☀️ Good morning! Today is the last day to register to vote in the May 19 primary election.
📰 PA Policy Playbook Headlines. Will friendship be enough to make Fetterman a Republican? Has Shapiro boosted Garrity’s state treasurer campaign over the Democrat in 2024? In the PR battle over AI data centers, tech giants have gained a blue-collar ally. May the 4th be with you.
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Give me shelter. Rolling Stones
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌤️ DuBois | Becoming solar, 69
☀️ Palmyra | Sunny, 73
☀️ Landenberg | Sunny, 72
Sports PA
⚾ Pirates (19-16) | Cincinnati 1-0 | Tuesday-Thursday in Arizona
⚾ Phillies (14-20) | Miami 7-2 | Monday in Miami
🏀 Sixes (4-3) | Boston 109-100 | Mon. in New York
🏒 Flyers (0-1) | Karolina 0-3 | Monday in Carolina
⚽ Union (1-2-8) | Nashville 0-0 | Saturday vs. New England
🔈 What we hear. DCCC added Bob Harvie AND Bob Brooks to the “Red to Blue” program, which provides organizational support and fundraising.
💬 Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s leading source of unbiased political news and analysis. Tips and press releases can be submitted [email protected].
📕 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here.
The most significant story
1. John Fetterman is the lone Democrat. Is friendship enough to make him a Republican?
“A few days have passed since the November elections and the results have become clear: Democrats have won the four seats they need to claim a majority in the Senate.
But then there’s disruption in government: Senate Republicans and President Donald Trump persuade Senator John Fetterman switch parties or at least become independent to ensure Republicans retain power in the chamber.
It’s a scenario that becomes less and less fantastic by the day.” | POLICY
Elsewhere
PA-01: Does Fitzpatrick’s campaign contain “intrusive advertising”? “Over the last few election cycles, we’ve seen political parties try a new strategy – spending money on ads that help fringe members of the opposing party win that party’s primary. Brian Fitzpatrick’s For All campaign appears to be fully committed to this strategy.” | PoliticsPA
Inside Democrats’ sweeping 2028 redistricting plans. “”Anyone looking for a map, a gerrymander, would have a real problem with our state constitution,” Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Pennsylvania) told Axios, citing restrictions on the division of counties, townships and even municipalities.” | Axles
Political obstructions give Western Pennsylvania an advantage in the medium term. “Only one congressional incumbent from southwestern Pennsylvania is considered vulnerable in this year’s crucial midterm elections, and a new analysis shows the congressman, U.S. Rep. Chris Deluzio, D-Fox Chapel, faces minimal threat.” | Grandstand overview
9 Democratic primaries to watch closely this year. “The true swing district in the most important swing state in the country, Pennsylvania’s seventh, is represented by Ryan Mackenzie, a typical MAGA politician who previously served with his mother in the state House of Representatives. Mackenzie won the seat in 2024 by less than one point.” | New Republic
Country
2. Has Shapiro boosted Garrity’s 2024 campaign for state treasurer over a Democrat?
“Did he do it or not?
That’s the question and Axios thinks it knows the answer.
In a recording obtained by this news organization, 7th Congressional District Democratic candidate Bob Brooks told a group of students last Wednesday that Governor Josh Shapiro secretly helped Stacy Garrity He is seeking re-election in 2024 over his Democratic opponent, Erin McClellandcriticized Shapiro as a potential candidate for vice president. | PolitykaPA
Elsewhere
Can any of these Democrats flip the Red State Senate district of Upper Bucks and Lehigh? “Bradley Merkl-Gump, a teacher and Pennridge School Board member, and Mark Pinsley, Lehigh County Controller, are running in the primary to challenge GOP state Sen. Jarrett Coleman in the 16th District, which Democrats believe is up for grabs this fall.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Shapiro appoints interim chair of Pennsylvania Civil Rights Authority. “The former Philadelphia City Councilman will now lead the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission’s (PHRC) four-member board, up from the 11 allowed by law. Curtis Jones Jr. will serve as interim chairman following his appointment by Gov. Josh Shapiro.” | Penn Capital Star
Shapiro demands an end to ‘excessive’ utility rate increases, but has little power to force changes. “It is unusual for the governor to intervene directly in the rate-setting process. Shapiro has no formal role in setting the rates utilities can charge, which must be approved by an independent agency of the state Public Utility Commission. Instead, he appears to be betting that the bully pulpit will help get companies to change their business practices.” | PA reflector
Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate remains steady at 4.2%. “Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate was unchanged over the month at 4.2 percent in March. The PA unemployment rate was one-tenth of a percentage point below the U.S. unemployment rate, which dropped one-tenth of a point from February to 4.3 percent.” | PoliticsPA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. In the PR battle over AI data centers, tech giants have gained a blue-collar ally
“Construction unions – long called the voice of the American worker – are now intertwined with the world’s richest companies to create America’s artificial intelligence economy.
Unionized workers are hired on a huge number of massive data center projects and are scrambling to recruit modern apprentices to meet the surge in demand.
They have also become an ally of tech giants and tech-friendly government officials, repeating the argument that the United States is in a critical national security race with China for artificial intelligence superiority.” | AP
Elsewhere
As data centers cause confusion, Bucks County officials express support. “Data centers have become a political issue this election season as some residents express concerns about pending projects in many Bucks County cities.” | Bucks County Courier Times
Private equity bankruptcies have Pennsylvania and Ohio communities scrambling to resuscitate hospitals. “Proponents say private equity ownership can benefit a health care system that is sometimes not focused on financial results. Critics are not convinced.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
How many people held by ICE in Pennsylvania have criminal histories? Less than you think. “Since September, the number of people detained by federal immigration officials in Pennsylvania who have never been charged or convicted of a crime has increased dramatically.” | PennLive
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. May the fourth be with you. Why we celebrate Star Wars Day.
“On May 22, “Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu” will be the first modern “Star Wars” film in theaters since 2019’s “The Rise of Skywalker.” However, for fans of the hit series, May actually begins with the annual Star Wars Day celebration.
This is of course a play on words. “May the 4th be with you” is a game referring to the iconic slogan from “Star Wars” “May the force be with you”. While always popular among fans online, the term gained greater prominence among the general public when Disney purchased Lucasfilm in 2012 and announced it would make a sequel trilogy. As the first major Star Wars event in the social media age, the term gained popularity among the general public. | Detroit news
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Do it right. See you tomorrow.
