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🗓️ What’s Happening Today. Both the House and Senate will convene at 11 AM.

👂 What We’re Hearing. “Job 1 for the Republican VP nominee, besides raising money, will be to park in Pennsylvania to try to deny Biden the biggest of his Blue Wall states.” Does that move Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance to the top of the list?

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Top Story

1. Presidential Battle Could Play Role In Control Of State Capitols

“Two swing districts in a swing county may very well decide which party controls the House in the swing state of Pennsylvania, one of several where pivotal legislative battles are playing out in the shadow of the presidential campaign.

Democrat Brian Munroe and Republican Joe Hogan were elected nearly two years ago to their seats in the suburbs north of Philadelphia, winning by margins of 515 and 76 votes, respectively, out of more than 30,000 ballots cast.

Their races this year are among a few dozen nationally that could determine party control in state capitols and, ultimately, who sets public policy on such contentious issues as abortion, guns and transgender rights.” (AP)

Related

Harris Will Visit Philly On Saturday As Biden Campaign Tries To Rebound. “Vice President Kamala Harris will give a keynote speech at the Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Presidential Town Hall in Philadelphia on Saturday.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Reader Poll: Should President Joe Biden Step Aside? “What do you think? As of 6:40 AM this morning, 44% say he should not, while 42% say he should because of age and declining ability to do the job. Another 14% say he should move aside because he cannot defeat Donald Trump. Our unscientific poll will be open through Friday morning at 7 AM.” (PoliticsPA)

About Those ‘Black Jobs’: Biden Administration Shows Better Record Of Black Cabinet Leaders Than Trump. “As former president and presumptive Republican candidate Donald Trump attempts to court Black voters who feel disillusioned by President Joe Biden’s administration, it should be noted that Trump’s idea of “Black jobs” does not include high-ranking positions in his administration.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

McCormick Invested in Chinese Fentanyl Before Wanting To Ban It During Campaign. “Dave McCormick says he wants to stop Chinese-produced fentanyl flowing into the country, but tax forms show that his hedge fund invested $1.7 million in China’s largest synthetic opiate manufacturer. ” (The Keystone)

• Bob Casey Says He Has No Concerns About Biden’s Ability To Serve Until 2029. (Washington Free Beacon)

State

2. Late-Night Delay In PA House Committee Meeting Spawns Budget-Related Ire

“A top Republican lawmaker Tuesday night accused House Democratic leadership of poor management of the budget process as the business portion of a key committee meeting was delayed late into the evening, and it was unclear whether it indicated a snag in budget negotiations.

“It’s disrespectful. It’s irresponsible,” said Rep. Seth Grove, R-York and minority chairman of the Appropriations Committee. “The work environment in the Appropriations Committee has never been this bad.”” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

PA House Keeps Budget Committee Meeting Open Until Wee Hours Of Morning. “In an unusual series of events, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee started a meeting Tuesday night at 8:30 and ended it Wednesday just before 1 a.m. — despite taking no action.” (PennLive)

Fair Funding For Education Remains a Central Sticking Point in PA Budget Talks. “A Republican proposal to use alternative data on poverty prompts pushback from education equity advocates.” (Penn Capital-Star)

PA Could Offer School Districts Money To Ban Cell Phones. “Although the bill does not institute a statewide ban, it would launch a pilot program allowing schools to purchase secure, lockable bags with state money, and requiring participating districts to ban cell phone use during the school day.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. In Swing-State Pennsylvania, A Latino-Majority City Embraces A Chance To Sway The 2024 Election

“Religion and politics frequently overlap in Reading, an old industrial city in one of the most pivotal swing states of this year’s presidential election.

In Pennsylvania, there is early precedent for this kind of thing. The state began as a haven for Quakers and other European religious minorities fleeing persecution. That includes the parents of Daniel Boone, the national folk hero born just miles from Reading, a town where the Latino population is now the majority.” (AP)

Related

Walsh to Appeal Ballot Ruling to State Supreme Court; Election Board to Tally Provisional Ballots Friday. “Jamie Walsh, candidate for the Republican nomination for the 117th District state House seat, announced Tuesday he will appeal a Commonwealth Court order regarding two provisional ballots from the April 23 primary to the state Supreme Court.” (Citizens Voice)

How Population Totals In The Philly Suburbs Have Changed Since 2020. “Overall, the eight-county greater Philadelphia region lost 0.2% of its population between 2020 and 2023. But that modest decline was not felt equally.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Election 2024 Glossary. “It is the middle of campaign season and a ton of bureaucratic terms will be thrown around regarding the election process. As part of WITF’s voter-focused election coverage, we want to help you understand what politicians, pollsters and pundits are saying.” (WITF)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Democrats and the Media Must Share The Blame For Hiding The Extent of Biden’s Decline. (Jennifer Stefano)
• Trump’s Second American Revolution Will Undo The First. (Gene Collier)
• The Failure of Pennsylvania’s Legislature To Pass a Budget Is Hurting Our Children and Their Schools. (Brian Siatkowski)
• Well, There They Go Again. (Andy Bloom)
• How We Can Protect Students, Staff From Last-Minute College and University Closures. (Reps. Bob Merski and Ben Waxman)

1 Thing

5. PA Says ‘Let Freedom Ring’ On New Signs, Plates

“Pennsylvania’s license plates and highway welcome signs are getting a new look with a familiar symbol as a nod to the forthcoming 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

“Let Freedom Ring” is the design theme unveiled Tuesday by Gov. Josh Shapiro, one intended to complement Pennsylvania’s Great American Getaway tourism brand launched in late May and recognize the commonwealth’s lead role in the U.S. Semiquincentennial in 2026.” (CNHI News)

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