🙏🏽 Good Morning. It’s Thursday. And we’re glad you’re here.

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⚾ Phillies (66-55) | Toronto 9-4 | Fri-Sun vs. Washington
⚾ Pirates (54-67) | NY Mets 3-8 | Fri-Sun vs. Minnesota
⚾ Media Little League | Needville TX 1-2 | Sat vs. Northwest-New England loser

What We’re Hearing
“That’s why I’m proud to stand with women, families and the unborn as a pro-life member of the State House. I hope you stand with me.” – PA-17 candidate Rob Mercuri’s website before Tuesday when it was scrubbed.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for former and possible U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick.

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Top Story

1. Biden To Visit Scranton For Ellen Casey Viewing

“The White House announced that President Joe Biden will travel to Scranton to privately pay respects to former Pennsylvania first lady Ellen Casey in advance of a public viewing on Thursday.

Casey, the wife of former Pennsylvania Gov. Robert P. Casey and mother of current Sen. Bob Casey Jr., passed away on Friday at the age of 91.

A public visitation is currently scheduled from 2-8 p.m. at St. Peter’s Cathedral on Wyoming Avenue in downtown Scranton.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

President Biden To Pay His Respects. “President Joe Biden’s return to his native city Thursday won’t be his first here to pay his respects to someone he admired.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Rob Mercuri Scrubs Anti-Abortion Language From Website for Congressional Run. “Pennsylvania State Rep. Rob Mercuri announced his campaign for Congress on Tuesday, and like clockwork, his campaign removed  any mentions of his anti-abortion stances from his website’s “issues” page.” (The Keystone)

Summer Lee’s Student Loans, Mike Kelly’s Car Dealerships, And Other Highlights From New Financial Disclosure Filings. “Three W.Pa. lawmakers filed their required forms this month after receiving extensions” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

How Chris Deluzio Spent Part of His Summer. “Also, President Biden expresses condolences to the Caseys and Summer Lee wants to tax the rich.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. A Plan To Stop Diverting Road Dollars to State Police Could Be a Final Piece of This Year’s Budget

“For at least 50 years, Pennsylvania has used taxes drivers pay at the pump to fund its State Police force.

But lawmakers are hopeful that the main budget bill passed by the divided Pennsylvania General Assembly and recently signed by Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro is the first step to ending those transfers, which have diverted $8 billion from road and bridge construction in the past decade alone.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Democratic Opposition Researcher Masquerades As Journalist While Digging Dirt On PA’s David McCormick. “McCormick acquaintances say Marley Klaus Dowling has presented herself, alternatively, as ‘fact-checker,’ reporter, and researcher.” (Washington Free Beacon)

Nursing Home Reimbursement Issue Looms For PA Lawmakers. “Nursing home providers are seeking a provision in the state Fiscal Code to address changes in Medicaid reimbursement rates that could affect whether some facilities stay open, the Pennsylvania Health Care Association said.” (Capitolwire)

Amendment Suggests Curbing Cabinet Secretary Powers. “Republican Sens. Kristin Phillips-Hill and Judy Ward recently began circulating a co-sponsorship memo for the proposal that says gubernatorial appointees unconfirmed by the Senate should exercise limited authority.” (The Center Square)

Window For Proposed Child Sex Abuse Amendment Closes For 2023. “Survivors of childhood sexual abuse must continue waiting for their day in court after the Pennsylvania General Assembly failed to meet the deadline to get a proposed constitutional amendment on the November ballot.” (Spotlight PA)

PA Lawmaker Proposed 4-Day Workweek Bill. “State Rep G. Roni Green (D-Philadelphia) says her bill would require the reduction of a standard workweek from 40 hours to 32 hours for businesses with more than 500 employees. The bill would also ensure there is no reduction in pay for workers and exclude local and mid-size businesses.” (abc27)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Attorney General’s Office Plans To File More Charges Against DuBois City Manager

“The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office is planning to file additional charges against DuBois City Manager John “Herm” Suplizio, 63, of DuBois.

Suplizio is already accused of committing more than $620,000 in fraudulent transactions from public accounts associated with the city, DuBois Area United Way and DuBois Volunteer Fire Department.” (DuBois Courier-Express)

Related

Who’s Running For Mayor of Philadelphia? “The two candidates running this fall to become the 100th mayor of Philadelphia know each other well.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Republicans Are Appealing a Ruling Keeping Working Families Party Candidates on the Philly City Council Ballot. “The move highlights the serious stakes as the progressive Working Families Party seeks to oust Republicans from the at-large seats that were in GOP hands for seven decades.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Demstock Draws Nearly 400 to Jefferson County. “The fifth annual Demstock brought nearly 400 Democrats from 16 counties together at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds for a weekend of connecting rural Pennsylvania’s democrats.” (DuBois Courier-Express)

Lawrence County Joined to Allegheny For Federal Funds and Commuting Patterns. “In a surprise to officials, the county now is part of the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Statistical Area.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Will a Centre County Man Be On the Ballot For County Commissioner? Judge Set to Decide. “Whether a Centre County man aiming to become an independent candidate for county commissioner appears on the ballot during the upcoming general election is set to be decided by a judge.” (Centre Daily Times)

Chester’s Kirkland Irate as Receiver Puts City on Hook for $500K Bill. “The City of Chester is in danger of dissolution due to its dire financial situation.” (DV Journal)

Republican DA Candidate Takes Stollsteimer to Task Over Rising Crime. “Beth Stefanide says liberal policies to blame; DA says some of the contentions are ‘obvious silliness’ when looking at a longer timeline.” (DelcoTimes)

Luzerne County Election Board Does Not Certify County Council’s Home Rule Amendment Ballot Question. “Luzerne County’s Election Board did not certify county council’s home rule charter amendment ballot question Wednesday and instead sent it back to the county law office, insisting on revisions.” (Times Leader)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Shapiro’s Unique Opportunity On Schools. (Charles Mitchell)
• What If Young People Had To Pass A Civics Test To Vote In PA Elections? (John Baer)
• Summer Lee Faces A Challenger. (Ruth Ann Dailey)
• Trump’s Trials Must Be Televised. (Matthew T. Mangino)
• My Four Principles For America. (Rep. Ryan Mackenzie)
• District Attorney Should Hold Press Conferences, Not Stage Flat Substitutes. (Tribune-Review)
• Are Republicans Ready For 2024? From Franklin County to Washington, That’s a Big ‘No’  (Dwight Weidman)
• Union City and Corry Show Even Small Communities Can Leverage Native Assets And Grow. (Steve Bishop)
• The State Senate Needs To Rework Probation Reform Legislation. (Veronica Miller)

1 Thing

5. Mortgages Hit 22-Year High

The rate on 30-year mortgages ticked up to 7.16% this week — back to the high last reached in October. Before that you’d have to go back to 2001 to find mortgage rates this high, Axios’ Emily Peck writes.

Case in point: A calculation from ING’s chief international economist, James Knightley, illustrates the consequences for housing affordability.

• With a 7.16% mortgage rate, the monthly payment on a $417,200 loan (the average mortgage amount taken out last week) works out to $2,820.
• But at the prevailing mortgage rate back in 2021, you’d pay that amount for a $670,000 loan.

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