🌬️ Good morning Thursday. Who turned on the wind machine?
🗞️ PoliticsPA guide is written by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☃️Meadville | Lake Effect Snow, 27
❄️Bedford | Snow showers, 26
🌤️Lansdale | Becoming solar, 37
Sports PA
🏀 Sixes (5-15) | Orlando 102-106 | Friday vs. Orlando
🏒 Penguins (11-12-4) | Friday vs. NY Rangers
🏒 Flyers (12/10/3) | Thu vs. Florida
🔉 What we hear. Amtrak ridership at Keystone and Pennsylvania increased 13.7% and 21.4%, respectively, in FY24.
📅 What’s going on. Here is an updated list of events taking place this weekend in New York as part of Pennsylvania Society 2024.
🎂 Happy (belated) birthday. Cake and candles for Senator Bartolotta’s Chamber.
📱 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 critical story
1. AP political elites go to the same hotel where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare was murdered
“Pennsylvania’s political elite, incl Governor Josh Shapirothis weekend they arrive in New York, at the same hotel where the CEO of UnitedHealthcare works Brian Thompson he was fatally shot.
This weekend marks the Society of Pennsylvania’s 126th dinner at the Hilton Midtown in Manhattan, an annual getaway to New York for Pennsylvania politicians and policymakers of both parties to spend time outside a politically divided state where no one has a home-court advantage.
The Pennsylvania Society’s Saturday dinner will take place as scheduled, Greenleaf Heather he said. The event announced enhanced security measures earlier this year, including baggage restrictions.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Schmidt certifies Pennsylvania’s 2024 election results. “According to DOS, statewide election turnout was nearly 77%, with more than 7 million Pennsylvania registered voters casting ballots.” (Penn Capital Star)
Freshman Focus: Republican Rob Bresnahan, who unseated six-term House Democrat, reveals how he did it. “Voters in Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District last month gave six-term incumbent Sen. Matt Cartwright, D-Pa., the boot to a young, energetic and successful businessman who says he is ready to defend their interests in the nation’s capital.” (Fox News)
Trump picks Jared Isaacman of Lehigh Valley to head NASA. “Isaacman, the 41-year-old CEO and founder of Upper Saucon Township-based credit card processing company Shift4, has been a close associate of Elon Musk since purchasing Musk’s first SpaceX charter flight.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
Country
2. Incoming AP Attorney General Dave Sunday says he wants to ‘make Pittsburgh safer’
“How Dave’s Sunday moves from York County District Attorney to Pennsylvania Attorney General, and Pittsburgh’s problems with violent crime, overdoses and homelessness occupy a place on his radar screen.
That was evident in Monday’s Post-Gazette interview with Mr. Sunday, a Republican who is a father, a Navy veteran and a longtime prosecutor. Mr. Sunday spoke on about a half-dozen topics — including illegal immigration and meeting with Democrats Governor Josh Shapiroand artificial intelligence – but made it clear he was not yet privy to details of the office’s operations. He will take the oath on January 21.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
SEPTA Financial Assistance Approved by Commission. “Signed, sealed and delivered. The Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission (DVRPC) on Wednesday approved the transfer of $153 million in federal highway capital funds to the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). (PoliticsPA)
Weilheimer confirmed as judge of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. “Gail Weilheimer has served as a judge of the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas in Norristown, Pennsylvania since 2014.” (PoliticsPA)
AP Politicians Are Coming to Bluesky – Here’s Who to Follow. “After the general election, Democratic lawmakers and other leftist posters left an X for the social media app Bluesky.” (City and state)
PA House of Representatives Representative Dan Miller announces his candidacy for Allegheny County Judge. “With the 2024 presidential election over, Allegheny County voters can finally focus on the races that really capture the public’s attention: the Court of Common Pleas rulings.” (THAT’S ALL)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Mayor Parker faces pressure to restore Philadelphia’s sanctuary status as Trump threatens Democratic cities
– A few days after the presidential election in which immigration became a flashpoint, Mayor Cherelle L. Parker squandered a chance to reaffirm Philadelphia’s status as a sanctuary city, a place that has resisted federal pressure to help deport immigrants.
This week, her staff gave lukewarm answers to questions about her stance on sanctuary policy.
This caution worries leaders of the city’s immigrant community.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania gun reform group hopes to refocus on ‘Glock switch’ “When a suspect killed Brackenridge Police Chief Justin McIntire in January 2023, authorities said he used a modified handgun that could fire bullets at several hundred per second. This did not stop the House of Representatives from voting in May 2024 on a bill banning the device that enabled the conversion.” (THAT’S ALL)
Allentown City Council votes to temporarily suspend lawsuit against mayor over investigation agreement. “The City Council in September sued Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk and Chief Financial Officer Bina Patel, alleging that the two city leaders tried to block an independent investigation into allegations of racism and discrimination among City Hall employees.” (Morning talk in Allentown)
The Delaware County Council is cashing in on residents with a proposed nearly 24% tax increase.. “Most of the public comments were about how the council should change course on the tax increase. “You have created a fiscal mess,” she said. “This is where it all ends, and in the case of council, the money stops with you.” (Delco Times)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
1 item
5. Is the 2024 “Brain Rot” year in review? Oxford agrees it was the word of the year
“Many of us have felt it and now it is official: ‘Brain rot’ is the word of the year according to the Oxford dictionaries.
Oxford University Press reported on Monday that the suggestive phrase “has gained prominence in 2024,” with its frequency of use increasing 230% compared to the previous year.
Oxford defines brain rot as “the alleged deterioration of a person’s mental or intellectual state, particularly when viewed as a result of excessive consumption of material (now especially online content) considered petty or unquestionable.” (AP)
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