⏰ Wednesday. This is the 135th day of the state budget impasse and the 43rd day of the longest federal government shutdown in history.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. The US House of Representatives is set to end its historic shutdown. PA leaders agree to $50.1 spending plan. What voter data tells us about Democrats in Bucks County Northern Lights in Pennsylvania.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Agreement. The grateful dead. Winning costs a lot, losing even more.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☁️ Monessen | Cloudy, 50
🌂 Towanda | Cloudy, rain possible, 45
🌤️North Wales | Partly radiant, 51
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (7-4) | Boston 102-100 | Free to Detroit
🏒 Flyers (8-5-2) | Wednesday vs. Edmonton
🏒 Penguins (9-5-3) | Friday in Nashville
📅 What’s happening today. Both the AP House and AP Senate meet at 9:30 a.m
🔊 What we hear. The latest look at the 2026 House race from Inside the elections calls PA-07 a toss-up with PA-08 and PA-10 an R-tilt.
📰 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. The US House of Representatives is set to end its historic recess as Republicans declare victory
“The House returns Wednesday to vote on a spending package to end the longest government shutdown in U.S. history — an outcome widely seen as a victory for Republicans over Democrats, who are currently fighting internally over their company’s position on dissolving health care without a resolution.
Progressives are furious that a group of centrist Democrats in the Senate broke off after 41 days to reach an agreement with Republicans on a spending package that included some concessions on federal waivers without getting a commitment to extend expiring health care subsidies under ObamaCare.
And while public polls showed Republicans were more blamed for the shutdown than Democrats, Republicans consider the result a complete victory. (Hill)
Elsewhere
What happens if Democrats’ large shutdown defeat turns out to be a victory?. “Despite significant hand-wringing within the party over bowing to Republicans on a government shutdown, some Democrats see potential upside in the outcome.” (New York Times)
Chris Deluzio discusses his party’s “weak” shutdown deal during an appearance on “The Daily Show.”. “The Pittsburgh-area Democrat stopped short of calling on Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to resign, as host Jon Stewart suggested during the show. But ending the shutdown fight without a promise to extend health care subsidies fell far short of what Democrats were fighting for, Deluzio said.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Fetterman talks about the shutdown, Schumer and his modern book. “Part explanation, part confession, part book tour. Pennsylvania Senator John Fetterman appeared on ABC’s ‘The View’ Tuesday morning to talk about his decision to vote to open the federal government, his stroke and battle with depression, and the promotion of his new book ‘Unfettered.'” (PoliticsPA)
U.S. Supreme Court upholds ephemeral freeze on full SNAP benefits through November. “The U.S. Supreme Court extended through Thursday a pause on lower court rulings that the Trump administration would allow a full month of benefits under the Food Assistance Program, which 1 in 8 Americans rely on to buy groceries.” (Penn Capital Star)
Country
2. Pennsylvania’s top leaders reached agreement on a $50.1 billion state budget
“Pennsylvania’s top legislative leaders and Governor Josh Shapiro They agreed behind closed doors to a $50.1 billion state budget deal, according to two sources close to the negotiations, signaling a breakthrough in a prolonged budget impasse that has lasted more than four months and withheld state funding for schools and districts.
State lawmakers were briefed Tuesday on the budget proposal, which, if approved by both chambers and signed by Shapiro, would represent a 4.7% boost in spending over the last fiscal year, according to budget documents obtained by The Inquirer.
While the final elements of the agreement will still be hammered out in the coming days as lawmakers review the proposed package, the agreement shared Tuesday shows legislative leaders have agreed to a budget framework, meaning school districts, counties and social service providers will soon see some relief. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Fetterman, in his modern book, calls Shapiro too driven by “political ambition.”. “Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, in his new memoir, criticizes his state’s governor, Josh Shapiro, as too focused on ‘political ambition,’ arguing that Shapiro took a particularly tough approach to criminal justice because of his aspirations.” (Axles)
Penn State trustees tighten rules on speaking to the press and approve coach contracts. “The board’s bylaws currently state that trustees should coordinate with the board’s office before speaking to the press about trustee-related matters. Additionally, the guidelines say, trustees should “respect the guidance” of the board’s office or the Office of Strategic Communications. (WPSU)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. What voter data tells us about historically forceful Democratic elections in Bucks County
“Republicans may have led Democrats with a majority of 10,000 registered voters in Bucks County, but record turnout on Election Day on November 4 was a boon for Democrats in a gigantic number of key elections.
According to information on the county’s Nov. 10 election results website, nearly half (49.7%) of all registered voters in Bucks County cast ballots in the 2025 municipal election. However, a majority of the county’s 304 precincts chose the party that had the most registered voters in races for district attorney, sheriff or Superior Court judge.” (Bucks County Courier Times)
Elsewhere
Voters removed this Pennsylvania sheriff after he volunteered to cooperate with ICE. “The populous swing county replaced its sheriff with the GOP last Tuesday after months of controversy over his entry into ICE’s 287(g) program. The Democratic winner vows to terminate the contract.” (Screws)
Former PA city manager’s $1.5 million theft trial could start spring after 2-year delay. “Late last month, U.S. District Court Judge Stephanie Haines, who is overseeing the case, rejected efforts by lawyers for John “Herm” Suplizio to demand from prosecutors more details about allegations that he and another city employee stole more than $1.5 million in public dollars. (PA reflector)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Latino voters played a key role in Democrats’ victory last week. Let’s take advantage of it, Mi Gente | Sabrina Vourvoulias
- Democrats won the shutdown | Nia-Malika Henderson
- A 50-year mortgage loan is a bad deal | Wall Street Journal
- What’s holding Pennsylvania back? | Guy Ciarrocchi
- Why Bucks Blue Wave 2025? | Pat Wandling
- Voter turnout in Lancaster County municipal elections increased and democracy strengthened | LNP
- At the Pennsylvania Medical Society, activism crushed medicine | Kurt Miceli
1 item
5. Forecasters say aurora borealis will be possible across Pennsylvania tonight
“This might be the night to take a few trips outside, even when it’s so icy.
Space weather forecasters say there’s a pretty good chance you’ll see the aurora borealis from anywhere in Pennsylvania.
How glowing the aurora borealis are and how far south they are noticeable will depend on when solar flares arrive and how they interact with Earth’s atmosphere. (PennLive)
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Have a great day and see you tomorrow.
