Today’s PoliticsPA guide. McCormick and Chester County Election Error. Can taxpayers legally pay for security improvements at the Shapiro family home? Lack of tools to stop ICE detention centers. Working from home is back?
Your morning, pick me up. Inflate it. Elvis Costello
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Latrobe | Rain, 58
Montoursville | Rain, 43
Levittown | Prime Minister Rain, 45
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Sixers (30-24) | February 19 vs. Atlanta
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The most essential story
1. McCormick says Chester County proves the need for national election laws. But the GOP proposal would not solve the county’s problems
“When Senator Dave McCormick in the Senate, calling for nationwide legislation requiring voters to have proof of citizenship and photo ID, recalled the drama that had unfolded three months earlier in Chester County.
However, in his account of events, the Pennsylvania Republican provided incomplete and inexact information about the election error in Chester County.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elsewhere
Why Shapiro’s appearance on “The Late Show” didn’t result in a violation of the FCC’s equal time rule. “The FCC’s political programming and campaign advertising regulations generally govern the circumstances in which radio, television and other stations regulate the broadcasting of political content.” | PoliticsPA
The Trump administration is appealing a judge’s ruling over slavery displays in the president’s home. “U.S. attorneys representing the federal government have previously argued that the White House has full discretion over exhibits in national parks, a claim that U.S. District Judge Cynthia M. Rufe called “dangerous” and “appalling” during a hearing last month. | Questioner from Philadelphia
PA-03: Philadelphia may elect its first Muslim congressman. He’s not sure where he stands on Israel. “Sharif Street lists no Israel policy on its website and was briefly the beneficiary of a pro-Israel fundraising site. It is trying to walk a fine line in a crowded elementary school.” | Interception
PA-08: Scranton Mayor Crime Spike Dogs Challenges GOP Representative in Biden’s Hometown. “Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti is tackling the crime crisis in former President Joe Biden’s hometown by challenging freshman GOP Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. in an evenly divided swing district.” | Fox News
Country
2. Revenue officials question whether taxpayers can legally pay for security improvements at the Shapiro family home
“Late last year, Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement agency disclosed that taxpayers would pay more than $1 million for security improvements Governor Josh Shapiro private family home in Montgomery County.
Now those bills are coming due, but the plan to operate public dollars for all the work has hit a snag.” | PA reflector
Elsewhere
State Rep. Scialabba is not seeking re-election. “State Rep. Stephenie Scialabba, R-12, said Monday she will not seek a third term.” | Butler the Eagle
Summary of re-election announcements. “Here is a list of members of the Pennsylvania General Assembly who have announced their intention to seek re-election in 2026 since February 17, 2026. The list may not be complete.” | PoliticsPA
Will the Federal Government’s AI Safety Pit take on AP and other states? “Disinformation, personal privacy and labor market disruption are among the list of AI-related concerns outlined in the commission’s recommendations on the adoption and use of artificial intelligence in Pennsylvania.” | USA Today Network
Cyber Charter school financial management under the microscope. “Cyber charter schools collect millions from taxpayers across the state, even as academic achievements vary widely among districts. Some of that money covers building costs, renovations and, according to an auditor general report released last year, staff bonuses, gift cards, car payments and gas stipends. Meanwhile, the percentage of students achieving at grade level in math and reading hovers in the single digits.” | Central Square
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Pennsylvania communities are fighting ICE detention centers but have few tools to stop them
“ICE’s plans to convert industrial buildings – often warehouses – into new detention facilities have recently faced fierce opposition on humanitarian and economic grounds. But with limited legal authority, city and state officials have turned to the court of public opinion to deter private developers and the federal government. | Penn Capital Star
Elsewhere
Allegheny County candidates are collecting signatures as the 2026 election cycle begins.. “Each candidate must collect the minimum number of signatures appropriate to the position held – 300 for state representative, 500 for state senator and 2,000 for governor, including 100 from each of at least 10 different counties.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Democrat Mark Pinsley is running simultaneously for state Senate and Congress. “Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley is circulating petitions to both Pennsylvania’s 16th Senate District and the Lehigh Valley House of Congress, raising questions about whether he will remain in the crowded race for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District.” | LehighValley News
Pennsylvania counties want to power the Northwest. “U.S. Senator Dave McCormick joined regional business leaders and federal, Commonwealth and local officials at a launch event at Avalon at the Buhl Country Club to announce Power Northwest, an initiative to promote development in economic centers across the 10-county region.” | Business Journal
A struggling rural hospital in Pennsylvania is preparing to close. “The closure of Bradford Regional Medical Center will leave McKean County with just 14 hospital beds for a population of 35,000.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- The President’s House Judiciary Ruling Is a Key Victory for the Power of Truth | Questioner from Philadelphia
- Reading between the lines of the First Amendment | Greensburg Tribune Review
- Where does so much faith in politics come from? | Cal Thomas
- Words have consequences, especially when you are Jewish | Marcia Bronstein
- Up Next: Nine Months of Trump Threatens Midterms | Gene Collier
- Democrats, you may have already lost the 2028 election | Mateusz Continetti
- Attention, nostalgia! Pam Bondi Makes Me Miss Janet Reno | Dick Polman
1 item
5. New research predicts that working from home will come back in a massive way
“Missing the pandemic era of work from home? Give it a decade or two and it will become the norm again. That’s because while baby boomer and Gen X bosses may currently be winning the back-to-work war, new data suggests it’s a short-lived victory.”
In fact, the National Bureau of Economic Research found that millennial and Gen Z bosses are much more likely than their older colleagues to allow employees to work remotely, and that it’s only a matter of time before they take over the responsibilities and bring their love of flexibility to them. | Fortune
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