It’s a smoky Thursday.

Headlines. Trump turns to campaign themes, referring to the collection of defense technologies. Poll: Shapiro leads Garrity, 53-40%. The House Judiciary Committee subpoenas Krasner. Code Red Air Quality Alert.

Your morning, pick me up. Smoke on the water. Deep purple

Weather in Pennsylvania
Meadowville | Mostly sunlit, widespread smoke, 86
Selinsgrove | Mostly sunlit, mostly smoky, 95
Collegeville | Mostly sunlit, mostly smoky, 95

Sports PA
Phillies (54-43, 2GB) | Thu vs. NY Mets
Pirates (50-47, 9.5 GB, 2 GB WC) | Friday in Cleveland

What’s happening today. President Donald Trump will deliver a national address at 9 p.m.

What we hear. “I’m telling you, this guy [Josh] Shapiro is completely overrated.” President Donald Trump he said. “I saw him give a speech the other night and he didn’t have what it takes. Maybe he’ll win, and he’s expected to win, but I’ve heard things about Stacy (Garrity) and some of the polls are very good, but Shapiro is, he doesn’t have what it takes.”

Voices of reason. Voices of Reason will host this episode Steve Ulrich and his guests discuss democratic socialism. Who are democratic socialists? What does this term mean? What does this mean for the Democratic Party establishment? How does this impact the 2026 elections? Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabbself-described democratic socialist and candidate for the 3rd Congressional District and associate professor of political science at Dickinson College, Sarah Niebler answer these and other questions.

Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].

PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.

The most significant story

1. Trump turns to campaign themes, referring to the accumulation of defense technologies

“President Donald Trump spoke Wednesday at a defense summit at the U.S. Army War College, but spent little time discussing battlefield issues – even as the war in Iran has circumscribed U.S. supplies of critical missile and interceptor systems.

But his long speech devoted more time to themes that Trump repeats at his political rallies, bragging about – and sometimes exaggerating – his administration’s achievements.’ | AP

Elsewhere

Finally, the event: Trump praised record security spending at the defense summit. “President Donald J. Trump didn’t actually deliver a military policy message with his appearance at Wednesday’s Pennsylvania Summit on Defense and Innovation at Carlisle Barracks. However, he basked in the adulation of defense contractors and senior administration officials.” | PennLive

Shapiro, McCormick emphasize Pennsylvania’s importance and future for the defense industrial base. “Pennsylvania has always been at the center of our national defense. So in this moment of change, Pennsylvania can lead the way for America.” With these words, Senator Dave McCormick explained his rationale for establishing the Pennsylvania Defense and Innovation Summit at the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle. | PoliticsPA

McCormick announces recent investment of nearly $10 billion at the PA Defense and Innovation Summit. “The two-day summit advanced President Trump’s vision of peace through strength and catalyzed nearly $10 billion in investment, supporting more than 4,000 jobs across the Commonwealth.” | PoliticsPA

The House of Representatives vote exposes Democrats’ deepening division on Israel. “A striking number of House Democrats — 103, including six of seven in Pennsylvania — voted on Wednesday to cut military aid to Israel for the next fiscal year, a sign of a growing disconnect between Democratic leaders’ long-standing support for the Jewish state and the left of the party.” | Washington Post Office

Trump made billions last year. Some Swing voters in Pennsylvania say they don’t care. “President Trump’s recent financial disclosures reveal that his fortune has skyrocketed since taking office again. His family businesses reported $2.2 billion in revenue last year – mostly cryptocurrency profits. But key voters in Pennsylvania have mixed views on whether this is a big deal or not, highlighting the level of cynicism among many in the political class. | NPR

Country

2. Quinnipiac Poll: Shapiro Leads Garrity, 53-40%; Pennsylvanians are expressing concerns about their finances

“Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro still has a double-digit advantage over them State Treasurer Stacy Garrityalthough the difference was closed in a Quinnipiac University poll of 895 self-identified registered voters in the Keystone State.

