🦅 It’s surcharge Monday across the state. EAGLES, EAGLES.
🗞️ 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
🌂Pittsburgh | Afternoon rain, 53
☁️Harriburg | Cloudy, 45
🌫️Philadelphia | Patchy Fog, 51
Sports PA
🏈 Eagles (12-2) | Pittsburgh 27-13 | Sun vs. Washington
🏈 Steelers (10-4) | Philadelphia 13-27 | Saturday vs. Baltimore
🏀 Sixes (7-16) | Indiana 107-121 | Mon vs. Charlotte
🏒 Leaflets (14-13-4) | Minnesota 1-4 | Wednesday vs. Detroit
🏒 Penguins (13-14-5) | Ottawa 2-3 (overtime) | Tuesday vs. Los Angeles
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Senator Ryan Aument
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media sites where you can get the latest political news from across the Commonwealth: Twitter | Blue | Facebook | LinkedIn
The most vital story
1. Bob Casey looks back on his two decades in the Senate and looks back to a future without Trump on the ballot
“Democratic Senator Bob Casey is one of the longest-serving senators in Pennsylvania history. But his streak of electoral success ended last month when he narrowly lost to a Republican challenger Dave McCormick.
Now, with just weeks left in his 18-year Senate career, Casey reflects on what went wrong for him and his party in this most consequential battleground state on the map.” (NBC News)
- Bob Casey Jr. prepares for life after entering the Senate: ‘I will miss public service’ (PennLive)
Elsewhere
The Electoral College will finalize the Trump-Vance victory on Tuesday. “Pennsylvania’s presidential electors will convene in Harrisburg tomorrow at noon to cast their votes for president and vice president. It is largely a ceremony because the electors are hand-selected by the winning presidential candidate.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
Jeffries’ House Majority PAC is considering AP seats in 2026. “The Keystone State clearly will be crucial in 2026 as House Democrats chart a course back to the majority.” (PoliticsPA)
Biden’s move on the ‘Babies for Cash’ scandal is angering some Pennsylvania families. “President Biden’s decision to commute Michael Conahan’s 17-year prison sentence has angered many in northeastern Pennsylvania, from the governor to the families whose children were victims of the disgraced former judge. Conahan has already served the vast majority of his 2011 sentence. (AP)
Country
2. Five years after PA changed election laws, workers are still waiting for small fixes to big problems
“Pennsylvania’s 2024 elections ran like a well-oiled machine this year, with no major delays or problems, but Lehigh County’s top election official warned that problems still lurk under the hood.
For years, state and county officials have pushed for amendments to Pennsylvania’s election code: more time to pre-distribute absentee ballots and an earlier voter registration deadline.
However, due in part to the political stalemate and politicization of the elections, none of the changes were registered.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
Elsewhere
Shapiro Says Biden Was ‘Totally Wrong’ Commuting ‘Kids for Cash’ Judge Sentence. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro on Friday blasted President Joe Biden’s decision to commute the remaining sentence of a former Luzerne County judge who was sentenced to 17 1/2 years in federal prison for sending children to prison while accepting multimillion-dollar bribes.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Christian, Rothman Eye PA GOP Chairman. “There is about to be a change at the top of the Pennsylvania Republican Party.” (PoliticsPA)
‘We have to reinvent the way we campaign’ – Democrat Susan Wild reflects on her 2024 loss. “Wild told the Capital-Star that she worked to keep her campaign focused on her voters as she faced Republican Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who has aligned himself with Trump and GOP positions on inflation, immigration and abortion.” (Penn Capital Star)
Legalized recreational marijuana is just around the corner in Pennsylvania. “Recreational marijuana remains illegal in Pennsylvania. But lawmakers, supporters and even opponents who have spent countless hours debating the issue in Harrisburg say that will likely change soon.” (Greensburg Tribune Review)
- The push to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania includes calls for social equality. (WESA)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Philadelphia Council’s vote to greenlight 76ers stadium plan revealed new power dynamics and confirmed old truths
“Last week’s City Council preliminary vote to approve the 76ers Center City stadium plan was the most contentious legislative battle since Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Chairman of the Council Kenyatta Johnson took office in January.
The voting dispute revealed new power dynamics in Philadelphia politics and confirmed some old truths.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Montco commissioners propose 9 percent tax increase despite GOP opposition. “Montgomery County commissioners are poised to increase taxes by nine percent as they adopt a $610.9 million 2025 budget on December 19. At least one local Republican is not happy about this.” (DV Journal)
Lehigh County Commissioner District 5 Won’t Run for 2025, Endorses Potential Successor. “One-term commissioner Jeffrey Dutt says he will not seek another term next year, but he thanked the citizens of Lehigh for electing him to the position.” (CNHI News)
New kids in town
- State Representative-elect Eric Weaknecht wants to lend a hand diminutive businesses and the farming community. (Penn Capital Star)
- State Rep. Roman Kozak calls RGGI a “ball and chain” for Pennsylvania’s energy industry. (Penn Capital Star)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Luxury firewood
“What to buy for the keeper of the flame who has everything? High-class journals, Axios Atlanta writes Thomas Wheatley.
Why it matters: There is nothing wrong with using sticks and logs lying around in the yard. But the highest quality, kiln-dried firewood allows people to customize their mood and experience with the flames.”
Thank you for starting your morning with us.
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