🌬️ Hello, Tuesday. Gather yourself there!
🗞️ 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
☁️ Clarion | Mostly dull, 25
⛅ Haven Castle | Partly clear, 26
⛅East Stroudsburg | Partly clear, 30
Sports PA
🏀 Sixers (14-20) | Feniks 99-109 | Wednesday vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (17-17-7) | Tuesday vs. Columbus
🏒 Flyers (17-19-4) | Tuesday vs. Toronto
🗓️ What’s happening today. The House and Senate will be sworn in at noon.
🔊 What we hear. “There is no reason or need to cancel the offer. This is not only the most important issue for our company’s business strategy. “I firmly believe that this is something that is extremely beneficial to both Japan and the United States.” – Eji Hashimotochairman and chief executive officer of Nippon Steel
📱 Social media. PoliticsPA has a range of social media sites where you can get the latest political news from across the CommonwealthH: Twitter | Blue | Facebook | LinkedIn
The most important story
1. A lawmaker’s health problems could complicate swearing-in day for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives
“A Democratic state representative’s health problems could complicate Tuesday’s vote for speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, as Democrats in the chamber begin the new two-year session with the same one-seat advantage they had heading into the November election.
Rep. Matthew Gergely According to him, during the holidays he had a “medical emergency requiring hospitalization.” Beth Rementerspokesman for the Democratic caucus in the House of Representatives.” (AP)
Elsewhere
AP House has a 101-101 tie on the first day of the legislative session after a Democratic representative suffers a health emergency. “Debauchery. Matt Gergely had a medical emergency over the holiday season and is not expected to be in session for the foreseeable future, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford said. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
- Republican lawmaker says hospitalization of Mon Valley House Democrat won’t eliminate Democratic majority (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Malcolm Kenyatta wants to become DNC vice chairman after losing the November race. “State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta is running for vice chairman of the Democratic National Committee, a role that would make him a key player in internal party discussions related to November’s losses.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Bachenberg challenges Rothman for GOP chairman. “The race to succeed Lawrence Tabas as chairman of the Pennsylvania Republican Party has a new challenger.” (PoliticsPA)
A very real, very dangerous coming attack on birthright citizenship. “A politically powerful opponent of birthright citizenship has complained that the United States cannot ‘waive its right’ to ‘expel’ threatening ‘intruders’ who ‘invade [our] borders”, “roam in gangs” and “attack society”. Was that Donald Trump speaking in 2024? No, the quote comes from a speech delivered on the Senate floor in 1866 by Senator Edgar Cowan of Pennsylvania, the main opponent of adding to the United States Constitution a provision granting citizenship solely on the basis of birth on American soil. (Atlantic)
Country
2. The modern PA legislative session begins today. Here’s what you need to know
“A new legislative session begins today in Harrisburg, kicking off a two-year period that will likely include debates on transportation funding, budget size, marijuana legalization and more.
But first, House and Senate lawmakers must elect their chamber leaders and enact key policies that govern their behavior and influence how they govern the Commonwealth.” (PA reflector)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania is ‘ripe’ to legalize weed, supporters say. “Pennsylvania faces a looming budget crisis as legalization advocates push recreational marijuana revenues to fill state coffers.” (Axios Philadelphia)
Lawmakers tease their plans to address high child care costs and low kindergarten attendance in Pennsylvania. “The General Assembly reconvenes this week, beginning another session of developing, debating and voting on legislation that could impact people across the Commonwealth.” (PA reflector)
SD-36: Republican Committee Members Meet to Gauge Support for Aument’s Replacement. “We could have a ‘caucus leader’ for the 36th Senatorial District seat by the end of Tuesday.” (PoliticsPA)
Could funding derail the return of passenger service in the Lehigh Valley? “Does anyone have $450,000 spare? For those who want to bring passenger rail back to the Lehigh Valley, that’s the cost of a key step in a 10- to 12-year plan to start service from Allentown to New York, Philadelphia or Reading. (Morning talk in Allentown)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. US Steel and Nippon lawsuit to block Biden’s takeover
“US Steel and Nippon Steel filed a lawsuit against the US government on Monday President Joe Biden an order blocking the sale of a Pittsburgh steel company to a Japanese concern.
The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, asks the court to overturn the Committee on Foreign Investment in the U.S. (CFIUS) review process and Biden’s order blocking the deal on security grounds. ”(Penn Capital Star)
Elsewhere
Steel sales in the US and the future in limbo after Biden’s bloc. “The fate of the Edgar Thomson Works, a massive steel mill that has sat on the same site along the Monongahela River since 1875, became even more uncertain Friday morning when President Joe Biden announced he would block the sale of United States Steel to Nippon Steel over with one of his last acts as president.” (Salena Zito)
Bob Macey, the longest-serving incumbent member of the Allegheny County Council, will not run again in 2025.. “He has served on the council since 2006, representing Mon Valley.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
As one Northampton County commissioner announces he will not seek re-election, another plans to run.. “Northampton County Commissioner Ron Heckman will not seek another term on the board, while Commissioner John Goffredo will seek to remain in his position, it was announced Monday.” (LehighValleyNews.com)
York City Council will consider whether to override the mayor’s veto on immigrant protection. “The trust funds bill would prohibit city employees from asking questions about immigration status and prevent city resources from being used in federal immigration investigations in non-emergency situations.” (Shipment from York)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- The approval of peaceful elections stands in stark contrast to the Trump-fueled chaos of January 6, 2021 (Questioner from Philadelphia)
- What Donald Trump could learn from Jimmy Carter (David Mills)
- Lower taxes? Legal weed? Saving SEPTA? (Joanna McClinton)
- Let the kids have snow days. (Daniel Pearson)
- McCormick’s victory means a chance for bold leadership in the Senate. (Steve Rosenberg)
- Nippon Steel and US Steel: Last Chance, Mr. Trump. (Grant Newsham)
1 Mullet thing
5. “Best to Cultivate”
“A few inches of snow couldn’t keep nearly 90 competitors from showing off their prized mullet during the Pennsylvania Farm Show’s second annual Mullet Competition on Monday afternoon, January 6.
Last year’s debut of the competition brought dozens of mullets, ranging from shaggy and long to tight and short, and this year it expanded only to the contestants’ signature cuts.
This year’s winner of the main award “Best in Show”, a 9-year-old Romeo Valadez“came all the way from Ocean City, Maryland to take home not only a prize basket of hair care products, but also the grand prize of a custom front bumper for a blue 1985 Chevrolet Camaro.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
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