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What We’re Hearing
Looking for a trip to the West Coast? Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick has a Laguna Beach fundraiser beginning Sunday.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Dan Deasy.

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Top Story

1. Ward Says Stalled State Budget Will Be Finalized In August

“The Pennsylvania Senate will return in August to finalize the 2024 state budget, according to President Pro Tempore Kim Ward.

Both chambers of the General Assembly adopted a $45.5 billion budget but the spending bill remains in limbo one month past deadline over divisions about $100 million included for a targeted school voucher program.

The Senate recessed and left Harrisburg before the bill could be signed by Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, as required, and passed on for the final signature of Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Ward, the Senate’s highest-ranking official, has the power to recall the Senate into a voting session before a scheduled return on Sept. 18 and allow for the budget to be signed and, ultimately, finalized.” (CNHI News)

Related

A Top Republican Signaled A Possible Earlier Return To Harrisburg As PA Neared One Month Without A Budget. “With the state nearing a full month without a budget in place, a top Republican said negotiations are continuing and “things are moving forward” toward a possible return of the Senate to Harrisburg in August to complete key spending items.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Why David McCormick Hasn’t Launched His Expected Campaign Against Sen. Bob Casey. “Republican sources who know McCormick say he’s eyeing a potential fall campaign announcement but is being cautious about the decision, coming off the primary loss to Mehmet Oz last year.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA-07: Montero Officially Declares For Congressional Seat. “The Republican field for the 7th Congressional District nomination grew by one on Monday as Maria Montero officially announced her candidacy for the U.S. House position.” (PoliticsPA)

Why Trump’s ‘Fake Electors’ In PA Are Likely To Avoid Prosecution. “Unlike Michigan, Pennsylvania’s alternate electors are unlikely to face criminal repercussions because of an important legal caveat they added to their document.” (VoteBeat)

State

2. Shapiro Establishes First-Of-Kind Workforce Training Program

“Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order on Monday, creating the Commonwealth Workforce Transformation Program. The CWTP is a first-in-the-nation job training program that provides workforce development grants to ensure companies, contractors, unions, and others who are working to build Pennsylvania’s infrastructure have the skilled workforce they need.

The program allows organizations doing infrastructure work funded by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) or the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to receive up to $40,000 for each new worker they train.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

PA Governor Says Millions Will Go To Help Train Workers For Infrastructure Projects. “Pennsylvania will direct up to $400 million in federal money over the next five years to reimburse organizations that train new infrastructure workers on the job, under an executive order signed Monday by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro.” (AP)

• Shapiro Touts $400 Million Program Meant To Train Workers For Infrastructure Jobs. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

House Democratic Leaders Rally In Philly Against School Vouchers: ‘What Are They Going To Do For The 99% Left Behind?’ “As Pennsylvania’s budget impasse drags on, House Democratic leaders visited South Philadelphia High School Monday, calling for more investment in deteriorating public school buildings — and less focus on private school vouchers.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

HD-21: Powell vs. Autenreith For Control Of PA House. “Allegheny County Democrats and Republicans selected their candidates over the weekend for the September 19 special election in the 21st House District to replace Sara Innamorato.” (PoliticsPA)

John Fetterman Casts Senate Votes In A Hoodie And Shorts, Misses His Family, And Other Takeaways From His NYT Interview. “As he settles into life in Washington, D.C., U.S. Sen. John Fetterman continues to open up about his health and how he’s adjusting to his new job.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

House Members May Soon Post Expenses Online. “Tracking how Pennsylvania legislators spend money in office can be a hassle, requiring a public records request — and patience. That process, however, could soon change if lawmakers post expense reports online in one place.” (The Center Square)

PA Treasurer Urges Real-World Barbies, Kens To Search For Unclaimed Property. “More than $37.5 million is waiting to be claimed by Pennsylvanians named Barbie, Ken, Midge, Margot, Robbie, Ryan, Gosling, Greta or Gerwig — or with the word “pink” in their name or business name.” (Delco Times)

A Q and A With Mark Compton, PA Turnpike Commission CEO. “Mark Compton, who has led the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for the last decade, recently sat down with City & State to discuss the evolution of the highway, the commission’s funding challenges and how the agency is working to track down unpaid tolls.” (City & State)

Around The Commonwealth

3. How PA Counties Spent The First-Ever Election Grants From The State

“Pennsylvania counties that benefitted from $45 million in state funding to help cover election costs say they are happy with the investment and plan to apply for a new round of grants beginning next month.

In the lead-up to last year’s November election, counties spent much of their share on expenses such as mail ballot sorting machines, rental trucks to transport voting equipment, and poll worker pay, according to new data from the Department of Community and Economic Development.” (VoteBeat)

Related

Working Families Party Candidates File To Run And Will Try To Boot The GOP From City Hall. “A slate of progressive third-party candidates filed nomination papers Monday to run for office in Philadelphia, pledging during a news conference to oust Republicans they say “do not deserve governing power” in City Hall.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Local School Officials Addressing State Budget Impasse. “Luzerne County Head Start estimates 140 children ages 3-5 may have to be turned away in the fall in response to state funding delays affecting the Pre-K Counts preschool program.” (Citizens Voice)

Allegheny County Councilwoman Liv Bennett Not Running For Reelection. “One of Allegheny County Council’s progressive members announced Monday that she will not be seeking reelection.” (Tribune-Review)

Labor Leader, Democratic Politician And World War II Veteran From Penn Hills Turns 100. “John Vento of Penn Hills turned 100 years old on Monday. He says he’s met every Democratic president since Harry Truman except LBJ.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

Allentown School Board Member Withdraws From November Election, Making Way For Two More Nominees. “As a result of her withdrawal, the Lehigh County Democratic and Republican committees will each get the chance to offer up a substitute nomination to appear on the November ballot.” (Morning Call)

Easton Councilwoman Jailed Following ‘Domestic Assault,’ Cops Say. “Taiba Sultana, 39, is facing charges of misdemeanor simple assault and summary harassment in the incident Monday afternoon.” (LehighValleyLive)

Halcovage’s Attorney Files For Summary Judgment. “Schuylkill County Commissioner George F. Halcovage Jr. has asked the court to dismiss the claims against him in the federal lawsuit filed by four female employees alleging sexual harassment and sexual assault.” (Standard-Speaker)

City Of Erie Sends Trump Campaign $5,200 Bill Related To Saturday’s Campaign Rally. “The city has yet to receive any reimbursement from Trump’s campaign. Erie Mayor Joe Schember’s administration also requested $35,129 reimbursement after a Trump rally in Erie almost five years ago.” (Erie Times-News)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Welcome To The Capital-Star 2.0. (Kim Lyons)
• Liquor Control Board Racket Must End. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Don’t Hurt Our County’s Economy, EPA. (Sam DeMarco, Bob Macey)
• Compromise On Norristown Homeless Emcampment Is Example For State Budget Impasse. (Dom Giordano)
• No Election System Is An Island. (Richard Barton)

1 Thing

5. Confidence In Military Hits 26-Year Low

The military remains one of America’s most trusted institutions — but public confidence has fallen to the lowest point in a quarter century.

60% of respondents expressed confidence in the military in the June poll — the lowest level since 1997, 26 years ago.

• The military ranked second behind small business among the 17 institutions included in the poll — but far ahead of police (43%), the medical system (34%) and organized religion (32%).
• Congress (8%), newspapers (18%) and TV news (14%) were in the cellar. (Axios)

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