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🏀 Sixers (31-21) | Washington 119-113 | Mon vs. Cleveland
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What We’re Hearing
Americans for Prosperity Action (AFP Action) will announce its support for Rob Bresnahan’s bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District in Congress.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Kyle Mullins.

Political News? Yes, Please
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Top Story

1. Trump Presents Himself As Antidote To A Nation In Decline

“One thing Pennsylvanians learned Friday about Donald J. Trump’s third campaign for the presidency:

The man feels no need to repackage anything about himself – never mind the pending criminal counts; the fact he didn’t win a general election popular vote in his first two tries; or his disgraced exit from the presidency in 2021, on the heels of the attack on the U.S. Capitol and a second impeachment.

Trump, now the leading candidate for the 2024 Republican Party nomination, believes that doubling down as the same brash, coarse, tough-guy you either loved or hated the first time around is enough to get him past President Joe Biden – that and the higher prices Americans are paying for everyday needs and on most borrowings for big things.” (PennLive)

Related

Trump, In PA Speech, Says He Shouldn’t Be Charged In Document Case If Biden Isn’t. “In his first visit to Pennsylvania of 2024, former President Donald Trump seized on a special counsel’s decision not to charge President Joe Biden for mishandling classified documents while Trump continues to contend with a pending criminal case.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Trump Uses First PA Visit To Bash Biden, Energize His Base; Critics Insist He’s Far Out Of Step With Voters. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Trump Changes Tune On Elections From ‘Rigged’ To ‘Swamp ‘Em’ – 5 Takeaways From NRA Address. (PennLive)

MAGA Label Dogs Candidate For Key State House Seat In Pennsylvania. “Candace Cabanas is trying to find her footing on issues dear to the GOP base but anathema to independents in the suburbs.” (Washington Post)

Candidates In PA 140th State House District Ready For Special Election. “On Tuesday, voters in Pennsylvania’s 140th state House District will head to the polls for a special election to determine whether Democrat Jim Prokopiak or Republican Candace Cabanas will represent them in Harrisburg. ” (Penn Capital-Star)

• AP Decision Notes: What To Expect In The Latest Pennsylvania House Special Election. (AP)

Harrisburg to Host Libertarian Presidential Debate. “The Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania will host a debate between contenders for the party’s 2024 nomination for President of the United States on Saturday, March 2, in Harrisburg.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. Shapiro Defends Spending From Surplus As PA GOP Warns About Structural Deficit

“Gov. Josh Shapiro’s ambitions for Pennsylvania in the upcoming fiscal year would come at a cost, one the commonwealth can seemingly afford – at least in the short term.

As to the long term, the outlook is rocky.

Shapiro’s proposal requests $48.3 billion in general fund spending, the commonwealth’s primary operating account, and $125 billion in total spending across all funds.” (Johnstown Tribune-Democrat)

Related

Reader Poll: What Should The General Assembly Address After Education? “The governor has spoken and his 2024-25 budget is on the table. Understanding that basic education funding should/will be first, what should be the next highest priority for the General Assembly? The poll will be open until midnight.” (PoliticsPA)

Pennsylvania’s Proposed Pot Tax May Find Its Way To Municipal Coffers, Experts Say. “Legalizing adult-use marijuana in Pennsylvania could generate $255 million in new tax revenue for the state, Gov. Josh Shapiro said during Tuesday’s budget address.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Who Is On The Ballot In 2024? “As we close in on the final days of nomination petition signing season, here is a list of who has completed the task and is on the ballot for the 2024 primary on April 23.” (PoliticsPA)

HD-139: Adams Resigns Seat Effective Immediately. “Republican state Rep. Joe Adams (R-Wayne/Pike) has submitted his resignation from the state House effective immediately.” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. This PA Activist Is The Source Of False And Flawed Election Claims Gaining Traction Across The Country

“On Jan. 6, 2021, as former President Donald Trump rallied his supporters, he used a statistic that, though false, was making the rounds: “In Pennsylvania, you had 205,000 more votes than you had voters,” he screamed, throwing his arms wide open in front of thousands of angry followers. “This is a mathematical impossibility unless you want to say it’s a total fraud.”

The number appears to be the work of Heather Honey, a Pennsylvania-based “election integrity” investigator whose research has achieved a remarkable level of national salience among the far right, despite being replete with errors.” (Votebeat)

Related

​​PA-12: Lee Bests Patel In County Democratic Committee Endorsement Battle. “U.S. Rep. Summer Lee on Sunday won the endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee, the first time the progressive firebrand has done so.” (WESA)

Police Are Investigating State Rep. Kevin Boyle’s Apparent Drunken Outburst At Montco Bar. “Police in Rockledge, Montgomery County, are investigating State Rep. Kevin Boyle’s recorded outburst at a bar there early Thursday morning, including alleged threats to “hit female employees.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• ‘But His Memory’ And The Slow Train Wreck Of American Democracy. (Will Bunch)
• Western PA Members Of Congress Should Stop Slinging Mud Against Adeel Mangi. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Shapiro’s Proposed Budget Takes Important, Overdue Step On Behalf Of Children In Pennsylvania’s Low-Wealth Schools. (LNP)
• If Josh Shapiro Wants To Compete With Ohio, He Needs To Imitate Ohio. (Elizabeth Stelle)
• The Surplus, The Rainy Day Fund, And Why Shapiro’s Budget Gets It Wrong. (Rep. Seth Grove)
• Please, Donald, Don’t Choose A Woman For Vice-President. (Pamela Paul)
• It’s Been A Bad Week For Political Leaders. (Mark Singel)
• Taylor Swift For The Win. (Joseph Sabino Mistick)

1 Thing

5. Your Hidden Reviewer: ChatGPT

“The sensitive chore of writing your self-assessment, or the reviews of people who report to you, is so daunting or monotonous that many people are turning it over to AIs.

A brief search of X, LinkedIn, or Reddit will show you scores of people bragging about it.

Lee Gonzales, an engineering director, told Axios he can spot content written by ChatGPT all over LinkedIn and blogs and in magazines: “I find ChatGPT writing is visible from space for me now.” (Axios)

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