🎆 It’s the unofficial start of summer. Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend. Stop and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. I’ll see you on Tuesday.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☀️ Presque Island | Sunny, 72
🌤️Raystown | Shrinking Clouds, 80
☀️ Pocono Mountain | Sunny, 78
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (37-14) | Texas 5-2 | Friday-Sunday vs. Colorado
⚾ Pirates (23-28) | San Francisco 6-7 | Friday-Sunday vs. Atlanta
⚽ Union (4-5-4) | Sat vs. Charlotte
What we hear. By far, the most money in future ad bookings has been received for Senate contests, with $431 million set aside for the fall. The most costly states include Ohio ($154.6 million), Montana ($104.3 million) and Pennsylvania ($45.3 million).
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for your ex Rep. Charlie Dent. Early wishes for Rep. Scott Perry (Monday) and belated greetings to Rep. Matt Bradford (Thursday).
🎸 Everyday Bruce. “In the shadow of prison. At the refinery’s gas furnaces. I’ve been burning on the road for ten years. There’s nowhere to run, nowhere to go. – Born in the USA.
🗞️ 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. Evans has a “mild stroke.” He expects to return to work in six weeks
“American congressman Dwight Evans (D-03) announced today that he suffered a “minor stroke” and will be out of the hospital for approximately six weeks.
“I wanted my constituents to know that I am recovering from a minor stroke, and I wanted to emphasize the word ‘minor,'” the statement read. “It was so minor that I didn’t even realize what had happened for a few days. The main effect appears to be some difficulty with one leg, which will likely impact my walking for some time, but not my long-term ability to serve the people of Philadelphia.” (PolitykaPA)
Related
Bipartisan border bill loses support, fails to pass procedural vote in U.S. Senate. “The U.S. Senate failed to advance a border security bill on Thursday as both sides try to refine their messages on immigration policy in the run-up to the November election.” Both Pennsylvania state senators voted for the bill. (Penn Capital Star)
President Joe Biden will return to Philadelphia next week. “President Joe Biden will return to campaigning in Philadelphia on Wednesday, his fifth visit to the region and seventh to Pennsylvania this year.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Biden will appoint longtime public defender to U.S. court in Philadelphia during race to confirm more judges than Trump. “The White House announced in a statement Thursday the nomination of Catherine Henry – who has spent nearly 30 years defending clients who cannot afford their own attorneys against criminal charges in state and federal courts – to the United States District Court.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Swing-State Democratic senator says concerns about men competing in women’s sports are ‘unfounded’. “Pennsylvania Democratic Sen. Bob Casey believes concerns about men competing in women’s sports are based on ‘overgeneralized’ and ‘unfounded assumptions,'” according to a June 2023 letter obtained by the Daily Caller News Foundation. (Daily conversationalist)
Country
2. Covid Pandemic Let House Lawmakers Vote Remotely. The GOP says it’s time to limit the rule
“In April, a firestorm erupted in Harrisburg after Philadelphia police issued an arrest warrant for a state legislator.
Less than a week later, authorities invalidated the order and revealed that it was based on incorrect information. Meanwhile, however, Republican Party leaders have been vocal and public in their opposition to their Democratic counterparts casting votes on the member’s behalf in his absence.
House rules banned the practice until 2020, when the pandemic forced the change. And despite recent drama, remote voting shows no sign of letting up.” (PA reflector)
Related
Pennsylvania joins the Department of Justice and 29 other states in an antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation. “Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry is leading a 30-state bipartisan coalition with the U.S. Department of Justice in the antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster, LLC.” (PoliticsPA)
Norfolk Southern fined $15 million as part of federal settlement over East Palestine train derailment. “In a move that could prove controversial, the federal government has agreed to a $15 million penalty for Norfolk Southern for a February 2023 train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, and the railroad has promised to pay more than $300 million to improve safety and address community health issues.” (PoliticsPA)
Mackenzie, Wild Trade Strikes as PA-07 Congressional Race Volume Increases. “U.S. Republican Susan Wild’s campaign escalated Thursday in response to criticism of House Speaker Mike Johnson after her Republican challenger demanded an apology from her for questioning his commitment to supporting first responders.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
On the bike trail, Governor Shapiro talks to Nippon Steel, the Steelers, tourism and Biden. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Thursday that Nippon Steel has committed to moving its U.S. headquarters from Houston to Pittsburgh if its bid to buy U.S. Steel is successful.” (Grandstand overview)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. No resolution in the 117th GOP House of Representatives district race
“One month has passed since Pennsylvania’s presidential primary election, and there is still no winner in the 117th Legislative District for the GOP nomination.
Beneficiary Michael Cabell (R-Luzerna) tracks down the challenger Jamie Walsh by just three votes, and the final result remained to be argued in the Commonwealth Court.” (PolitykaPA)
Related
Cabell’s election challenge takes aim at the state’s voter address change process. “In his tight race for the Republican nomination, state Rep. Michael Cabell is moving to implement a state procedure to automatically change the address of voter registrations tied to vehicles, according to a court filing Thursday.” (Leader of the Times)
Upset watch: Democrats think these AP House seats will be up for grabs in November “They have since defended their narrow single-seat majority in the lower house, winning several special elections, albeit in some of the Commonwealth’s bluest ridings. So their tenuous control of the House will be put to a much tougher test in defending all 102 seats this year – although they hope not only to maintain their advantage, but also to extend it.” (Erie Times-News)
Politicians often use blue ribbon commissions as a delay tactic. This one is different. “Additionally, the war in Gaza is leading to a war of words in the Bucks County congressional race, and Mayor Cherelle L. Parker plans to speak out strongly on the 76ers stadium proposal once she makes a decision.” (Questioner Clout)
Pittsburgh leaders celebrate the city’s selection to host the 2026 NFL Draft. “Local and state leaders gathered at Acrisure Stadium on the city’s North Shore on Thursday to draw attention to the announcement, which was made the day before during the NFL’s spring owners meeting in Nashville.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Former President Trump gives AP media interviews, even if his message isn’t always clear. “Let’s start by acknowledging Donald Trump: For all his talk about the ‘bogus news media,’ he is extremely willing to talk to reporters — even if it’s not always simple to understand what he’s saying.” (WESA policy)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Paying college athletes
“The NCAA and the nation’s five largest conferences announced Thursday night that they have agreed to pay nearly $2.8 billion to settle a series of antitrust claims, a monumental decision that sets the stage for a groundbreaking revenue-sharing model that could begin to steer millions of dollars directly to athletes in the fall semester of 2025.
Terms were not disclosed, although some details have emerged over the past few weeks. They signal the end of the NCAA’s basic model of amateurism, which dates to its founding in 1906.
“This landmark agreement will bring college sports into the 21st century, where college athletes can finally receive a fair share of the billions of dollars in revenue they generate for their schools,” he said Steve Berman, one of the main attorneys for the plaintiffs.” (AP)
Thank you for starting your morning with us.
Please invite your colleagues
to sign up for the PoliticsPA Guide