Shapiro received 53% support among those polled, while Garrity received 40% support. For comparison, in February the incumbent governor led by 18 points, at 55-37%. Interestingly, among men Garrity leads 48-46%, while among women Shapiro leads 60-33%. | PoliticsPA

Elsewhere

Fetterman warns he will leave the Democratic Party if it turns its back on Israel. “Senator Maverick John Fetterman said he has ‘no plans’ to leave the Democratic Party, but on Wednesday he warned that if Democrats completely turn away from US support for Israel, it would cross a red line that could push him out of the party.” | Hill

Fiscal agency finds Pennsylvania still facing $5 billion deficit despite budget relief. “Governor Josh Shapiro and lawmakers have crafted a 2026-27 spending plan that does not require dipping into state reserves to balance the budget, even though it does not authorize any additional revenue sources. Has the perennial dragon that is the Commonwealth’s budget deficit been slain? Not quite, according to some post-budget calculations from the state’s Independent Fiscal Office.” | PennLive

Feds halt PA on counterterrorism efforts and cybersecurity grants amid election security demands. “Pennsylvania officials say President Donald Trump’s administration is withholding nearly half of the state’s homeland security funding last year. And the grants for the coming year come with new voting requirements at a time when the president is expected to continue questioning state election security.” | WESA

PA attorney general defends state’s ban on abortion under Medicaid in court. Is this required? “Dave Sunday said he took the case because of a state statute that requires the attorney general to be responsible for upholding and defending the constitutionality of state law “in the absence of a review decision by a court of competent jurisdiction.” | PA reflector

Report: PA faces a choice: quickly reduce gambling addiction or preserve revenues. “A report to lawmakers shows Pennsylvania’s nation-leading online gambling industry rakes in billions but also contributes to a growing addiction problem. Should the state collect data or take immediate action that could reduce revenue?” | Public source

Around the Republic of Poland

3. House Judiciary Committee Subpoenas Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and Demands Immigration Documents

“The House Judiciary Committee subpoenaed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner on Wednesday, ordering him to turn over documents related to his office’s handling of immigration cases and criticizing what it called the prosecutor’s “pro-illegal alien policies.”

The Commission in a letter signed by Representative Jim Jordanits chairman, accused Krasner of refusing to prosecute aliens or not prosecuting them sufficiently so that they could avoid consequences related to their immigration status. Commission said it was asserting its authority by trying to end sanctuary city policies in cities including Philadelphia.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia

Elsewhere

Slavery exhibits in the president’s home were replaced with the version released by the Trump administration. “President Donald Trump’s administration has installed its own version of history on the grounds of the President’s House, replacing panels depicting the brutality of slavery there with displays that experts say exonerate George Washington’s role as an enslaver.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

PA Chamber and Keystone Space Collaboration Announce Strategic Alignment to Advance the Space Economy. “The Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry (PA Chamber) and the Keystone Space Collaborative announced today that they are forming a strategic alliance to advance Pennsylvania’s leadership in the growing space economy.” | PoliticsPA

Widow claims Trump’s assassination attempt at Butler rally was an ‘inside job’. “‘I believe it was an inside job – somewhere in the government,’” Helen Comperatore told News Nation, also saying she believed it was political. “I was told all sorts of things… then you start putting the pieces together, it just made sense.” | Grandstand overview

Editorial

4. What do you think about it?

• Pennsylvania lawmakers passed the budget and avoided any tough questions | Questioner from Philadelphia
• It’s time for Pennsylvania voters to demand accountability from their lawmakers who spend free money | PennLive
• Whitening is a lesson | Jonathan Zimmerman
• A fair legal system is not afraid to deal with wrongful convictions. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court just made it harder | Zane David Memeger
• The steam engine succeeded where politicians failed: Big Boy United America | David M. Smith
• The hidden cost of saving the economy | Frank Ryan
• The press must rise above tribalism | Wide + Freedom

1 item

5. DEP issues a statewide red air quality alert for Thursday

“The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has announced a statewide Code Red Air Quality Day of Action for particulate matter (PM2.5) on Thursday, July 16, 2026.”

Wildfire smoke from Canada and Minnesota will pour into Pennsylvania’s northernmost counties and move into southern counties Wednesday afternoon through Thursday, creating PM2.5 concentrations in Code Red.” | Department of Environmental Protection

Thank you for starting your Thursday with us.
Have a nice day. See you tomorrow.

At a Sunday evening ceremony in Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro signed a $50.8 billion state budget for next fiscal year.

