😃 Good Monday morning. I hope it will be good for you.
Pennsylvania Weather
🌤️ Erie | Partly shining, breezy, 72
☀️ State University | Sunny, 73
☀️ Allentown | Sunny, 76
Sports PA
⚾ Phillies (85-58) | Miami 1-10 | Mon-Wed vs. Tampa Bay
⚾ Pirates (67-76) | Washington 7-3 | Mon-Wed vs. Miami
🏈 Eagles (1-0) | Green Bay 34-29 | September 16 vs. Atlanta
🏈 Penn State (2-0) | Bowling Green 34-27 | Saturday vs. Kent State
🏈 Pitt (2-0) | Cincinnati 28-27 | Saturday vs. West Virginia
🏈 Temple (0-2) | Navy 11-38 | Saturday vs. Coastal Carolina
🏈 Steelers (1-0) | Atlanta 18-10 | Sun vs. Denver
👂 What do we hear. “Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick announced a groundbreaking coalition of broad support from more than 30 prominent local, state and national organizations.”
👂 What we hear II“The House Rules Committee will consider Speaker Mike Johnson’s speech a six-month momentary funding bill, which is attached to the SAVE Act. The 46-page bill would extend government funding through March 28. A vote is scheduled for Wednesday. But the bill does not mention a whole bunch of priorities vital to Democrats and many Republicans, including funding for telemedicine programs and various other health care initiatives.”
🎂 Happy birthday. Cake and candles for Senator Mike Reagan.
🗞️ You asked for PA News. We deliverWhere can I find the latest news about what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8am. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and subscribe now.
The most vital story
1. Little debate that Pennsylvania is key as Harris, Trump prepare to face off in Philadelphia
“When Donald Trump AND Kamala Harris meet on stage Tuesday night in Philadelphia, both will know there is no doubt that Pennsylvania is crucial to their chances of winning the presidential election.
The most populous presidential swing state has gone to the winner of the last two elections by just tens of thousands of votes each time. Polls this year suggest Pennsylvania will be close again in November.
Losing this state will make it harder to win electoral votes elsewhere and the presidential election.” (AP)
Elsewhere
Harris and Trump prepare for their first debate in Philadelphia, here’s what’s at stake“The spotlight on Pennsylvania will soon need a new bulb. Tuesday’s debate between former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris at 9 p.m. at the National Constitution Center will be the latest high-stakes moment in an unprecedented presidential campaign playing out in Pennsylvania.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
- Here’s what you need to know. (WHY)
Trump Threatens to Prosecute 2024 Election Officials If He Wins Presidential Election. “Former President Donald Trump on Saturday threatened prosecution and “lengthy prison sentences” for election officials and political activists who he suggested could cheat in the 2024 election if he is re-elected president in November. (CNN)
- Trump wants to change the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to allow for the impeachment of vice presidents. (POLITICIAN)
- Turnover among election officials is at its highest in at least two decades. (CBS News)
In Allentown’s mostly Latino neighborhood, second gentleman Doug Emhoff is courting voters to back Harris-Walz. “In Pennsylvania’s largest city, which is majority Latino, Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff told voters and volunteers that Vice President Kamala Harris will provide further opportunity and prosperity for families who want to start businesses and build wealth for generations to come if she is elected president.” (Penn Capital-Star)
Country
2. Election 2024: A Complete Guide to the Auditor General Candidates
“On November 5, voters will be able to choose from five candidates for Pennsylvania Auditor General.
Acting Auditor General Tim DeFoorA Republican, he was first elected in 2020 and is seeking a second term. He is running against Democrats Representative Malcolm Kenyatta, Alan Goodrich Constitutional Party, Libertarian Reece Smithand the American Solidarity Party Eric K. Anton.
