🤠 Howdy, Tuesday. Happy birthday PA.

PA Weather
☀️ Belle Vernon | Sunny, 45
☀️ Steelton | Sunny, 48
☀️ Philadelphia | Sunny, 44

PA Sports
🏀 Sixers (15-7) | Washington 146-101 | Wed vs. Detroit
🏒 Flyers (15-10-2) | Colorado 5-2 | Tue vs. Nashville
🏒 Penguins (11-12-3) | Florida 1-3 | Tue vs. Arizona

What’s Happening
The House convenes at 11 a.m., while the Senate starts off at 1 p.m. Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt will testify about the 2023 elections before the Senate State Government Committee at 10 a.m.

What We’re Hearing
Shamaine Daniels, a candidate for PA-10, launched what is thought to be the first interactive AI-powered political phone campaign last weekend.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for former Rep. Joe Sestak. And also to the Commonwealth of PA which ratified the Constitution on this date in 1787.

Start Your Day Smart
Subscribe to the PoliticsPA Playbook. It’s free and gives you all today’s PA political headlines in an easy-to-read format. All by 8 AM.

Top Story

1. Biden’s Latest Trip To Philly Illustrates His 2024 Campaign Strategy — And Challenges

“President Joe Biden was back in Philadelphia Monday on an afternoon that in many ways previewed his 2024 campaign.

Three scenes from his visit — his 9th to the city this year — provided a snapshot of Biden’s campaign strategy and some of his looming challenges as he readies for a likely rematch with former President Donald Trump next year.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Lagging Biden Leans On Popular Gov. Josh Shapiro For Boost In Critical Pennsylvania. “Gov. Josh Shapiro voiced his strong support and admiration for President Joe Biden multiple times on Monday, but when it comes to approval ratings, the praise could go in the other direction.” (Washington Examiner)

‘Fight Like Hell’ PAC Endorses Wild, Deluzio For U.S. House. “The co-chair of the Biden-Harris reelection campaign has endorsed a pair of Pennsylvania members of Congress for support from her “Fight Like Hell” federal political action committee.” (PoliticsPA)

Cartwright: Return Of Rail Service ‘A Once In A Lifetime Opportunity’ “When asked what the national rail renaissance means for Northeast Pennsylvania, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright had a great answer. “It means we now have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something transformational for our economy and quality of life.” (Times Leader)

State

2. Pennsylvania School Choice Program Criticized As ‘Discriminatory’ As Lawmakers Return To Session

“Public school advocates in Pennsylvania are criticizing publicly funded programs that help underwrite tuition at private and religious schools, saying many of the eligible schools discriminate by cherry-picking the students they want to teach.

Pennsylvania’s Capitol is already gripped by a broader and mostly partisan debate over how to respond to a judge’s ruling that the state’s system of funding public school, which depends largely on property taxes, unconstitutionally discriminates against students in the state’s poorer districts.” (AP)

Related

D’Orsie Unveils Educational Choice Legislation for PA Students. “Another way to look at educational funding was unveiled on Monday by Rep. Joe D’Orsie.” (PoliticsPA)

Stollsteimer Secures Key Endorsements In Quest For Attorney General Nomination. “With the Pennsylvania State Democratic Party coming together this weekend for its endorsement meeting, Jack Stollsteimer has secured the backing of a number of key labor organizations.” (PoliticsPA)

Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades Endorses Kenyatta For Auditor General. “Ahead of this weekend’s state Democratic Party endorsement meeting, the Pennsylvania State Building and Construction Trades has thrown its support behind Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta for auditor general.” (PoliticsPA)

HD-56: Dunbar Will Not Seek Another Term. “Having served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since 2011, House Republican Caucus Chairman Rep. George Dunbar today announced he will not seek re-election to an eighth term.” (PoliticsPA)

PA House Passes Bill On Worker Misclassification, With Separate Senate Version Also At Play. “A bill cracking down on the misclassification of workers by construction contractors passed the Pennsylvania House on Monday, heading to the Senate where a slightly different bill on the same issue is already in the works.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. A PA Lawmaker Wants To Make Any State Money For Universities Contingent On Standing Against Antisemitism

“Following a weekend when top University of Pennsylvania officials resigned amid accusations the school responded abysmally to antisemitism, state Rep. Rob Mercuri said Monday he wants to require universities that get state money to acknowledge antisemitism as harassment or bullying.

The four state-related universities — including the University of Pittsburgh — collectively receive hundreds of millions of dollars from the state each year, while a separate system of universities that is fully owned by the state is to receive $585 million this year.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

The Philly Ethics Board Dropped Its Case Against The ‘Super PAC’ That Backed Mayoral Candidate Jeff Brown. “The board announced Monday that it will instead revise the campaign finance regulations that were at the center of the dispute.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

A Longtime Allegheny County Prosecutor Wants A Job In Harrisburg. “William Petulla, a Democrat who began as an assistant district attorney in the county in 2008, launched his 2024 campaign on Monday to become the state representative for Pennsylvania’s 28th House District.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Brenton Davis Issues Vetoes, Reductions To 2024 County Budget. Here’s What Was Cut. “Reductions will cut staff at the Erie County Public Library. Davis hopes displaced workers will transfer to more “high-demand” jobs within county government.” (Erie Times-News)

Nearing The End Of Its First Year, The PA Legislative Latino Caucus Sees More Work Ahead. “Even though many of its priorities haven’t moved forward so far during this legislative session, Rep. Manuel Guzman, vice chair of the Latino Caucus, said they’re in it for the long haul. ” (Penn Capital-Star)

Electric Vehicle Owners In PA Could Soon Be Zapped With An Annual Fee. “Electric vehicle owners in Pennsylvania could be required to pay an annual fee — potentially the highest in the nation — for the privilege of driving an eco-friendly car or truck.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• For Dual Candidacies, The Cure May Be Worse Than The Disease. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Legislators Need To Make Unexpected Break A Working Vacation. (Tribune-Review)
• Penn’s Liz Magill Was Right And Wrong: Calls For Genocide Are ‘Odious,’ But With Free Speech, Context Matters. (Huntly Collins)
• ‘Freedom of Speech’ on American Campuses. (Jerry Shenk)
• UPenn President Liz Magill’s Resignation Is Lesson To Other College Presidents. (Tribune-Review)
• Beware The Rising Tide Of American Oligarchs And Would-Be Tyrants. (Robert Kimball Shinkoskey)
• A Tale of Two Chambers in Pennsylvania. (Stephen Bloom)
• Counting Votes Faster. (Jemille Q. Duncan)

1 Thing

5. The PA Teacher of the Year

“Mifflin County High School teacher Ashlie Crosson wears a lot of hats throughout her day: 10th grade English teacher, Advanced Placement Language teacher, journalism teacher and digital publications advisor, to name a few.

She added a very prestigious one to her ensemble on Monday.

Crosson was named the 2024 Pennsylvania Teacher of the Year during the Pennsylvania Department of Education’s annual professional development conference, which is sponsored by the DOE and the Pennsylvania chapter of the National State Teacher of the Year, in Hershey.” (Lewistown Sentinel)

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