🇺🇲 It’s June 16th. A day to celebrate. A day for reflection.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☁️ Shenango | Mostly dull, with a possible thunderstorm, 89
☀️Huntingdon | Mostly sunlit, 93
☀️New Netherlands | Mostly sunlit, 89
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (49-24) | San Diego 4-3 | Wednesday vs. San Diego
⚾ Pirates (35-38) | Cincinnati 1-2 | Wednesday vs. Cincinnati
🏒 Hershey (1-2) | Coachella Valley 2-6 | Thu at Coachella Valley
⚽ Union (4-8-5) | Wednesday vs. Cincinnati
👂 What we hear. “We know Pennsylvania will make or break the election, and we are here as CASA in action as we prepare for an important voter mobilization program.” – Soap manufacturer Jossie Flordirector of national communications for CASA in Action
🗞️ Pennsylvania. The ultimate swing state. Where can you find the latest information on political events in the Keystone State? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Guide. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The best story
1. Meme politics: How Biden and Trump are fighting each other on the Internet
“It doesn’t matter if it’s a smile Joe Biden as “Dark Brandon” or Donald Trump a face superimposed on a scene from HBO’s Game of Thrones. Both of this year’s presidential campaigns used digital memes, the lingua franca of social media.
The campaigns of the Democratic president and former Republican president are enthusiastically creating and sharing content in an attempt to shape narratives around both men. The Biden campaign even recently posted an ad seeking a manager for meme pages.
With tens of millions of people using social media as their primary source of information, the meme battle could decide who wins in November.” (AP)
Related
‘This is his DACA moment’: Supporters of Biden’s ecstatic immigration plan. “President Biden’s announcement protecting some undocumented immigrants from deportation is inflaming Latino organizers on the left, who see the move as the biggest immigration victory since the launch of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program in 2012.” (Hill)
DCCC is emphasizing PA-08 in the initial round of ad bookings. “DCCC in its first round committed $1.976 million to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market, which constitutes the 8th Congressional District. This is the highest figure among the 15 markets identified by the group. (PoliticsPA)
A guide to Pennsylvania’s 7th congressional race. “Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is located in the Lehigh Valley, which is seen not only as a statewide but nationwide indicator of where voters in suburban and rural communities are moving.” (State of the city)
These 5 states will most likely see their legislatures collapse in November. “It is the only state legislature split down the middle, with Democrats holding the House by one seat and Republicans holding six seats in the Senate. Pennsylvania is another presidential battleground with a competitive U.S. Senate race that could result in fewer votes.” (Policy)
Country
2. Interview with State Treasurer Stacy Garrity
“Recently, PoliticsPA sat down with the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania State Treasurer – the incumbent Stacy Garrity.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Garrity ran for public office in 2020 and defeated Democrat Joe Torsella — the first time since 1994 that a Republican had defeated a Democratic incumbent statewide — despite being outshot 8 to 1 on the budget.
She spoke to PoliticsPA about her story over the past three and a half years. (PolitykaPA)
Related
Pittman says budget talks are progressing but may not be completed on time. “While talks are ongoing and quite cordial, I am concerned that the productivity of these talks is not at the level necessary to implement the budget on time on June 30,” Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman said. (PoliticsPA)
- Budget talks are progressing, but they need a kick in the pants: AP Senate party leader. (PennLive)
New study says proposed $5 billion in support for PA schools would result in 18,000 up-to-date K-12 jobs and more graduates going to college. “Analysts at the University of Pennsylvania estimated the long-term benefits of a $5.1 billion state education funding change proposal.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Legal marijuana probably won’t be in this year’s budget, but advocates say there is a silver lining. “Legalization supporters say they are closer to success than ever, citing allies in both parties, legalization in all but one of the Commonwealth’s neighbors and a plan to introduce medical marijuana.” (PA reflector)
Republicans in the House of Representatives are pushing a plan to cut income taxes as the state budget deadline approaches. “A few weeks ago, House and Senate Republicans made their position known in the annual battle over the state’s new budget. They started pushing for a 9% income tax cut and the abolition of the electricity tax. The Senate actually approved both measures early last month, but the House did not vote. (WVIA)
United Sovereign Americans sues Pennsylvania election agencies, citing ‘error rates’. “The lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court alleges that flaws in Pennsylvania’s voting system led to irregularities in 2022 that election officials failed to address, creating risks for voters this fall.” (LNP)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Philadelphia bans bull market shares after Supreme Court rejects federal ban
“Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Tuesday, he signed a bill banning high-velocity weapons just days after the Supreme Court struck down a federal ban on so-called warehouse stocks and on the same day, Senate Democrats unsuccessfully tried to ban them again nationwide.
The local ban goes into effect immediately and prohibits anyone in Philadelphia from manufacturing or purchasing devices designed to accelerate the firing rate of semi-automatic weapons. This includes stocks designed for rifles and “switches” that can be attached to handguns. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Related
Harrisburg-based Cyber Charter school should be investigated, says Public Ed Group. “Public school advocates are calling on state officials to investigate Pennsylvania’s largest cybersecurity school, Commonwealth Charter Academy, saying it is hiding information from the public and wasting taxpayer money.” (PennLive)
‘Defective’ and ‘Void’: Mayor Nixes’ City Hall Study Contract. Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk will not honor his contract with a former FBI agent to investigate City Hall, he told council Monday. “On June 5, members voted 6-1 to hire FLEO Investigations, led by former FBI Special Agent Scott Curtis, to lead an investigation into allegations of workplace discrimination and racism.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
The RNC is making a nationwide effort to recruit poll workers and observers to Bucks County. “The Republican National Committee brought a new nationwide campaign to Pennsylvania on Tuesday with the goal of recruiting 100,000 poll watchers, poll workers and legal experts.” (Penn Capital Star)
Center County’s election director is stepping down just months before the presidential election. “Center County is searching for a new election director just five months before the November 2024 presidential election. Beth Lechman’s impending resignation comes after nearly three years in the position.” (Daily Times Center)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Biden, Trump and the Keystone Stakes. (William Galston)
- On June 11, it is our responsibility to celebrate Black achievements and honor the reality of the Black struggle. (Solomon Jones)
- Crying time. (James Peterson)
- Juneteenth is about more than the end of slavery. (Los Angeles Times)
- Black officers have played a central role in the U.S. Army’s 250 years of service to our nation. (Charles D. Allen)
- The risky dynamics of elite America. (David Brooks)
- The power of participation – engaging in democracy beyond voting. (Olivia DeShong)
- Returning excess funds to taxpayers promotes growth and fiscal responsibility. (Representative. Rob Mercury)
- 8 crucial steps to save democracy and our future. (Robert C. Fellmeth)
- Don’t Give Arcade Operators Sweetheart’s ‘Disastrous’ Tax Deal. (Edward G. Rendell)
Recognition
5. Willie Mays dies at the age of 93
“Willie Mays, whose unrivaled skill set made him the greatest center fielder who ever lived, died Tuesday afternoon in the Bay Area. He was 93 years ancient.
One of the greatest players of all time, Frank Robinson, was once asked if Willie Mays was the best player he had ever seen. An annoyed look appeared on Robinson’s face and he rolled his eyes, offended that such a question was even asked. After a moment, he replied, “Of course I do. It’s good, whatever you want it to be. “You can’t overstate how great he was.”
Willie Mays is the greatest center fielder of all time, the greatest Giant of all time, and is still, 73 years after his debut, the greatest combination of power, speed and defense in baseball history. (ESPN)
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