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What We’re Hearing
Ezra Thrush will be joining the Shapiro Administration as the new Policy Director for the DEP.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Greg Scott and Sen. Michele Brooks.

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Top Story

1. DCCC Targets Fitzpatrick, Perry Among 33 Districts In Play

Step to the front of the line Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) and Rep. Scott Perry (R-10).

In a Monday announcement, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) announced its Democrats’ Districts In Play for the 2024 election cycle and the two Pennsylvania Republicans made their list.

DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene announced 33 competitive Republican-held or open districts across the country that the organization is targeting in its quest to reclaim the U.S. House majority.

Related

PA Senate Makes National Dems’ 2024 Target List. “National Democrats are vowing to advance party control throughout the U.S. in 2024 by targeting what they say are “vulnerable GOP chambers” in state legislatures around the country. On their list: Pennsylvania’s Senate.” (Delaware Valley Journal)

Supporters Hope PA’s New Legislature Will Embrace Open Primaries, But At Least One Big Hurdle Remains. “Lawmakers and advocates who support opening Pennsylvania’s primary elections to over a million independent voters hope the legislature will take action this year, but at least one key senator stands in their way.” (Spotlight PA)

State

2. Corbett Calls For ‘Hyper-Localized’ Dialogue On Democracy, Civics

“Speaking Monday during a panel discussion on democracy and civics at Dickinson College, Tom Corbett, who served as Pennsylvania’s governor from 2011 to 2015, said the advent and growth of social media has changed how news and information flows, and said a response is needed to combat disinformation from spreading in future elections.

“What’s really changed – what’s changed within the last 10-15 years – is communication,” Corbett said, holding up his cell phone as an example. “Everybody today has a billboard.” (City & State)

Related

PA Gets Targeted For Voter Education Efforts By Bipartisan Advocacy Group. “A group of folks who’ve benefited at the highest level from American electoral politics unveiled plans for a new civic education campaign Monday designed to neutralize what they fear will be fresh waves of voter disinformation in advance of the 2024 presidential election.” (PennLive)

DeSantis Wins Over PA Grassroots Activists And Leaves No Doubt He’s Running. “Gov. Ron DeSantis left little doubt during his speech Saturday to Keystone State conservatives gathered for the annual Pennsylvania Leadership Conference: He is running for the Republican nomination for president. Nothing and no one will get in his way of doing that.” (Washington Examiner)

Lee Signs Onto A Letter Urging Biden Administration To Re-Evaluate Policy Toward Israel. “First-term U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, hit by $4 million in advertising by a pro-Israel committee last year, has added her voice to those asking President Joe Biden for a “shift in U.S. policy” concerning Israel and the Palestinians.” (Post-Gazette)

Billboard Attacking Susan Wild Set As Republicans Again Target Lehigh Valley Congressional Seat. “It may be a municipal election cycle, but the National Republican Congressional Committee is preparing an attack ad ahead of what should be another bruising congressional race in the Lehigh Valley.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Fetterman Opens Up About His Struggles With Depression. ““You know, my aspiration is to take my son to the restaurant that we were supposed to go (to) during his birthday but couldn’t because I had checked myself in for depression. And being the kind of dad, the kind of husband and the kind of senator that Pennsylvania deserves.”” (PoliticsPA)

Bucks County Dem Proposes “Assault Weapons” Ban In PA. “Sen. Steve Santarsiero, along with Sen. John Kane, wrote in a co-sponsorship memo last week they were planning “to introduce legislation that would enact an assault weapons ban in Pennsylvania.”” (Broad + Liberty)

The Volpe Report: Sen. Joe Pittman. “This week on The Volpe Report, Chuck speaks with PA State Senator Joe Pittman about his rise to power in the Senate and his take on the new governor.” (WOLF 56)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Criminal Justice Reform Groups Back Dugan, Innamorato

“A coalition of progressive activists and labor groups says Allegheny County has a chance to transform its criminal justice system this spring — and they know just the candidates for it.

