debate. “Two candidates in one of Pennsylvania’s most competitive congressional races will debate for the first time. Congressman Scott Perry (R) and former TV host Janelle Stelson (R) will debate on abc27 on Tuesday, October 8. (abc27)
- Former US Security Leaders Now Taking on Political Fights, Stop AP on Janelle Stelson. (PennLive)
- Stelson hits Perry on support for veterans and democracy issues. (Punchbowl News)
AP Senate Republicans Threaten Shapiro’s Cabinet Member with Jail Over Tax Disclosure Dispute. “Using the threat of prison, Republicans who control the state Senate on Monday introduced a move aimed at forcing a former senior colleague — Secretary of State Pat Browne — to appear before them to answer questions about a special tax zone in eastern Pennsylvania.” . (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Bryan Cutler and House Republicans say “double voting” is risky, but won’t give details. “House Republicans have refused to show the alleged evidence or turn it over to state officials, leaving election officials with doubts about the validity of their research.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
Voter guides
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Allegheny County Executive Will Present 2025 Budget Amid Fears of Deficit and Potential Tax Hikes
“Allegheny County Executive Sarah in love on Tuesday, he will present his administration’s first budget proposal. The plan comes amid growing fiscal problems, which has many observers preparing for a proposed tax increase.
Expenditures are outpacing revenues, in part because of sharp declines in assessed values for downtown commercial properties. The county is expected to have a $60 million deficit by the end of this year if more revenue cannot be found. This represents approximately 6% of the county’s $1 billion annual spending plan and is an increase from a $40 million deficit in 2023.” (WESA)
Elsewhere
Energy Secretary Says Feds Are ‘Bullish’ on Nuclear Energy at PA House Event. “The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry hosted its annual dinner in Hershey on Monday evening, featuring America’s most recognizable tennis champion as well as two political figures who have been in the economic news lately.” (PennLive)
38 counties offer on-demand ballots.” “With less than 30 days until the November 5 general election, 38 of Pennsylvania’s 67 counties have ballots ready for ‘vote-on-demand.'” (PoliticsPA)
Pennsylvania judge suspended without pay for political social media posts. “Judge Mark B. Cohen of the Philadelphia County Court of Common Pleas has been suspended after repeatedly and continuously making political posts on social media despite warnings from the supervising judge and the Court of Judicial Discipline.” (WHTM)
Schools make millions by offering degrees that double as work visas. “A 33-year-old from Pakistan told Bloomberg that his fellow students at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology signed up to get more time in the United States.” (Bloomberg)
House of Representatives Announcements
- PA-137. In 137th place, the Republican incumbent is in a rematch with a Democrat who came close to defeating him. (Morning talk in Allentown)
- PA-142. What voters should know about AP State Rep. Joe Hogan and Democratic challenger Annie Payne. (WHY)
- PA-183. Uphill climb: Lenzi realistic, but confident that he will be able to unseat incumbent Mako in the 183rd district. (LehighValleyNews.com)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- The PA Supreme Court let voters down by refusing to hear mail-in ballot cases before November 5. (Kim Lyons)
- Trump is trying to avoid going to trial on January 6 charges, and voters must judge him at the polls. (Solomon Jones)
- Why Donald Trump benefits from chaos. (Brandon McGinley)
- Why Trump Will Likely Carry Catholic Democratic Pennsylvania. (Sean Fitzpatrick)
- Dave McCormick invested in hate speech. Is he withdrawing from his investment? (Adriana E. Ramírez)
- Using immigrants for political purposes harms us all. (Sloane Davidson)
- The status quo of health care in Pennsylvania is unsustainable. (Becky Corbin)
- Reopening Three Mile Island Unit 1 would re-energize central PA. (Rob Bair)
1 item
5. Boston Beer calls Sam Adams with a séance kit
“Boston Beer’s Sam Adams debuts an at-home séance kit designed for “beer lovers or spirits with a bit of mischief” that the brand says can lend a hand thrill-seekers conjure up the spirit of beer Samuel Adams.
The kits include a card instructing how to perform the summoning ritual, a portrait of Adams, a vial of soil from his native Boston, hops used to make the beer, two spooky mugs and a candle inspired by a can of Samuel Adams’ Octoberfest beer to complement the session, the brand said.
The kits, available for a narrow time on the brand’s website, cost $18.03 and are priced in line with the year of Sam Adams’ death. (Diving with food)
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