Hello Wednesday Morning.

PA Weather
Erie | Partly Sunny, Breezy, 41
Shamokin | Mostly Sunny, 40
Wilkes-Barre | Gradual Clearing, 44

PA Sports
76ers (20-13) | Washington, L 116-111
Penguins (19-10-5) | NY Islanders, L 5-1 | WED vs. Detroit

What We’re Hearing
“We’ve always recognized each other’s sincerity and sought to find areas where we can work together on behalf of the Commonwealth.” – Bob Casey on Pat Toomey

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Top Story

1. Who Is On Josh Shapiro’s Transition Team?

“Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro’s transition team is made up of a leadership board, personnel committee, legal counsel, and seven advisory committees that are divided into subcommittees. All these groups are tasked with advising on policy, troubleshooting in state departments, and in some cases, recommending candidates and conducting interviews.

The more than 300 members of the transition team, which will operate until Shapiro is sworn in Jan. 17, include lots of the most politically connected people in the commonwealth. ” (Spotlight PA)

Related

After Delay, PA Certifies November Election Results. “Pennsylvania’s top elections official fully certified results from the November vote late last week after recount petitions in some counties had delayed the process, the Department of State said Tuesday.” (Associated Press)

Reminiscing

2. Toomey Looks Back At His Years In Senate, Gives Thoughts On Taxes, Trump, The Filibuster And Fetterman

photo by Laura Olson, The Morning Call

“In his 12 years in the U.S. Senate, it shouldn’t be a surprise that Pat Toomey considers his part in getting the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 passed his biggest accomplishment.

For the Upper Milford Township resident, who was in the banking industry and a restaurant owner in Allentown before entering politics and a persistent advocate for conservative economic policies, it’s natural that he’s proud of that achievement.” (Morning Call)

Related

Rep. Curt Sonney Reflects On 18 Years Of Service. “In February of 2004, a maintenance worker for the now-shuttered Steris Corp. announced plans to run for state representative against an eight-term incumbent.” (Erie Times-News)

Retiring Rep. Mike Doyle Joining K&L Gates As Governmental Affairs Counselor. “Retiring congressman Mike Doyle will be helping private companies and organizations navigate the system on Capitol Hill in his new job as a consultant at the Pittsburgh law firm of K&L Gates.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Federal Spending Bill Includes $33M For Southwestern PA Projects

“A $1.7 trillion spending bill that passed the Senate and House includes more than $111 million for dozens of projects across Pennsylvania, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.

The federal funding bill earmarks more than $33 million for projects in Southwestern Pennsylvania, including money for sewer rehab, health care facilities, transit infrastructure, economic development projects, workforce funding and more.” (Tribune-Review)

Related

Philly Mayor Jim Kenney Looks Back At Chaotic Year, Maintains He Won’t Resign. “July 4 may have been the low point of Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s 2022. Following a shooting that injured two Philadelphia police officers assigned to the city’s Independence Day festivities, Kenney lamented the stress his job requires.” (WHYY)

Next Big Deadline Looming For Scranton To New York City Train. “Before construction money flows and the passenger train rolls between Scranton and New York City, the paperwork will pile up and bureaucrats will weigh in.” (Standard-Speaker)

PA County Seeks Dismissal Of Lawsuit That Seeks Forensic Audit Of 2020 Election Results. “The state Elections Code does not contain a provision for a forensic audit based upon a voter’s allegations of election fraud or irregularity, Lycoming County officials say.” (PennLive)

Welteroth Announces Candidacy For Lycoming County Commissioner. “With a fully formed campaign committee and a vision for Lycoming County, Adam C. Welteroth of Williamsport announced his intentions to run for County Commissioner on Tuesday.” (NorthCentralPA.com)

PA’s Population Plummets By 40,000 In A Year. “The American population might be growing, but Pennsylvania remains a leading state for Americans to flee, rather than stay.” (The Center Square)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Did Tom Wolf Understand Politics? (Tribune-Review)
• Campaign Finance Rules Just Got A Bit Stricter In Philly. And They Will Be Enforced. (Michael H. Reed and J. Shane Creamer Jr., Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Why I’m Working With the PA Innocence Project. (Doc Rivers, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• It’s Not Easy Being Green. (Lamont McClure, Morning Call)
• Curing Ballots Is The Right Thing For Bolstering Democracy And Protecting Our Votes. (LNP)
• When Erie County Invests In Its Human Capital, It Fuels Strong Community Growth. (Carl Anderson, Erie Times-News)

1 Thing

5. National Chocolate Candy Day

photo from Josh Early Candy

Here’s a sweet way to start the day — perhaps with a piece of chocolate?

Dec. 28 is National Chocolate Candy Day, which is likely all the encouragement some of us will need to dive into the last of the truffles and other assorted goodies received for Christmas.

But if your stocking was short on sweets and you’re out and about today, maybe you’ll want to visit one of these Lehigh Valley chocolatiers? (LehighValleyNews.com)

Thanks for starting your day with us.

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