⛰️Wednesday. This is the 121st day of the state budget impasse.
🗞️ In today’s Guide. Shapiro joins the lawsuit to ensure SNAP Food benefits continue despite the shutdown. PA Voter Registration by County. A school district that sues for education funding could be closed without a state budget. The average price of a fresh car reaches PLN 50,000. dollars.
🎶 Your morning pick-me-up. Paradise by the dashboard featherlight. Meatloaf
Weather in Pennsylvania
🌥️ Altoona | Rising Clouds, 54
🌥️ Wellsboro | Rising Clouds, 52
🌤️Scranton | Partly sunlit, 57
Sports PA
🏀 Sixers (4-0) | Washington 139-134 (OT) | Friday vs. Boston
🏒 Penguins (7-2-2) | Philadelphia 2-3 (YES) | Thu in Minnesota
🏒 Flyers (5-3-1) | Pittsburgh 3-2 (YES) | Thu vs. Nashville
📅 What’s happening today. House of Representatives, 11:00 | State Senate, 11:00
🔊 What we hear. “It’s not out of the realm of possibility that we could have a lockout because the district simply doesn’t have the money. If the schools can’t keep the lights on, can we close the schools? Absolutely.” Schools may close sooner than you think. We could close schools until January.” – Matt EdgellRegional Coordinator for Advocacy at PSEA
✝️ Condolences. Family, friends and colleagues of the long-time lobbyist and political strategist John Saler Who died on Friday at the age of 67. May his memory be a blessing.
📰 PoliticsPA Guide was developed by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
The most crucial story
1. Shapiro joins lawsuit to ensure SNAP Food benefits continue despite shutdown
“Governor Josh Shapiro joined its counterparts in two dozen other states on Tuesday in a lawsuit challenging the Trump administration’s decision to suspend food stamps if the federal government shutdown lasts longer than this week.
Shapiro and the other governors, all Democrats, said the administration’s refusal to apply more than $5 billion in reserves for the program would cause “irreparable harm.”Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Why Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court elections have national implications. “Election Day is just a week away, and while some gubernatorial races are drawing attention, three votes for the Pennsylvania Supreme Court continue the trend of heavy spending on judicial elections.” (PBS)
Why anti-voting activists are using the Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections to spread misinformation. “Few states right now have elections as important as Pennsylvania’s. Voters will head to the polls next month for a contest that could have huge implications for the future of fair elections in the Keystone State, which also means the next presidential election.” (Document of democracy)
Why tracking spending in this year’s key races to retain the AP Supreme Court is so hard. “How much are state and national groups spending to flood the airwaves, fill mailboxes and buy digital ads ahead of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court elections? That’s a harder question to answer than you might think.” (PA reflector)
Trade Group Files Challenge to Shapiro’s Ad for Supreme Court Retention Candidates. “In mid-October, the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association (PMA) formally requested the Pennsylvania Board of Judicial Conduct to investigate the campaign activities of three State Supreme Court justices currently seeking retention.” (Wide + Freedom)
Bresnahan introduces bill to fund WIC during shutdown. “Representative Rob Bresnahan introduced a bill on Tuesday to fund the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) during the government shutdown because the funding interruption threatens benefit payments if it continues.” (Hill)
Country
2. Fun with Maps: PA Voter Registration by County
“The Keystone State’s 2025 voter registration deadline has closed, and while Republicans celebrate their gains and Democrats lick their wounds, the big story of 2026 is the rise of independence in Pennsylvania politics.” (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania lawmakers are raising thousands for themselves amid budget impasse. “No state budget means no money for schools and districts, but campaign money is pouring in in Harrisburg. In the first three days of this week alone, 38 fundraisers were held in the city. (WHTM)
PA Department of Treasury reports $21 million in bridge loans made as state budget impasse continues. “In September, the office launched a $500 million budget bridge loan program to support county governments and local Head Start agencies that provide education, health care and social services to families with children ages 3 to 5.” (Penn Capital Star)
Facing the end of SNAP benefits, Pennsylvania Senate Democrats are pushing an emergency food assistance plan. “Calling the imminent halt to federal SNAP a benefit of the food emergency, state Senate Democrats on Tuesday unveiled a plan to siphon $62 million in interest from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to quickly increase supplies at food banks.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Pennsylvania joins lawsuit challenging Trump administration’s decision to defund emergency preparedness. “Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro has joined a lawsuit challenging the Department of Homeland Security’s cut of emergency preparedness funds as the Trump administration appears to be making good on its promise to direct funding to jurisdictions that will not follow the president’s federal immigration enforcement policies.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. A school district that sued over Equity education funding could close without a state budget
“A Pennsylvania school district that challenged the constitutionality of Pennsylvania’s school funding system says it will have to close in January unless the state passes a resolution on the budget impasse.” (PolitykaPA)
Elsewhere
Devlin, a Democrat, has a huge fundraising advantage over the GOP’s Thomas in the Erie mayoral race. “Democrat Daria Devlin’s upset victory over incumbent Erie Mayor Joe Schember in the May municipal primary was fueled by more than $217,000 in campaign contributions from Erie Insurance and other major players in the local business community.” (Erie Times-News)
Erica Deuso’s campaign to become PA’s first trans mayor is not about that. It’s “About Neighbors”..’ “If elected in a Democratic-leaning municipality, Deuso will be the first openly transgender person elected mayor of Pennsylvania.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
“We are very concerned”: Q&A with Pennie executive director Devon Trolley. “The head of the state’s health insurance marketplace told City & State how her team is preparing to end federal subsidies and what’s at stake for consumers and the state’s economy.” (City and state)
Editorial
4. What do you think about it?
- Americans may be hungry, but Trump’s $300 million ballroom is quickly gaining popularity | Questioner from Philadelphia
- Education tax credits are a lifesaver for low-income families | Megan Martin
- Pennsylvania Energy Association Proposes Increased Consumer Risk | Nora Brownell
- Confrontation of the development of artificial intelligence with the vision of the founders | Keith Rothfus
- Children can’t wait for politicians to do their job | Tim Kerrihard
- We have reached peak Whataboutism. It took a long time | David M. Drucker
- We had to destroy the universities to save them | Russell Frank
- PA needs more state prison boot camps | Michael Ohler
- Democrat Shutdown Reveals Deeper Health Care Crisis in Pennsylvania | Michael Puskaric
1 item
5. Car prices averaged $50,000 for the first time
“New car prices have never been higher.
According to Kelley Blue Book, the average sales price reached $50,080 in September, topping $50,000 for the first time.
The milestone came as buyers rushed to purchase electric vehicles before the $7,500 federal tax credit expired on September 30, with EVs selling for an average of $58,124, helping to push up overall prices.'(CNBC)
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