On Monday, progressive advocacy groups that included the Working Families Party, One Pennsylvania, and PA United joined with SEIU locals to formally back Sara Innamorato’s bid for county executive, along with that of Allegheny County District Attorney hopeful Matt Dugan.” (WESA)

Related

‘Marks A New History’: Here’s What To Know About Joan Gabel, Pitt’s New Chancellor. “After years of working at universities across the country, Joan Gabel is bringing her law-based background to the University of Pittsburgh, where she was named the school’s first female chancellor.” (Post-Gazette)

• Pitt’s Chancellor-Elect Talks Free Speech, Unionization And Controversial Speakers On Campus After Vote. (Public Source)

Understaffed Department Faces Pittsburgh’s Daunting Infrastructure Needs. “The department charged with upkeep of Pittsburgh’s physical infrastructure is severely understaffed, according to its director, at a time when it is confronting a legacy of deferred maintenance across bridges and other key assets.” (Union Progress)

PennDOT: Campaign Signs Placed In Illegal Locations Will Be Removed. “PennDOT has issued a reminder to all political office candidates that campaign signs cannot be placed within the right-of-way along state road, interstate, expressway, and other limited access highways. In addition, signs cannot be attached to light or signal posts, guide rails, or other traffic control devices.” (NorthCentralPA.com)

The 2023 Philadelphia Democratic Primary Voters Guide. “Philadelphia will soon elect its 100th mayor. Election Day is Nov. 7, but for the most impact on the city’s future, plan to vote on May 16 – the primary election.” (Inquirer)

Evans Joins Growing List Of Philly Politicians To Endorse Cherelle Parker. “U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans walked Cherelle Parker down the aisle on her wedding day. Now he’s trying to help her walk into the mayor’s office.” (Inquirer)

• Region’s Elected Officials Lining Up Behind Parker. (Billy Penn)

Where Philly Mayoral Candidates Stand On The Sixers Arena. “Philadelphia’s next mayor could wield significant influence over whether developers can move forward with a proposal to construct a new 76ers arena in Center City — so naturally, it’s become a campaign issue.” (Inquirer)

Northumberland County Commissioner Candidates Debate Issues In Front Of Crowd. “Republican candidates, Sam Schiccatano, Joe Klebon and Vinny Clausi, along with Democratic candidates Meghan Beck and Craig Fetterman all met inside the Albright Center Monday night for a debate on why voters should choose them in the upcoming May Primary Election.” (Daily Item)

Burick Takes Oath As County Commissioner. “Brian D. Burick’s daughter wasn’t born yet when he was sworn into office as a Lawrence County commissioner 27 years and two months ago.” (New Castle News)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

• A Surefire Way To Destroy Your Political Enemies. (Jennifer Stefano)
• Justice For All – Even Donald Trump. (Inquirer)
• Realizing Our Energy Potential And Ensuring Our Security. (Rep. Josh Kail)
• Fetterman’s Depression Care Should Lead To More Mental Health Openness. (Tribune-Review)
• Way Past The Time To Raise PA’s Minimum Wage. (Bill O’Boyle)

1 Thing

5. Picklesburgh Picked No. 1

Other cities might feel green with envy hearing that Picklesburgh took top honors for a third consecutive year in USA Today’s 2023 reader’s choice “Best Specialty Food Festival.”

Western Pennsylvanians played a significant role in daily voting to ensure that the uniquely Pittsburgh event took the top spot against competition from other festivals around the country from places such as Chicago, Dallas, Philadelphia and Hawaii.

Produced by the Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership (PDP), and presented by Kraft-Heinz, Picklesburgh is a free, three-day, culinary celebration that goes beyond the dill pickle to include international dishes and handcrafted foods from local chefs to fun pickle-themed merchandise, live music, a “Li’l Gherkins” area with free kids’ activities, and a highly competitive pickle juice drinking contest. (Beaver County Times)

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