☃️ Another manic Monday. Also snowy for some.
🗞️ PoliticsPA guide is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
Weather in Pennsylvania
⛄ Washington | Snow (2-4), 27
❄️Chambersburg | Snow (2-4), 28
🛷 Kennett Square | Snow (2-4), 29
Sports PA
🏈 Penn State (12-2) | Thu vs. Notre Dame
🏈 Steelers (10-7) | Cincinnati 17-19 | Saturday vs. Baltimore
🏈 Eagles (14-3) | NY Giants 20-13 | Sun vs. Green Bay
🏀 Sixes (14-19) | Brooklyn 123-94 | Pon vs. Phoenix
🏒 Penguins (17-17-7) | Karolina 3-4 (overtime) | Tuesday vs. Columbus
🏒 Flyers (17-19-4) | Toronto 2-3 | Tue vs. Toronto
⛄ Closed. Employees under the Governor’s jurisdiction who physically report to work at the Capitol are eligible for a daylong weather closure on Monday, January 6.
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media sites where you can get the latest political news from across the Commonwealth: Twitter | Blue | Facebook | LinkedIn
The most essential story
1. Biden’s decision to block the Nippon Steel takeover creates uncertainty among US steelmakers
“Blocking the takeover of US Steel by a Japanese company, President Joe Biden he said he was protecting good jobs in America’s heartland. Instead, it may put them at risk.
In making a nearly $15 billion bid to buy the famed Pittsburgh steelmaker, Nippon Steel promised to invest $2.7 billion in U.S. Steel’s aging blast furnaces in Gary, Indiana, and Mon Valley, Pennsylvania. It also promised not to reduce production capacity in the United States over the next decade without first obtaining U.S. government approval. (AP)
Elsewhere
How Congress will certify Trump’s Electoral College victory on January 6. “The joint session of Congress to count the electoral votes on Monday is expected to be much less eventful than the certification four years ago, which was interrupted by a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump who tried to interrupt the count and invalidate the results of an election he lost to the Democrat. Joe Biden.” (AP)
Biden has fought a lonely battle to sell his vision of American democracy. “Mr. Biden’s theory of how to succeed in an era of American politics dominated by Trump fell apart in the final stages of his presidency – and as he publicly and privately reconsidered whether he should have approached some decisions differently.” (Washington Post Office)
Fetterman says he will work with McCormick for a ‘better Pennsylvania’. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman appears ready to bury the campaign hatchet he wielded against GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, claiming he met with his new counterpart over dinner and had a “big discussion.”Penn Capital Star)
Fetterman, McCormick Draw Senate Committee Assignments. “As the 119th Congress prepared to convene at noon Friday, Pennsylvania senators received their 2025-2026 committee assignments.” (PoliticsPA)
Country
2. Shapiro called Trump an existential threat. Now he says he is ready to work with him
“On the 2024 presidential campaign trail. Governor Josh Shapiro often called Donald Trump an existential threat to American democracy. As Pennsylvania’s attorney general, he regularly bragged about suing and beating up the first Trump administration.
But this year, as Trump retakes the Oval Office and Shapiro eyes the Democratic presidential bid in 2028, the Pennsylvania governor has a new, more sympathetic game plan: cooperate — as long as it doesn’t threaten residents’ “fundamental liberties.” ”(Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Shapiro and Davis respond to Biden’s decision to block the US steel deal with Nippon. “Now that President Joe Biden has used his power to block the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Japan’s Nippon Steel, both Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis have issued statements calling on U.S. Steel executives to honor their commitments to Western Pennsylvanians.” (PoliticsPA)
Mackenzie Sworn In as New Lehigh Valley Congressman: ‘It’s About Governing’. “Ryan Mackenzie became the Lehigh Valley’s newest U.S. representative amid palace intrigue Friday afternoon.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
Cartwright looks back and forward in a wide-ranging interview. “Former US MP Matt Cartwright may run again in 2026.” (Scranton Times Tribune)
From taxes to clothes lines: PA lawmakers are submitting ideas for floating bills as the session opens. “Lawmakers return to work on Tuesday to begin the 2025-2026 legislative session, and ideas for new legislation are flowing.” (PennLive)
High-profile Trump fundraiser enters PA GOP chairman race following backlash against Sen. Rothman. “Less than a week ago, the contest to become the next chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party seemed settled, with virtually every prominent elected Republican coalescing around one candidate. Now the knives are gone. (PennLive)
Pennsylvania may remain on the sidelines as states line up to fight Trump over climate. “As President-elect Donald Trump focuses directly on federal climate policy, states and their attorneys general are preparing to strike back.” (Penn Capital Star)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Here are the issues that could highlight the Pittsburgh mayoral race
“As the race for Pittsburgh mayor enters a pivotal period ahead of the May Democratic primary, the winner is expected to inherit the keys to the city and some of its plagued problems.
Mayor Ed Gainey in early September he announced that he would run for re-election. In December, Allegheny County Comptroller Corey O’Connor announced his candidacy, preparing men for competitive primaries.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
The GOP will begin the nomination process for the 36th Senate District with informal polls. “A clear indication of who will be the next state senator from northwest Lancaster County could come as early as tonight and should be close to a decision by Tuesday evening.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
County Executive Sara Innamorato has achieved success – and some setbacks – in her first year, observers say. “The county executive campaigned on a platform related to social and human services. Many of her first-year initiatives focus on this area.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
- Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato reflects on her first year in office and draws plans for the coming year. (THAT’S ALL)
Overtime, chaotic early voting, preparations for local elections: county election director shares her story. “Sean Drasher began his career in election administration by winning… an election.” (WITF)
Preate, a Lackawanna County resident, will be a top adviser at Trump’s Treasury Department. “President Donald Trump has named Alexandra Preate as a senior advisor to Scott Bessant, his nominee for Treasury secretary.” (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Demolition of the Beaver Stadium press box delights frozen fans
“Hundreds of people gathered in the snow early Saturday morning to watch the demolition of the press box at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, a step in the university’s $700 million renovation project.
At a demolition party Chuck Hockenberry he added his signature to a stadium bleacher removed from the press box and put on display during the event for fans to write on. (WPSU)
Thank you for starting your morning with us.
And I read the PoliticsPA Playbook