The spending package was approved 12 days after the deadline set in the state constitution and was tardy for the fifth consecutive year.

The governor originally proposed a $53.3 billion package, but Senate Republicans cut more than $1.1 billion from the governor’s spending proposal that would not require any payments from the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

“This is the fourth year in a row that, despite working with one of the few divided legislatures in the country where there are truly deep differences, we have stayed at the table and brought Democrats and Republicans together again to get things done,” Shapiro said.

“Pennsylvania is growing because of our work together. We have the only growing economy in the Northeast, and last week we jumped four places in CNBC’s ‘Best States for Business’ rankings – Pennsylvania’s highest ranking in 15 years – and working with the private sector, we have created more jobs than all but two states in the entire country.” As Democrats and Republicans said today, we have an extremely powerful fiscal position here in Pennsylvania.

“But this budget is more than just a bunch of numbers on a spreadsheet,” the governor continued. “It also provides common sense solutions to real problems facing Pennsylvanians. As I said at the beginning, I knew there would have to be compromises. But as we stuck with it and pursued the best possible compromise, there are a lot of bad things that would hurt Pennsylvanians that we didn’t discuss.”

“I promised to throw open the doors of opportunity for every Pennsylvanian who chooses to walk through them – and I’m proud to do that work every day alongside you. This budget continues that progress.”

Pennsylvania Lt. Governor Austin Davis concluded that the budget is a true bipartisan compromise.

“This is a strong budget that will continue to grow our economy, creating ladders of opportunity and making life a little more affordable for Pennsylvania families and seniors,” he said at the signing ceremony.

Senate President pro tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said her caucus aims to strengthen the Commonwealth’s financial position.

“The Senate Republican Caucus has worked hard to protect Pennsylvanians’ wallets by avoiding tax increases and identifying more than $4.5 billion in unused funds for reallocation,” Ward said. “Senate Republicans fought to invest in the most vulnerable, increasing funding for nursing homes and child care enrollment, and providing long-overdue cost-of-living adjustments for police officers, firefighters and teachers who retired before July 2, 2001.

“It is important for Pennsylvanians to understand that House Democrats stormed Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget, which all but guaranteed a $2,000 tax increase for Pennsylvania families because the Democrats’ budget was unbalanced. We are pleased that Governor Shapiro and House Democrats finally understand that affordability means respecting the taxpayers who foot our bills by giving money back to hard-working Pennsylvanians.”

Speaker of the House of Representatives Joanna McClinton (Delaware/Philadelphia) expressed pride that this budget makes significant investments in our schools, public safety, health care and affordable housing.

“At a time when federal action has made life harder through deep cuts to programs and policies that have raised costs, in Pennsylvania we continue to provide help to every family, senior and child,” McClinton said.

Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Armstrong/Indiana/Jefferson/Westmoreland) said he was proud of the product Republicans delivered.

“The 2026-2027 state budget is an imperfectly good plan that will keep Pennsylvania on a promising path into the future,” Pittman said. “Our Senate Republican Caucus protected Commonwealth taxpayers and kept the Rainy Day Fund intact. Through tremendous hard work, we identified and pulled $1.5 billion out of the red tape to balance this budget. The ultimate long-term solutions to our budget challenges are economic opportunity and economic growth. I am proud that the agreement includes numerous policies to support families, invest in our local communities and support needed economic growth.”

Majority Appropriations Chairman Jordan A. Harris (Philadelphia) stated that interested parties listened to its views and concerns throughout the negotiations.

“Throughout this process, we listened to Pennsylvanians, heard their concerns, and today we accomplished our goal. We delivered a budget that continues our investments in public education, maintains health care assistance without cuts, protects food assistance, supports seniors and veterans, and advances housing and public safety reforms without raising taxes on Pennsylvania families,” Harris said.

Senate Appropriations Chairman Scott Martin (R-Berks/Lancaster) said Republicans’ top priorities are protecting the state’s fiscal stability and ensuring the commonwealth grows.

“Senate Republicans achieved all of these goals in this budget,” Martin said. “We certainly have much work to do in the coming years to maintain fiscal responsibility, but I am grateful that we have identified numerous improvements to the spending plan unveiled by Governor Shapiro in February so that we can strengthen our economy with pro-growth policies that will build a stronger future.”

