⌛ Wednesday. This is the 114th day of the AP state budget impasse.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Boyle demands Johnson reopen the US House of Representatives for business. AP Senate passes budget bill that Democrats reject Pennsylvania’s Native American mascot debate. Sheetz and Wawa’s rivalry is heating up again.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Layla. Derek and Domino
Weather in Pennsylvania
☂️ Corry | Cloudy, showers in the afternoon, 48
🌥️ York Springs | Rising Clouds, 58
☀️ Hellertown | Mostly shining, 60
Sports PA
🏀 Sixers (0-0) | Wednesday in Boston
🏒 Flyers (3-2-1) | Thu in Ottawa
🏒 Penguins (5-2) | Vancouver 5-1 | Thu in Florida
🔊 What we hear. “We have federal employees who are expected to show up for work every day even though they are not currently paid. So why are members of Congress still getting paid and on leave?” – Rep. Brendan Boyle
📺 What are we watching?. Ontario launches $75 million advertising campaign to exploit the words of Ronald Reagan oppose tariffs.
📰 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 critical story
1. Boyle demands that Speaker Johnson reopen the US House of Representatives for business
“Calling this the longest total government shutdown in American history, Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-02) repeated his demand House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) “Reopen the people’s house immediately.”
“The only way to end the government shutdown is through compromise and dialogue. It is impossible to have dialogue when we are literally not even physically present in the session. ” (PoliticsPA)
Elsewhere
Fetterman sides with Republicans on ending the filibuster to reopen the government. “Senator John Fetterman said he would support a Republican plan to abolish the Senate filibuster if it meant passing a bill to reopen the government.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Mackenzie introduces legislation to pay troops and federal workers during government shutdowns. “Should federal employees and members of the armed services who are required to work during a government shutdown be paid? Congressman Ryan Mackenzie (R-07) says yes and wants to do something to make that a reality.” (PolitykaPA)
Democratic veterans in Congress criticize Scott Perry’s comment that Democrats ‘hate the military’. “A joint statement from U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio and other members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus called Perry’s comments “disgusting.”Questioner from Philadelphia)
Shapiro will publish a memoir in early 2026, fueling presidential speculation. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro can now add author to his resume as his memoir Where We Keep The Light will be published on January 27, 2026.” (PolitykaPA)
Guns, the soda tax and paid infirmed leave: How PA Supreme Court rulings have shaped cities. “Who sits on the Supreme Court for all Commonwealth members. In the last decade alone, justices have ruled on matters relating to reproductive health, redistricting, education, elections and more.” (PA reflector)
Country
2. The AP GOP Senate approved a budget bill that Democrats say won’t even cover the state’s liabilities
“The Republican-led Pennsylvania Senate sent a $47.9 billion spending plan to the House of Representatives on Tuesday, but the proposal was rejected upon receipt and deemed ‘frivolous’ in the Democrat-controlled chamber, marking the latest chapter in a nearly four-month budget stalemate in the state’s bitterly divided Legislature.
The GOP Senate plan, which passed the House on a 27-23 party-line vote, called for a total boost of $300 million, or 0.6%, over last year’s budget to cover state debt service and pension obligations, as well as cutting the legislature’s operating expenses by 5%, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
The AP budget impasse continues as lawmakers dig in their heels on education and health care spending. “Pennsylvania’s 16-week budget impasse will continue to deepen for the foreseeable future as the Republican-controlled state Senate on Tuesday passed another lump sum-financed budget that Democrats described as a dud.” (PennLive)
Taxpayers hand over $89 million every day while the state flouts its budget plan. “That’s an approximate number calculated by dividing the $10.1 billion in state revenue collected since the official start of the commonwealth’s ‘new’ fiscal year by 113 — the exact number of days Pennsylvania has operated without a spending plan for all that money in its checking account.” (Central Square)
Shapiro says PA is “all in” as a leader in the country, the world, in artificial intelligence and health. “Shapiro said Pennsylvania already plays a leading role nationally and around the world when it comes to artificial intelligence and supporting collaboration between academia, industry and government.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
AP’s novel Democratic chairman has focused on key upcoming races and the party’s development. “Pennsylvania’s new Democratic chairman is taking a page from Ronald Reagan’s playbook as he tries to unite and grow his party.” (Trib LIVE)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Native American mascot debate underpins PA lawsuit settlement and proposed legislation
“A controversial political issue over the exploit of school logos and mascots based on race has become the centerpiece of a Pennsylvania lawsuit and the centerpiece of one lawmaker’s legislative plans.
In the note Representative Christopher Rabb (Philadelphia) has introduced legislation that would prohibit the exploit of Native American symbols in school mascots, mascots and logos.” (PennLive)
Elsewhere
2025 Election Preview: Allentown Mayoral Race. “The Allentown mayoral race appeared to be decided in the May primary when incumbent Matt Tuerk easily defeated Democratic challenger Ed Zucala. However, the Allentown city councilman received enough votes on the Republican side to secure the nomination. ” (PoliticsPA)
Allentown Mayor Challenger addresses voters ahead of the rematch. “Mayor Matt Tuerk and Councilman Ed Zucal met in a church basement Tuesday night in one of the few clashes since the incumbent president’s lopsided primary victory.” (LehighValley News)
300,000 Pittsburgh area residents will lose SNAP benefits due to the government shutdown. “The number of people who will lose their food stamps is approximately 300,000 in the 11-county area of western Pennsylvania served by the Community Food Bank of Greater Pittsburgh. The good news: benefits will be retroactive when they reopen.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
York County is withholding state money amid continuing budget impasse in Harrisburg. “Two York County offices plan to withhold state payments such as lawsuit filing fees and property transfer taxes until Harrisburg lawmakers pass a budget.” (Shipment from York)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Republicans may end government shutdown tomorrow | Józef Hoeffel
- Then They Fight You: How ‘No Kings’ Protests Are Winning America | Will Bunch
- The victory Pittsburgh has been waiting for | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
- Big hospitals are ripping off the rural health care system and Congress is helping | Sally C. Pipes
- Congress should miss its payouts too | Tiffany Smiley
- President Trump’s trade deal with the EU means huge victories for Pennsylvanians | J.D. Longo
- Reimagining Gainey’s Campaign Takes a Deeper Look at the Democratic Party | David Wassel
- Smucker, McCormick and Fetterman should heed concerns over Lancaster ‘No Kings’ rallies | LNP
- There are also critical elections in Pennsylvania | Matthew J. Brouillette
1 item
5. Sheetz and Wawa’s rivalry is heating up
“The fight for gas station supremacy in Pennsylvania is neck and neck.
Big picture: Altoona-based Sheetz and Delaware County-based Wawa have been battling it out in the Keystone State for decades, but their rivalry is now spilling over into other states, and it looks like it’s going to be a close fight.
Message management: According to this year’s American Customer Satisfaction Index Convenience Store Study, Sheetz and Wawa are the second highest-rated convenience store chains in the country. (Axios Pittsburgh)
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