The auditor general monitors how public money is spent to catch waste, fraud and corruption. The office does this by conducting financial audits and monitoring whether government-funded programs are doing what they should. (PA reflector)
Elsewhere
Susan Wild and Ryan Mackenzie Team Up for Exciting PA-07 Congressional Debate“Two congressional candidates from the Lehigh Valley faced each other Friday afternoon in their first debate, a nail-biting showdown in which the candidates clashed over Social Security, the economy and military interventions abroad.” (News)
Stelson criticizes Perry, gets support from Shapiro at PA-10 kickoff event. “10th Congressional District Democratic candidate Janelle Stelson brought out the heavy artillery as she campaigned in Harrisburg on Saturday,” Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said. (PoliticsPA)
Pennsylvania election observers see reasons for optimism and concern about November vote count“Two months later, it’s hard to tell exactly how well the state’s presidential vote count will go, but the mood among some close observers ranges from cautious optimism to serious concern.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
PA courts could change mail-in voting ahead of November’s election. Here’s how“Pennsylvania courts have issued a slew of decisions on absentee voting ahead of the Nov. 5 general election, including a ruling Thursday that the county should have counted provisional votes cast by people who made mistakes in their absentee ballots.” (USA today)
Gov. Josh Shapiro endorses 20-person Pennsylvania House of Representatives race as Democrats try to expand their narrow majority“Among those endorsed by Shapiro are seven candidates from southeastern Pennsylvania and seven incumbents in competitive districts, including a vulnerable Democrat in central Bucks County.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Around the Commonwealth of Nations
3. Suburbs of compact towns like Harrisburg are turning blue — and it could lend a hand Kamala Harris win Pennsylvania
“The Republican Party continues to have a strong presence in the Harrisburg area.
Just west of Lower Allen Township, Trump signs are prominently displayed in downtown Carlisle, the county seat, including in front of the county Republican Party headquarters.
“Kamala Harris He may not win Cumberland County, but if he loses by five points instead of 10, it will be a big deal to secure the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania,” he said. Matt RoanChairman of the Cumberland County Democratic Committee.” (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
Elsewhere
Ed Gainey announces candidacy for mayoral re-election, boasts about infrastructure success“After making history in 2021 as the first black person elected mayor of Pittsburgh, Ed Gainey hopes to extend that success into a second term.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Fetterman says he will oppose sale of American steel as long as union opposes sale“A Japanese company’s attempt to buy an iconic Pittsburgh steelmaker has become embroiled in electoral politics in this key swing state.” (Pittsburgh Post Gazette)
Penn State Students Compare Harris, Trump Campaign Strategies for Gen Z“In the upcoming presidential election, 40.8 million members of Generation Z will be eligible to vote. Penn State students are among that group, and many of them will vote in a presidential election for the first time in November.” (Daily Collegian)
‘Hope is contagious’: Some black millennials in Philadelphia on what they’d like to hear from Kamala Harris“Americans born between 1981 and 1996 make up the millennial generation, also known as Generation Y. This group received significant credit for helping Barack Obama become the first black president elected in 2008 and 2012. In Philadelphia, they make up more than 286,000 registered voters, just over 27.6 percent of the electorate.” (Philadelphia Grandstand)
A political “change-your-mind” attack doesn’t always resonate with voters“Despite how often candidates use vaccines, voters are not bothered by politicians changing their minds, according to University of Maryland political science professor Sarah Croco, who has conducted numerous national studies on voter reactions to changing views.” (WQLN)
Conservative law firm expands outreach to Pennsylvania schools even as opposition grows“The Harrisburg-based Independent Law Center (ILC) advises and writes controversial policies that guide a growing number of school districts, most of which are concentrated in York County.” (PennLive)
Editorial
4. What do you mean
- If debate moderators want to hold Trump accountable, they need to ask him the following questions. (“Philadelphia Inquirer”)
- In the US Steel Mess Gary should not have fallen victim to Pennsylvania politics. (“Chicago Tribune”)
- The politicians trying to block the Nippon deal think Pittsburghers are stupid. (Brandon McGinley)
- Your voice is your voice: make your voice heard. (Representative Joanna McClinton)
- More than 400 Pennsylvania school districts want to immediately reform charter school funding. (Levinowitz’s Art)
- No American should support a candidate who disrespects veterans. (H. James Hulton III)
- Commissioner Justin Douglas is fighting to keep the lights on for the residents of the Dauphin County Jail and a government that desperately needs it. (PennLive)
- Trump’s best idea: Releasing Elon Musk from power. (Wall Street Journal)
- County officials in Pennsylvania must consider streamlining their election process ahead of the 2024 general election. (Wide + Freedom)
- The case against Kamala. (Beth Ann Rosica)
1 thing
5. Election chaos fuels holiday rush
“The presidential election is to blame for early holiday shopping this year.
Why is it important?:Retailers — fearing November chaos and with the crucial holiday shopping season ahead — are offering holiday deals well before most Americans vote.
“The uncertainty surrounding the election results could slow down purchasing during this time,” said George Mason University associate professor Mehmet Altuga he said Axial.
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