☃️ Hello December. And here we go.
🗞️ PoliticsPA Guide is written by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Has this email been sent to you? Subscribe for free.
Weather in Pennsylvania
☁️ Girard | Snow showers, 34
☁️Lamar | Partly clear, 36
🌤️Hamburg | Sunny, 36
Sports PA
🏈 Steelers (9-3) | Cincinnati 44-38 | Sun vs. Cleveland
🏈 Eagles (10-2) | Baltimore 24-19 | Sun vs. Karolina
🏈 Penn State (11-1) | Maryland 44-7 | Saturday vs. Oregon
🏈 Pitt (7-5) | Boston College 23-34
🏈 Temple (3-9) | North Texas 17-24
🏀 Sixes (4-14) | Detroit 111-99 | Tue vs. Charlotte
🏒 Flyers (12/10/3) | St. Louis 3-2 (overtime) | Thu vs. Florida
🏒 Penguins (10-12-4) | Calgary 6-2 | Tuesday vs. Florida
🔉 What we hear. “We need more candidates for office who have authentic, real-life experience. “Frankly, we need fewer lawyers running for office, fewer millionaires.” – Lt. Governor Austin Davis
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for His. Kristin Phillips-Hill.
📱 Find us in the blue sky. PoliticsPA has joined Blue Sky as another option for your social media. Come to us at politicspa.bluesky.social. You can also find us on Twitter @PolitykaPA
The most significant story
1. Democrats still disagree on the seriousness of their political problem after their election defeat
“Nearly a month after a devastating election defeat that exposed cracks in the very foundations of their party, Democrats remain deeply divided over the scope of their policy problem — or even whether they have one.
Many Democratic leaders downplay the strength of the Democratic Party Donald Trump victory over Vice President Kamala Harris as the inevitable result of the inflation-fueled backlash against incumbents that has shaped elections around the world. But others believe the Democratic Party is facing an acute crisis that requires an urgent overhaul of its brand, message and economic policy.” (AP)
Elsewhere
Next Democratic debate: What makes a good Democrat now? “Arguments about the future of the party will ultimately end up throwing money at the real people Democrats will need to actually win elections.” (known)
Five charts explaining how Philadelphia’s suburbs helped Trump win. “Donald Trump improved his margins in Philadelphia counties. He won Bucks County and did better in working-class parts of Delaware County such as Upper Darby. (Questioner from Philadelphia)
These Cabinet picks and others in Trump’s inner circle began at Philadelphia-area universities. “Pennsylvania was the center of the political universe during the 2024 presidential campaign. And after winning the battleground state and assuming the presidency, President-elect Donald Trump has retained parts of Pennsylvania in his nominations to his Cabinet and other high-level positions.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
Country
2. AP House Democrats dodged this year’s red wave. Here’s what some say the party can learn
“In this year’s elections, a Republican political novice lost his seat US Senator Bob Caseywho has represented Pennsylvania for almost two decades.
Republican Party candidates entered statewide races for attorney general, auditor general and treasurer. And after the former president was rejected Donald Trump in 2020, the Keystone State was in the Republican candidate’s column this time around.
But the red tide that swept through the Commonwealth stopped short of the Pennsylvania General Assembly.” (Erie Times-News)
Elsewhere
Pol from Pennsylvania, who poses a threat to Josh Shapiro. “Pennsylvania Treasurer Stacy Garrity, a supporter of President-elect Trump, has become Pennsylvania’s most popular state police officer. But for many residents of deep blue Philadelphia, she is largely unknown. (Axios Philadelphia)
2025 will start with a 3.5% pay raise for Pennsylvania’s governor, legislators and judges. “Pennsylvania legislators, judges and top executive officials will receive a larger pay raise in 2025 than the average Pennsylvanian received in the last 12 months under a state law that guarantees them automatic raises.” (AP)
- Pennsylvania lawmakers’ base pay is $110,000 for the first time after the latest round of increases. dollars. (PennLive)
Years-long division over voting rights rages on in hotly contested Casey-McCormick U.S. Senate race. “Legal battles and questions about voting requirements persist: ‘As soon as the election is over, it’s time to make a decision.’” (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Losing in court doesn’t mean the end of the fight for stricter gun laws in Pennsylvania, supporters say. “Pennsylvania is one of 42 states with laws that prevent local governments from passing or enforcing gun laws more stringent than those authorized by the Legislature. This has long been a concern for big city leaders, who say their jurisdictions have unique public safety needs that require their own regulations.” (PA reflector)
Around the Republic of Poland
3. The strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette is currently the longest in the country. And it’s not over yet
“It had just stopped raining and the bank of Sulfur Run Creek in East Palestine, Ohio was slippery. Steve MellonPulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist followed closely Krystyna Siceloff to the shallow water below.
More than 18 months have passed since a train carrying thousands of gallons of toxic chemicals derailed nearby in February 2023. The stream took on a metallic sheen and emitted a chemical odor. In September 2024, Siceloff, a resident who lives a few miles away from the Pennsylvania border, was still documenting the aftermath of the accident with Mellon.
Mellon was one of the few journalists from any major press still on the ground in East Palestine. However, none of his reporting on the matter was published in the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the newspaper where he made his name and where he technically remains employed. Instead, the smaller, online-only Pittsburgh Union Progress reported that he helped get started with his associates” (Penn Capital Star)
Elsewhere
Debates over tax increases continue in the final days of Allegheny County’s budget battle. “Disputes persist between the executive and legislative branches over the amount of tax increases. And they continue to do so just days before the county charter says the council must adopt a budget and an appropriate property tax rate. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
Trump’s Mass Deportation Plans May Affect 47,000 People in Philadelphia: ‘It Will Be Ugly, No Doubt.’ “Trump provided few details, but he announced mass deportations to remove those who are not allowed to stay here — about 13 million people, roughly the population of Pennsylvania.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
No, Amish voters in Pennsylvania did not swing the election for Donald Trump. “Despite widespread claims by conservative activists on social media, Amish voters cannot be credited with winning Pennsylvania for President-elect Donald Trump, according to voting results.” (Questioner from Philadelphia)
DelVal lawmakers outline their priorities for 2025. “With the election and Democrats holding a one-seat majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, what are the priorities for Delaware Valley legislators? The Senate is completely in GOP hands – what does that mean for the DelVal delegation?” (DV Journal)
Allentown mayoral race: Candidates offer dueling visions for the city’s future. “The two candidates who have officially announced their run for Allentown mayor in 2025 offer very different visions for the future of the Queen’s City.” (Morning talk in Allentown)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- A recent day is dawning for Republicans in Pennsylvania as Democratic leaders blame each other for their defeats. (PennLive)
- SEPTA’s assistance demonstrates the need for a lasting transportation financing solution. (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
- AP lawmakers should treat SEPTA funding as an emergency. (Alex Bombstein)
- A compromise on the county budget is available. Can Innamorato and the Council find it? (Pittsburgh Postal Newspaper)
- Want better mental health? Reduce your time on social media. (Kayliana McNeal)
- Democrats face an existential crisis on X-day. (Nancy Scola)
- With 5 words, Trump is killing a free press initiative that had bipartisan support. (Postal delivery from St. Louis)
- Keystone College Appeal. (Chris Kelly)
1 item
5. Playing in the snow
Sammy, PopLuck manager Brittany Smith’s dog, enjoys the first snowfall in Erie on November 30, 2024.
