🎬 This is a summary of the work week. Have a nice weekend, whether you’re at home or in New York.
🗞️ 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
❄️Waterford | Snow showers, 28
🌤️Camp Hill | Partly radiant, 36
🌤️New York | Mostly radiant, 35
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (9-3) | Sun vs. Cleveland
🏈 Eagles (10-2) | Sun vs. Karolina
🏈 Penn State (11-1) | Saturday vs. Oregon
🏀 Sixes (5-15) | Friday vs. Orlando | Sun vs. Chicago
🏒 Flyers (12-11-3) | Florida 5-7 | Saturday vs. Boston | Sun vs. Utah
🏒 Penguins (11-12-4) | Friday vs. New York Rangers | Saturday vs. Toronto
📅 What’s going on. Here’s the update list of events taking place at the Pennsylvania Society 2024 this weekend in New York.
🔊 What we hear. “I am incredibly honored that the people of our great community have entrusted me to be their next senator. Thank you, Pennsylvania!” – Senator-elect Dave McCormick
📱 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. Fake 2020 Electors, Trump Diehards, GOP Bosses: Here’s Who Will Vote in the AP Election
“The people of Pennsylvania made the decision several weeks ago to award the Keystone State’s coveted Electoral College votes to Republicans Donald Trump.
Later this month, 19 people will gather in Harrisburg to make it official.
This group of people selected as Trump’s presidential electors includes leading figures in the Pennsylvania Republican Party, rising stars of the Republican Party and staunch Trump supporters. The list also includes five former “sham voters” who joined the plot by Trump and his allies to overturn the results of the 2020 election. (Erie Times-News)
Elsewhere
Farewell to the American century? “The post-World War II order of American world domination is over. Donald Trump proves it.” (POLICY)
Democratic Senator John Fetterman: Pardon Hunter Biden and Donald Trump. “dream. John Fetterman argued Thursday that President Joe Biden’s son, Hunter Biden, and President-elect Donald Trump deserve a pardon after facing what he called “politically motivated” legal challenges. (USA today)
Brendan Boyle is calling on Joe Biden to grant full pardons to people who may be targeted by Trump’s chosen FBI director. “Boyle’s statement comes amid growing skepticism and criticism of Kash Patel, Trump’s pick for FBI director.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Country
2. PA certifies 2024 election in aftermath without fuss
“Pennsylvania certified its 2024 general election results on Wednesday, nearly finalizing a process that many feared would be contentious.
Each of the Commonwealth’s 67 counties had to first certify their local results. Several missed the Nov. 25 deadline because of outstanding provisional ballots or delays caused by the start of a recount in the U.S. Senate race.
Commonwealth Secretary Al Schmidt I received the last of the original certificates earlier this week and then signed off on this year’s competition results. (Vote for Pennsylvania)
Elsewhere
Pennsylvania Democrats who participated in the no-ballot say the key to their success was breaking with the National Party’s message. “You may have already gone through a dozen or more autopsies trying to figure out what went wrong for Democrats last month. You may have even encountered experts offering psychoanalysis to diagnose the challenges facing the party. “However, at the state legislative level – especially in Allegheny County – the political landscape has barely changed.” (WESA policy)
Final interview with Susan Wild. “Lehigh Valley’s US representative talks about her stay in Washington and what’s next.” (City and state)
Pennsylvania Makes Progress on ‘Getting Things Done’. “There is a lot of talk in Harrisburg about allowing reform and economic growth. It’s double-sided. It is bicameral. It is attractive to companies of all sizes and shapes.” (Central Square)
PA’s cannabis legalization bill proposes state-owned dispensaries with room for private businesses. “State Representatives Dan Frankel and Rick Krajewski are introducing significant new legislation to legalize recreational marijuana. According to Frankel, this outlines a model in which cannabis would be sold in state-owned stores, such as alcohol, while leaving room for private companies in other parts of the industry, such as cultivation, cultivation or bar-like consumption venues. (Penn Capital Star)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. State to invest $3.4 million to upgrade Point State Park in celebration of NFL draft and 250th anniversary of the United States
“The state plans a $3.4 million upgrade to Pittsburgh’s crown jewel, Point State Park, to help the city shine during the 2026 NFL draft and the United States’ 250th anniversary celebration.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources announced the project Thursday, which includes repairs and upgrades to existing sidewalks, utilities, lighting, hardscape and parking lots, as well as refreshed landscaping. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Elsewhere
Governor Shapiro, Snack Food giant, announces the opening of a new PA Central Distribution Center. “Utz Brands – arguably Pennsylvania’s most recognizable snack company – officially opened its new 650,000-square-foot distribution facility in Hanover on Thursday, a project touted by Gov. Josh Shapiro as a prime example of more efficient state government.” (PennLive)
- ’50 million barrels of cheese balls’: Utz cuts ribbon on massive fresh distribution center. (Hanover, Sunday evening)
Keystone College still intends to appeal the loss of accreditation. “The future of the college located between La Plume Twp. in Lackawanna and Factoryville counties in Wyoming County remains uncertain after Keystone received notice on November 25 from its accreditor, the United States Commission on Higher Education, that MSCHE would withdraw accreditation on December 31.” (Scranton Times Tribune)
Mansfield and the Lock Haven department’s “No Confidence” plan for Commonwealth President Hanna. “The announcements come as Hanna remains under scrutiny following last summer’s $3.9 million federal jury verdict against Bashar Hanna, the university and other officials in the whistleblower case.” (WVIA)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Democrats have a lot of work to do to regain the mantle of change. (Clarence Page)
- Joe Biden should ignore his critics – he did the right thing by granting Hunter a pardon. (Harold Jackson)
- The Supreme Court just gave us a bitter taste of what’s to come. (M. Gessen)
- Nobody really knows what’s going on. (Diana Lind)
1 item
5. 11 Amazing Holiday Light Displays to See in Pennsylvania
“Get into the holiday spirit with amazing light displays throughout Pennsylvania.
There’s nothing better than a huge, stunning display of sparkling lights to evoke the joy and wonder of the holiday season. Pennsylvania is home to dozens of fantastic holiday light displays. Check out some of these light displays around the state to get into the holiday spirit. (Keystone)
Thank you for starting your morning with us.
And I read the PoliticsPA Playbook
