🥶 Tuesday. Let’s go.
🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. What would happen if Fetterman’s health caused him to resign? Shapiro says Challenger Garrity disagrees with GOP leaders on budget remarks. O’Connor continues to build the administration with five fresh additions. The most Philly gifts you can give.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Life in America | James Brown. Oh!
Weather in Pennsylvania
☔ McKees Rocks | Rain, 43
☁️ Chambersburg | Rising Clouds, 45
☁️ Top of the mountain | Rising clouds, 42
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (8-5) | Los Angeles Clippers 110-108 | Wednesday vs. Toronto
🏒 Flyers (9-6-3) | Thu at St. Louis
🏒 Penguins (10-5-4) | Friday vs. Minnesota
📅 What’s happening today. Home, 11 a.m. | Senate at 1:00 p.m
📰 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. What would happen if Fetterman’s health caused him to resign from the U.S. Senate?
“The recent decline of Pennsylvania U.S. Senator John Fetterman once again expressed concerns about his overall health.
If the 56-year-old’s health deteriorated again, would Fetterman consider resigning from the U.S. Senate? And if so, what happens next?” | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Fetterman returns to Washington after hospitalization and speaks at a conference for Jewish leaders. “Sen. John Fetterman returned to work after fall that required hospitalization.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
The Pennsylvania Working Families Party is pledging to support the primary challenger against Sen. John Fetterman. “Progressive statewide group launches portal to recruit and train potential candidates to challenge Fetterman.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Trump’s grip on Republicans is showing early signs of slipping. “GOP support for releasing the Epstein files is the latest attack on the president from his own party.” | Wall Street Journal
Country
2. Shapiro says Challenger Garrity disagrees with GOP leaders on budget remarks
“Elected officials across the political spectrum welcomed the long-delayed passage of Pennsylvania’s state budget last week – with at least one notable exception. State Treasurer Stacy Garritythe most likely challenger to the Republican Party Governor Josh Shapiro in 2026, was not impressed. But Shapiro said Monday that her criticism put her at odds with members of her own party, who were celebrating a series of policy victories that were part of the compromise.
Last week, Garrity was noiseless about the budget’s passage, and her campaign’s social media accounts were noiseless on the topic. But on Friday, during an appearance on a conservative radio talk show, she said of the spending plan: “It’s crazy, and everyone’s patting themselves on the back, and I can’t understand it.” | THAT’S ALL
Elsewhere
Protesters go to the AP Capitol and call for a ban on gifts to lawmakers. “A dozen people were arrested at the Pennsylvania Capitol on Monday during an hour-long, peaceful protest calling for a ban on gifts to lawmakers.” | WITF
Shapiro says National Democrats submitted to federal shutdown while he stayed ‘at the table’ on slow AP budget deal. “As Shapiro portrays Pennsylvania’s 2025 budget outcome as an overall victory, the road to achieving this goal has been more difficult, more complicated and longer than anyone in Harrisburg would have liked.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Long-awaited PA tax relief for some workers to get them ready for filing season. “Pennsylvania’s new tax credit for lower-income workers will be ready to start tax filing this spring, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration announced Monday, calling it the most significant tax change for the state’s working class in more than half a century.” | PennLive
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Pittsburgh Mayor-elect O’Connor continues to build his administration with five fresh appointments
“Pittsburgh’s next mayoral administration is beginning to take shape Mayor-elect Corey O’Connor announced five fresh appointees on Monday morning.
Building on the candidates Mr. O’Connor has already announced, the fresh hires bring a mix of experience from previous roles in government, not-for-profit organizations and the corporate sector.’ | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
Some gains, some declines. Student school ratings for 2024-25. “As the dust finally settles around the state budget, the Pennsylvania Department of Education released assessment results for the last school year.” | PoliticsPA
See how much money your PA school district will receive to fill gaps in its tax burden. “The Legislature first created these allowances in the 2024 budget in response to the Commonwealth Court’s ruling that found Pennsylvania’s public school funding system unconstitutional.” | PA reflector
Pittsburgh journalists vote to end nation’s longest strike and tell PG they’re going back to work. “The Newspaper Guild of Pittsburgh’s most important meeting since the formation of strike picket lines more than three years ago began last week in much the same way as all major strike meetings – with the arrival of six boxes of pizza. The strikes are all over the pizza. It turns out they, too, may end there. ” | Union Progress in Pittsburgh
One of President Donald Trump’s press secretaries is a graduate of Lehigh Valley High School. This is Her story. “Like many federal workers, Abigail Jackson felt the pressure of going without pay for more than six weeks during the government shutdown. But like many others, Jackson still showed up at the office. The difference is that she’s in the White House.” | Morning talk in Allentown
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Voting to release the Epstein files should only be Congress’s first step toward ensuring justice for victims | Questioner from Philadelphia
- Were they the Democratic senators who voted to end the selloff, or were they statesmen? | Harold Jackson
- Pennsylvania budget deprives cyber students of their money | Guy Ciarrocchi
- Pennsylvania should stay the course on sports betting | Stephen Kent
1 item
5. The most Philly gifts you can give this season
“Philadelphia is obviously a gift to the world, but what on earth can you give someone who is clearly in love with Philadelphia?
If The Inquirer’s 2025 Very Philly gift guide helps you find something for everyone, this one is just for locals and anyone who thinks Sizzla’s snow globe is peak holiday magic. Consider it a love letter to Philadelphia’s quirks: a collection of gifts that only true locals (and an honorable few) will fully appreciate. | Questioner from Philadelphia
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