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Headlines. The Democratic Socialists are not the only party dividing teenage, progressive Democrats. The election could look very different if Democrats gain full control of the AP. Future of Pennsylvania warehouses uncertain after ICE Pivot. The Central PA Art Festival turns 60.
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The most essential story
1. Democratic Socialists aren’t the only teenage, progressive Democrats dividing the party
“Several recent high-profile Democratic congressional primaries resulted in the nominations of unexpected candidates. Many of these winning candidates lost established positions, says the 29-year-old Colorado lawyer Melata Kiros he did U.S. Representative Diana DeGettewho has served in this chamber for thirty years.
Some of these candidates are clearly running under the banner of the Democratic Socialists of America, known as “DSA”, a far-left organization known for standard bearers such as US Senator Bernie Sanders from Vermont and United States Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez New York.
There is no doubt that DSA is having its moment in the Democratic Party. And since their candidates in midterm races are almost certain to win in sheltered Democratic districts, I believe their influence will likely be a major factor on Capitol Hill in the next Congress.” | The Conversation
Elsewhere
Federal SNAP changes could shift $400 million in costs to PA taxpayers. “Pennsylvania reduced its food stamp error rate last year, but the errors it reports could still expose the commonwealth to an additional $400 million in additional annual program costs.” | USA Today Network
Pennsylvania Democrats are considering the candidacy of Darializ Avila Chevalier in New York. “A wave of progressive challengers in New York succeeded in trying to unseat Democratic incumbents in Congress in last month’s primary elections. Several of these victories made headlines beyond the Empire State and continue to spark ongoing debate about the future direction of the Democratic Party.” | Central Square
Centrist Democrats support more candidates. (*8*) | Traffic lights
Country
2. Pennsylvania’s elections could look very different if Democrats gain full control of state government in 2026.
“The movement to change Pennsylvania’s voting laws is all but dead.
Despite bipartisan support for changes in Harrisburg, no major election legislation has passed since the introduction of no-excuse absentee voting in 2020. Since then, the issue has become deeply partisan. Bills routinely make it to the GOP-controlled state Senate or Democratic-controlled House and then languish in the other chamber. However, the council that was supposed to advise the legislature on bipartisan solutions remains inactive.
But will that change if Democrats win a trifecta of state government this fall – control of the state Senate, House of Representatives and governor? And what policies would they prioritize?” | Let him vote
Elsewhere
GOP’s Garrity challenges Shapiro’s position on data centers and emphasizes local control. “Republican gubernatorial candidate Stacy Garrity has assured one thing regarding her position on regulating data center construction in Pennsylvania: Gov. Josh Shapiro is doing it wrong.” | THAT’S ALL
Budget impasse ‘very stressful’ for people waiting for state money. “One week has passed since the state budget deadline, and public libraries, schools and rape crisis centers are preparing for tougher times ahead, even as the memory of last year’s 135-day budget debacle remains fresh.” | Central Square
Shapiro is one of Philadelphia’s most popular figures. Here’s why. “One of the most popular elected officials in Philadelphia is not the mayor or City Council members, but Gov. Josh Shapiro, according to a recent Suffolk University poll.” | Philadelphia Tribune
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Uncertain future of warehouses in Pennsylvania after ICE withdraws from detention centers
“As Immigration and Customs Enforcement appears to have abandoned plans to convert some of the recent warehouses into detention centers, many questions remain about the future of these facilities.
The most essential issue, at least in Pennsylvania, is how to compensate for the millions of dollars in local government revenues that have been lost now that real estate is tax-exempt.’ | Penn Capital Star
Elsewhere
PA is facing a data center boom with dozens of massive projects emerging. “It’s a modern-day gold rush. Pennsylvania isn’t the first to experience a data center boom. But now it’s in full force in the Commonwealth, with dozens of major projects under construction, undergoing planning reviews by local governments or competing for selected sites. ” | PennLive
Why can’t Lehigh Valley cities just say no to data centers? “The angry crowds that fill city meetings chanting “just say no” may be wasting their collective breath because city officials have no power to ban a project just because residents don’t like it.” | Morning talk in Allentown
Pennsylvania Turnpike approves 3.5% toll augment for January, lowest since 2014.. “The increase, which takes effect January 3, will raise the cost of highway travel for passenger vehicles using an E-ZPass transponder from 7.3 cents per mile traveled to 7.5 cents, as well as an increase from $1.13 to $1.17 for each overhead crane a driver passes under.” | Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper
Lawmakers propose creating a recent Pennsylvania license plate. “Legislation proposed by State Sens. Katie Muth (D-44) and Carolyn Comitta (D-19) would create a license plate commemorating the Pennsylvania Environmental Laws Amendment.” | abc27
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
1 item
5. Keeping the Magic Alive for 60 Years: The Enduring Charm of the Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival
“Is there any event that defines State College in the summer like the Festival of the Arts? This is the first event of its kind in Center County and has been a fixture since 1967, drawing thousands of attendees to the streets of downtown where festival-goers browse the wealth of high-quality artwork, sing and dance at concerts, play with kids, grab a bite to eat and, all in all, simply enjoy a perfect day of summer fun.”
The 60th Central Pennsylvania Arts Festival runs July 8-12, Children and Youth Day begins July 8, and sidewalk sales and displays begin July 9. | StateCollege.com
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