😎 Good morning, Thursday. Thank you for your service, Bob Casey
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The most essential story
1. Bob Casey says goodbye to a member of the US Senate
“Narrowly defeated for re-election to the U.S. Senate, the stalwart Pennsylvania Democrat and political scion from Scranton Bob Casey say goodbye to Congress on Wednesday.
Casey delivered his farewell address on the Senate floor and was joined by family, friends, colleagues and current and former employees in celebrating “his achievements on behalf of Pennsylvanians, supporting children and families, and fighting for people with disabilities.”
“I rise today for the last time as a United States Senator with a heart full of gratitude,” Casey said. “When I was growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, my mother Ellen HardingCasey I have often told my brothers, sisters and myself… “count your blessings.” Count your blessings.” (Scranton Times Tribune)
Elsewhere
Casey’s farewell remarks to the U.S. Senate. “On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey delivered his farewell speech on the Senate floor.” (PoliticsPA)
How Dave McCormick won the next Senate race in 2024 – and how he will shape the GOP in Washington. “The soon-to-be freshman senator from Pennsylvania was one of the first Republicans to outline the party’s basic strategy against Kamala Harris in the fall.” (NBC News)
Implementing the vision. “If Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick wanted to send the message that he was interested in taking the job immediately after taking the oath of office in the Senate, he could do worse than choosing Mark Isakowitz as his chief of staff.” (Jewish Chronicle of Pittsburgh)
Donald Trump said he wants to ban transgender athletes from competing. The reality is more nuanced. “One of President-elect Donald Trump’s most popular talking points during his campaign concerned the future of transgender athletes.” (AP)
Country
2. Some believe Fetterman will sell out to the GOP. Not so quick, say AP Democrats
“John Fetterman he is experiencing the moment of the latest political change in Washington, and this time it is not about his fashion choices.
All of this has led to a mid-term judgment of sorts for Fetterman as Washington resets for Trump 2.0, especially among staunch progressive Democrats — some of whom fear Fetterman is determined to become the next Joe Manchin Or Christmas Cinema Senate.” (PennLive)
Elsewhere
Fetterman pays after Steelers lose to Eagles. “One thing can be said about U.S. Senator John Fetterman. He pays off his debts quickly.” (PoliticsPA)
Shapiro talks small businesses and big sports studios at Lancaster Stop. “Gub. Josh Shapiro stopped in Lancaster on Wednesday to praise small businesses and their economic development in the Commonwealth, and he also talked a little about college sports along the way.” (PoliticsPA)
Outgoing Lehigh Valley Rep. Susan Wild weighs in on her three terms. “The Privilege of Public Service” “As she prepares to leave office after six years in Congress representing the Lehigh Valley, Democrat Susan Wild counts raising the region’s profile among her greatest achievements.” (Morning talk in Allentown)
AP lawmakers talk about requiring gas detectors in buildings after explosion that killed seven people. “On March 24, 2023, a natural gas-fueled explosion ripped through a candy company building in a working-class neighborhood in eastern Pennsylvania, killing seven people and injuring 11 others — and now some members of the state legislature believe the tragedy could provide a lesson in social safety.” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. Vote Flip: How Erie County Came Back to Donald Trump
“There were no major surprises at the Erie polls during the November 5 presidential election.
Democratic candidate, Vice President Kamala Harriswon all 63 of the city’s precincts, according to Erie County voting data, helped significantly by Democrats’ more than 2-to-1 voter registration advantage in the city.
But Trump changed the script outside the city.” (Erie Times-News)
Elsewhere
Republicans are setting a timetable for nominating their replacement, Sen. Ryan Auum. “Republicans interested in replacing retiring state Sen. Ryan Aument in the upcoming special election have approximately two weeks to seek the county GOP committee’s nomination.” (LNP | Lancaster on the Internet)
Chester County commissioners vote to increase property taxes by 13% despite opposition from residents. “The vote comes a week after Delaware County raised property taxes by 23% and a day before Montgomery County officials are scheduled to vote on a 9% increase.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Dauphin County Commissioners Approve Huge Tax Hike. “Dauphin County commissioners voted Wednesday to increase property taxes by 21.8% in 2025, which would be the county’s first property tax increase in nearly 20 years, and to cancel the county’s contract with its longtime lobbying firm.” (PennLive)
One year later: most of Innamorato’s transparency commitments are still ‘under consideration’. “As a candidate for Allegheny County Executive, Sara Innamorato has signed on to a wide range of transparency measures regarding campaign financing, contracting and publishing her daily schedule. Most of the ideas have not yet been implemented in practice.” (Public source)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- Josh Shapiro must stand with the AP staff and support the Nippon deal. (Andrew J. Lewis)
- “It’s time for the Legislature to pretend it likes reform.” (John Baer)
- The press treats Donald Trump like they treat George W. Bush. (Heather Digby Parton)
- College sports are not destroyed. They just grow up. (Ryan Winn)
1 item
5. Where did all the Guinness go?
“Guinness casks are running low in the UK and Guinness owner Diageo has set an ‘allocation limit’ on the number of casks from Irish Stout pubs in England, Wales and Scotland.
Problem? Demand. Between July and October, UK beer sales fell by 0.5%, but Guinness beer sales rose by 21%. It is currently the best-selling beer by volume in the UK and the fastest-growing imported beer in the US.
Pat Logue, owner of London’s Sheephaven Bay pub, told CNN that it was once considered a drink for older men, but “now it’s a nippy drink.”BBC News)
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