🏂Wednesday. It’s all downhill from here, right?
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. What Josh Shapiro believes. The Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP for Democrat-led states. Allegheny County Council unanimously supports Innamorato’s 2026 budget. NEPA snack lovers are racing to eat Middleswarth Chips.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. I am a believer. Break the mouth
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️Murrysville | Shrinking clouds, 34
☀️ Lykens | Mostly sunlit, 37
☀️ Oaks | Sunny, 39
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (11-9) | Washington 121-102 | Thu vs. Golden State
🏒 Flyers (14-8-3) | Wednesday vs. Buffalo
🏒 Penguins (13-7-5) | Thu at Tampa Bay
🥂 Society of Pennsylvania. The calendar of events for December 11-13 can be found here.
🔊 What we hear. According to a survey of 549 voters in PA-10, Rep. Scott Perry remains behind “his democratic opponent” by 7%, and the job acceptance rate is -17%.
👁️🗨️ What do we see. Representative Rob Bresnahan received the support of IBEW Local 163 – apparently for the first time the union supported the GOP candidate from PA-08.
📰 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 crucial story
1. What Josh Shapiro believes in
“It’s infrequent to see Josh Shapiro break a sweat. For all the regret the Pennsylvania governor feels for imitating Barack Obama – the swinging cadence, speaking from the sidelines for effect – their basic common trait is self-possession. If Pennsylvania’s governor has a superpower, it’s the unflappability that allows him to remain composed and composed and deliver precisely what he wants to say.
Most of the time. | Atlantic
Elsewhere
McCormick says he supports expanding health care subsidies during tele-Town Hall. “With frustrated constituents ringing in their ears, Pennsylvania federal lawmakers on Tuesday faced the possibility that health care premiums could soon skyrocket for millions of people if Congress fails to act on expiring subsidies under the Affordable Care Act.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Progressive group attacks Fetterman for supporting Trump’s judicial nominees. “A progressive group is attacking two Senate Democrats, including John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, and an independent senator who voted to confirm some of President Donald Trump’s judicial nominees, vowing to spend more than $1 million in hopes of prompting congressional Democrats to take a stronger stance against the Republican president.” | AP
Summer Lee’s legislation, Democratic colleagues, would combat discriminatory artificial intelligence. “Artificial intelligence is changing the world, one algorithm at a time. U.S. Representative Summer Lee of Switzerland wants to make sure these algorithms do not violate people’s civil rights.” | Trib LIVE
Country
2. The Trump administration says it will withhold SNAP from Democratic-led states if they don’t provide data
“President Donald Trump The administration said Tuesday that it will decide starting next week to withhold SNAP food assistance from recipients in most Democratic-controlled states unless those states provide information about who receives the aid.
Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins told Tuesday’s cabinet meeting that action is imminent because those states refuse to provide data requested by the department, such as the names and immigration status of aid recipients.’ | WHY
Elsewhere
The state budget sent $5 million to the struggling school district represented by the AP House Speaker. “Hidden in the code bill passed with the 2025-2026 state budget is a provision providing one school district with $5 million, beyond the typical formulas used to allocate funds among school districts in Pennsylvania.” | Penn Capital Star
Premiums under the Affordable Care Act are estimated to raise across the region. “If not extended, here’s how much premiums could rise across the region, according to estimates from KFF, an independent source of health policy research, polling and journalism.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Shapiro appointed chairman of the Chesapeake Executive Council. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro was unanimously elected chairman of the Chesapeake Executive Council, which sets the vision and strategic direction for restoring and protecting the Chesapeake Bay.” | PoliticsPA
The Democratic Trifecta hinges on the Lancaster County Senate seat. “State Sen. James Malone was stunned by his victory in a special election in Lancaster County. Now his re-election could give Pennsylvania Democrats a sweep of the chamber and control of the General Assembly. ” | Key
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Allegheny County Council unanimously supports Innamorato’s 2026 budget without a tax raise
“Without opposition, the Allegheny County Council passed a budget Tuesday that avoids a property tax raise while preventing program cuts and layoffs.
County Executive Sara Innamorato the proposal included a total of $3 billion in operating and capital expenditures. | WESA
Elsewhere
Chester County may be the only Philadelphia suburb that won’t raise taxes next year. “This decision sets Chester County apart in a year marked by budget uncertainty at the state and federal levels.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Dublin councilor announces campaign for state representative. “Tim Hayes, an Army National Guard veteran, president of the Dublin City Council and state policy manager for an environmental group, has announced his candidacy for Pennsylvania state representative in the 143rd legislative district.” | Doylestown Patch
2025 Pittsburgh People of the Year – Politics: Alex Rose. “No matter what happens nationally, progressives in Pittsburgh are undeterred. The local Democratic Party has become stronger and built on its base. Prominent left-leaning candidates now hold office everywhere from the county to Congress. Labor candidate Alex Rose is among them. ” | Pittsburgh City Document
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. NEPA Snack Lovers Race to Eat Middleswarth Crisps for Show Off Contest Rights
“Cade Neal and 27 other brave eaters sat down to a long table at Sabatini’s Bar and Bottle Shop in Exeter. They had a choice: plain or grilled chips. Most, like Neal, chose barbecue.
They crowded around a table to participate in the Middleswarth Potato Chip Eating Contest, which has been held in Luzerne County for 10 years on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. The competition attracts gourmets and spectators who want to see who can eat the most in five minutes.
Middleswarth, a brand of potato chips produced in Snyder County and found only in Pennsylvania, has gained a cult following. Fans – including homesick Pennsylvania expats – are trying to buy them in stores in the state as well as through online retailers.” | WVIA
Thank you for starting Wednesday with us.
You’re halfway through the weekend. See you tomorrow.
