🏇 Back in the Saddle. Good morning. My thanks to John Cole for his work on the Playbook last week while we were out.

PA Weather
⛈️ Swissvale | Mostly Cloudy, Scattered showers and storms, 82
☁️ Enola | Mostly Cloudy, 88
🌤️ Chalfont | Partly Sunny, 88

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (65-54) | Minnesota 0-3 | Tue-Wed vs. Toronto
⚾ Pirates (53-65) | Cincinnati 4-2, 5-6 | Mon-Wed vs. NY Mets
⚽ Union | Tue vs. Inter Miami (Leagues Cup Semifinal)

What We’re Hearing
“He spent a big chunk of time working for Wall Street and living in Connecticut. There’s nothing wrong with that choice — unless you want to be a U.S. senator from Pennsylvania.” – Chris Borick

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Top Story

1. McCormick’s Gearing Up For Senate Run In PA. But He Lives In Connecticut

“David McCormick had a clear explanation for why his fellow Republican, Dr. Mehmet Oz, lost a critical Pennsylvania Senate seat: Voters viewed the daytime television celebrity as an interloper from New Jersey with limited ties to the state he hoped to represent.

As Republicans aim to gain the one seat they need to retake the Senate in next year’s elections, McCormick is a top recruit. And before his anticipated campaign, he’s working to avoid Oz’s fate, frequently noting his upbringing in Pennsylvania, his ownership of a home in Pittsburgh and a family farm near Bloomsburg.

But the reality is more complex. While McCormick does own a home in Pittsburgh, a review of public records, real estate listings and footage from recent interviews indicates he still lives on Connecticut’s “Gold Coast,” one of the densest concentrations of wealth in America.” (AP)

Related

Republicans Go After Sen. Bob Casey On China, But Likely Nominee David McCormick Vulnerable, Too. “More than a year ahead of election day 2024, the high stakes in the trade confrontation and politics surrounding China are already significant factors in the U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Rebates, Investments and Jobs: White House Touts Impact of New Laws on PA. “This month marks the first anniversary of laws to address climate change and boost semiconductor production.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. Former PA First Lady Ellen Casey Dies At 91

“Ellen Casey, the widow of Pa. Gov. Robert Casey and mother of U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, died Friday in Scranton, her son announced on X, formerly Twitter.

Casey Jr. said his mother died after a brief illness. She was 91.

Democrat Robert Casey was governor from 1987 to 1995. He died in 2000. He and Ellen Casey were married for 50 years and had eight children. Survivors include grandchildren and great-grandchildren as well.” (PennLive)

Related

Commonwealth Foundation Says Shapiro’s Budget ‘Already In The Red’. “The Commonwealth Foundation, in a release quoting its vice president on a recent policy analysis, says “the final budget is on track to spend $900 million more than ongoing revenue by draining part of the General Fund balance.”” (The Center Square)

Shapiro: State Department Will Work To Ensure Fair, Secure 2024 Election. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro discussed a variety of topics during a recent one-on-one interview with News 8, including the upcoming 2024 election.” (WGAL)

Level-Up Funding Is Being Held Up Despite The Budget Being Passed. Here’s Why. “The $100 million program aimed to supplement funding for 100 of the poorest schools in the Commonwealth has yet to receive its annual backing. For some programs in the budget, additional legislation, known as “code bills,” is required. Those bills lay the groundwork for how the money is to be used.” (WITF)

The Pennsylvania Treasury Twitter Is Back. This Time, It Has Competition For Laughs. “After an almost three year hiatus, @PATreasury is back on X, the website formerly known as Twitter — this time with no government affiliation, and less potential for virality.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Oh Is Serious About Running For Mayor. The GOP Is Listening

“Philadelphia’s last competitive general election for mayor was 20 years ago, with the races typically featuring low voter turnout and blowout victories for Democrats. David Oh, the Republican nominee for mayor this year, wants to change that. His party is paying attention.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Working Families Party Candidate Removed From Ballot In Race For Philadelphia City Commissioner. “A third-party candidate running to administer Philadelphia’s elections was removed from the ballot Friday in a blow to the progressive Working Families Party that’s trying to oust Republicans from city government.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA State Senator Would Like To See A Page Taken From His Father’s Playbook On Crime Prevention. “A current state senator believes some of his father’s programs might help Philadelphia overcome its crime and violence issues. State Senator Sharif Street is referring to his father, then-Mayor John Street’s Operation Safe Streets initiative. ” (WHYY)

Bucks Commissioner Candidates Spar Ahead Of Election Season As County Government At Stake. “Interest is already brewing in this year’s county election as the Democrats won the majority on the board for the first time in decades four years ago and Republicans in the county are itching to take back control before next year’s presidential and Congressional election.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• From A Kansas Newsroom To A Soccer Pitch, Why The Right Hates America And Democracy. (Will Bunch)
• Criticism of Kamala Harris Isn’t Racist Or Sexist. It’s Equality. (Jennifer Stefano)
• How Mayor Kenney Can Leave A Lasting Imprint On The City – And Perhaps Democracy Itself. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Allegheny County Needs More People. The Next Executive Will Have To Attract Them. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• How Political Centrism Might Work. (Dave Anderson)
• Ohio Vote On Issue 1 Sets Tone For 2024 Campaigns. (Mark S. Singel)
• The Republican Political Paradox: Can’t Win If You Don’t Attack Trump, Can’t Win If You Do. (Robin Abcarian)
• Preclude Recess Until Budget Passes. (Scranton Times-Tribune)
• Get Budget Passed Before Recess. (Pottsville Republican & Herald)
• PHFA Turning the Corner on PAs Homeowner Assistance Fund. (Robin Wiessmann)
• GOP Falling Short On Pocketbook Issues. (William Lloyd)
• PA Budget Fails To Help Hardworking Homeowners. (Sen. Lisa Boscola)
• It’s Time To ‘Save Out Students’. (Rep. Martina White)
• Fighting To Preserve America’s Small Businesses. (Rep. Dan Meuser)

1 Thing

5. Carlisle Hosts Military Strategists From Around The World

“At the end of the ceremony welcoming the new Army War College class of 2024 to the Carlisle Barracks, the U.S. Army Band concluded the day with the Army Song, and by the time the band hit the verse “Then it’s Hi! Hi! Hey! The Army’s on its way!” everyone in the stands — members of all of the branches of the U.S. military, their families, and their new classmates from 75 different countries from across the globe — had risen to their feet and were all singing along, some in salute, some in tears, all with pride.

Nestled in the Susquehanna Valley just a handful of miles off of the Pennsylvania Turnpike, this facility, which had its beginnings during the French and Indian War, is considered the home of the top military and strategic training program in the world. The college has approximately 79 buildings on 447 bucolic acres and houses more than 3,000 men, women and their families.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

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