We round the bend and head towards November. Daylight saving time is coming to an end and holiday advertising is becoming ubiquitous.
The world of Pennsylvania politics never stops, though an occasional admonishment from a parliamentarian not to wear Halloween costumes in the chamber may leisurely things down a bit.
Here are five things I think.
1. Josh Shapiro has “officially” announced that he will run for president.
Yes, the first-term governor still has to win re-election to the position next year, but the only reason politicians write books is to prepare for the next step. In Shapiro’s case, it’s a flight to the White House. Take a look at politicians’ recent efforts:
- Courage of hope, His. Barack Obama
- United, Senator Cory Booker
- Off the sideline Senator Kirsten Gillibrand
- The truths we confess His. Scary Harris
- This is our fight Senator Elizabeth Warren
- The senator next door His. Amy Klobuchar
- American dreams Senator Marco Rubio
- The courage to be free Governor Ron DeSantis
- God, weapons, groats and sauce, Mike Huckabee
- One Nation, Ben Carson
What is the benefit of Shapiro writing his “memoir” at the ripe ancient age of 52? Expect him to spend several weeks in February promoting his memoirs, and the free media that will accompany the tour will undoubtedly share his version of his album.
2. Will we have a ready state budget for 2026 by November 2026?
OK, maybe that’s a bit tongue-in-cheek. But here we are on day 115 of the budget impasse, and we are no closer to a resolution than we were on June 30… or February 4, when Governor Shapiro presented his budget proposal to the General Assembly.
The Republican-controlled state Senate passed a $47.9 million spending bill on Wednesday. The Democrat-controlled state House said it was “dead on arrival,” saying its latest $50.3 million spending bill would allow the commonwealth to “meet its obligations.”
As we approach the four-month deadline, you’d think the compromise would be to split the difference – perhaps agreeing on a figure of $49.6 million. However, it’s still not good enough because Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman (R-Indiana) he told WHTM-TV that it’s not about dollars, it’s about politics.
Republicans hope that Shapiro’s inability to bring the faction to a resolution will stick with the governor during the 2026 campaign. Democrats, who have not controlled the General Assembly chamber for 12 years, are flexing their newfound muscles to maintain their position.
Conclusion. It’s time to do it. The optics are bad. Pennsylvanians are injured. Elected officials continue to be paid. Will voters remember next year?
3. Self-inflicted wounds
Example A: Rep. Scott Perry (R-10). The congressman from central Pennsylvania retired from lively duty in the U.S. Army in 2019 as a brigadier general. His credentials during his 40 years of service are impeccable. However, I’m not sure that gives him the right to criticize members of the other party who served in the military before entering public service.
Emerging Chris Stigall showPerry criticized these Democrats, saying: “It’s just a mandate they get when they want to run for office. They join the military, they serve a little bit, they get a mandate, and then they run for office, wear a uniform and say, ‘Look at me – I support America.’ But let’s face it, all their voices say they don’t support America.”
Not willing to stop there, Perry doubled down, saying “they don’t care about the Constitution or defending the nation.”
I find it strenuous to believe Representatives Chrissy Houlahan (D-06) or Chris Deluzio (D-17) had DC in mind when they made the decision to serve our country. Houlahan earned an engineering degree from Stanford University on an ROTC scholarship, which led to her service in the United States Air Force and the United States Air Force Reserves. Deluzio is a graduate of the United States Naval Academy, was commissioned as an lively surface warfare officer and deployed three times, including a stint with the U.S. Army Civil Affairs Division in Iraq.
Perry’s comments were ill-advised and gave more fodder to the Democratic challenger Janelle Stelson who lost to Perry in 2024 by 1.25 points. percent and plans another run in the chair.
4. Smart lawmaking or sharp politics?
Two things can be true at the same time. Brian Fitzpatrick reps (R-01), Ryan Mackenzie (R-07) i Rob Bresnahan (R-08) put their “John Hancock” in the letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), demanding that Johnson “proposed a solution to the impending expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the ACA after the government opens.”
“The government funding debate is neither the time nor the place to raise health care issues. Using business shutdowns as leverage to force this debate only prolongs the damage and distracts from the immediate task of reopening the government,” the lawmakers wrote. “However, as the government reopens, our immediate focus should be on the growing health care affordability crisis and the impending expiration of enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Millions of Americans are facing drastic premium increases due to Democrats’ short-sighted policymaking. While we didn’t create this crisis, we now have both responsibility and opportunity to solve this problem. “
Intelligent lawmaking? The constituent parts of Bucks County, Lehigh Valley and NEPA would likely benefit from an extension of tax breaks. Wise policy? All three representatives are targeted by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee because flipping the 1st, 7th and 8th districts, as well as PA-10, would shift control of the House from Republicans to Democrats.
While Fitzpatrick easily won another term in 2024, Mackenzie and Bresnahan defeated longtime Democrats by less than two percentage points, helped by President Donald Trump conquering the Keystone State.
In summary, this is probably not the time for this visit to urge voters to be prepared for additional health care harm.
5. A vote on maintaining the AP Supreme Court
The biggest race in the commonwealth on November 4 will be a vote to retain three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices – Christina Donahue, Kevin DoughertyAND David Wecht.
If you’ve been living under a rock, you don’t realize that the trio faces another 10-year term on the state’s highest court. Pennsylvania voters are asked one plain question – “Should [name] be retained for an additional term as a justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court? Only answer: Yes or No.
Even though you are bombarded with ads calling for the retention of three judges, we hear that the “no” camp has withdrawn from television advertising, tacitly acknowledging that it may not be the best exploit of money.
The question voters should ask themselves is whether there is any reason why any or all of the three options I don’t deserve it another decade on the bench. When elected, it should not be a matter of party affiliation.
A bit naive, don’t you think?
I think yes votes will win on all three.