Senate Minority Appropriations Chairman Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia) stated that Pennsylvanians were at the forefront during the negotiations.

“This budget takes Pennsylvanians, their needs and their concerns into consideration,” Hughes said. “There are no new taxes and they continue to cut taxes. There is an affordability crisis in this budget. Our work is not done, but let’s take this matter to the governor.”

Pennsylvania House Republican Party Leader Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) said the state must utilize the tools at its disposal to create an investment-friendly environment while getting government out of the way.”

“The budget passed by the General Assembly today continues our recent history of scouring every corner of state government for existing taxpayer dollars to avoid tax increases, cuts to government services or the use of the Commonwealth’s Rainy Day Fund,” Topper said.

Andrew Lewispresident and CEO of The Commonwealth Foundation, said lawmakers were able to protect themselves from some of Gov. Shapiro’s worst fiscal policies.

“This budget further addresses Pennsylvania’s fiscal problems,” Lewis said in a statement. “While lawmakers rightly rejected more than $1 billion of reckless spending by Governor Shapiro and preserved the Rainy Day Fund, this deal spends beyond the state’s means and ignores the structural deficit that threatens taxpayers and the commonwealth’s long-term fiscal health. Pennsylvania doesn’t have a funding problem – it has a spending problem.”

Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry Łukasz Bernstein thanked Shapiro and the General Assembly for enabling the Commonwealth to compete more effectively for jobs, capital investment and economic growth.

“State budgets provide an opportunity to increase Pennsylvania’s competitiveness, and we appreciate the elements of this budget that continue the Commonwealth’s commitment to improving the business climate,” Bernstein said in a statement. “Our improved tax climate, bipartisan permitting reform and other pro-growth measures introduced in recent years have catalysed billions of dollars in private sector investment across the Commonwealth, and we must continue to advance Pennsylvania’s competitiveness agenda to reach its full potential. Economic growth remains the most effective path to strengthening both Pennsylvania’s fiscal health and its future competitiveness.”

Good morning on Thursday morning.

Headlines. A year later, the AP congressional delegation is still divided on the gigantic handsome bill. The hidden costs of low-tax states. Buchtan is suing after losing a state Senate challenge to Bartolotta. “The Pitt” leads with 25 Emmy nominations.

Your morning, pick me up. Volunteers. Jefferson’s plane

Weather in Pennsylvania
Monessen | Showers, thunderstorms, 86
Blossburg | Shrinking clouds, 84
Mount Carmel | Afternoon showers, thunderstorms, 82

Sports PA
Phillies (51-42, 3GB) | Cincinnati 5-11 | Thu in Cincinnati
Pirates (47-46, 11.5 GB) | Atlanta 0-3 | Thu vs. Atlanta

What we hear. “On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Republican Party released an announcement Image generated by artificial intelligence Democratic candidate for Congress Bob Brooks standing nearby Graham Platner. The doctored image is part of the Republican Party’s campaign to link him to Platner for using Fight Agency, the political firm behind Platner and Zohran Mamdani mayor’s victory.

What else will we hear?. Planned Parenthood Votes – pumps in over $47 million in midterms in a bid to defeat Republicans who cut off abortion provider funding last year. This near-record investment will fund advertising and voter outreach efforts targeting Republicans in 10 battleground districts in seven states, including Brian Fitzpatrick AND Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania.

Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].

PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.

The most significant story

1. One year later, the AP congressional delegation is still divided on the gigantic handsome bill

“A year later President Donald Trump signed his sweeping domestic policy bill — the One Big Beautiful Bill — members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation still disagree on whether Trump’s signed tax bill will do more to support — or hurt — Pennsylvanians.

The president’s allies, like U.S. Representative Mike Kellysaid ahead of the bill’s one-year anniversary that the bill — which he called not the president’s own nickname, but “tax cuts for working families” — “uses the tax code to work for Americans, not against them.”

