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📰 PA Policy Playbook Headlines. Shapiro tests political power in final exams in Swing-State, Pennsylvania. Treasurer blocks $1 million to improve security at Shapiro’s private home. The PA Supreme Court is considering a challenge to its interpretation of DOS voter registration regulations. How to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ‘Rocky Horror’
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The most essential story
1. Shapiro tests his political strength in the midterms in Swing-State, Pennsylvania
“Josh Shapiro he may have a good chance of being re-elected as governor of Pennsylvania, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have a lot of chances ahead of him this year.
Shapiro, who is just starting his campaign, wants voters to give Democrats control of the state legislature for the first time in decades. He is also pushing his favorite candidates into competitive congressional primaries in an attempt to shape his party’s fortunes in the midterm elections that will determine control of Washington.
All of this means that, like other potential Democratic presidential candidates, Shapiro is testing his political capital in a way that could shape his and the party’s future.” | AP
Elsewhere
The poll gives Brooks a 7-point lead in the PA-07 Democratic primary. “In a poll sponsored by the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC, Bob Brooks, president of the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters, has a seven-point lead over his closest competitor in the race for the Democratic nomination in the 7th Congressional District.” | PoliticsPA
CPR: Democrats lead congressional battleground districts by six points. “The Cook Political Report calls it a “flashing red warning light” for Republican congressional candidates this fall. In a survey of districts rated by CPR as Toss Up, Lean Republican or Lean Democrat – districts that President Donald Trump won by an average of two points in 2024 – Democrats have a six-point lead on the overall congressional ballot, 50-44%” | PoliticsPA
HMP, CLF Targets Pennsylvania with massive ad bookings. “Showing Pennsylvania’s importance in the 2026 congressional elections, the House Majority PAC and the Congressional Leadership Fund contributed millions of dollars to four major Keystone State races this fall.” | PoliticsPA
The Anorexic Reconciliation Act Could Mean Refunding of Planned Parenthood. “Meanwhile, Planned Parenthood is investing more than $1 million in its own pressure campaign to recover lost Medicaid funds, including ads and rallies in more than 20 states, with a focus on five House Republicans considered vulnerable in the November midterm elections, including Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania.” | POLICY
Country
2. Garrity says the Treasury has no legal authority to pay for security improvements to the governor’s private residence
“Pennsylvania State Treasurer Stacy Garrityalso the likely GOP nominee for governor, announced Thursday that the Treasury Department had refused to pay for security upgrades Governor Josh Shapiro private residence after his official residence in Harrisburg was attacked last year.
“The Treasury has no legal authority to use taxpayer funds to improve private property,” Garrity said in a statement Thursday. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Attorney Larry Krasner calls lawmakers ‘lawbreakers’ for delaying vote on murder bills. “Philadelphia’s top prosecutor on Thursday accused state lawmakers of effectively defying the courts as the scope for the Legislature narrows to respond to a landmark ruling that overturned mandatory life sentences for second-degree murder convictions.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Trump reclassified state-licensed medical marijuana as a less hazardous drug – a historic change. “President Donald Trump’s acting attorney general signed an executive order Thursday reclassifying state-licensed medical marijuana as a less dangerous drug, a major policy change long expected by supporters who have argued that cannabis should never be treated like heroin by the federal government.” | AP
A senator from Pennsylvania proposes a “project” to draw congressional districts. “Mid-cycle redistricting is in vogue as parties try to increase congressional seats. Texas and Florida do it to benefit Republicans. California and Virginia did it to help Democrats. But voters in both parties find such naked partisanship inappropriate. State Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) said he, too, is concerned about this trend, but has a plan to fix a broken system.” | abc27
Janelle Stelson faces a progressive primary challenger in the 10th District. “Justin Douglas is used to being the underdog.” | York daily record
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court is considering a challenge to the Department of State’s interpretation of voter registration laws
“Should voter registration applications be denied if voter personal information does not match government databases?
The Pennsylvania Department of State concluded in 2018 that the answer should be no. However, in a case currently pending before the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, Potter County Commissioner Robert Rossman claims that the ministry is incorrectly interpreting the law. | Vote for Pennsylvania
Elsewhere
The Philadelphia City Council just passed some of the most aggressive policies in the country aimed at curbing ICE. “The City Council on Thursday approved a high-profile legislative package aimed at scaling back immigration enforcement in Philadelphia, putting the city at the forefront of local resistance to President Donald Trump’s nationwide deportation campaign.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Shapiro to potential investors: Pittsburgh is open for business. “The mayor and governor kicked off the first day of the NFL draft by introducing Pittsburgh to audiences huge and diminutive – Mayor Corey O’Connor publicly through an appearance on NFL Network’s ‘Good Morning Football’ and Governor Josh Shapiro privately surrounded by corporate leaders in a conference room behind closed doors in a skyscraper.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
AP’s ACLU sues ICE over ‘unmasking’ subpoenas sent to Montgomery County residents. “The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania is suing U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, seeking information about the agency’s use of administrative subpoenas to intimidate and ‘unmask’ Montgomery County residents who criticize and monitor federal immigration enforcement activities.” | WHY
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. How to celebrate the 50th anniversary of “Rocky Horror”
“The Rocky Horror Picture Show” survived the Soviet Union, Y2K and the Covid-19 pandemic.
Philadelphia fans will be able to celebrate his legacy tonight with a documentary that pays tribute to the cult classic and his fandom.
The massive picture: What started as a box office flop turned into the longest-running theatrical film in history – all thanks to midnight screenings that began 50 years ago this month.’ | Axios Philadelphia
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Let’s do the Time Warp again. See you on Monday.
