“I don’t care if Monday’s blue
Tuesday’s grey and Wednesday too
Thursday I don’t care about you
It’s Friday I’m in love”
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Johnstown | Sunny, 41
Lancaster | Sunny, 46
Mountain Top | Mostly Sunny, 41
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Eagles (11-1) | SUN vs. NY Giants
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76ers (12-12) | FRI vs. LA Lakers
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Penguins (14-8-4) | FRI vs. Buffalo
What We’re Hearing
“The political landscape in Washington may be fractured, but as Chairman, I will prioritize the needs of our producers and rural communities — the backbone of this country.” – G.T. Thompson
Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Isabella Fitzgerald and Rep. Greg Rothman (Sat.).
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Top Story
1. Legislative Reference Bureau Says Dems Not In PA House Majority
Another day, another twist to the saga of who holds the majority in the Pennsylvania State House.
The Legislative Reference Bureau, a nonpartisan legislative state agency, offered a non-binding legal advisory opinion on Thursday stating that neither the Democrats nor Republicans have a majority of members in the chamber.
Republican House Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) requested the opinion from the LRB, created in 1923 for use by the members of the General Assembly, the Governor, and the heads of State agencies. (PoliticsPA)
Related
A Slugfest In Harrisburg As Democrats And Republicans Fight Over PA House Control. “One wonders how much attention those Pennsylvania legislators pay to Pennsylvania’s actual legislative process: On the very day Moore v. Harper was being argued, the state House was providing what could be Exhibit A for how the sausage actually gets made in Harrisburg.” (WESA)
‘Paperwork Insurrection’: Leadership War Sets Ugly Tone For PA’s Next Legislative Session. “Pennsylvania’s House Republican leaders — accusing Democratic colleagues of an “illegal” power grab and “paperwork insurrection” — are seeking the ouster of their chamber’s chief clerk.” (Erie Times-News)
Newest Members Of Democratic Caucus. “To kick off the new legislative session, Pennsylvania House Democratic Caucus Majority Leader Joanna McClinton (D-Philadelphia/Delaware) is welcoming the largest class of incoming legislators to the House Democratic Caucus in more than 15 years.” (PoliticsPA)
Washington
2. Thompson Tapped To Lead House Agriculture Committee
“The House GOP steering committee on Wednesday elected Rep. G.T. Thompson (R-Pa.) to lead the House Agriculture Committee. The move will put the lawmaker, who is currently the committee’s top Republican, in the middle of the 2023 farm bill debate.
Thompson faced no clear challenger in his bid to lead the committee. He would succeed Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) as chair. Thompson has led Republicans on the committee since 2021 and has championed deregulation in farming and increasing agricultural production.” (POLITICO)
Related
Sinema Leaving Democratic Party, Will Register As Independent. “Sinema declined to say that she will caucus with Democrats like independent Sens. Bernie Sanders (Vt.) and Angus King (Maine), but the Arizona senator said she plans to continue in her committee assignments.” (The Hill)
Perry Co-Authors “Dear Colleague” Letter For House Freedom Caucus With Requirements For Speaker. “Last night, seven members of the House Freedom Caucus, including Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.), circulated a “Dear Colleague” letter dictating their requirements for any candidate for speaker in yet the latest sign that House GOP Leader Kevin McCarthy has some serious negotiating to do before he wins the gavel.” (POLITICO)
Cartwright Views House Democratic Policy Post As Important, Despite Rejection For Another. “U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright sees his new term on a House Democratic committee as a renewed opportunity, despite failing to gain another leadership post.” (Times-Tribune)
The Respect For Marriage Act. How Did PA Lawmakers Vote? “The U.S. House of Representatives sent a bill that codified the federal recognition of same-sex and interracial marriage to the desk of President Joe Biden on Thursday.” (PoliticsPA)
- Marriage Equality Bill Heads to Biden’s Desk Following Bipartisan U.S. House Vote. (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
Around The Commonwealth
3. Midterms Memes And The Future Of Digital Messaging
photo by Annie Wu Henry
“During the 2022 midterm elections, politicians running for all levels of office took to social media to reach young voters (and the chronically online).
One campaign that garnered attention in this realm was that of Senator-elect John Fetterman, who was in a tight, expensive, high-stakes race with Dr. Mehmet Oz in Pennsylvania. While Fetterman was the face of the campaign – and according to members of his team, even created some of his social media content – he had a whole digital strategy unit helping him along the way.” (Slate)
Related
Jim Kenney Hates His Job As Mayor And Also Hates Hearing About How He Hates His Job. “The only thing Jim Kenney hates more than his job as mayor of Philadelphia is when people publicly discuss how much he hates his job.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)
Take A Look Inside The New Federal Courthouse In Harrisburg. “After seven years of selecting a site, followed by six years of waiting for funding and six more years of design and construction, officials will cut the ribbon on Friday morning on the new Sylvia H. Rambo U.S. Courthouse at 1501 N. Sixth St.” (PennLive)
Democrats, GOP To Nominate Candidates For 3 Special Election Races For State House. “Democratic and Republican committees in Allegheny County will pick their nominees to run in three pivotal special election races for state House within the next week and a half.” (Tribune-Review)
PA Advisory Board Warns Of Losing Election Workers. “The Pennsylvania General Assembly will soon receive recommendations for changing election laws, and officials warn that the intense scrutiny on boards of elections could drive away workers if lawmakers don’t get it right.” (The Center Square)
PA Panel Updates Anti-Discrimination Regulations. “A state panel on Thursday narrowly approved new definitions of sex, religious creed and race in Pennsylvania’s anti-discrimination regulations, with three members appointed by Democrats in favor and two Republican appointees voting no.” (Associated Press)
Hershey Named Legislative Director For Auditor General’s Office. John Hershey, who lost his bid for state representative in the 82nd District, has joined Auditor General Tim DeFoor’s team as Legislative Director. (PoliticsPA)
Editorial
Opinion
- Put Hold On Constitutional Amendments (Times-Tribune)
- County Council Should Release Report On Election Board Member. (Times Leader)
- First Things First For PA Gov.-Elect. (York Dispatch)
- Flunking Social Studies Is How America Got The Big Lie and QAnon. Don’t Make It Worse. (Will Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer)
- Tom Wolf’s Legacy: Progressive Change, Steady Leadership, Better Government. (J.J. Abbott, Pennsylvania Capital-Star)
- A Study In Contrasts Of Where The Two Parties Are Going. (Carl P. Leubsdorf, Times Leader)
1 Thing
Haines Shoe House, Gov. Dick Thornburgh Honored With PA Historical Markers
“The famous Haines Shoe House in Hellam Twp., York County, has been approved to receive a Pennsylvania Historical Marker.
The house, now a Vrbo rental, is included in 36 new markers that were selected from 91 applications, said the Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission. There are more than 2,500 of the blue signs with gold lettering in Pennsylvania.” (PennLive)
2 Responses
I hope for Abigail Salisbury is named as the Democratic Nominee for Pennsylvania State House District 34 and she’ll win the special election along with Carrie Delrosso run as the Republican Nominee in the Special Election in State House District 32 against a female Democratic Nominee and they’ll probably name Matt Gergely Mark’s Brother as the Democratic Nominee in State House District 35 in the special election.
Add some croutons (punctuation) to that verbal salad.