U.S. Representative Brendan Boyleon Wednesday, the media reported that the bill reduced taxes for the country’s highest earners at the expense of financing health care and food aid (*9*)City and state

Elsewhere

Most American Jews do not feel supported by either party or President Trump, a up-to-date AP-NORC poll finds. “A majority of American Jews, 63%, say anti-Jewish prejudice is an “extremely” or “very” stern problem in the US. At the same time, few believe that either side is doing a good job supporting the Jewish people in the United States.” | AP

Jewish Democrats Eyeing 2028 Presidential Bids Confronting Party’s Hostility Toward Israel. “Rahm Emanuel delivers a tough love message in Israel that has implications for his party’s policies at home” | Wall Street Journal

“Freedom Fuel”: The White House promotes a network selling cheaper gas in Pennsylvania. “The White House announced on social media the launch of a network of gas stations selling gasoline at “$3.47 for our 47th president.” The Freedom Fuel Network website lists 25 locations, most of them in Philadelphia and surrounding suburbs. | PennLive

Country

2. Hidden costs of low-tax states

“State governments in America currently rely on two very different tax mechanisms: income in many coastal and professional-class states, and consumption in much of the Sun Belt and low tax growth belt.

States that advertise themselves as low-tax havens often still reap gigantic sums from shopping, gas, insurance, tourism and other transactions, while many blue and purple states rely more heavily on wages, capital gains and corporate profits.

In 2025, 27 states received the largest share of tax revenue from sales and gross income taxes, while 21 relied most heavily on income taxes – combined for individuals and corporations, according to an Axios analysis of up-to-date Census state tax data. | Axles

Elsewhere

Feds threaten PA election chief with criminal charges over foreigners voting. “Pennsylvania’s top election official received a letter this week from the federal Department of Justice suggesting that he and his staff could face criminal charges if non-citizens are allowed to vote in November.” | PennLive

Gov. Shapiro cannot be sued by Abington neighbors over a property dispute, a judge rules. But Josh Shapiro, the owner of the house, Can. “A federal judge had good news for Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro this week, but not so much for Montgomery County resident Josh Shapiro.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

Where gubernatorial candidates Garrity and Shapiro advocate for marijuana, hemp and more. “Voters who have strong opinions on whether Pennsylvania should legalize marijuana for adult use will find a stark difference between the major candidates for governor this year.” | PA reflector

State police arrest Delco man after anti-Semitic tirade and threats against Shapiro. “Richard Franklin, 65, of Brookhaven was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police early Wednesday morning for allegedly threatening to burn down Gov. Josh Shapiro’s residence and using anti-Semitic slurs.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

Around the Republic of Poland

3. Buchtan sues Washington County officials after losing state Senate against Bartolotta

“Less than two months after the Republican election Bartolotta’s room She was defending her southwestern Pennsylvania state Senate seat against her rival, a Greene County businessman Al Buchtan — filed a federal lawsuit alleging interference by local officials and the Senate GOP’s campaign arm.

Buchtan told WESA the lawsuit has two goals: “To clear his name with these lies – they are just blatant – and to expose how [these local officials] work.” | THAT’S ALL

Elsewhere

Legislature wants to remove “state” from York Fair and others. “You can take the boy out of the country, but not the country out of the boy. But if parliamentarian Catherine Wallen has her way, you will be able to take the “state” out of the Fair. | PolitykaPA

Philadelphia law prohibits judge from blocking masked ICE agents. “Last week, U.S. District Judge Chad Kenney of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania issued a preliminary injunction preventing the City of Philadelphia from enforcing Act 260060, an ordinance that would make it a crime for law enforcement officers, including federal officers, to wear face masks or conceal identification or other identifying information.” | Central Square

Pennsylvania Society Names Evan Frazier President. “The Pennsylvania Society announced that Evan S. Frazier has been named president of the organization, succeeding Patricia D. Wellenbach, who has completed her term.” | PoliticsPA

Editorial

4. What do you think about it?

1 item

5. “The Pitt” leads the Emmy nominations with 25 nominations

“The Pitt” will dominate this year’s Emmy Awards.

The Pittsburgh medical drama earned a total of 25 Emmy nominations on Wednesday.

Although the drama takes place mainly in the Los Angeles area, for the first two seasons the production visits Pittsburgh for a few days. His fictional emergency department, Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Center, draws inspiration from Allegheny General Hospital Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

Thank you for starting your Thursday with us.
We’re turning the corner and heading into the weekend.