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🗞️The PA Policy Guide is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
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Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (7-15) | Friday vs. Indiana
🏒 Flyers (12-12-4) | Tuesday vs. Columbus
🏒 Penguins (12-13-4) | Tuesday vs. Colorado
🔊 What we hear. “They don’t read the news, and especially in the summer they don’t watch TV, they just consume very little media. They take their kids to soccer and politics isn’t as important to them. – Mark Harris
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Senator Greg Rothman AND Rep. Joe D’Orsie.
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media sites where you can get the latest political news from across the Commonwealth: Twitter | Blue | Facebook | LinkedIn
The most important story
1. Aument to become U.S. Senator-elect Dave McCormick’s state director
“A republican state Senator Ryan Aument Lancaster County will play a significant role US Senator-elect Dave McCormick’s The Post-Gazette has learned that he gave up his seat in the General Assembly to serve as Pennsylvania’s state director for a new legislator.
Mr. Aument, 47, a state senator for almost 10 years and currently serving as majority whip, is currently working with McCormick’s team to beef up staff in preparation for taking control of several U.S. Senate regional offices across Pennsylvania in early January . where Mr. Aument will oversee services and events in Mr. McCormick’s office.
He expects he will resign from his seat just before Mr. McCormick takes office and that his team will keep staff in the office throughout the transition period to ensure “here in the 36th District, voters continue to receive the quality of service they expect.” ”(Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
How Dave McCormick won and created the blueprint for Republican campaigns. “The Pennsylvania Republican went all out on illegal voters. His team believes this is the answer for the Republican Party. “There has to be a change of religion here,” said a campaign pollster. (known)
Susan Wild absent from Ethics Committee meeting after Gaetz leak to press. “Debauchery. Susan Wild, the top Democrat on the House Ethics Committee, was absent from the panel’s meeting last week after she was found to be the source of leaks to the press about the investigation into former Rep. Matt Gaetz, sources told The Hill. (Hill)
By promising to shake up Washington, Trump is in a league of his own. “The history of American politics has no shortage of presidents who promised to shake up Washington as soon as they reached the White House. But Donald Trump may prove to be in a league of his own, and he seems more interested in beating the federal government into submission than recalibrating it.” (AP)
The national spotlight is turning toward Altoona. “Blair County was in the national spotlight on Monday when the suspect in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was arrested at the McDonald’s on Plank Road after being identified by a customer.” (Altoona mirror)
Country
2. Republicans wonder who will run for PA governor in 2026. One name at the top of the lists
“In Pennsylvania, the next big election never seems far away.
After the 2024 presidential race, in which Republicans dominated statewide contests and Democrats held on to a hair’s breadth in the House of Representatives, the attention of political insiders is now turning to the 2026 gubernatorial race.
One candidate stands out: Treasurer Stacy Garrity won her re-election race by the largest margin of any Pennsylvania statewide candidate in 2024. Charlie Gerow I noticed that she was clearly interested in higher office. (PA reflector)
Elsewhere
AP Lawmakers Protest Coast Guard Cuts in Pittsburgh. “Members of the western Pennsylvania congressional delegation on Monday called on the Coast Guard to restore staffing and maintain equipment levels at the Pittsburgh station, which has responsibility for the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio Rivers.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Bill takes aim at ‘rogue’ officials after US Senate turmoil. “Local officials caught flouting Pennsylvania election laws could find themselves out of a job. Rep. Joe D’Orsie is working on a bill that would give the State House the power to remove county and city officials from office. It is similar to an impeachment process and ultimately requires voter approval.” (Central Square)
Senator Argall of Schuylkill County reappointed chairman of the Senate Majority Policy Committee. “Chairing the Majority Policy Committee allows me to explore through public hearings and carefully review a wide range of legislative ideas, including the shortage of quality housing, the spread of blight and the impact of crime on our largest cities and smallest neighborhoods,” Argall said.” (WVIA)
Christian, a Bucks resident, is announcing his candidacy for chairman of the state Republican Party. “Bucks County resident Ted Christian is running for chairman of the state Republican Party, a position currently held by Philadelphia attorney Lawrence Tabas. Tabas, elected by the State Party committee, did not respond when asked for comment. It was unclear whether he planned to run for the position again in 2025.” (DV Journal)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. As Chesapeake Bay deadlines approach, ‘Big Three’ governors meet in Annapolis
“Governors of Maryland, Pennsylvania and Virginia – Democrats Wes Moore AND Josh Shapironext to Republicans Glenn Youngkin — are scheduled to gather in Annapolis on Tuesday to symbolically reaffirm their commitment to rebuilding the bay and approve plans to develop a new strategy to address pollution in the watershed over the next 12 months. (Baltimore banner)
Elsewhere
Biden Creates National Indian Boarding School Memorial Commemorating Mark’s Era of Forced Assimilation. “President Joe Biden on Monday designated a national monument at a former Native American boarding school in Pennsylvania to honor the resilience of Native tribes whose children were forced to attend the school and hundreds of similar violent institutions.” (AP)
Delco is still on the mysterious $7.6 million figure that helped meet the proposed 2025 budget. “Delaware County is silent on the $7.6 million that mysteriously appeared out of nowhere in the second version of the county’s proposed budget. Without this tranche, the county’s proposed tax increase would have to remain at 28 percent, as opposed to the 23 percent tax increase the county later proposed and which will be voted on Tuesday.” (Wide + Freedom)
New kids in town. Here are profiles of some of the newest members of the House of Representatives.
- Nate Davidson says he will continue to fight on behalf of survivors of sexual abuse at AP. (Penn Capital Star)
- Brenda Pugh says she will focus on cutting taxes and fighting addiction. (Penn Capital Star)
- Gary Day says he will return to the House of Representatives as a budget watchdog. (Penn Capital Star)
It’s time to move forward with your novel castle. “Wearing a ‘Mayor Mark Elisco New Castle Again, PA’ T-shirt provided by a resident, Elisco spent approximately nine minutes highlighting goals for the next year and reflecting on his first year as City Council president.” (New news about the castle)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Smith is teacher of the year
“Leon Smithteacher in the Haverford Township School District, was named the 2025 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year.
Smith is a high school teacher at Haverford High School in the Haverford Township School District in Havertown. He has spent 22 years in the district, where he teaches 9th grade honors and advanced social studies, as well as 10th-12th grades. African American studies class. Mr. Smith holds a bachelor’s degree in secondary social studies from the University of Maryland at College Park, a master’s degree in educational leadership in technology integration from The Pennsylvania State University, and a PK-12 Main certification from Cabrini University. (DOE)
