December 16: Bigger Than One Man

Pat Toomey and Donald Trump

Happy Friday. Hanukkah begins on Sunday for those who celebrate. Chag sameach!

PA Weather
Bradford | Cloudy, scattered snow showers, 36
Danville | Rain/Snow, 38
Mt. Pocono | Rain/Snow, 34

PA Sports
Eagles (12-1) | SUN at Chicago
Steelers (5-8) | SUN at Carolina
76ers (15-12) | FRI vs. Golden State
Flyers (9-14-7) | New Jersey | SAT vs. New York
Penguins (18-8-4) | Florida, W 4-2 | SUN vs. Carolina

What We’re Hearing
“For my Republican colleagues, let me just say, our party can’t be about or beholden to any one man.” – Pat Toomey

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Sen. Ryan Aument (Fri.) and Rep. Zachary Mako (Sat.).

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Top Story

1. Cutler Issues New Writs Of Election For 34th, 35th House Districts

Bryan Cutler announcing writs of election

A new day in Harrisburg. A new day for writs of election for the 34th and 35th state House district special elections.

House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) issued new writs of election, asserting his authority to do so on Thursday for those two Allegheny County districts.

Both Cutler and Democratic House Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia) had previously issued separate writs – or formal announcements of the holding of an election – calling for special elections on February 7, 2023. (PoliticsPA)

Related

GOP Seeks May Vote On Dem Vacancies In House Power Struggle. “The Pennsylvania House’s Republican leader on Thursday submitted paperwork seeking to wait until the May primary before holding special elections in two vacant districts, the latest move in a power struggle over control of the nearly evenly divided chamber.” (Associated Press)

Special Election Dates To Fill Vacant Allegheny County House Seats Set, Again. “House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler scheduled special elections to fill two vacant House seats for May 16, to coincide with the primary election. (PennLive)

 

Pittsburgh

2. Innamorato Launches Allegheny County Executive Bid

Sara Innamorato announces bid for county executive, calling for greater focus on inequality | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper

“State Rep. Sara Innamorato, one of the key figures in a progressive movement that has had an impact at almost every level of government in Allegheny County, is launching a campaign for county executive.

Innamorato is seeking to replace outgoing incumbent Rich Fitzgerald, who is term-limited and cannot run again next year. The race marks another opportunity for a movement to shake up the county’s once-staid power structure, and it follows a successful Congressional campaign this fall by Summer Lee, as well as Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s victory in 2021.” (WESA)

Related

Innamorato, Fawcett Latest To Enter Allegheny County Executive Race. “The race for the Democratic nomination for Allegheny County Executive has expanded to five with announcements by Dave Fawcett and Sara Innamorato in the last 24 hours.” (PoliticsPA)

  • Rep. Sara Innamorato Joins Crowded Field Of Allegheny County Executive Candidates. (Tribune-Review)

 

Public Officials Heed Call To End Communication With Post-Gazette Until Strike Demands Are Met.Several elected officials and candidates are condemning the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette as its workers enter their third month on strike.” (WESA)

Two State Lawmakers Want To Audit Philadelphia And Pittsburgh Sports Stadiums. “Two western Pennsylvania lawmakers have proposed legislation that would require audits related to the construction of the four sports stadiums in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh.” (City & State)

Coming Together For The Holidays? Outgoing PA Congressmen Reflect On Coalition Building. Pennsylvania’s two outgoing members of Congress, Mike Doyle and Conor Lamb, both say that relationships among lawmakers aren’t quite as bad as you may think. Which is maybe a hopeful message, right up until you realize it means things could get worse. (WESA)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Toomey Tells Republicans The GOP Should Be Bigger Than One Man

Pat Toomey votes to convict Donald Trump at impeachment trial for inciting Capitol insurrection

“Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) urged his party to look beyond former President Donald Trump, and called on the Senate to preserve the filibuster as he delivered his farewell speech to the chamber Thursday, laying out ideas he argued would help preserve, or strengthen, democratic debate and accountability.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Toomey Urges Senate To Keep Filibuster, Warns GOP That Party Is ‘Much Bigger’ Than One Man. “Toomey used his 22-minute address to extoll the virtues of “personal freedom,” saying that, “Economic freedom is a fundamental aspect of personal freedom.”(PennLive)

  • Why Toomey’s Swan Song Included Separate Advice For Democrats And GOP. (Erie Times-News)

 

State Senate Candidates Spend $18M In Quest For Seats. “Over $18 million. The candidates for state Senate in the 2022 election spent a combined $18.1 million during the campaign in their quest to be seated in Harrisburg. The numbers were compiled from the Department of State’s Campaign Finance Online Reporting portal, using Cycle 9 or 30-day post-election figures.” (PoliticsPA)

Gov. Tom Wolf On COVID Policies: ‘I’m Going To Be Second-Guessing Myself Until The Day I Die.’ “As he prepares to leave office, Gov. Tom Wolf says he’s still turning over in his mind the decisions he made during the first, tumultuous months of the COVID-19 pandemic.” (Spotlight PA)

A Timeline Of Scott Perry’s Texts Following The 2020 Election. “Newly released text messages outline the outsized role that U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, R-10th District, had in the efforts to overturn the 2020 presidential election.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

  • Report Shows Texts From Keller, Kelly, Perry In Attempts To Overturn 2020 Election Results. (New Castle News)

 

The Race For City Council’s Seven At-Large Seats Is Wide-Open. “More than 20 candidates are vying for City Council’s seven at-large seats in a wide-open race that could reshape City Hall as much as the mayoral contest atop next year’s ballot.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Philly City Council Approves A Trio Of Bills Aimed At Protecting Abortion Rights. “City Council on Thursday approved a package of bills aimed at protecting patients seeking abortion care in Philadelphia, including making it harder for reproductive health-care providers and patients to face legal trouble related to antiabortion laws in other states.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Here Are The 13 Applicants For The Vacancy On Allentown City Council. “Thirteen Allentown residents are vying for the city council seat vacated by former member Josh Siegel.” (Morning Call)

Judge Tells Thomas’ Lawyers He Won’t Step Down From Sex Assault Case. “The judge presiding over the sexual assault case against suspended Somerset County District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas declined on Thursday to step aside from the case, but apologized for a “misunderstanding” that was part of the reason why Thomas’ attorneys asked him to recuse himself.” (Tribune-Democrat)

 

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

 

1 Thing

5. PA’s Favorite Christmas Cookie

Classic Peanut Butter Blossom Cookies Recipe - BettyCrocker.com

Everyone has their own unique ways of celebrating the holidays. However, most Pennsylvanians can agree on one thing when it comes to the holidays, and that is what the best Christmas cookie is.

You may find yourself wondering what the most-searched Christmas cookie in Pennsylvania is. And plot-twist, it isn’t a gingerbread man.

Pennsylvanians found themselves searching for peanut butter blossom cookies the most out of any other holiday cookie, according to Google Trends. (ABC27)

 

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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