⏱️Thursday. This is the 122nd day of the state budget impasse. Oh, and day 30 of the federal government shutdown.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Partisan tensions are rising in the Supreme Court elections. Garrity says the loan could assist people on food stamps. How the shutdown affects 19,000 federal workers in the Pittsburgh area. “6-7” is the word of the year.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Let it rain. Eric Clapton
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌧️Meadville | Rain, 51
☂️ Williamsport | Rain, 60
☔ Pottstown | Rain, 64
Sports PA
🏒 Penguins (7-2-2) | Thu in Minnesota
🏒 Flyers (5-3-1) | Thu vs. Nashville
🏀 Sixers (4-0) | Friday vs. Boston
🔊 What we hear. “I think one of the biggest problems with the Democratic Party in the country, and here in Pennsylvania, is that you get a party of scolding, where you lecture people and tell people that because you made a bad choice in the last election, that you’re stupid or misinformed. And when you do that to voters, they’re less likely to like you, and if they don’t like you, they’re not going to vote for you.” – Mickey Mouse
📰 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. Partisan tensions escalate in Pennsylvania Supreme Court retention election
“State Supreme Court elections used to be a still event. A Supreme Court justice hasn’t lost a seat in the commonwealth since then Russell Nigro in 2005, and political analysts widely believe its removal is the result of voter anger over a raise passed by the General Assembly earlier this year.
But as donors and activists realize how many decisions state Supreme Court justices make on issues like education and voting access, abortion and labor law, these races have become louder.”(WITF)
Elsewhere
The PA Supreme Court race has gained national attention. Here’s what you need to know. “The Daily Pennsylvanian spoke with civil liberties groups, legal experts and academics to understand the long-term implications of the race.” (Pennsylvania Daily)
Wecht Makes His Case Ahead of PA Supreme Court’s Suspension Vote: ‘Our Job is to Apply the Law’. “Even in these partisan times, refereeing races should be different. Retention races are twice as big – if only because no one should be paying attention to it. That hasn’t happened this year.” (WESA)
SNAP benefits expire on November 1. What are Pennsylvania leaders doing about it?. “This would be the first interruption of food assistance in the program’s six-decade history. Keystone State officials say they are working on several fronts to ensure aid continues to flow to families who depend on it.” (USA Today Network)
Republicans call Fetterman ‘voice of reason’ after accusing his own party of ‘playing chicken’. “Senator John Fetterman, D-Pennsylvania, earned praise from Republicans for calling out his own party amid threats to food stamp aid amid the partial government shutdown.” (Fox News)
Country
2. PA Treasurer Garrity says loan could assist people on food stamps; Shapiro calls the idea unfeasible
“Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity says it wants to borrow the state’s money to assist it cover November food stamps for nearly 2 million residents who expect to lose support during the federal government shutdown. But Governor Josh Shapiro The office says the proposal would be unfeasible due to Trump administration policies.
The proposal would require Shapiro — whom Garrity is likely to challenge in next year’s gubernatorial election — to accept a loan from her office at a time when Democrats and Republicans are at odds at the state and federal levels. Garrity, however, maintains that such partisan considerations should not come into play.WESA)
Elsewhere
Governor Shapiro Joins CHOP in Fighting to Stop Trump Officials from Obtaining Medical Records of Transgender Youth. “In the new lawsuit, Shapiro argues that states – not the federal government – have the legal authority to regulate medical practice and that Trump’s Justice Department is attempting to usurp state laws that license and supervise physicians.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
The Protecting Vaccine Access Act is moving through the House of Representatives in response to federal changes. “The measure, HB 1828, would require private insurers to cover vaccines recommended by the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The bill passed by a 104-99 vote.” (PennLive)
Mike Tyson, now with his own marijuana brand, is lobbying for legalization in Harrisburg. “Boxing legend Mike Tyson visited Harrisburg on Wednesday to lobby for marijuana legalization, hoping to help break the stalemate on the issue in the state Legislature.” (PennLive)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. How the government shutdown affects 19,000 federal workers in the Pittsburgh area
“They provide medical care to veterans and assistance to seniors covered by Social Security. They operate dams on local waterways and investigate some of the nation’s most vexing energy problems. They screen passengers at the airport and deliver mail.”
And while lawmakers bicker in Washington, their paychecks could be left empty.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Top lawmakers move to close U.S. naval reserve facilities, including a key facility in Pittsburgh. “Lawmakers’ action on Oct. 9, which includes closing the center west of Pittsburgh and others in Erie, Harrisburg and Avoca (near Pittston), is detailed in a plan to dismantle a network that stretches to every corner of the country.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
The next election year could decide whether abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania – or how it is banned. “Is abortion access at risk in Pennsylvania? It depends on how the election goes, but here’s a roadmap you can use to make it happen and the obstacles those efforts will face.” (WHY)
Bucks County continues the purple trend in voter rolls. Why it matters. “About 2,790 (36%) of current voters who registered this year chose neither Democrat (35%) nor Republican (29%), with third-party or unaffiliated voters being the second most popular choice among voters who switched parties, according to state data.” (Bucks County Courier Times)
Bondi appoints novel U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania. “Brian D. Miller, former Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery, has been appointed U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, effective October 27. Miller was appointed at the recommendation of U.S. Attorney General Pamela “Pam” Bondi. The interim appointment is valid for 120 days or until the presidential nomination, whichever comes first.” (North-CentralPA)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- How Pennsylvania Democrats Learned to Stop Obsessing with Trump | Salena Zito
- It didn’t take a Reichstag fire to burn down the Congress Will Bunch
- How far will Trump go to leave his dazzling brand in Washington? | John Baer
- SNAP Payment Delays Will Starve PA’s Food Economy | Alex Baloga
- Pennsylvania Cities Can’t Get Smarter Without Natural Gas | Michael A. Nutter
- Pennsylvanians shouldn’t have to pay the price for increased data center electricity rates | LNP
- A turning point in the government shutdown | Washington Post Office
1 item
5. Dictionary.com recognizes “6-7” as the word of the year for 2025
Dictionary.com has announced its Word of the Year for 2025, and if you’re not up to date with this year’s slang, you might be surprised by the results.
On October 29, the online dictionary announced that its Word of the Year is “6-7” (also “six-seven” and “67”) – a slang term popularly used by the alpha generation. While some interpret the phrase as “so-so” or “maybe this, maybe that,” according to a Dictionary.com press release, it is also used as an interjection.
“It’s part joke, part social signal and part performance.” Steve Johnson– said the director of lexicography of the Dictionary Media Group at IXL Learning in a press release. “When people say it, they’re not just repeating a meme; they’re shouting out feelings.” (USA today)
Thank you for starting your day with us.
Two days left in October. I’ll see you tomorrow at the last one.
