📖 Today’s #PoliticsPA Guide. A look at the fourth quarter fundraising numbers. Shapiro plans ‘fiscally responsible’ 2026 budget proposal after scratchy 2025 process. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly will invest $3.5 billion in Lehigh County. Groundhog Day
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Everything’s all right. Kenny Loggins (imagine the dancing groundhog from Caddyshack)
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ Punxsutawney | Partly clear, 22
☀️ Waynesboro | Sunny, 31
☀️ Berwick | Sunny, 30
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (27-21) | New Orleans 124-114 | Monday at the Los Angeles Clippers
🏒 Flyers (24/20/10) | Los Angeles 2-3 (OT) | Tuesday vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (28/14/11) | NY Rangers 6-5 | Mon vs. Ottawa
📅 Welcome back. The House will call for a vote at noon, and the Senate will call for a vote at 2 p.m
🔈 What we hear. Democratic candidate in PA-07 Bob Brooks I received a few recommendations from… over the weekend Senator Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) i Pete Buttigieg.
📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free. Send tips or press releases to [email protected].
The most vital story
1. First look at Q4 fundraising numbers
“The Federal Election Commission has released fundraising and spending data for Pennsylvania’s congressional delegations, as well as those hoping to run for those positions.
Here’s a first look at the numbers. Later this week we will dig deeper and see what we can see.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
McCormick is calling for national voter ID to be introduced before the midterms. “McCormick co-sponsored the SAVE Act in the U.S. Senate. The bill would require voters to provide proof of U.S. citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections. ” | abc27
‘Serious concerns’: ICE agents wearing masks motivated by doxing threat, Fetterman tells Fox News. “U.S. Senator John Fetterman on Sunday defended Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials who wear face masks, arguing that doxing poses a ‘grave concern’ for agents.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
A Pennsylvania Republican congressman is blasting state leaders for their immigration policies. “Rep. Dan Meuser examines President Donald Trump’s new approach to federal intervention in Democrat-run cities and a partial government shutdown on ‘The Fox Report.’ Fox News
Country
2. Shapiro plans ‘fiscally responsible’ 2026 budget proposal after 2025 preliminary process
“Less than three months after ending a painful 135-day state budget impasse and facing a series of ongoing financial problems, Governor Josh Shapiro on Tuesday, he will appear before lawmakers to deliver his annual budget speech.
The stakes seem higher than ever for Mr. Shapiro this year. Widely viewed as a potential presidential candidate – he has appeared on national television multiple times in the past week and has just released a book – the governor prides himself on “getting things done.” But the last budget process was an ugly, 40-week political ordeal that was more than four months tardy.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Elsewhere
Shapiro is expected to include housing costs, energy needs and unfinished business as part of the budget plan. “Facing re-election, Gov. Josh Shapiro is expected to address rising housing costs, increased energy demand and unfinished business from previous years when he presents his budget proposal to state legislators on Tuesday.” | PA reflector
Should data centers pay upfront or build their own power plants? “Network operator PJM and its governors have different ideas on how to fix electricity bills.” | Penn Capital Star
The number of independent voters in Pennsylvania is growing despite being excluded from the primary elections. “Notes that the combination of closed primaries and America’s two-party structure disenfranchises the fastest-growing group of voters in the commonwealth.” | WITF
Meet the Republicans competing for Lancaster County GOP support for the 36th Senate district race. “February is a pivotal time for Lancaster County Republicans running for office. The party’s coveted endorsement for this year’s races will be awarded in less than three weeks.” | LNP
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly will invest $3.5 billion in Lehigh County
“Indiana-based Eli Lilly announced Friday that it will invest $3.5 billion to build a modern pharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Lehigh County that will create 850 modern jobs over the next five years.
The Fogelsville facility will be the company’s first in Pennsylvania. Lilly’s products – including insulin, vaccines and semaglutides used to treat diabetes and weight loss – are sold in approximately 95 countries.” | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
What is “Yinzer”? Our reporters’ roundtable with Governor Josh Shapiro. “Josh Shapiro’s book tour could lay the groundwork for a presidential bid. During the event with reporters, the governor also showed off his Pennsylvania roots.” | Christian Science Monitor
The main reason Josh Shapiro’s book tour ends at mass. It matters in 2026. “Pennsylvania’s Democratic governor said he’s not thinking about the 2028 presidential election as he seeks re-election this year in his home state. But he hasn’t explicitly ruled it out.” | Massive live
Rivetti nominated for U.S. attorney in Western Pennsylvania. “Troy Rivetti has returned to his role as Acting United States Attorney for Western Pennsylvania. Pending confirmation by the U.S. Senate, Rivetti was appointed on Wednesday by Attorney General Pamela Bondi and was subsequently sworn into the position by U.S. District Court Judge J. Nicholas Ranjan. ” | Indiana newspaper
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Groundhog Day
This morning, the world’s most notable groundhog emerged from its burrow in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania and he declared that we had six more weeks of winter ahead of us. Damn him.
Thank you for starting your week with us.
Make someone’s day a little brighter. Let’s come back tomorrow for Budget Day
