Guide 11/20: Another Snafu stock sale for Bresnahan

🤠 It’s Thursday. Thanksgiving is just a week away

🗞️ In today’s PoliticsPA Guide. Bresnahan sold shares in several Medicaid providers before voting for the cuts. The PA’s 2026 legislative battle is starting to take shape. The Treasury has forgiven interest on loans made during the state’s budget impasse. Cheaper Thanksgiving dinner.

🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Mint accent. Joey Dee and the Star Shiners

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🏀 Sixes (8-6) | Toronto 112-121 | Thu in Milwaukee
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🏒 Penguins (10-5-4) | Friday vs. Minnesota

🎙️Voices of reason. In this Voices of Reason election special, we discuss how the 2025 elections play out in Pennsylvania and New Jersey reveal the political landscape for 2026 and beyond. We examine the key takeaways from PA and New Jersey’s 2025 results – what worked for the candidates and what didn’t, which issues resonated with voters, and what these trends signal for the year ahead.

📰 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 critical story

1. Bresnahan sold shares of several Medicaid providers before voting for cuts

“A week before we voted to significantly cut Medicaid, Representative Rob Bresnahan dumped six-figure shares of a quartet of companies that manage nearly half of all Medicaid enrollees in the country, according to public disclosure documents reviewed by NBC News.

Bresnahan, who became one of the most prolific stock traders in Congress after taking office this year, sold up to $130,000 worth of stock in Centene, Elevance Health, UnitedHealth and CVS Health on May 15, according to periodic transaction reports he filed with the House clerk in June. Combined, these four companies oversee about half of all Medicaid managed care organizations, according to KFF, a health policy research organization. | NBC News

Elsewhere

‘It’s a fist fight’: Lawmakers favor no-stock bill as pressure mounts on leadership. “Banning members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks is one of the few issues on which many Republicans and Democrats agree. But passing a stock ban bill won’t be that easy.” | known

Stock trading by members of Congress could be banned as a result of bipartisan pressure. “At least 25 bills have been introduced in Congress that would further restrict lawmakers and their family members from trading individual stocks, and representatives across the aisle on Wednesday renewed pressure on House Speaker Mike Johnson to address the issue.” | The star of Pennsylvania’s capital

AP Congressional Delegation Speaks Out on Release of Epstein Files. “The Senate made it official. Congress ordered the U.S. Department of Justice to release its files on deceased sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. All 17 members of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives delegation voted in favor of the measure, which passed the House by an overwhelming 427-1 margin. What did the Pennsylvania delegation say about their vote?” | PoliticsPA

AP lawmakers outraged by federal attempt to prevent states from regulating artificial intelligence. “On Wednesday morning, a bipartisan pair of Pennsylvania lawmakers – one of them Allegheny County Rep. Natalie Mihalek – reacted with outrage Wednesday morning to news of a new federal attempt to quickly pass a ban stopping states from regulating artificial intelligence.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

Country

2. AP’s 2026 legislative battle begins to take shape as Democrats defend their one-vote advantage in the chamber

“Whether to attempt the transition from private life to state representation has become a burning question for aspiring lawmakers as the 2026 elections loom in a battleground with the House divided by the slimmest of 102-101.

Some of the places that will be opened are already known, and others will probably be announced soon. The holiday period leading up to the period for collecting candidate signatures from February to March is often the time when people announce their decision to leave parliament or when they privately commit to seeking election to that parliament. | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

Elsewhere

The modern PA tax credit could put up to $805 in your pocket. “Nearly 1 million Pennsylvanians are expected to qualify for a new state tax credit that is expected to ease the burden of making ends meet.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

Garrity undermines bipartisan budget agreement when Shapiro connects her with Mastriano. “The state’s four-month budget impasse may be ending, but lingering questions about billions in spending and political wrangling over how to end the impasse loom large over the 2026 governor’s race.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

A PA bill banning discrimination based on hair will head to Shapiro’s desk. “A bill banning discrimination based on hair texture and style will head to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk after passing the state Senate this week and hailed as a victory for Black women in Pennsylvania who have faced prejudice over the way they wear their hair.” | PennLive

Shapiro claims a Fed database allowed a man with ties to terrorism to obtain a PA license. “Governor Josh Shapiro told reporters in Bristol Borough on Wednesday that federal officials would have to explain how a terrorism suspect was able to obtain a commercial driver’s license in Pennsylvania, not his administration.” | Bucks County Courier Times

Around the Republic of Poland

3. The State Treasury waived interest on loans granted during the state budget impasse

“State Treasurer Stacy Garrity announced Wednesday that interest on loans her office made to counties and social service providers hit by the budget impasse would be forgiven.

Loans totaling more than $42.2 million were made to 62 organizations, including two Rape and Domestic Violence Crisis Centers, 13 Head Start agencies and 46 Pre-K Counts providers.’ | The star of Pennsylvania’s capital

Elsewhere

PA lawmakers mostly approve flat-rate funding for state-subsidized universities. “The appropriation, which has caused some controversy in previous years, was relatively limited this time around. The total bill is nearly $647 million in aid to Penn State, Pitt, Temple, Lincoln and Penn’s veterinary research and disease program. ” | PennLive

Democrats believe this year’s school board elections could be good news for students finishing the semester. “Democrats argue that little-noticed school board elections in Pennsylvania and other states may indicate that voters are willing to separate national politics from local races.” | known

York County residents are facing a proposed 14% tax raise in the newly introduced budget plan. “York County taxpayers face a 14% property tax increase in the 2026 budget enacted by elected commissioners who refused to answer questions after Wednesday’s meeting.” | Shipment from York

Editorial

4. What do you think about it?

• Fetterman’s Republicans Begin | Frank Miele
• Just say no: City Council should send the mayor back to the budget drawing board | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
• Shapiro and Fetterman’s books are as different as they come | John Baer
• The Founders Couldn’t Imagine a President Like Trump | Tom Moran
• Why won’t lawmakers consider a gift ban? | Trib LIVE

1 item

5. Thanksgiving may be a little cheaper this year

“The average “classic holiday feast for 10” on Thanksgiving will be $55.18 on Thanksgiving Day, which equates to about $5.52 per person, or about 5% less than last year – the third straight year of declines.

Yes, but: “Three years of declines do not fully erase the dramatic increases that led to record high costs of $64.05 in 2022.” – says AFBF. | Axles

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