📖 Today’s PolitykiPA Guide. Poll: Most say the state of the Union is not forceful. Lehigh County’s special election has high stakes for AP. Democratic Workers’ Brigade. THON 2026 raised a record $18.8 million.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Miserlou. Dick Dale and his Del-Tones. You’ll recognize it immediately
Weather in Pennsylvania
☁️ Pittsburg | Mostly murky, 37
☁️ Harrisburg | Cloudy, 39
❄️ Philadelphia | Snow, 37
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (31-26) | New Orleans 111-126 | Minnesota 135-108 | Tuesday in Indiana
🏒 Flyers (25/20/11) | February 25 in Washington
🏒 Penguins (29/15/12) | February 26 vs. New Jersey
🔈 What we hear. DCCC name Paige Cognetti AND Janelle Stelson to the Red to Blue program to receive strategic guidance, staffing resources, training and fundraising support.
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The most critical story
1. Poll: Majority say the state of the Union is not forceful and the situation of the United States is worse
“How President Trump is set to deliver his first official State of the Union address of his second term, a majority of Americans say the country is worse off than it was a year ago and the state of the union is not forceful, according to the latest NPR/PBS News/Marist poll.
Additionally, more people than ever describe the direction Trump is taking the country as a “change for the worse.”
The poll is the latest sign of the political difficulties Trump faces, especially when it comes to persuasive voters. But given that his base continues to support him – more than 8 in 10 Republicans believe the country is better off than a year ago – it is unlikely that Trump will cede any position in Tuesday’s speech. | NPR
Elsewhere
Four hotly contested U.S. House of Representatives races are once again putting PA in the national political spotlight. “Control of the U.S. House of Representatives is up for grabs in this year’s midterm elections, and Pennsylvania is once again in the national spotlight with four congressional district races that could tip the scales.” | PennLive
Voters know what the next huge issue is. They don’t know what they think about it. “Data centers are quickly becoming the next major political issue. And neither side has figured out how to act on them. Americans don’t know much about data centers, don’t really know what to think about them, and aren’t yet sure where the political battle lines are.” | POLICY
Supreme Court ruling on tariffs could change 2026 election. “The 2026 midterm elections could now be shaped by the candidates’ response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to remove most of President Donald Trump’s tariff powers.” | Central Square
Shapiro details a constructive relationship with Fetterman, but avoids endorsing the senator. “Gov. Josh Shapiro said he and Sen. John Fetterman are on good terms despite their “different” political approaches on some issues. ” | Washington Examiner
Country
2. Tuesday’s special election in Lehigh County has a lot at stake for Pennsylvania politics
“Local voters in special elections could change the balance of power in Harrisburg when they go to the polls on Tuesday to choose their next state representative.
Residents of Allentown and Salisbury Township will choose between a Democrat Ana Tiburciodirector of the Allentown School Board and a Republican Robert E. Smith Jr.former school board director to represent the state’s 22nd district for the next nine months.” | LehighValley News
Elsewhere
When weighing fresh AP taxes, Democrats say the tax on the wealthy should still be taken into account. “As state lawmakers once again debate potentially lucrative taxes on marijuana and skill gaming, some Democrats and tax reform advocates in Harrisburg say lawmakers should not forget the revenue-generating potential of a tax on the wealthy.” | LNP
Pennsylvania’s Right to Know in the Age of Artificial Intelligence. “The spread of generative AI has upended state public access processes, either burdening governments with voluminous documents or increasing transparency for those without legal training.” | Penn Capital Star
False claims laws in other states have generated millions. Why didn’t this make it to PA? “The proposed law would mirror the federal False Claims Act, which allows whistleblowers to file lawsuits on behalf of the government and receive a portion of the money recovered in damages and penalties or paid in settlements. Federal prosecutors say the law is one of their most powerful tools against fraud.” | PA reflector
PA suffers from a shortage of skilled workers. What is the plan to fulfill it? “Pennsylvania officials have unveiled a multi-part plan to strengthen the commonwealth’s higher education system by making qualifications more affordable and growing a workforce that meets the needs of a changing economy.” | USA Today Network
Around the Republic of Poland
3rd Workers’ Brigade of Democrats
“Bob Brooks owns a lawn care and snow removal company, heads the Pennsylvania Professional Firefighters Association, and was employed by the Democratic Party Governor Josh Shapiro reclaim one of the most competitive housing districts in the country.
And here in the Lehigh Valley, as across the country, the party’s chances of winning back the chambers may rest in the calloused hands of candidates like Brooks, who flaunt their blue-collar work in hopes of winning back lower- and middle-income voters who have flocked to Trump in droves.’ | TIME
Elsewhere
Court of Appeals says the Trump administration doesn’t have to restore more exhibits in the president’s home for now. “President Donald Trump’s administration won its first court victory in a House of Commons case Friday afternoon when a federal appeals judge stayed an injunction ordering the restoration of slavery exhibits.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Josh Shapiro, in his own words, On political violence and anti-Semitism. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro Opens Up About His Jewish Faith at a Key Time in His Political Career.” | AP
Immigration cases dominate federal court in Philadelphia as ICE Push continues. “Prior to the summer, detained immigrants filed requests for release in federal court in Philadelphia several times a year. ICE’s new detention policy has led to hundreds of requests in recent months.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Elections of committee members in numbers. “Are you thinking about running for the lowest office in Philadelphia? Chances are you’ll win.” | Citizen of Philadelphia
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. THON raises record $18.8 million
“Another year, another record fundraising total for Penn State’s THON Foundation and its efforts to support children with cancer and research.
The THON 2026 initiative raised $18,841,726.53 for the Four Diamonds Foundation at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital, the student-led philanthropy was announced Sunday afternoon at the Bryce Jordan Center. The announcement came after the annual 46-hour dance marathon, which began at 6 p.m. on Friday, capped off a year of fundraising.” | StateCollege.com
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