July 11: Defending Biden

John Fetterman

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🗓️ What’s Happening Today. Both the House and Senate will convene at 10 AM.

👂 What We’re Hearing. The NRCC is rolling out a new digital ad campaign targeting, among others, Rep. Susan Wild accusing her of witnessing “Biden’s mental failures up close” and engaging in a cover-up, which the ads refer to as “the scandal of the century.”

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Top Story

1. Fetterman Leads Post-Debate Charge To Keep Biden On Democratic Ticket

John Fetterman — who struggled through his own rocky debate — defends Biden from 'Democratic vultures' | The Independent

“As President Joe Biden campaigned in Pennsylvania over the weekend, U.S. Sen. John Fetterman was at his side.

“If you’re ever in a foxhole, you want him with you,” Mr. Biden said of Mr. Fetterman during the president’s visit to Philadelphia on Sunday.

As other Democrats call on Mr. Biden to end his campaign or anguish over his chances of winning in November because of his age, Mr. Fetterman has emerged as the president’s most outspoken and ardent defender on Capitol Hill.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Remington: Casey Lead Shrinks as Trump Margin Over Biden Grows. “Is President Joe Biden dragging down Democratic candidates? That is the question after the president’s disastrous debate performance on June 27. And a look at Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race may provide the answer.” (PoliticsPA)

As GOP Grapples With Reproductive Rights Messaging, McCormick Proposed an IVF Tax Credit. Is It Feasible? “Republicans have consistently opposed policies from Democrats that aim to protect access to IVF and contraceptives. McCormick’s proposal represents a new approach to reproductive health for the GOP.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

‘No Substantial Shift’ In Support For Biden, Trump Following First Debate: Report. “Despite widespread polling and news coverage saying that President Joe Biden has lost ground to former President Donald Trump after their first debate, a new report claims that there has been no discernible movement in the race.” (PennLive)

Our Presidential Candidates Have Never Been Older. You Can Thank The Founding Fathers. “The Founding Fathers certainly thought about presidential age centuries ago: It’s baked into Article 2 of the U.S. Constitution, which requires that, among other things, a president be at least 35 years old. But while there’s a limit on how young one can be to assume the office, there has never been a rule about how old a president could be.” (WQLN)

 

State

2. Public Education Advocates: PA Budget Deal Has To Include School Funding Plan, Or We’ll Go Back To Court

“Public education advocates who successfully argued in a landmark case that Pennsylvania discriminates between poor and wealthy school districts raised alarm Wednesday that a budget plan being negotiated by lawmakers won’t resolve the state’s school funding woes.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, House Democrats, and Senate Republicans have been working on a final state budget deal, including how much more money to spend to adequately fund Pennsylvania’s public schools, how that money should be allocated, and whether they should include a multi-year commitment to increase funding each year. The budget was due by July 1, and lawmakers have been saying for days they were close to a deal, though no budget bills have been made public yet.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

PA Lawmakers and Gov. Shapiro Believe Budget Deal Is In Sight. “State lawmakers left the Capitol on Wednesday with a widespread belief that a conclusion to closed-door state budget negotiations was near, and a spokesperson for Gov. Josh Shapiro said “we are very close to getting this done.”” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

  • PA Legislative Leaders Say State Budget Negotiations Are Productive But Ongoing. (Penn Capital-Star)
  • Negotiations Continue But Pa. Budget Remains Unsettled. (CNHI News)

 

Senate Committee Subpoenas Revenue Secretary Browne Over Allentown Tax Info. “The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee voted to subpoena one of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s cabinet officials – Revenue Secretary Pat Browne – to obtain tax information about the Allentown Neighborhood Improvement Zone.” (PoliticsPA)

To Certify Election Results On Time, PA Looks To Set New Deadlines For Legal Challenges. “In a bipartisan effort to avert a potential crisis in certifying November’s election results, the Pennsylvania House passed a bill Tuesday that would cement the timelines for resolving post-election legal battles and prevent delays in finalizing the state’s electoral votes.” (Votebeat)

PA Restarts Plan To Upgrade Voter Registration And Election Management Systems. “After a multi-year delay, the state is back on track to upgrade several software systems to manage election data like voter registrations, election-night reporting and campaign finance figures.” (WITF)

 

Around The Commonwealth

3. Secret Bank Accounts, $1M Deficit Plague City As Official’s Corruption Case Is Repeatedly Delayed

Former DuBois City Manager Herm Suplizio Arrested on Conspiracy and Fraud Charges - exploreJefferson

“A federal judge has repeatedly granted delays in the case of a former public official accused of corruption as the Pennsylvania city he once ran and allegedly fleeced grapples with the fallout and a nearly $1 million budget deficit.

Last November, federal authorities charged Herm Suplizio, DuBois’ ex-city manager, and his former secretary, Roberta Shaffer, with felony conspiracy and federal program theft. Since then, the case — which was launched by the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General — has largely gone silent.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Trump Will Visit Welcoming Butler County On Saturday Before Republican National Convention. “Next to the Butler Farm Show complex sits a merchandise stand selling hats, magnets, flags, bumper stickers and even jewelry in support of former President Donald Trump. The stand, run by Trump campaigners, is being prepared for Saturday, when Trump will hold a rally in Butler — just two days before the GOP national convention begins in Milwaukee.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State Regulations Spike Health Care Costs, Experts Say. “Pennsylvania’s above-average health care costs and per-capita spending have risen almost 30% since a decade ago. Figuring out how to drive down those costs while improving access weighs heavy on policy makers and researchers.” (The Center Square)

Mayor Parker Doubles Down On Philly’s Employee Return To Office Order. “Union leaders say some workers are prepared to quit over the mandate. Parker holds firm, saying the decision was “not made lightly.”” (WHYY)

Jamie Walsh Files PA Supreme Court Appeal Over Two Provisional Ballots. “Walsh is contesting a Commonwealth Court decision that granted Mike Cabell’s appeal to count a Butler Township ballot cast by Cabell’s cousin, Shane O’Donnell, and reject a ballot cast by Lake Township voter Timothy J. Wagner.” (Times Leader)

 

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

  • Legislature Blows Its Budget Deadline — Again — Leaving Vulnerable Pennsylvanians With The Consequences. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
  • The Supreme Court’s Trump Decisions Misread the Constitution. (David French)
  • Voting and Its Power To Bring Out Young Candidates. (Maggie Day)
  • The State Of Joe Biden: Hope Isn’t A Strategy. (David Winston)
  • On Pennsylvania Abortion Rights, The Supreme Court To Watch Isn’t The One In Washington. (Joe Khan)

 

1 Thing

5. Costco Raises Membership Fees

Costco cracks down on membership card sharing

“Costco is raising its membership fees for the first time since 2017.

Why it matters: The wholesale club had kept its fees steady despite inflation, aiming to maintain its reputation for value. Gold Star and business membership fees will increase from $60 to $65 beginning Sept. 1.

Annual fees for executive memberships, which include a 2% reward on purchases, will increase by $10 from $120 to $130.” (Axios)

 

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One Response

  1. Simply put- it’s no longer a question of can Biden win- it’s a question on his fitness for office! Biden at this point is with regret NOT fit to be President. You don’t have to like Donald Trump or Kamala Harris- but Biden isn’t up to running the show now- let alone next 4 years





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