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📰 PA Policy Playbook Headlines. US Supreme Court limits utilize of race in congressional district map changes, Dilution of Voting Rights Act. Races to watch in the AP Democratic primary. Private water company vs. Chester. Public vs. Private PIAA Playoffs?
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Bad luck. Social distortion
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌂 Ebensburg | Mostly dull, with a chance of rain, 50
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Sports PA
⚾ Pirates (16-16) | Saint Louis 4-5 | Thu vs. St. Louis
⚾ Phillies (10-19) | San Francisco ppd | Wednesday – San Francisco (2)
🏀 Sixes (2-3) | Thu vs. Boston
🏒 Leaflets (4-2) | Philadelphia 1-0 (OT) | Next vs. Karolina
🏒 Penguins (2-4) | Philadelphia 0-1 (OT)
🔈 What we hear. Bob Brooks implements the “Extinguish the Fire” program as part of its PA-07 campaign.
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The most essential story
1. U.S. Supreme Court Limits Use of Race in Congressional District Map Changes, Dilution of Voting Rights Act
“On Wednesday, the Supreme Court issued an opinion sharply weakening much of the federal Voting Rights Act.
Opinion on Louisiana v. Callaiscan echo for decades. The Court’s conservative majority significantly confined the consideration of race in drawing legislative maps.
So far, Art. Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act prohibits states from using maps that dilute the voting power of minority citizens. Republicans could ultimately directly secure up to 19 seats in the House of Representatives across the country thanks to the Supreme Court’s decision.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania lawmakers and candidates respond to SCOTUS voting rights decision. “An extremely complex issue with extremely important ramifications on the nationwide congressional map – potentially in 2026, but definitely in 2028, 2030 and 2032. How do Pennsylvania lawmakers and candidates respond to this decision?” | PoliticsPA
What the Weakened Voting Rights Act means in America today. “The latest ruling affects a more multiracial and mobile country that is nothing like it was in 1965, raising new questions about how voting protections apply to a rapidly expanding electorate.” | Axles
AP Republicans largely support the Iran war or remain noiseless ahead of the deadline for Congress to assert its authority. “Only one of Pennsylvania’s 11 Republican congressional lawmakers suggested that President Donald Trump would break the law if he continued the war without consent.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Where Garrity and Shapiro advocate for broadband, federal cuts and other key rural issues. “While both of Pennsylvania’s major party gubernatorial candidates are prioritizing helping rural communities, their approaches to some major issues – such as dealing with broadband installation and cuts to federal programs – could lead to significantly different outcomes for residents of more remote areas of the state.” | PA reflector
Country
2. Here are the races to watch in the Pennsylvania Democratic primary
“This election year will usher in a race for Governor of Pennsylvania and battles for several Commonwealth Congressional seats that could upset the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The drama is unfolding primarily on the Democrats’ side, as the party selects candidates to replace the outgoing congressman and face defenseless GOP representatives.” | USA Today Network
Elsewhere
PA-01: Bob Harvie said he doesn’t support open primary schools. Fitzpatrick calls it “an insult to independent voters.” “Tensions had already begun to simmer in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District when U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick threw a jab at his likely Democratic challenger on Tuesday night.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
PA-03: Sans Stanford, Dems Rabb and Street meet for Wednesday’s PA-3 debate. “Wednesday’s televised debate between the Democratic candidates in the PA-3 primary made headlines before it even began. The hour-long debate, hosted on WHYY’s Studio 2, was missing one key candidate: Al Stanford.” | City and state
PA-7 Congressional Candidate Urges Judge to Dismiss Lawsuit Over Debt Over $162,000. “The legal battle between Lehigh Valley congressional candidate Bob Brooks and his former mother-in-law is likely to drag on beyond the May primary, after Wednesday’s hearing sparked legal battles this summer.” | LehighValley News
Pennsylvania House passes bills that would enable digital driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations. “Pennsylvania is one step closer to enabling digital driver licensing and vehicle registration after the state House passed bills this week approving the use of the technology.” | CBS Philadelphia
Advocates push for skill gaming tax as lottery losses hit programs for PA seniors. “Cuts to senior programs — like those announced earlier this month in Allegheny County — will get worse unless state lawmakers take action to replace declining Pennsylvania lottery revenues, said Rebecca May-Cole, executive director of the Pennsylvania Association of Regional Agencies for Aging.” | WESA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. From public to private? The future of the Pennsylvania reservoir remains unclear
“Katarzyna Miller has a message for private investors interested in purchasing the Octoraro tank: It is not for sale.
“It’s not in the interest of our ratepayers,” said Miller, who heads the anti-privatization campaign for the Chester Water Authority (CWA), which owns the 520-acre reservoir in southeastern Pennsylvania. But this peaceful neighborhood has turned into a legal battleground over the past decade, pitting CWA and its ratepayers against a private water company and a cash-strapped town: Chester, Pennsylvania.’ | Gulf Journal
Elsewhere
Cellphone ban in Pennsylvania schools supported, with many exceptions. “On Tuesday, a House committee moved one step closer to eliminating major distractions in schools by passing a bill that — with many exceptions — would prohibit students from using cell phones during the school day.” | Central Square
Innamorato: We used the NFL draft to fund Pittsburgh’s future. “Last week’s National Football League (NFL) draft in Pittsburgh and the surrounding festivities were a record success, drawing more than 800,000 fans to the event, but Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato wants to focus on the project’s lasting impact on the local community.” | Key
York hired numerous consultants, many without City Council oversight. “York Mayor Sandie Walker has hired at least eight consultants since taking office, signing a number of contracts just below the reporting threshold that would require City Council scrutiny.” | York daily record
A supervisor calls police to a building in Muncy Township. “State troopers arrived last night after a prematurely adjourned meeting in Muncy Township, with participants wondering whether their right to peacefully assemble had been violated.” | North-CentralPA
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Voters may now be disenfranchised | Adam Serwer
- The Supreme Court’s ruling strengthens the position of minorities. Now Democrats will have to get votes | Alice Nieves
- Five former PA governors show current leaders how a bipartisan approach should work | John Baer
- SEPTA’s decision to focus on housing, not parking, is a victory for southeastern Pennsylvania | Questioner from Philadelphia
- Let’s do it again, Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
- Was the NFL draft a failed fundraiser or a promotional opportunity? | Grandstand overview
- Report on America from the Townie Bar | David Mills
- While Trump Builds Ballrooms, Pennsylvania Families Lose Health Care and Food Assistance | Senator Jay Costa
- Setting a Record on Dauphin County’s Democratic Endorsement Process | Kelly D.Summerford
- The Pennsylvania Human Rights Commission Can’t ‘Get It Done’ | Wide + Freedom
- We know how to stop speeding here, so why not everywhere? | Rep. Tarik Khan
1 item
5. The House of Representatives passes a bill authorizing the PIAA to split public and private competitions
“The state House advanced legislation Wednesday that would allow the PIAA to separate public and private schools into different postseason playoff systems.
The passage of House Bill 41 allows the PIAA, the governing body for Pennsylvania high school athletics, to separate border and non-border schools for postseason play.
Border schools are public schools that serve students who live in a specific, designated geographic area. Foreign schools, which include private, Catholic and charter schools, have no geographical restrictions and can attract students from anywhere.’ | PennLive
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Thank you, April. It was fun. See you tomorrow.
