🥱Welcome Monday. Rise and shine.
Headlines. Could PA see a recent congressional map before 2028? The PA Supreme Court will decide on arcade games. It serves public transport outside gigantic cities. Why Pittsburgh is the most American city.
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Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Lake Conneaut | Sunny, 87
☀️ Everett | Sunny, 83
☀️ Slatington | Mostly radiant, 78
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (35-30) | Chicago White Sox 9-5 | Monday in Toronto
⚾ Pirates (34-32) | Atlanta 2-3 | Kills vs. LA Dodgers
What we hear. District Attorney Larry Krasner will hold a press conference to release an open letter to Philadelphia Mayor Chelle Parker at 11:00.
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 vital story
1. Democrats launched a plan to redraw congressional maps in as many as 13 states
“Democrats are setting the stage to continue their redistricting efforts in as many as 13 states before 2028, redrawing congressional lines to provide potentially dozens of additional House seats, according to an internal strategy memo obtained exclusively by TIME. To pursue this plan, party strategists have a list of fewer than two dozen state legislative seats they must flip in this year’s midterm elections.”
Democrats are still reeling from the first round of redistricting wars that began last year. Republicans appear to have been better at manipulating maps, so Democrats plan to be more aggressive on the redistricting front ahead of 2028, and capitalizing on favorable electoral conditions in 2026 is key.” | TIME
Elsewhere
What Rabb’s victory in Philadelphia could mean for Democrats’ 2028 battle to replace John Fetterman. “The euphoria at Chris Rabb’s election night last month hadn’t even begun to fade before the democratic socialist and his supporters — dancing and hugging after winning a rarely open congressional seat in Philadelphia — began talking about an even greater goal.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
The Justice Department failed to take normal steps to protect the 2026 election. “President Donald Trump says, ‘if you don’t have a fair vote, you can’t really have a nation.’ But five months before the midterm elections that will determine control of Congress, his Justice Department canceled election integrity training sessions for prosecutors and FBI agents, removed a 281-page guide to prosecuting election crimes, fired most of the lawyers in the Public Integrity Section and did not replace the director of the election crimes division. | known
Mackenzie opposes voting to limit Trump’s war powers with Iran, saying it makes America less protected. “Hours after the U.S. House of Representatives voted to limit President Donald Trump’s powers to wage war on Iran, U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie criticized his colleagues for obstructing U.S. negotiators’ attempts to broker a peace deal in the three-month conflict.” | LehighValley News
Rep. Smucker is voting against a bill that would send aid to Ukraine and impose sanctions on Russia. “Despite previous comments supporting Ukraine in its war with Russia, U.S. Republican Lloyd Smucker voted against a new loan package for the Eastern European country on Thursday, a vote in line with Republican Party leaders who said the measure was flawed and would not achieve its intended goals.” | LNP
Country
2. Skill or luck? The Pennsylvania Supreme Court will decide on lucrative slot games
“Are they games of skill or luck, or both?
The state Supreme Court will soon decide the fate of so-called arcade machines, slot machine-like devices that have spread in recent years to bars, convenience stores and gas stations in northeastern Pennsylvania and across the state. Lower courts have ruled that these are not gambling devices that can be regulated under current state law.
Unlike slot machines in casinos, which are taxed at around 54%, skill games remain untaxed and unregulated. | Voice of Citizens
Elsewhere
Garrity addresses Homer and school choice issues in a wide-ranging interview. “State Treasurer Stacy Garrity brought her campaign to Indiana on Friday, stopping at the Gazette on the way between appearances in Pittsburgh and Warren County. The Republican candidate for governor touched on a wide range of topics, from school choice to energy development in Homer City, as she pushed to unseat Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Latrobe Bulletin
Why won’t the Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor say she supports marriage equality? “Stacy Garrity has repeatedly refused to clarify her position on same-sex marriage while maintaining a conservative approach to LGBTQ+ issues.” | Spokesman
‘I’m tired of being kicked in the teeth’: Firefighters union leader wants to shake up Congress. “Pennsylvania’s Bob Brooks is one of many working-class Democrats on the ballot – can he beat a Koch-backed challenger?” | Guardian
The GOP bill would enact PA law based on the Trump administration’s data center agreements. “Last winter, the Trump administration signed agreements with tech companies and 13 governors, including Gov. Josh Shapiro, whose states rely on PJM Interconnection’s power grid, pledging to put people in front of data centers. A GOP lawmaker in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives now says these agreements provide a solution to the commonwealth’s energy crisis.” | Penn Capital Star
Around the Republic of Poland
3. How does the AP budget serve public transport outside metropolitan nodes?
“While money earmarked for transit systems in the Philadelphia and Pittsburgh areas – by far the state’s two largest – are under tight squeeze, money earmarked for dozens of smaller systems across the state could essentially become hostage as politicians squabble over funding for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority, or SEPTA, and Pittsburgh Regional Transportation.
About 87% of the money will go to the governments of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. In total, SEPTA is expected to receive more than $1 billion from the state. The next largest, Pittsburgh Regional Transit, will receive at least $500 million.
But how would other public transit systems across the state fare?” | USA Today Network
Elsewhere
The failure of Mayor Parker’s tax on Uber was her biggest legislative defeat to date. Here’s what went wrong. “The budget fight showed that Parker’s tough negotiating style won’t always work with a City Council that is increasingly willing to abandon its burdens.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
As vaccination rates in Pennsylvania schools decline, measles cases are skyrocketing in the largest outbreak in three decades. “In total, the virus has infected at least 60 people in six counties this year – the most in the state in three decades. Only six other states have had more cases this year.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Longtime Philly state senator Anthony Williams is running for the last time and will not commit to a full term. “The veteran Philadelphia state senator has not committed to completing another four-year term, which has left him open to the possibility of choosing a successor if he decides to retire early.” | Questioner from Philadelphia
Five GOP entries could appear on the PA House of Representatives ballot in Allegheny County this fall. “The Allegheny County Republican Party is celebrating a successful effort that will put Republicans in five additional House races this year.” | THAT’S ALL
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Why Pittsburgh is the most American city
“We didn’t play a big role in the founding of America. We’re not close to being the greatest city, and our accent is like no other in the country, but Pittsburgh still makes a strong case for being the most American city.”
Why it matters: The nation’s 250th anniversary is approaching, and cities across the United States are commemorating their role in building America.
It’s time to address the Pittsburgh issue. | Axios Pittsburgh
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