20/12: Another looming government shutdown

🎉 Have a nice Friday. This is the final PoliticsPA Guide for 2024. Thank you for your support throughout the year, and we look forward to bringing you political news from across the Keystone State again in 2025. We wish you and your family a ecstatic and vigorous holiday season, and best wishes for a prosperous New Year.

🗞️ PoliticsPA guide is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.

Weather in Pennsylvania
❄️Pittsburgh | Snow showers, 37
☃️ State Higher School | Snow, 33
🌧️ Bethlehem | Rain/Snow, 36

Sports PA
🏈 Eagles (12-2) | Sun vs. Washington
🏈 Steelers (10-4) | Saturday vs. Baltimore
🏈 Penn State (11-2) | Saturday vs. SMU
🏈 Pitt (7-5) | December 26 vs. Toledo
🏀 Sixes (8-16) | Friday vs. Charlotte
🏒 Penguins (15-14-5) | Nashville 5-4 (overtime) | Saturday vs. New Jersey
🏒 Leaflets (14-15-4) | Los Angeles 3-7 | Sat versus Columbus

🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representatives Barry Jóźwiak (Saturday) i Patrick Harkins (Sunny.).

🔊 What we hear. “They had no intention of ever going to the center because they are incapable of doing so. If she had to run the center, she would choose [Pennsylvania Gov. Josh] Shapiro will be her running mate.” – Chris LaCivity

📱 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

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The most significant story

1. Seven things we learned from the 2024 presidential election

“Republican success at the ballot box in 2024 was decisive, but not overwhelming. The GOP owes its continued control of the House to just 7,309 votes spread across three districts.

The results of these elections, like those of 2016 and 2020, showed that neither party can claim a mandate or even a permanent and ubiquitous political majority. Instead, our politics are fought on the margins, with just a few thousand votes deciding who controls Congress and the White House.” (Cook Political Report)

Elsewhere

‘Black Swan Election’: Trump Campaign Executives Tell Their Story. “LaCivita and Fabrizio explain what their confidential data showed, where Harris messed up and why Trump wanted Vance.” (POLICY)

That’s what’s at stake for the AP if Congress can’t agree on funding the federal government. “Security screeners at Pittsburgh International Airport will continue to work, but without pay. The same will apply to Keystone State residents serving in the armed forces. And hungry families in Pennsylvania may find they lack federal nutrition benefits.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)

• There is a threat of a government shutdown, which could result in almost 19,000 layoffs. local employees. (Shipment from York)

Politeness? In politics? … Now? “This week, Brendan Boyle was honored for his kindness as he passed cross-party legislation. Can a 47-year-old, five-term congressman offer an object lesson in how we can get back to common purpose? Or maybe he is the last representative of an extinct species? (Citizen of Philadelphia)

Country

2. Former Trump staffer withdraws from race for PA GOP chairmanship, showing McCormick’s importance in the State Party

“Former state director for president-elect Donald Trump The 2016 campaign dropped out of the Pennsylvania Republican Party chairmanship race, clearing the way for a state senator and former Cumberland County Republican Party chairman to take the reins next year — and showing the senator-elect Dave McCormick weight in the State party.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)

Elsewhere

Shapiro appoints Attorney General Michelle Henry as state inspector general. “Governor Josh Shapiro announced the appointment of Attorney General Michelle Henry as Inspector General of Pennsylvania, effective January 21, 2025.” (PoliticsPA)

What do government officials do? “Will you receive a 3.4% raise in your position in 2025? Pennsylvania public officials are.” (PoliticsPA)

Are lobbyists’ emails to lawmakers public records? The PA court will decide. “The case could lead, for the first time, to the public gaining access to emails between lawmakers who make laws and lobbyists who try to influence them.” (PA reflector)

New kids in town

• Josh Bashline wants to move the government away from helping businesses. (Penn Capital Star)
• Jeremy Shaffer wants to reduce term limits for the Legislature and the institute. (Penn Capital Star)

Around the Republic of Poland

3. The City Council gives final approval to the 76ers’ Center City Arena proposal

“After more than two years of contentious debates, months of negotiations and one final protest that briefly disrupted proceedings, the Philadelphia City Council on Thursday approved the 76ers’ proposal to build a new $1.3 billion arena in Center City that was touted as a revitalization opportunity Market East corridor and was deemed an existential threat to nearby Chinatown.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)

Elsewhere

Law enforcement in Blair County is ready to get back to normal after a high-profile murder suspect leaves town. “After a week and a half of national attention following the murder of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO, the Altoona area is dimming in the spotlight.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)

Berks commissioners approve 8% tax raise for 2025. “On Thursday morning, it was no surprise that in adopting the county’s 2025 budget, the Berks County Board of Commissioners also approved an 8% tax increase. (CNHI News)

The state Department of Education is waiving DEI guidelines, but some local school districts will follow them anyway. “Although the school districts that filed the lawsuit will not follow the rescinded guidelines – which are now merely modified recommendations – many districts, particularly in southeastern Pennsylvania, will continue to incorporate questionable standards into their professional development programs.” (Wide + Freedom)

The Allentown mayoral race is officially on. “The 2025 mayoral race is underway in Allentown, with incumbent Matt Tuerk seeking re-election and council member Ed Zucal declaring he plans to run against him in the Democratic primary.” (Lehigh Valley Chair)

Editorial

4. What do you mean

• Dave McCormick should honor Bob Casey’s legacy. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
• Luigi Mangione, CEO of the Oligarchs and the Hidden Majority Party of America. (Will Bunch)
• A massive fall in line with Donald Trump. (Michelle Goldberg)
• Yes, a government shutdown would have many real-world impacts – just ask the workers who won’t be paid. (Sabrina Vourvoulias)
• What is your attitude towards Trump 2.0? (Peggy Noonan)
• Loyalty to Trump or the Constitution: an inevitable clash? (Myra Adams)
• California will put secession back on the map. (Jeffrey Goldfarb)

1 item

5. The truth about Santa Claus through the eyes of adults: to tell or not to tell?

“Welcome to the holiday season. It’s that time of year filled with holiday joy, gifts and parents’ constant question: Do we tell our children the truth about Santa Claus? (And if you don’t know what the truth is, you shouldn’t be reading this story! Stop! Stop right now!)” (AP)