😁 Good morning on Thursday morning. It’s almost Friday
4️⃣ Things. Fitzpatrick votes to limit Trump’s war powers. Shapiro drops first re-election campaign ad. What can Big Tech do for you? Fightin’ Planet is the best high school mascot.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. I knew a bride (when she played rock and roll) | Nick Lowe
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Jeannette | Sunny, 84
☀️ Lewistown | Sunny, 90
☀️ Archbald | Sunny, 87
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (32-29) | San Diego 3-2 | Thu vs. San Diego
⚾ Pirates (33-29) | Houston 9-11 | Thu in Houston
What we hear. The U.S. Supreme Court will announce opinions starting at 10 a.m. One of the rulings may be made Deadlines for postal voting.
Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].
PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.
The most critical story
1. Republican Brian Fitzpatrick helps Democrats pass a resolution limiting Trump’s war power in Iran
“U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrickwho recently launched a hard-fought re-election campaign in a swing district of Bucks County, was one of a handful of Republicans on Wednesday who helped Democrats pass for the first time in the House a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump power to attack Iran.
The war powers resolution was approved by a 215-208 majority, and Fitzpatrick was one of only four Republicans to support the measure, which was opposed by Trump and the GOP House Speaker Mike Johnson” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Senator McCormick and Representative Meuser defend Trump’s lawsuit against the IRS and the $1.8 billion “Weapons Fund”. “U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick and Rep. Dan Meuser defended President Trump’s lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service and the seemingly shelved $1.8 billion ‘gun’ fund during separate television appearances Wednesday morning.” | PennLive
Fetterman and McCormick say Democrats have a bigger problem with anti-Semitism than the GOP. “There aren’t a lot of people running for office in the Republican Party with Nazi tattoos on their chests,” McCormick said, referring to Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner. | Jewish insider
A fresh study finds that vote checking helps more absentee ballots be counted. “A new study on Pennsylvania’s 2024 elections finds that “mail-in voters who are informed and given the opportunity to correct voting errors before the election are significantly more likely to have their votes counted.” | Let him vote
Country
2. Governor Josh Shapiro highlights free breakfast for PA children in his first campaign TV ad
“In the first television ad of his re-election campaign in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro runs a free school breakfast.
Shapiro, a Democrat seeking re-election this year, kicked off his campaign’s media spending with an ad for Pennsylvania’s free breakfast program, which benefits 1.7 million students in the state.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania lawmakers are debating the future of the high school state championship. “High school sports are extremely popular in Pennsylvania, but do private schools have an unfair advantage over traditional public schools when it comes to winning state championships? Several Pennsylvania lawmakers agree with those who believe private schools have an advantage and intend to do something about it.” | abc27
Pennsylvania lawmakers are pushing for restrictions on online gambling deposits and “predatory” marketing practices. “Two state representatives announced bipartisan legislation on Wednesday to strengthen protections for Pennsylvanians who play online and designate problematic gaming a public health crisis.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
House lawmakers are introducing measures to tax digital advertising platforms. “Lawmakers on the Pennsylvania House of Representatives Finance Committee voted along party lines Wednesday to advance a measure that would tax digital advertising and potentially generate $500 million in new revenue for the state.” | City and state
Pennsylvania undecided on Trump-backed Great American State Fair. “Pennsylvania remains unsure about whether to attend this month’s Great American State Fair, President Trump’s backed 250th anniversary celebration on the National Mall. VisitPA, the state’s tourism arm, has received an invitation to the 16-day event in Washington, D.C., which begins June 25.” | Axios Philadelphia
Around the Republic of Poland
3. What can Big Tech do for you? PA city officials facing a data center project are trying to find out
“Supporters of a data center project in Middlesex Township tried to reset the court of public opinion Wednesday night as residents got a preview of what Big Data coverage could do for them.
The presentation focused on the pending community benefits agreement, which covers obligations – in addition to future property tax payments – that developers will agree to make as part of the revitalization of the 16-building data center campus. | PennLive
Elsewhere
Western Pennsylvania students and parents react to a proposed ban on cell phone exploit at school. “Proponents say phone restrictions improve grades and face-to-face social skills, while some critics say districts should teach digital citizenship.” | Grandstand overview
Mayor Parker’s proposals to tax tech companies expire as the city’s budget deadline approaches. “Mayor Cherelle L. Parker’s proposals to shore up the city’s budget with new or increased taxes on gig economy tech companies like Uber, Airbnb and DoorDash appear to have run out of steam.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Tensions high in Beaver County over plans to build a data center at the former Pitt Racegrounds. “In the winding roads and hills, among farms and hunting grounds, warehouses full of computers could soon appear. It’s also the place where a familiar battle between residents and an out-of-town data center developer played out Tuesday night. ” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Allentown council delays vote on data center ordinance after critics call it too tolerant. “The Allentown City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that would regulate where data centers can be located in the city, after hearing hours of public comment from supporters and residents who said it was too lenient.” | Morning call
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Trump’s mega birthday party and nation’s celebration reflect the man and our times | John Baer
- The greatest threat to US security is not Iran, but President Trump | Trudy Rubin
- School Choice Wins – It’s Time to Redouble Your Efforts | Jeff Yass
- Pennsylvania should lead, not hinder, on data centers | Wide + Freedom
- When political beliefs still matter | Steve Rosenberg
- Funding Gaps, Policy Flaws PA Fuel Elder Care Crisis | Garry Pezzano
- Pennsylvania’s petite businesses get hit twice by inflation, and credit card fees make it worse | Karen Harned
- The Case for Civic Realism in Philadelphia | Terry Tracy
- Keep your head up, phones down | Grandstand overview
- Pennsylvania leads the nation in the fight against Medicaid fraud | Select Arkosh
1 item
5. Fightin’ Planet partners with students, fans from Mars and a national high school mascot contest
“Forget about pop singers, professional athletes and influencers. There’s a fresh star orbiting Mars.
Residents of the Butler County School District enjoy taking selfies every time Mars Fightin’ Planet lands.
Mars Fightin’ Planet was recently named America’s top high school mascot after beating out 63 other competitors by nearly 900,000 votes in an NCAA tournament-style competition hosted by MLive, Michigan’s digital news network.’ | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
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