🍾 TGIF. Our long, frigid week is coming to an end. Make it a great weekend.
🗞️ PoliticSPA guide is compiled by Steve Ulrich. Read in browser, Click here. Has this email been forwarded? Subscribe for free.
Bye weather
🌥️ Aliquippa | Mostly overcast, 22
🌤️ Shermans Dale | Partly shining, 29
☀️ Trevose | Sunny, 31
PA Sports
🏈 Eagles (16-3) | Sun vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (20-22-8) | Anaheim 1-5 | SAT vs. Seattle
🏒 Flyers (22-21-6) | The Rangers 1-6 | Fri. Vs. Islanders
🏀 Sixers (15-27) | Fri vs. Cleveland | SAT vs. Chicago
🔊 What we hear. “Frankly, the way Cleveland-Cliffs’ CEO talked about the Japanese was offensive to so many people that I can’t imagine why anyone would want to work for that type of person or company.” – Letter from American workers to President Trump
📱 Social media. PoliticSPA has multiple social media outlets to get the latest political news from across the Commonwealth: Twitter |. Blues |. Facebook |. LinkedIn
The best story
1. Steel Workers Are Trying to Trump to Save Our Steel Deal
“American permanent workers have a new deal to win President Donald Trumpand now they are doing their thing.
Avoiding the slow, falling momentum that didn’t finish President Joe BidenSteelworkers drafted an open letter to Trump this week, explaining they don’t want the iconic Pittsburgh company to sell to its competitor in Cleveland.
In a letter to Trump, employees argued that Cleveland-Cliffs “does not have the money or know-how to get us back on track or make the investments that Nippon has made.” ”(Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania to receive $212 million in settlement from Sacklers, Purdue Pharma. “Attorney General Dave Sunday announced that a bipartisan coalition of states and other parties has reached a $7.4 billion in-principle settlement with members of the Sackler family and their company Purdue Pharma, Inc. for their role in fueling the opioid crisis.” (PoliticSpa)
PA leaders are not involved in Trump’s citizen mandate. “Legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s executive orders are already working their way through the system, most notably the attempt to end birthright citizenship.” (PennLive)
The Senate Bill would require schools to support students file Title VI complaints, including anti-Jewish hate complaints. “‘The threats and attacks against Jewish students since October 7 have been despicable,’ said Senator Bill Cassidy, who introduced the bill with Senator John Fetterman.” (Jewish News Syndicate)
Country
2. Shapiro says he “got things done” in his first two years. His biggest challenges are yet to come
“Governor Josh ShapiroThe Abington Township Democrat, who is already halfway through her first term carrying the nation’s fifth most important state, has spent her first two years taking on long-standing problems in Pennsylvania, such as an unconstitutional public financing system, stagnant higher education institutions, stagnant higher education institutions, stagnant higher education . and a long-sought increase in the state’s senior property tax and rent rebate program.
But his time as the swing state’s top governor – and with rumored national ambitions – last year catapulted him into the national spotlight as a leader Vice President Kamala Harris’ Leading a partner before the presidential elections. And his first two years leading at Pennsylvania came with challenges.
And just two years later, Shapiro’s biggest tests as a trader are yet to come. ”(Philadelphia Inquirer)
Elsewhere
PA lawmakers are eyeing a “skills games” tax to make up for lack of funding for public transportation. “In state politics, the path to solving big problems often seems to run through Philadelphia. That’s certainly true when it comes to mass transit, as Harrisburg grapples with how to run its public transit systems in the month after Gov. Josh Shapiro diverted federal highway funding as a toehold for Philly’s struggling transit agency. ”(Wes’s politics)
Trump’s order rejecting “gender ideology” denies PA rules for schools. “Pennsylvania’s laws define gender identity as a protected class—despite Trump’s order stating otherwise—and specify that discrimination based on gender identity is a form of prohibited sex-based discrimination.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
You can now follow how PA’s richest billionaire uses his power and influence. “Jeffrey Yass’ net worth has almost doubled in 2024 and is worth almost $50 billion, thanks to his investments in parent company Tiktok. The recent website aims to track his political influence and spending. ”(Keystone)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Budget Game or Shell Game? $7.6M Delaware County Mystery
“Delaware County says it has no documents — not a single email, note, spreadsheet, text or voicemail — that could shed light on how $7.6 million magically appeared in the county’s second budget bill 2025, thereby giving the county more breathing room with the massive tax increase proposed for the coming year.
This $7.6 million infusion in one spending line is important because it represents most of the difference between the county’s first budget bill proposing a 28 percent tax increase and a later bill that lowered the proposed tax increase to 23 percent. In other words, the tax drop between the two versions couldn’t have happened without an additional $7.6 million. ”(Broad + Liberty)
Elsewhere
Former police officer Tony Moreno to run for mayor of Pittsburgh. “Retired Pittsburgh Police Officer Tony Moreno announced Thursday that he is running for mayor again as a Republican. He announced his campaign with a message to voters: “I told you so,” he wrote in his announcement. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
Philly Dems decide not to endorse district attorney race. “Democratic chapter leaders in Philadelphia voted not to endorse a candidate in this year’s district attorney contest, turning away from incumbent Larry Krasner.” (PoliticSpa)
Tom Giovanni announces campaign for Northampton County Executive. “Giovanni, a retired Plainfield Township businessman, said in a news release that he is seeking to end the dysfunction and incompetence of Lamont McClure’s executive administration.” (lehighvalleynews.com)
Immigration changes, misinformation make NEPA communities fearful. “The message went viral on social media. An anonymous poster in a Facebook group was looking for volunteers to help distribute hundreds of posters in South Scranton. “Report illegal aliens,” the poster shouted in vast black letters with a phone number and website. “There is nowhere to hide,” he added. ”(WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you think
1 item
5. Punxsutawney Phil Fans Line Up to Meet “God” at Phil-a-Palooza
“Before the scheduled performance at Wigle Whiskey, Punxsutawney Phil And his inner circle pushed through the flora of fans at the Omni William Penn Hotel, his lodging of choice when he visits Pittsburgh.
Ahead of the big day on February 2, Phil’s role is less of a deity and more of an international pop star. To help keep Groundhog Day a free event, Phil leaves his zoo’s dock at Gobbler’s Knob – hampered this year after becoming a dad – for a series of promotions and fundraisers. This year, Groundhog went on a mini-tour, visiting the Pennsylvania Farm Show and meeting state representatives, hosting a talent show, promoting ACE equipment, and making an annual stop in Pittsburgh. ”(Pittsburgh City Party)
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