👟 We’re starting a compact week. Let’s do it right.
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌂 Erie | Mostly shadowy, with a chance of rain, 53
☁️ State Higher School | Rising Clouds, 51
☀️ Allentown | Mostly bright, 54
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (8-3) | Sun vs. Cincinnati
🏈 Eagles (9-2) | LA Rams 37-20 | Sun vs. Baltimore
🏈 Penn State (10-1) | Minnesota 26-25 | Saturday vs. Maryland
🏈 Pitt (7-4) | Louisville 9-37 | Saturday vs. Boston College
🏈 Temple (3-8) | UTSA 27-51 | Saturday vs. North Texas
🏀 Sixes (3-13) | Brooklyn 113-98 | Los Angeles Clippers 99-125 | Wednesday vs. Houston
🏒 Flyers (9-10-2) | Chicago 3-2 (overtime) | Mon vs. Vegas
🏒 Penguins (7-12-4) | Winnipeg 1-4 | Utah 1-6 | Wednesday vs. Vancouver
📻 What are we listening to?. Voices of Reason Podcast: Why PA ‘Bled Red’ Statewide in 2024 (PoliticsPA)
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🗞️ Good morning, Pennsylvania. Find the latest on political events in the Keystone State with the PoliticsPA Playbook. 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 most crucial story
1. McCormick’s Challenge: Balancing Pennsylvania’s Needs with Donald Trump’s
“Dressed in jeans and a winter jacket, David McCormick last December, he stood in front of the U.S. Steel Tower in downtown Pittsburgh to call a tragedy the potential sale of an iconic American company to Japan’s largest steelmaker.
Now – with Senator Bob Casey acknowledging a tight, tight race after the recount on Thursday – Mr. McCormick will have a chance in January to make good on his promise to fight on behalf of Pennsylvania steelworkers, as well as working families and businesses across the country that he believes have been hit hard by the administration Biden-Harris. ”(Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Elsewhere
The end of the Casey era: Bob Casey will leave the Senate with a reputation as a quiet fighter for working people. “After conceding to Republican Dave McCormick, Pennsylvania’s senior senator drew praise for his work and character.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Corporate greed to benefit miners: A look at the legislative career of outgoing Senator Bob Casey. “Casey was first elected to the Senate in 2006, decisively defeating then-incumbent Senator Rick Santorum. He easily sailed through two subsequent re-election contests. Here are some of Casey’s accomplishments during his three terms in the Senate.” (Erie Times-News)
Fetterman admits that “we kind of lost our way” on a key election issue. “Senator John Fetterman says Democrats’ border security messages cost them the White House and Congress.” (Fox News)
President-elect Trump is using secret money to run his transition team. “President-elect Donald Trump is keeping secret the names of the donors who are funding his transition efforts, a break from tradition that could make it impossible to determine which special interests, companies or wealthy individuals are helping launch his second term.” (New York Times)
Country
2. Shapiro transfers $153 million in federal highway funds to SEPTA
“During a Friday morning press conference in Philadelphia Governor Josh Shapiro announced it would redirect $153 million in federal highway funds to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA).
The regional public transit agency operates bus, rapid transit, commuter rail, light rail and electric trolley service in and around Philadelphia’s five counties.
SEPTA is grappling with a $240 million budget shortfall and is considering planned service cuts to address the deficit. (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
PA spending has dropped into the red? As budget season approaches, there are plenty of conflicting views. “New and grim data from the state’s independent fiscal office could sharpen divided views about Pennsylvania’s long-term financial health as the next budget season approaches, with deficits projected to start this year at $3.4 billion and rise to $6 billion. .7 billion dollars over five years.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Josh Shapiro faces a new reality in Harrisburg: a Republican attorney general. “With the election of Dave Sunday as attorney general, Pennsylvania will have a governor and top prosecutor from different political parties for the first time in a decade.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
Mumin resigns as director of education; Fitter appointed acting secretary. “There will be a change at the top of Pennsylvania’s education department. Education Secretary Khalid Mumin has announced his resignation from his position after serving the commonwealth for the past two years. (PoliticsPA)
Clarke appointed PLCB chairman. “Governor Josh Shapiro announced today that Darrell Clarke is the new chairman of the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board (PLCB).” (PoliticsPA)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The GOP judges an unusual voting bloc: the Amish
“The Amish tend to shy away from the spotlight. However, during the last US election, photos and videos went viral showing Amish people holding “Trump 2024” signs, registering to vote and attending rallies in the weeks before enthusiastic support for re-election Donald Trump.
Now GOP organizers say that outreach to so-called grassroots communities, including Amish voters in the rural patchwork of homesteads west of Philadelphia and north of Pittsburgh, has been so effective that they have made them a permanent bloc of voters on the court.” (Wall Street Journal)
Elsewhere
Democrats seek answers as blue Philadelphia turns to Trump. “Trump increased his support in almost every precinct in Philadelphia – what went wrong for Harris in a key Democratic city?” (Guardian)
Districts are fighting for more freedom in how they spend opioid money, with another $247 million on the way. “As local governments prepare to receive about $247 million more to fight the opioid epidemic, some Pennsylvania counties are struggling to overcome decisions made by the state board of supervisors to reject their spending plans.” (PA reflector)
A Pennsylvania investigation into suspicious voter registration forms has not yet resulted in any charges. “An investigation by five Pennsylvania counties into the submission of suspicious voter registration forms has not yet resulted in any charges, and three of the counties are not releasing details about the progress of their investigations.” (Vote for Pennsylvania)
Former Schuylkill County HR director sues, alleges county refused to interview to get job back. “A former Schuylkill County official whose investigation found that a former county commissioner harassed and abused female employees is seeking damages dating back more than four years.” (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. The temple of the football program “Stand back and evaluate,” says President John Fry
“Temple University is reevaluating its football program after firing head coach, President John Fry said Friday.
The admission follows speculation that the show may be on the rocks.
“Temple is in a difficult position to turn around a struggling program due to the rampant changes and new name, image and likeness (NIL) rules that are transforming college football.” (Philadelphia Business Journal)