Last day of work of the week for you? Well, we are here today and tomorrow to close the books for November.
In today’s PA Policy Guide. The company that led Mamdani to victory in New York is setting its sights on beating Mackenzie in Bresnahan. Shapiro is committing $219.9 million in additional capital to SEPTA. Deciding on equal election races in PA. Popular Thanksgiving Pies.
Your morning pick-me-up. Kryptonite. Three doors down
Weather in Pennsylvania
Evans City | Rain, 56
Snow boots | Cloudy, 48
Lehighton | Afternoon rain, 52
Sports PA
Sixers (9-7) | Tuesday vs. Orlando
Flyers (11-7-3) | Tampa Bay 0-3 | Wednesday in Florida Penguins (10-6-5) | Wednesday vs. Buffalo
What we hear. Bucks County commissioner and Democratic candidate for Congress Bob Harvie announced today that he has gained the endorsement of key law enforcement leaders in Bucks and Montgomery Counties, including the Bucks County Sheriff-elect Danny CeislerDistrict Attorney-elect Joe KhanState Representative and Co-Chair of the PA House of Representatives Law Enforcement Caucus Brian Munroeand Montgomery County Sheriff Sean Kilkenny.
PoliticsPA Guide is compiled 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. The company that powered Mamdani to victory in New York is setting its sights on beating Mackenzie at Bresnahan
“After successfully pushing out Zohran Mamdani to the New York mayor’s office, the campaign company Fight Agency is moving towards its next goal – defeating Pennsylvania Ryan Mackenzie reps (R-07) i Rob Bresnahan (R-08).
The company consists of six people Rebecca Katz, Tommy McDonald, Julian Mulvey, Morris Katz, Eric SternAND Lynette Jackson.
Katz was the chief strategist for Senator John Fetterman winning campaign in 2022, and its main ad creator was McDonald. Mulvey was a key member Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) braintrust, and Katz was the company’s leader in the Mamdani campaign.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Fetterman welcomes the ’28 primary challenge; “I will always put our country before the party.” “Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman, in a wide-ranging interview on Fox News on Friday, said he would welcome a primary challenger in 2028.” | PoliticsPA
A year after Trump’s assault on Latinos in Pennsylvania, majorities across the country disagree with his work and policies. “About four in five Latino adults say Trump’s policies are ‘harming Latinos,’ a larger share than in his first term, according to a new Pew Research Center report.” Questioner from Philadelphia
Republicans baffled by Trump’s calls for harsh retaliation against Democratic lawmakers. “Republican lawmakers and strategists fear Trump is undermining his own credibility and ability to get anything done before the midterm elections.” | Hill
Fact-checking Trump’s claim that Democrats’ video was ‘seditious’. “‘A rebellion is the overthrow of a government by force or violence,’” Eric R. Carpenter, a law professor at Florida International University College of Law, said in an email to us. “In the video, elected officials are simply telling employees to obey the law. They are not telling service members to overthrow the government.” | Fact checking
Country
2. Shapiro commits $219.9 million in additional capital to SEPTA
“Governor Josh Shapiro headed the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) Secretary Mike Carroll on Monday will commit $219.9 million in additional capital to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) to support urgent safety and infrastructure improvements.
Consistent with recent Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Federal Transit Administration (FTA) orders, the Shapiro Administration’s actions will ensure that SEPTA can comply with federal orders, expedite necessary repairs, and maintain unthreatening, reliable service for the nearly 800,000 Pennsylvanians who exploit SEPTA every day. | PoliticsPA
Elsewhere
Should ICE agents be allowed to mask? Not in Pennsylvania, say state senators. “Pennsylvania Sens. Amanda Cappelletti and Nikil Saval, both Democrats, have introduced a bill that would prohibit ICE officers from wearing masks while working in the commonwealth, saying the practice undermines trust in law enforcement and enables police impersonation.” | Erie Times-News
Could the Pennsylvania Legislature be part-time? “Pennsylvania’s budget has been delayed, and critics say lawmakers’ achievements have been slim. Is it time for one of the most expensive full-time legislatures in the country to go part-time? Yes, say lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, but don’t hold your breath.” | WHTM
PA Supreme Court relaxes 24-hour notice rule for local officials, irritating transparency advocates. “In a 4-3 decision, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Monday that local agencies do not have to give 24 hours’ notice of changes to public meeting agendas — as long as a majority of the body votes to do so.” | THAT’S ALL
The PA budget includes two massive changes to tax credits. Here’s what you need to know. “Pennsylvania lawmakers made two significant changes to the state’s constellation of tax credits as part of a four-month-late $50.1 billion budget. They created a new credit for low- and moderate-income workers and renewed the five-year-old affordable housing credit. ” | PA reflector
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Why Marbles, Playing Cards and Ping-Pong Balls Determine So Many Local Races in Pennsylvania
“Under Pennsylvania law, if the election result is tied, the contest moves to a process called “casting of lots.” It is actually a game of chance to determine the winner.
Districts exploit various methods of casting lots, but they typically involve drawing a numbered item – a piece of paper, a ping-pong ball, a playing card, etc. – from a box or bag. Depending on the district, the candidate who draws a higher or lower number wins the election. | Vote for Pennsylvania
Elsewhere
Alcohol at a Pennsylvania convenience store? Rutter thinks it might work. “Could convenience store alcohol become popular in Pennsylvania? York County-based Rutter’s is opening its doors. Its parent company has applied to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board to open 64 “restricted distilleries” in its stores. ” | Delco.Today
HBO will receive the largest-ever film tax credit in Pennsylvania. “Los Angeles, New York, Vancouver, Philadelphia? By announcing a second season of HBO’s TASK, the Commonwealth hopes to draw attention to the benefits of filming in Pennsylvania.” | Central Square
Closing the IRS Direct File, Increasing Costs for PA Taxpayers. “A new analysis finds that Pennsylvania, which chose to use IRS Direct File, could have saved about $747 million a year before the Trump administration shut down the program.” | Keystone State News
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Independent voters are not the problem | David Thornburgh
- With apologies to O’Neill’s tip: All politics were national in Pennsylvania’s 2025 election | William Hillman
- To defeat Trump, stop calling him names | Jonathan Zimmerman
- The Pennsylvania Society returns home to honor a leader who never forgot his roots | Patricia D. Wellenbach
- What really is the John Fetterman brand? | One hundred Bykofsky
- John Fetterman is an extraordinary politician – but his promotion reflects the latest trend | Richardson Dilworth
1 item
5. The most popular Thanksgiving pie in every state
“New Instacart data shared with Axios shows the most popular Thanksgiving pies by state, based on last year’s orders.
What did they find?: Pumpkin pie is popular in the West, strawberry rhubarb and French silk are favorites in the Midwest, and cream pies are a hit in New England.
The most significant thing: This New Yorker stands alongside Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Pennsylvania – peanut butter pie is the unsung hero of desserts. | Axles
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