⛑️Monday. Yes, we are still working challenging for you. Although the day after tomorrow…
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Trump’s economic claims collide with reality in Allentown. Health care as the dominant political force of the PA. PA County’s youngest executive is preparing to take the helm. The most hospitable petite towns in Pennsylvania.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. You’re mean, Mr. Grinch. Thurl Ravenscroft
Weather in Pennsylvania
☁️ Erie | Rising Clouds, 38
☁️ State Higher School | Rising Clouds, 38
☁️ Allentown | Rising Clouds, 38
Sports PA
🏈 Eagles (10-5) | Washington 29-18 | Sun in Buffalo
🏈 Steelers (9-6) | Detroit 29-24 | Sun in Cleveland
🏒 Flyers (17-10-7) | NY Rangers 4-5 (YES) | Monday vs. Vancouver
🏒 Penguins (15-11-9) | Montreal 0-4 | Montreal 4-3 (YES) | Tuesday in Toronto
🏀 Sixes (16-11) | New York 116-107 | Dallas 121-114 | Tuesday vs. Brooklyn
🔈 What we hear. Bob Brookscandidate for the Democratic nomination in PA-07, received endorsements from Teamsters Local 773 and Steamfitters Local 420, giving him the support of nine unions.
📕 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 significant story
1. Trump’s “A++++” economy collides with reality in a Pennsylvania city critical to medium-term results
“With about 125,000 residents, Allentown is an anchor in the Lehigh Valley, which is Pennsylvania’s third-largest metropolitan area. In more than a dozen interviews last week with local officials, business leaders and residents of both parties, there was consensus on one issue: prices are too high. Some pointed to gas prices, while others said they felt the shock more at the grocery store or on health care and housing costs.
Few shared Trump’s no-holds-barred approach to the economy.
Far from Washington’s political theater, there was disagreement about who was responsible for the high prices and what should be done about it. However, the seemingly endless political struggle left me feeling acutely exhausted. | AP
Elsewhere
‘We thought the money would come’: Budget fight cost Pennsylvania millions in federal infrastructure funding. “Former Republican Susan Wild, D-Lehigh, has put forward 15 projects for federal funding. She blames her Republican successor for their elimination. ” | WHY
The metamorphoses are part of the preparations for Dems Eyes 2028. “As Democrats eye the 2028 presidential election, they are losing weight, updating their wardrobes and changing their hairstyles — a time-honored tradition for White House candidates that has taken on new meaning in the age of TikTok.” | Axles
In 2026, voters will face unprecedented levels of AI-generated disinformation. “Fake photos are not new to politics. Congress tried to pass a law banning them in 1912 after a fraudster was discovered with a fake photo of him shaking President William Howard Taft’s hand.” | WITF
Country
2. Pennsylvania’s role in the ACA subsidy debate Health care has crystallized as the dominant political force in the 2026 midterm exams.
“Lynn Weidner, The 42-year-old home care worker from Allentown had already spent much of this year frustrated with her congressman before she finally sat down for a meeting with his staff early last week.
As Congress neared the end of the year on Obamacare subsidies, she secured a meeting with U.S. Representative Ryan Mackenzie district employees.
“If he [doesn’t] do the right thing, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure he’s out of office next year,” Ms. Weidner said, she told her staff. “I’m not messing around when it comes to that.”” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
States face a choice of whether to accept Trump’s tax cuts on tips, overtime and more. “To want tax tips or not? That’s the question lawmakers across U.S. states will face as they call to work next year. ” | AP
Court rejects attempt to turn trademark law into political weapon against PA manufacturer’s association. “A left-wing political nonprofit sued the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association this summer, alleging trademark infringement, even though the nonprofit later admitted in court that there was no evidence that a single person was ever confused because of the different names or images used.” | Wide + Freedom
A look at the novel laws that will take effect in Pennsylvania in 2026. “Several new state laws will go into effect in early 2026 that will provide new tax breaks to laws prohibiting hair discrimination and forcing schools to be more transparent about gun incidents.” | USA Today Network
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Siegel is preparing to take the helm of Lehigh County as PA’s youngest county executive
“Josh Siegel his current office is the kitchen table in his Allentown home, where he prepares to assume leadership of Lehigh County, an urban, suburban and agricultural patchwork of 390,000 people with countless businesses, a heady mix of cultures, and every imaginable blessing and vice of American society.
Siegel, 32, is the youngest person ever elected to the position of county executive in Pennsylvania. Energetic and ambitious, he willingly follows the path set by some of his political heroes: Franklin D. Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy AND Lyndon Johnsonamong others, who believed that government through power and money could alleviate the hardships of life and even provide a measure of success for people left behind in laissez-faire systems.” | Morning talk in Allentown
Elsewhere
Big victories, signs of tension. “In her second year in office, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker succeeded as cracks began to appear in City Hall.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Citing ‘very precarious financial situation,’ Pittsburgh City Council approves tax escalate in 2026 budget. “After a contentious process involving competing narratives about the city’s financial health, the Pittsburgh City Council has approved a 2026 budget that includes a 20% tax increase.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
UPMC is investing $23 million in pay raises for thousands of non-union nurses. “Chief Nursing Officer Maribeth McLaughlin said the new money would follow $23 million that was intended to raise salaries for entry-level nurses with bachelor’s degrees in science at UPMC.” | Business times in Pittsburgh
Broadband expansion in rural PA has been complicated by regulatory changes and uncertainty in 2025.. “It’s been a year of sweeping and controversial changes to the massive federal broadband initiative. The $42.45 billion program was created in 2021 with bipartisan support and an ambitious goal: to bring high-speed internet access to every U.S. home and business, no matter how remote.” | PA reflector
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
(*22*)1 item
5. The 11 Most Welcoming Small Towns in Pennsylvania
“Pennsylvania’s many destinations vary in diversity, personality and attractions. While large cities delight travelers with a variety of urban conveniences, small towns offer a leisurely pace of life and a true sense of community that make you feel like a home away from home. If you’re looking for a warm welcome, a small town in Pennsylvania is the perfect blend of factors for a relaxing, fun and rewarding getaway. ” | Atlas of the World
Thank you for starting your holiday week with us.
Tomorrow we will end the year here.
