🥶  It’s not nice outside. And we’ll have to get used to it for a few days.

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

PA Weather
❄️  Erie | Snow Showers, 12
☀️  Gettysburg | Mostly Sunny, 20
⛅  Bethlehem | Increasing Clouds, 22

PA Sports
🏈  Eagles (16-3) | LA Rams 28-22 | Sun vs. Washington
🏒  Penguins (19-21-8) | Buffalo 5-2 | Washington 1-4 | Mon vs. LA
🏒  Flyers (21-20-6) | New Jersey 3-1 | Tue vs. Detroit
🏀  Sixers (15-26) | Indianapolis 102-115 | Milwaukee 109-123 | Tue vs. Denver

🔊  What We’re Hearing. “I say it’s bigger than shock and awe,” Steve Bannon said. “It’s gonna be days of thunder.”

🎂  Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Reps. Joe Kerwin and Chris Pielli.

📱  Social Media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media outlets for you to get the latest political news from around the Commonwealth: Twitter | Bluesky | Facebook | LinkedIn

Top Story

1. Biden Issues Pardons For Fauci, Milley and Jan. 6 Committee

“President Joe Biden on Monday issued preemptive pardons to a slew of high-profile targets of President-elect Donald Trump — a striking last-minute effort to shield them from prosecution just hours before Trump, who has promised to punish his perceived enemies, is sworn in.

Biden issued the sweeping pardons to former public health official Anthony Fauci and former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. He also pardoned the members and staff of the House special committee that investigated the Jan. 6 insurrection as well as officers from Washington’s Metropolitan Police Department and the U.S. Capitol Police who testified before the committee.” (POLITICO)

Elsewhere

Who Is and (Isn’t) Attending Trump’s Inauguration From PA’s Congressional Delegation?  “A majority of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation will be in attendance for President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration today, although at least three members have decided to skip the event.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Trump’s Day 1 Plans Poised to Impact Pennsylvania on Energy, Immigration. “Day 1.  That’s when oil and gas industry leaders expect action from the incoming Trump administration as it pushes to tap deeper into Pennsylvania’s abundant natural resources, bolster national security, create jobs and curb energy costs.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trump’s Inauguration Will Usher In a Crypto-Friendly Administration, And With It, New State Policies. “The bitcoin-friendly administration of President-elect Donald Trump and an expanding lobbying effort in statehouses could push states to become more open to crypto and lead public pension funds and treasuries to buy into it.” (AP)

Bridging Political Differences to “Wake Up The Echoes” For Irish Football. “It’s ‘Touchdown Jesus‘ vs. “Script Ohio.” It’s golden helmets against buckeye stickers on silver helmets. It’s Notre Dame versus Ohio State for the College Football Playoff National Championship on Monday night in Atlanta. And this is a story of how three Pennsylvania politicians – two Republican and one Democrat – have been able to put aside politics over their love for the Fighting Irish.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. State Rep. Matt Gergely Passes Away

“Allegheny County state Rep. Matt Gergely has passed away following complications after a medical emergency over the holidays. Gergely represented the 35th Legislative District.

Gergely was elected to the House in a special election to succeed Lt. Gov. Austin Davis in 2023 and earned reelection in November.

He is survived by his wife, Holly, and two sons.” (PoliticsPA)

• Death of Mon Valley State Rep. Matt Gergely Leaves PA House Deadlocked at 101-101. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Competitiveness Caucus Is the Latest Bid to Bridge Parties in Harrisburg. “For at least the second time in recent years, state lawmakers from different political backgrounds are seeking common ground in Harrisburg.” (Indiana Gazette)

Medical Debt Relief Act Reintroduced in PA With Bipartisan Support. “A bipartisan group of lawmakers in the state House reintroduced legislation to create the Pennsylvania Medical Debt Relief Program and potentially clear hundreds of millions of dollars in bad debt burdening eligible residents for a fraction of the money owed.” (CNHI News)

Forward Party Looks Ahead After 2024 Election Lessons Learned. “As Democrats and Republicans analyze their wins and losses after the November election, one alternative party believes their long-term strategy is beginning to pay off.” (The Center Square)

Democrats Tap East Petersburg Mayor James Andrew Malone For 36th Senate District Special Election. “Malone, 51, will run in the March 25 special election to fill the remaining term of Ryan Aument, who resigned on Dec. 31 to work as U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick’s state office director.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Around The Commonwealth

3. How Gettysburg Became a Refuge for Conservatives Battered by Trump-Era Strife

“The country is embroiled in a ferocious decadelong tribal standoff over some grievous offense no one can precisely pinpoint but that goes back to at least Donald Trump’s first campaign and, after his third campaign and second win, appears to be here to stay. Our modern American battle, whatever its origin, rages online and offline. You feel it at tense baby showers and see it in street brawls. It never takes a break. No one ever retreats.

But the people here at Gettysburg go toward conflict. They are drawn to conflict so strongly, in fact, that they suit up, year after year, and drive to the battlefield to confront, and even act out, the worst, bloodiest and most fateful battle in the worst, bloodiest, most fateful war in American history.” (POLITICO)

Elsewhere

Immigration Advocates Brace For Trump’s Day 1 Deportation Orders That Could Target 47,000 in Philadelphia. “President-elect Donald Trump has promised mass deportations. That could include thousands of people living in Philadelphia.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Election Investigation Update in Berks, Lancaster, Lehigh, Monroe and York Voter Form Case. “Berks County District Attorney John T. Adams said Thursday he is coordinating with other counties, including Lancaster, to refer an investigation into fraudulent voter registration forms to the Pennsylvania Office of the Attorney General.” (WITF)

After DOJ Sues Over Hazleton At-Large Districts, Leaders, Candidates Debate How Changes Might Impact City. “The lawsuit said at-large elections dilute the power of Hispanic candidates and Hispanic voters.” (Hazleton Standard-Speaker)

Facing a $20 Million Deficit, Albright College is Making Cuts, Borrowing From Endowment. “Over the past year, Albright College in Berks County has cut 53 positions, canceled some academic majors, and considered selling property and art as part of an effort to close a $20 million deficit.” (Spotlight PA)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Trump’s Return Casts a Pall, But America Cannot Ignore Biden’s Legacy. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• So Long, ‘Scranton Joe.’ (Chris Kelly)
• To Make America Great Again, Help America Build Again. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• On a Day to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s Dream, the Trump Nightmare Returns. (Helen Ubiñas)
• Our Culture Is Shifting In Favor of Protecting Girls’ Sports. (Emily Kreps)
• For PA Republicans, Engagement With Hispanic Voters Needs to Start Now. (Albert Eisenberg)
• GOP Strategy in Lancaster County: Use Federal Relief Money to Plump Up Reserves, Avoid Tax Increases and Win Votes. (LNP | Lancaster Online)

1 Thing

5. Record High Income Needed to Buy a Home

“You need to earn $117,000 a year to afford a median-priced U.S. home — a new high in data going back to 2012, Axios’ Sami Sparber writes from a Redfin report.

That’s $33,000 more than the median household income in the U.S. — around $84,000.” (Axios)

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