🍸 Hellooo, Friday. Have an outstanding weekend and see you back here on Monday for the PA budget sprint to the finish.

PA Weather
☀️ New Brighton | Sunny, 94
☀️ Lewistown | Mostly Sunny, 96
☀️ Lehighton | Sunny, 92

PA Sports
⚾ Phillies (49-25) | Fri-Sun vs. Arizona
⚾ Pirates (36-38) | Fri-Sun vs. Tampa Bay
🏒 Hershey (2-2) | Coachella Valley 3-2 | Sat at Coachella Valley
⚽ Union (4-8-6) | Sat vs. Charlotte

👂 What We’re Hearing. First Lady Jill Biden will visit Pittsburgh and Lancaster on Sunday. End Citizens United // Let America Vote has endorsed Janelle Stelson in her competitive race against Congressman Scott Perry.

🎂 Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Rick Krajewski and former Rep. Marjorie Margolies.

🗞️ Pennsylvania. The Ultimate Swing State. Where can you find all the latest news on what’s happening in Keystone State politics? Sign up for the PoliticsPA Playbook. We’ll deliver all the latest headlines in an easy-to-read format every weekday at 8 AM. And it’s free. Add your name to the list and subscribe now.

Top Story

1. Trump May Be First GOP Presidential Candidate To Campaign At Temple

“Many Democrats have used Temple’s Main Campus as a platform for political activism, but former President Donald Trump may be the first presidential GOP candidate to campaign at the Liacouras Center on North Broad Street.

In a message to the university community on Saturday, after Trump’s visit was announced, Temple emphasized a nonpartisan standpoint and shared that it’s common for political events to occur on campus during election season. The university added that it makes spaces available to rent for third-party organizations regardless of their politics. Trump’s visit does not qualify as the university’s endorsement of the former president, the university said.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Why Donald Trump Is Coming To North Philadelphia For His First-Ever Rally In The City. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Six Times Donald Trump Lied About Philly Or Pennsylvania Ahead Of His Rally Here On Saturday. (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

NRSC Plans $100M Ad Blitz – Just Not More in the Keystone State Right Now. “For one of the few times in recent weeks and months, a political campaign committee is not announcing a major ad buy in the Keystone State.” (PoliticsPA) 

Emerson: Casey Tops McCormick, 47-41; Trump and Biden Still Tight. “The latest Emerson College poll shows once again what polls have been indicating for the past 2-3 weeks.” (PoliticsPA)

RFK Jr.’s Campaign Files Petitions To Get On Presidential Ballot In Swing-State Pennsylvania. “The campaigns of both President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump fear that Kennedy could play a spoiler role in what’s anticipated to be a close election, especially in Pennsylvania, the nation’s fifth-most populous state.” (AP)

As Voters Suffer Presidential Election Deja Vu, Chase Oliver Wants To Be Another Option. “For voters who aren’t excited about a rematch between President Biden and former President Donald Trump, Libertarian presidential nominee Chase Oliver’s pitch is strikingly simple.” (WQLN)

State

2. A Conversation With Erin McClelland, Candidate for State Treasurer

“Recently, PoliticsPA sat down for a conversation with Democratic candidate for State Treasurer Erin McClelland.

McClelland ran for the Congress in PA-12 in 2014 and 2016. She defeated Rep. Ryan Bizzarro (D-Erie), 54-46%, in the 2024 primary for State Treasurer.

She spoke to PoliticsPA about her background, her ‘upset’ victory in the primary, and what she hopes to do in the position.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Should PA Republicans Abandon Pro-Life Politics? “With Democrats seizing on abortion as their main campaign issue in the wake of the Dobbs decision, is taking a pro-life stance still a winning proposition for Pennsylvania Republicans?” (DV Journal)

New Report Says PA Would Enjoy Economic Windfall From Legalized Marijuana For Adults. “Pennsylvania could see an economic output of more than $4 billion and nearly 45,000 jobs created if state lawmakers approve recreational marijuana for adults, according to a new report.” (PennLive)

Despite Improvements, PA Bridges In Disrepair Remain Nearly Double National Average. “Approximately 13% of the state’s bridges are in poor condition, according to a new report.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Colleges Would Face Financial Punishments For Boycotting Or Divesting From Israel Under New PA Bill

“Colleges and universities that boycott Israel or make financial decisions to penalize that country would be blocked from receiving state funding under a bill supported by a bipartisan group of Pennsylvania senators.

The legislation would also prevent any public fund, including those managed by the Pennsylvania Treasury, from taking similar action.

The state senators introduced the bill in response to protests at campuses across the commonwealth and the nation against Israel’s war in Gaza and the civilian death toll.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

PA Court Will Decide Whether Skill Game Terminals Are Gambling Machines. “Pennsylvania’s highest court will decide whether the cash-paying electronic game terminals that have become commonplace in convenience stores, bars and elsewhere are unlicensed gambling machines and, as a result, must be shut down.” (Tribune-Review)

PA’s Economic Focus Must Shift Away From Fossil Fuels, Environmental Nonprofit Says. “Pennsylvania must redirect its economic development tools away from fossil fuel industries toward clean energy to build a stable economy that supports and protects the state’s most vulnerable communities, an environmental advocacy group said in a report released Thursday.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Philadelphia Rings In Juneteenth With History, Music And Discussion On Politics. “Thousands gathered at the African American Museum in Philadelphia for hours of festivities celebrating Juneteenth on Wednesday. Probably the most poignant event of the day didn’t consist of dancing and eating but a talk on gender and politics.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Fairview Police Say Former PA Education Secretary’s Ex-Wife Tried To Set His House On Fire. “The ex-wife of Charles Zogby, Pennsylvania’s former education secretary and budget director, faces a felony arson charge after she allegedly tried to set fire to his York County home.” (York Dispatch)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• How Marco Rubio Could Cost Biden the Election. (Michael LaRosa)
• Why Can’t America March Against The Far-Right Like In France And Germany? (Will Bunch)
• Americans Vote More, Because They’re Angry, And Hang Out Less. (Beau Breslin)
• Canvassing in Carlisle Reveals Many Voters Are Frustrated At The Lies Some Politicians Tell. (Jill Sunday Bartoli)
• Cutting Funding From Pennsylvania Public Cyber Schools Will Only Hurt Families Like Mine. (Robyn Scolnick)
• Shapiro’s and Democrats’ Hypocrisy Shines Through on Real ID. (Rep. Jake Banta)
• An Open Letter To CNN’s Jake Tapper And Dana Bash. (Michael A. Nutter)
• GOP Backs Trump Over Law Officers. (York Dispatch)

1 Thing

5. What Does It Mean To Be Middle Class In Pennsylvania? Did You Make The Cut?

“Being middle class in Pennsylvania has gotten a lot more expensive.

A recent report from GOBankingRates found the range for middle class income across the country is between $49,271 to $147,828, with a median income of $73,914.

But, your paycheck would need to be almost 40 percent bigger in Pennsylvania to meet the minimum income for middle class status.” (USA Today)

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