🙏 Good morning. Thank you to Taylor Tappen for covering the Playbook last week and giving me a chance to recharge for budget season.
PolitykaPA Guide 3 things. The rise and fall of the Freedom Caucus leaders in the House of Representatives. Are arcade games legal? Imbalance is changing the property tax landscape in PA
🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Tightening. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band
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The most critical story
1. The rise and fall of the Freedom Caucus leaders in the House of Representatives
“As he walked down the center aisle of the House to deliver the State of the Union address in February, President Donald Trump he shook hands with many Republicans looking for a few seconds of fame on national television.
But he slipped past Rep. Chip Roynever looking him in the eye and proceeding to pose for a selfie with another Republican.
The moment summed up Trump’s tumultuous relationship with the Texas firebrand and, more broadly, the House Freedom Caucus. A group of about thirty far-right lawmakers rose to prominence by derailing legislation and helping to oust GOP speakers. Their relationship with Trump has been complicated over the years, but their power has weakened significantly as Trump’s power has grown known
Elsewhere
Chris Rabb’s campaign was a huge victory for Philadelphia progressives. Now he wants to repeat it across the country. “After winning the hotly contested Democratic primary in Philadelphia’s 3rd Congressional District, Rabb is focused on supporting like-minded candidates.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Why Brian Fitzpatrick helped finance the early crime against Bob Harvie in the Key Bucks County congressional race. ‘Kingpin’, ‘arrogant’ and ‘elitist’: U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick attacks Democrat Bob Harvie with early attack ads in closely watched Pennsylvania race.’ | Questioner from Philadelphia
Shapiro on Netanyahu, Kamala Harris and the 2028 race. “Over South Philly pizza, Pennsylvania governor rejects 2028 talk as he lays out his vision for the Democratic Party.” | POLICY
Who leads the wide-open 2028 Democratic presidential field? “There are no candidates, no frontrunner, and no obvious lane in the 2028 Democratic presidential primary. That hasn’t stopped the shadow campaign from starting. | Washington Post Office
Country
2. The legislature is unlikely to take action on skill games until the PA Supreme Court rules on their legality
“Pennsylvania lawmakers say they are waiting for the state’s highest court to decide whether arcade games are legal before they try to regulate and tax the machines again.
Slot machine-like arcade games exist in a legal gray zone and have spread across the state in taverns, gas stations and convenience stores. They are among the main contenders for recent taxes to raise revenues for transit, education and other budget needs.” | PA reflector
Elsewhere
Shapiro couldn’t avoid questions about him. He decided he didn’t want to. “For now, Josh Shapiro says he’s focused on Pennsylvania – ‘the state that calls the shots,’ as he likes to say.” | CNN
PA Data Center Pause? Garrity, Shapiro Stake out positions. “At a time when politics is deeply divided, it seems like at least one issue may transcend the divide: data centers.” | THAT’S ALL
Senator Katie Muth is introducing a bill to prevent data centers from becoming public facilities. “Artificial intelligence entrepreneur Sam Altman’s comments regarding a vision of a future in which artificial intelligence is as ubiquitous as running water prompted the legislature to clarify that data centers are not public utilities.” | Penn Capital Star
A frail primary is paving the way for hotly contested midterm battles across Pennsylvania. “If Pennsylvania voters found the May 19 primary election a bit dull due to the lack of competitive races, get ready for a multi-faceted November general election filled with close battles.” | WVIA
Around the Republic of Poland
3. From Bucks to Franklin, imbalance is changing the property tax landscape in PA
“The valuation of real estate should be close to the market value of the property. This stasis ensures uniform taxation of real estate. It ensures fairness and balances the main source of income for most local governments, i.e. real estate tax.
In Franklin County, where there has been no countywide reassessment since 1961, the discrepancy between assessed value and market value has increased so much that, on average, properties are assessed at about 7% of their market value.
While this is one of the lowest such percentages in the state, Franklin County is not alone in Pennsylvania in having obsolete reassessments or imbalances in property values.” | USA Today Network
Elsewhere
They voted for Trump. Here’s what they think about high gas prices. “With the midterm elections five months away, many Americans who support President Trump are struggling with the pain of the pomp and the war in Iran.” | New York Times
PA voters more dissatisfied, especially with Trump tariffs, January 6 fund. “Pennsylvania voters are increasingly dissatisfied with the direction of the country, the state, and with politicians, especially when asked about President Donald Trump’s latest policy moves.” | PennLive
What is CAP? Behind the group supporting Lancaster County Republicans in statewide races. “A Pennsylvania nonprofit that received significant financial support from the arcade gaming industry during the spring primary campaign is playing an increasingly important role in trying to persuade Lancaster County Republicans to support candidates who pledge to support the group’s agenda.” | LNP
Inside the taxpayer-funded Allegheny County court payroll. “A Pittsburgh public source analyzed 2025 salary data for more than 1,000 court employees, offering a new look at the public workforce behind Allegheny County’s court system.” | Public source
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Bruce Springsteen’s Philadelphia performance of “Land of Hope and Dreams” was a shamelessly biased and uplifting revival that sounded astonishingly good
“Bruce Springsteen started Saturday evening with a speech.
Since then President Donald Trump was selected for a second time, Springsteen took the unusual step of not letting his music speak for itself at the beginning of his performances.
Instead, when he took the stage at the Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia at 7:30 p.m. piercing on the final day of his “Land of Hope and Dreams” U.S. tour, Boss came out swinging.
Calling the Trump administration “corrupt, incompetent, racist, reckless and treasonous,” he asked his listeners to join him in embracing a shared, inclusive version of America that he said runs counter to the president’s vision. | Questioner from Philadelphia
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