🍸 Hello, Friday. Have a nice weekend and see you on Monday at the end of the AP Budget Sprint.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ New Brighton | Sunny, 94
☀️Lewistown | Mostly sunlit, 96
☀️Lehighton | Sunny, 92
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (49-25) | Friday-Sunday vs. Arizona
⚾ Pirates (36-38) | Friday-Sunday vs. Tampa Bay
🏒 Hershey (2-2) | Coachella Valley 3-2 | I was sitting in the Coachella Valley
⚽ Union (4-8-6) | Sat vs. Charlotte
👂 What we hear. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Pittsburgh and Lancaster on Sunday. End Citizens United // Let America Vote supported the motion Janelle Stelson in her competitive race against Congressman Scott Perry.
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Rick Krajewski and they were Rep. Marjorie Margolies.
🗞️ 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 will bring you all the latest headlines in simple to read form every weekday at 8:00. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The best story
1. Trump may be the first Republican presidential candidate to campaign at a temple
“Many Democrats used Temple’s main campus as a platform for political activism, but this was a former president Donald Trump could be the first Republican presidential candidate to campaign at the Liacouras Center on North Broad Street.
In a message to the university community Saturday after announcing Trump’s visit, Temple emphasized a nonpartisan stance and said political events are common on campus during election season. The university added that it makes spaces available for rent to external organizations, regardless of their policies. Trump’s visit does not qualify as the university’s endorsement of the former president, the university said. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
- Why Donald Trump is coming to North Philadelphia for his first-ever rally in the city. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
- Donald Trump lied six times about Philadelphia and Pennsylvania before Saturday’s rally. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Related
The NRSC is planning a $100 million advertising blitz — just no more for now in the Keystone State. “For the first time in recent weeks and months, a political campaign committee is not announcing major ad purchases in the Keystone State.” (PoliticsPA)
Emerson: Casey Tops McCormick, 47–41; Trump and Biden remain close. “The latest Emerson College poll once again shows what the polls have been indicating for the last 2-3 weeks.” (PoliticsPA)
RFK Jr. Campaign Documents Petitions to Admit the Presidential Ballot in Swing-State Pennsylvania. “Both the campaigns of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump are concerned that Kennedy could play a spoiler role in what is expected to be a close election, especially in Pennsylvania, the nation’s fifth-most populous state.” (AP)
While voters suffer from deja vu during the presidential election, Chase Oliver wants to be another option. “For voters who are not excited about a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, Libertarian presidential candidate Chase Oliver’s position is strikingly simple.” (WQLN)
Country
2. Interview with Erin McClelland, candidate for state treasurer
“Recently, PoliticsPA sat down with the Democratic candidate for state treasurer Erin McClelland.
McClelland ran for Congress in PA-12 in 2014 and 2016. She defeated Representative Ryan Bizarro (D-Erie), 54-46%, in the 2024 primary for state treasurer.
She spoke to PoliticsPA about her background, her “upset” victory in the primary and what she hopes to achieve in office. (PolitykaPA)
Related
Should AP Republicans abandon pro-life policies? “Since Democrats made abortion a central issue of their campaign in the wake of the Dobbs decision, is adopting a pro-life stance still a winning proposition for Pennsylvania Republicans?” (DV Journal)
A recent report says PA will benefit economically from legalized adult-use marijuana. “A new report finds that if state lawmakers approve recreational marijuana for adults, Pennsylvania could achieve more than $4 billion in economic revenue and create nearly 45,000 jobs.” (PennLive)
Despite the improvements, PA’s destroyed bridges still amount to nearly twice the national average. “About 13% of the state’s bridges are in poor condition, according to a new report.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Universities will face financial penalties for boycotting or withdrawing from Israel under the recent AP law
“Colleges and universities that boycott Israel or make financial decisions intended to punish that country would be blocked from receiving state funds under a bill backed by a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators.
The legislation would also prevent any public funds, including funds managed by the Pennsylvania Department of Treasury, from taking similar actions.
State senators introduced the bill in response to protests on campuses across the commonwealth and country against Israel’s war in Gaza and the civilian death toll.” (PA reflector)
Related
A Pennsylvania court will decide whether arcade gaming terminals are gambling machines. “Pennsylvania’s highest court will decide whether cash-paying electronic gaming terminals that have become common in convenience stores, bars and other places are unlicensed slot machines and must be shut down as a result.” (Grandstand overview)
AP’s economic focus must shift away from fossil fuels, says environmental nonprofit. “Pennsylvania must redirect its economic development tools away from the fossil fuel industry and toward clean energy to build a resilient economy that supports and protects the state’s most vulnerable communities, an environmental group said in a report released Thursday.” (Penn Capital Star)
Philadelphia kicks off in June with history, music and political discussions. “Thousands of people gathered at the African American Museum in Philadelphia for hours of celebrations on Wednesday June 16. Perhaps the most poignant event of the day was not the dancing and eating, but the conversation about gender and politics.” (Philadelphia Tribune)
Fairview police say the ex-wife of a former AP education secretary tried to set his house on fire. “The ex-wife of Charles Zogby, Pennsylvania’s former secretary of education and budget director, faces arson charges after she allegedly tried to set fire to his York County home.” (Shipment from York)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- How Marco Rubio Could Cost Biden the Election. (Michael LaRosa)
- Why can’t America march against the far right like in France and Germany? (Will Bunch)
- Americans are more likely to vote because they are enraged and spend less time doing so. (Beau Breslin)
- Canvassing in Carlisle reveals many voters are frustrated with the lies of some politicians. (Jill Sunday Bartoli)
- Cutting funding for Pennsylvania’s public cyber schools will only hurt families like mine. (Robyn Scolnick)
- Shapiro and Democrats’ hypocrisy reflects on Real ID. (Rep. Jake Banta)
- Open letter to CNN’s Jake Tapper and Dana Bash. (Michael A. Nutter)
- GOP supports Trump on law enforcement. (Shipment from York)
1 item
5. What does it mean to be middle class in Pennsylvania? Did you make the cut?
“It has become much more expensive to be middle class in Pennsylvania.
A recent GOBankingRates report found that the middle-class income range nationwide ranges from $49,271 to $147,828, with the average income being $73,914.
But in Pennsylvania, your salary would have to be almost 40 percent more to meet the minimum income required for middle-class status.” (USA today)
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