Friday. You did it. Now protected travel to New York
In today’s PA Policy Guide. Pennsylvania’s political elite returns to New York. Ward says Shapiro “might have a problem with strong women.” How a major voting rights case could impact AP minority voters. Loring teacher of the year
Your morning pick-me-up. New York, New York. Frank Sinatra
Weather in Pennsylvania
Beaver Falls | Gradual cleansing, 32
Altona | Mostly sunlit, 31 Glenside | Mostly sunlit, 35
Sports PA
Eagles (8-5) | Sun vs. Las Vegas Steelers (7-6) | Sun vs. Miami
Flyers (16-9-4) | Las Vegas 2-3 (OT) | Saturday vs. Karolina | Sun in Carolina Penguins (14-8-7) | Montreal 2-4 | Saturday vs. San José | Sun vs. Utah
Sixes (13-10) | Friday vs. Indiana | Sun in Atlanta
Society of Pennsylvania. Calendar of events for an annual event in New York that continues to this day.
What we hear. “New York is kind of neutral territory.” Trish Wellenbach– added the president of the Pennsylvania Society. “No part of the state shines brighter than another part of the state… Sometimes you have to go outside of your territory to think more expansively and strategically.”
PoliticsPA Guide is compiled 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. ‘There’s no place like home’: Pennsylvania’s political elite returns to New York’s Waldorf Astoria for a gourmet dinner on its 127th anniversary
“Pennsylvania’s political elite will return this weekend for the first time in seven years to the place where their annual lavish out-of-state gathering began: the Waldorf Astoria in New York.
The Pennsylvania Society was founded in 1899 at the Waldorf Astoria, according to a historian James Barr Ferree invited 55 Pennsylvanians living in New York to the iconic hotel to talk about how they could improve their home state.
Over the course of 127 years, the association has evolved into a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that has raised millions of dollars in student scholarships and hosts an annual dinner in New York City, in addition to events held annually throughout the Commonwealth.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Fetterman Yes, McCormick No, because Senate rejects ACA subsidy expansion. “Starting January 1, millions of Americans will see health care costs skyrocket as the U.S. Senate rejects legislation to extend tax benefits under the Affordable Care Act.” | PoliticsPA
Could the Fitzpatrick Act be a compromise on expanding health care subsidies? “The day after announcing a bipartisan bill to extend the expiration of subsidies under the Affordable Care Act through the end of 2025, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick announced he has filed for hospital leave.” | Bucks County Courier Times
The House of Representatives repealed Trump’s executive order in a historic vote. “The House of Representatives voted Wednesday to repeal President Trump’s executive order ending collective bargaining rights for two-thirds of federal workers. For the first time in Trump’s second term, the House secured enough votes to repeal one of his executive orders, though the measure faces an uphill battle before it reaches the GOP-controlled Senate. ” | Axles
Rep. Thompson: Trump’s $12 billion farm aid is ‘vitally vital for Western Pennsylvania’. “President Donald Trump on Monday unveiled a $12 billion aid package aimed at supporting the nation’s struggling farmers after a year of shifting trade policies, rising costs and low crop prices have led to an increase in farm bankruptcies across the country.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Country
2. Senate Vice Chancellor Kim Ward says Shapiro ‘might have a problem with sturdy women’
“This is what you see in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro publicly, what do you also get in private? And does he treat women differently than men?
Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) has some thoughts.
In a wide-ranging conversation with WPHT Dawn StenslundWard shared her opinions about working with Shapiro, as well as her concerns about the way he treats elected officials.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Through an executive order, Trump intends to roll back state AI laws. “President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday evening that aims to challenge state AI laws and withhold some grant funds from states with AI laws that the administration doesn’t like. The effort could represent a significant victory for big tech companies, but it will almost certainly be challenged in court.” | Roll call
Allegheny County and officials elsewhere want the state to cover the costs of the budget impasse. “There are no known losses in the 67 counties total, but they could be in the “tens of millions of dollars,” according to Kyle Kopko, executive director of the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania. | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
The up-to-date proposal would require drivers to test their English language skills. “If passed, the bill would require PennDOT to create an English proficiency test as a prerequisite for drivers. It would also require that the written exam be administered only in English.” | Central Square
Around the Republic of Poland
3. How a major voting rights case before the U.S. Supreme Court could affect AP minority voters
“Legal experts are closely watching a major redistricting case before the U.S. Supreme Court that could leave minority communities in Pennsylvania and across the country with one less tool to fight for representation.
The federal case centers on a landmark civil rights law that has protected minority communities from racial discrimination in voting practices for decades. The statute allows voters to sue state and local governments if district boundaries discriminate against racial minority groups.” | PA reflector
Elsewhere
Crosswell Left Trump’s Justice Department. Now his resignation is part of his speech to Congress. “Many political candidates like to discuss their resumes in their speech. Ryan Crosswell reads from his resignation letter.” | AP
A long-time public official running for Pennsylvania’s 9th Congressional District. “Rachel Wallace is no stranger to the halls of Congress. The 37-year-old said her behind-the-scenes education is the main reason she decided to launch a campaign to represent the 9th Congressional District, which includes parts or all of 12 counties stretching from northern Berks County to the New York state line. ” | Standard Hazleton speaker
Unemployment in PA remained below the national average in September. “Pennsylvania’s September unemployment rate was 4.1%, below the national average of 4.4%. However, it was higher than last September’s 3.7%. This is also an increase of one-tenth of a percent from August’s unemployment rate of 4.0%.” | Penn Capital Star
Zrinski’s victory in the Norco executive election thanks to a well-financed campaign. “According to their most recent campaign finance reports, Tara Zrinski’s well-financed campaign won a convincing victory in the November 4 election for Northampton County Executive over Republican Tom Giovanni. Zrinski’s campaign spent approximately $115,000 on the general election compared to $44,578 for Giovanni.” | Lehigh Valley Chair
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Real people suffer when states and administrations fight | Maria Pezzulo
- Dream. McCormick, PA Small business owners rely on you to protect our health care | Elizabeth Stephenson
- Trump may be losing his touch | Peggy Noonan
- Congressional leaders see significantly higher stock returns than their colleagues | Jonathan Draeger
- How unfair policies harm girls in Pennsylvania | Nicole Prusman
- Campaign on the high price of everything | Pat Wandling
1 item
5. Loring named Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year
“A Greene County teacher has been named the 2026 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Madeline Loringa fourth-grade teacher in the Jefferson-Morgan School District, received the honor Monday during a Pennsylvania Department of Education conference in Hershey. She was one of 12 teachers, including three from the Pittsburgh area, nominated for the honor.
“She deserved it,” Superintendent Jefferson-Morgan Brandon Robinson The Post-Gazette reported. “She puts her all into teaching. She’s the most creative person I’ve ever met, one of the best teachers, and I just know she wanted to represent our entire school district, our entire staff.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Thank you for starting your Friday with us.
If you’re going to PA Society weekend, say nice things about us.
