🤠 Hello, Wednesday. One day closer to the weekend.
Weather in Pennsylvania
⛈️Ridgway | Thunderstorms Likely, 84
🌤️ Strasbourg | Rising Clouds, 86
☀️ Saylorsburg | Sunny, 88
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (35-14) | Texas 5-2 | Wed-Thurs vs. Texas
⚾ Pirates (23-26) | San Francisco 7-6 (10) | Wed-Thurs vs. San Francisco
🗓️ What’s happening today. The House meets at 11:00
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Representative Jim Gregory.
🎸 Everyday Bruce. “Every year, when summer comes, they hang a banner across the main street of the city. You feel something happening in the air. Well, from Carol’s house on Telegraph Hill, you can see the lights going out on Soldiers Field, preparing for the county fair. – County Fair
🗞️ Pennsylvania. The ultimate swing state. Where can you find the latest information on political events in the Keystone State? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Guide. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and sign up now.
The best story
1. Courting working-class voters, Harris campaigning for Biden at the SEIU convention in Philadelphia
“How Vice President Kamala Harris took the stage for the keynote address at the annual convention of the Service Employees International Union, the Philadelphia crowd chanted, “Four more years.”
“We will do this together,” Harris told a gathering of union leaders on Tuesday, before delivering a dedication speech President Joe Biden the administration’s efforts to partner with a powerful labor union and the stakes of the 2024 election.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Related
Trump questions the integrity of Pennsylvania’s election system in exclusive interview. “In an exclusive interview, former President Donald Trump says that while his trial in New York will be irrelevant, he questions the integrity of Pennsylvania’s election system.” (CBS Pittsburgh)
Trump’s hush money trial: How will the verdict affect the 2024 elections? “Here’s how three potential jury outcomes — conviction, acquittal or hung jury — could impact the presidential campaign.” (Reuters)
McCormick, Casey Spar on visits to County PA. “It could be as simple as stopping by the county fair or attending a county political party event. But getting from Erie to Philadelphia is no mean feat. (PoliticsPA)
Vote on ‘DOA’ border bill will save Casey, says GOP. “There are no votes needed to pass the GOP-controlled House or Democratic-led Senate, but that doesn’t stop Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer from introducing a border security bill this week. The goal is not to resolve border chaos or even to pass legislation. This is about helping protect vulnerable Senate Democrats like Senator Bob Casey.” (DV Journal)
Country
2. Racing data from traffic stops by state police and other departments will not be available under the PA Public Records Act
“Governor Josh Shapiro is ready to sign a bill requiring the Pennsylvania State Police and many other law enforcement agencies to collect data on drivers stopped during traffic stops, including their race or ethnicity.
But the bill also excludes this data from the state’s right to know law, filtering it instead through state police or a third party, which raises concerns among public information advocates.” (PA reflector)
Related
Voices of Reason, S1E5. “The Israel-Hamas conflict – what do those from the outside not understand? Who is mobilizing protesters on US college campuses? What are the possible solutions? Join us for this edition of Voices of Reason, hosted by PoliticsPA and presented by L2 Data Inc. in collaboration with Broad + Liberty. ”(PoliticsPA)
House Speaker Mike Johnson is campaigning for Mackenzie in PA-7 Hotbed. “On Tuesday morning, U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson visited Cetronia Emergency Medical Services as part of a broader tour to promote Lehigh Valley congressional candidate Ryan Mackenzie ahead of the November election.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
Olsommer sworn in as newest member of the PA House. “The Pennsylvania House of Representatives returned to full strength as Jeff Olsommer (R-Wayne/Pike) was sworn in as the chamber’s 203rd member on Tuesday morning.” (PoliticsPA)
Rep. Kevin Boyle returns to the House of Representatives after a tumultuous month. “State Rep. Kevin Boyle returned to the Capitol on Tuesday after a tumultuous month during which his family publicly expressed concerns about his mental health and police lifted a warrant for his arrest just a day before the primary election.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
PA House Committee Takes Action to Create Savings Accounts for First-Time Homeowners. “The House of Representatives Committee on Housing and Community Development has passed legislation that would allow Pennsylvanians to create tax-deductible savings accounts for the purchase of their first home.” (Penn Capital Star)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Next steps outlined in Cabell/Walsh election appeals
“A flurry of filings will be filed in the coming days related to Commonwealth Court appeals initiated by both GOP candidates in the close race for State Representative in the 117th House District, according to the briefing schedule.
As it stands, candidates in the April 23 primary election Jamie Walsh and incumbent Michael Cabell three votes apart, with Walsh leading.
As part of the first filing requirement, the three-judge panels of the District Courts that made the decisions must send a brief opinion or statement explaining the reasons for their decision to the Commonwealth Court by 4 p.m. on Wednesday in the case of Cabell’s appeal and by noon Thursday in the case of “Walsh appeal, the schedule says.” (Leader of the Times)
Related
DeMarco is introducing a bill to help residents and local governments during the reassessment. “Four Allegheny County Council members introduced legislation on Tuesday aimed at rationalizing the tax appeals process and helping city officials better manage the fiscal impacts of any potential property reassessments.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Houck, prominent Bucks County anti-abortion activist, sues over arrest for fight with Planned Parenthood volunteer. “The lawsuit from Mark Houck, who recently lost a GOP primary to U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, comes months after he was acquitted on charges related to a fight with a Planned Parenthood volunteer” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Penn State trustees have approved a $700 million renovation of Beaver Stadium. “Total project costs will not exceed $700 million, of which $70 million was already approved by the board last May. The current projected budget is $664 million, according to administrators. Penn State athletics will have to go back to the board to approve any funding in excess of $700 million.” (StateCollege.com)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Pay it forward
“It wasn’t just the clouds that brought rain during the commencement ceremony at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth last week. A billionaire-philanthropist on stage Rob Hale surprised more than 1,000 graduates by pointing to a nearby truck with envelopes filled with cash.
Huddled under ponchos and umbrellas during a wet ceremony, graduates screamed and cheered open-mouthed as Hale announced he was showering them with money. Security guards then carried duffel bags filled with cash onto the stage.
Hale told the students that they would each receive $1,000. But there was a condition: they had to keep $500 and give back the rest.” (AP)
