😃 Thursday. This is the 115th day of the state budget impasse
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Trump Sets New Outage Record. Massive AI data centers are turning local elections into a battle for the future of energy. Who’s on the ballot? Day number.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Don’t stop me now. Queen
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌂 Archbald | Mostly dull, with a chance of rain, 54
🌥️Elysburg | Rising Clouds, 57
🌂 Windbera | Mostly dull, with a chance of showers, 49
Sports PA
🏀 Sixers (1-0) | Boston 117-116 | Sat vs. Charlotte
🏒 Flyers (3-2-1) | Thu in Ottawa
🏒 Penguins (5-2) | Thu in Florida
🔊 What we hear. “Twenty-two days after the government shutdown, 45 percent of registered voters think Republicans in Congress are as more responsible for closingwhile 39 percent believe Democrats in Congress are more responsible and 11 percent voluntarily reported that they believe both parties are equally responsible.”
🔊 What we hear II. Sense. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick will be interviewed by Goldman Sachs Chairman and CEO David Solomon on stage at the 10,000 Small Business Summit on October 30 in Washington, DC.
📰 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most essential story
1. Trump sets new shutdown record
“President Trump on Thursday surpassed the record for a government shutdown previously set by the former president President Carter: In two terms, Trump has now overseen the most funding gap days.
By the numbers: As of Thursday, Trump led the country through 57 days of a two-term government shutdown. Of these, 36 were during his first administration.
The fine print: The federal government counts shutdown days as beginning after the last day the budget authority was available and ending the day before the new budget authority is enacted. (Axles)
Elsewhere
Perry’s comments worry Democratic Party veterans. “Members of the House Democratic Veterans Caucus said in a statement Wednesday that Rep. Scott Perry’s recent comments were “disgusting” and that the former leader of the ultraconservative Freedom Caucus should immediately apologize for suggesting that congressional Democrats hated the military and served solely for political reasons. ”(Roll call)
Fetterman supports eliminating the Filibuster to break the deadlock over the government shutdown. “After three weeks of the longest total government shutdown in history, U.S. Senator John Fetterman said he would fully support Republicans’ idea of bypassing the filibuster so they can pass their spending plan without any Democratic support.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Fetterman’s fundraising problems continue. “Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s third quarter fundraising was the lowest in the three months since he announced his candidacy for office in February 2021. From early July to late September, Fetterman’s campaign raised nearly $330,000 and spent just under $575,000.” (Penn Capital Star)
Smucker has $1 million on hand ahead of next year’s re-election campaign and is sharing the fortune with other GOP candidates. “Congressman Lloyd Smucker is using his campaign fundraising ability to help Pennsylvania Republicans keep their seats in key Democrat-targeted areas.” (LNP)
Republican moderate press leadership on health credit extension. “Thirteen moderate House Republicans, including Brian Fitzpatrick of Pennsylvania, Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan, are calling on party leadership to find a way to extend expanded expiring health care tax credits once the government reopens.” (Roll call)
Country
2. Massive AI data centers turn local elections into a fight for the future of energy
“The explosion of generative AI and its enormous computational needs have transformed once-modest server farms into sprawling mega-complexes that can occupy many millions of square feet, draw enough electricity to power a medium-sized city, and consume millions of gallons of water.
AI data centers have suddenly become one of the most powerful political flashpoints of 2025, sparking fierce debates over energy, water, land and jobs. Critics blame them for rising electricity bills and strained water supplies, while supporters tout their potential to spur economic growth and provide windfall tax revenues to long-stagnant communities.Fortune)
Elsewhere
PA Lawmakers Consider Data Center Rules; The industry warns against excessive regulation. “A proposal introduced in the House of Representatives would require large data centers to use 25% renewable energy and contribute it to utility programs. The House bill of 1834 would also require the Public Utilities Commission to create new regulations in an attempt to protect ratepayers from price spikes.” (THAT’S ALL)
This weekend, Shapiro will campaign for Democratic gubernatorial candidates Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger. “Governor Josh Shapiro begins campaigning in two key states this weekend. With less than two weeks until Election Day, Shapiro will campaign and raise money for U.S. Reps. Mikie Sherrill (D-N.J.) and Abigail Spanberger (D-Vt.), two Democratic candidates in high-stakes gubernatorial races that could indicate the mood in the country ahead of next year’s mid-term campaign. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Garrity’s campaign takes photos of Shapiro and his upcoming tour. “I bet State Treasurer Stacy Garrity won’t be commissioning a memoir by Gov. Josh Shapiro any time soon.” (PolitykaPA)
AP Senate expresses bipartisan agreement to remove Pennsylvania greenhouse gas consortium rules. “Voting on a controversial issue in a rapidly changing energy environment, six Democratic senators joined all Republicans on Wednesday to pass legislation that would strike the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative provisions from Pennsylvania’s books.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Who is on the ballot?
“Election Day is Tuesday, November 4. Do you know who is on your ballot?
Here are links to sample ballots from all 67 Commonwealth counties. (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
What is worth knowing about candidates for the Supreme Court. “Voters will make two decisions in November as three candidates will run for the open seat and one will likely remain in the seat for another 10 years.” (WHY)
2025 Election Preview: Lancaster Mayoral Race. “After winning a decisive victory in the Democratic primary in May, Jaime Arroyo, a two-term City Council member, appears poised to take over as Lancaster mayor, but it will not be a walkover.” (PolitykaPA)
Your ballot or other mail may not be mailed by USPS on the day it is posted. “Changes to the U.S. Postal Service force people who rely on postmarks to vote, file tax returns or mail legal documents to be especially careful when meeting deadlines.” (NPR)
PA hydrogen centers gain bipartisan support amid financial threat. “Two Biden-era clean energy projects in Pennsylvania received support from high-profile Democrats and Republicans, even as they came under President Trump’s microscope. In 2023, the Keystone State received two hydrogen hub projects that are expected to bring $1.7 billion in federal funds to the region.” (Axios Pittsburgh)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Day number: 41
“This is the average age of video game players, according to Entertainment Software Association Global Survey with over 24.2 thousand players aged 16 and over.
It may be older than you expected, but gaming isn’t just for teenagers anymore. Gamers of all ages can gain many potential cognitive and even social benefits. ESA respondents cited benefits including stress relief and mental stimulation, as well as improved creativity, problem-solving skills and teamwork.
Of course, game developers also bring many benefits – the entire industry generated an estimated revenue of $187 billion last year.
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Enjoy our behind schedule October weather and see you tomorrow
