July 20 Guide: Is Josh Shapiro really good at governing?

🌓 It’s Monday. DYK today is the 57th anniversary of the first landing on the Moon?

Headlines. Is Josh Shapiro really good at governing? Social services and the fresh AP budget. In memory of: Tim Murphy. Shoppers flock to Erie.

🎶 Your morning, pick me up. Man in the Moon. REM

Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Moon | Sunny, 82
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☀️ Eagle | Sunny, 83

Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (55-45, 3GB) | NY Mets 1-6 | Mine versus the LA Dodgers
⚾ Pirates (52-48, 10.5 GB, – GB WC) | Cleveland 7-1 | Monday at the NY Yankees
⚽ Union (1W, 3D, 11L) | July 22 vs. Red Bulls

What we hear. The largest union representing teachers and school support staff in Pennsylvania, including most in Bucks County approved Republican U.S. Representative Brian Fitzpatrick in his extremely risky re-election bid.

What we also hear. “I do not speak on behalf of the president” Representative Rob Bresnahan said NOTUS when asked whether he believed voters would recognize Republicans for housing policy, even though Trump called the bill a “big yawn” for election security. “I know my constituents, my constituents. My constituents are very excited about the package,” Bresnahan said.

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 essential story

1. Is Josh Shapiro really good at governing?

“In the years following the I-95 collapse Josh Shapiro will emerge as a national political figure – a potential vice presidential candidate in 2024, now a likely presidential candidate in 2028. In this way, the 53-year-old has become a significant player in the ideological wars taking place within the Democratic Party. He is one of the de facto leaders of the Democratic faction that wants the party to take a more moderate path, away from progressivism Bernie Sanders AND A.O.C. He is also an observant Jew and a defender of Israel at a time when the Gaza war and broader questions about Zionism have deeply divided Democrats.

But Shapiro’s I-95 crash isn’t the whole story. Neither is the national media’s version of Shapiro, the one who is an incredibly persuasive voice on the ideological direction of the Democratic Party. All of his government records are there as well.” | PA reflector

Elsewhere

Shapiro to Trump: If you have proof you voted without citizenship, ‘show it to us’. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro on Friday morning television called on President Donald Trump to produce evidence of non-citizen voting in the Commonwealth and across the country.” | PoliticsPA

Pennsylvania’s 2020 election was “completely secure,” Fetterman says. “Senator John Fetterman on Sunday rejected President Donald Trump’s repeated claims that election security problems in multiple states, including Pennsylvania, robbed him of his 2020 election victory against Joe Biden.” | Policy

Fetterman’s tiny donor base is drying up, another sign of his struggles with Democrats. “As John Fetterman has broken with the progressive flank of the Democratic Party in recent years — the political bloc that elevated him from small-town mayor to national prominence — that broad base of financial support has collapsed dramatically, recent campaign documents show.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

GOP mid-term strategy: Let this be a ‘hate election’. “Republicans admit the GOP’s midterm forecast is bleak. But they cling to two hopes: voter fear and Democrat hatred.” | Axles

Country

2. Social services will receive millions more in Pennsylvania’s fresh budget. Is this enough?

“Pennsylvania’s fresh budget will send millions of additional dollars to social services programs across the commonwealth.

However, while fresh funding could stabilize staffing and strengthen selected programs, much work remains to address deeper structural problems.” | Elsewhere

Pennsylvania ranks last in a fresh study of 18-year-old voter registration rates. “Turnout was high in Pennsylvania in the last election, but one important segment of the electorate is not participating in such large numbers. Only 22% of 18-year-olds in the state are registered to vote. That’s significantly lower than states like Oregon, which leads with 86%, or even neighboring states like New Jersey and West Virginia, with 48% and 55%, respectively. ” | Let him vote

3 financial facts about Pennsylvania’s 2026-27 budget. “The budget includes $2.64 billion in temporary savings from delayed monthly payments.” | City and state

PA Transit Supporters: Budget allocates funds for agencies that are ‘bleeding out’. “Activists who have been pressuring lawmakers to include a new statewide funding stream for public transit agencies in the state budget have raised concerns that this year’s agreement does not take into account future sustainability. Still, small victories should help define a path forward for next year’s expected budget debate,” they said. | WESA

Around the Republic of Poland

3. Tim Murphy, who represented Western AP in Congress for 15 years, dies at 73

“Tim Murphyformer United States Representative for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional District. He was 73 years antique. Murphy died Saturday at home in Upper St. Clair from an alleged heart attack.

The Republican was first elected to Congress in 2002 after serving in the Pennsylvania Senate from 1997-2003. | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

Elsewhere

Former prosecutor said District Attorney Larry Krasner’s office worked with defense attorneys to try to overturn murder conviction. “A former Philadelphia prosecutor who recommended overturning a man’s murder conviction said she did so at the behest of her boss, who she said failed to meaningfully analyze the evidence and instead ‘colluded’ with defense attorneys to find the most effective way to dismiss the case.” | Questioner from Philadelphia

Tensions between the Allegheny County Executive’s office and a KDKA radio host are reaching boiling point. “Hostility between a radio host and the office of Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato boiled over Friday when the KDKA anchor reposted on social media a video by the county’s top spokesman in which the communications director suggested he ‘jump’ off a bridge.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper

How Donald Trump turned panels on slavery into red meat for his base. “This bill was the latest move in an ongoing battle between the city of Philadelphia and the federal government centered on how America’s story should be told and what voices should be included in that narrative.” | Philadelphia Tribune

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board says gaming revenues have topped $7 billion for the first time. “Total gross revenues generated from casino slot machines and table games, iGaming, sports betting, video gaming terminals and fantasy sports contests were $7,005,987,435, an all-time high for the fiscal year.” | PennWatch

Editorial

4. What do you think about it?

• The SAVE America Act Backfired | Wall Street Journal
• Do elected officials owe health reports to their constituents? | Chicago Tribune
• A citizen’s most essential job is at risk | Nathaniel Popkin
• A responsible budget that protects taxpayers and strengthens Pennsylvania | Senator Joe Picozzi
• Pennsylvania’s newly passed budget does not solve long-standing problems | LNP
• This blue-collar horse race could predict congressional control | Ronald Brownstein
• ‘White people are failing’: Graham Platner’s fall sheds lithe on toxic double standards in US politics | Rachel Leingang and Lauren Gambino
• Pennsylvania leaders show what’s possible when politicians choose cooperation over chaos | Marek S. Singel
• Loyalists, populists, optimists… American politics does not have two camps. He is 8 | Kristen Soltis Anderson
• Disaster in rural health care | CNHI

1 item

5. Budget shoppers are flocking to the hidden “gem city” on Pennsylvania’s Great Lake coast

“Pennsylvania’s only Great Lakes port city is turning heads among homebuyers seeking exceptional affordability, high climate resilience and a high quality of life.

Erie, Pennsylvania, nicknamed the “Gem City” for the sparkling waters of Lake Erie Harbor, was ranked No. 2 on the Realtor.com® Hottest Housing Markets for June 2026. Erie’s rapid growth includes climbing 12 spots over the past year and rising 17 spots since May. | Real Estate.com

Thank you for starting your Monday with us.
Have a nice week. We will come back here again tomorrow.