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What We’re Hearing
Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s discharge petition, which goes live on Friday, is one of three viable options in the House for aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Tim Twardzik.

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Top Story

1. Court Rules Electronic Voting Data Is Not Subject To Release Under Public Records Law

“Spreadsheets of raw data associated with every ballot cast are not subject to public scrutiny, a Pennsylvania court ruled Monday in a case that began with a request for the “cast vote records” by an election researcher whose work has fueled right-wing attacks on voting procedures.

Commonwealth Court ruled 5-2 in favor of Secretary of State Al Schmidt, saying that researcher Heather Honey and others were not entitled to the records from Lycoming County for the 2020 General Election.

Pennsylvania’s Elections Code says county election records are public “except the contents of ballot boxes and voting machines and records of assisted voters.” The law does not define voting machines, however.” (AP)

Related

Racial Disparities In Voter Turnout Have Grown Since Supreme Court Ruling, Study Says. “The turnout gap between white and nonwhite voters in the U.S. is growing fastest in jurisdictions that were stripped of a federal civil rights-era voting protection a decade ago, according to a new study.” (WQLN)

Big Donors Fueling Trump’s Campaign in Pennsylvania. “More large donors in Pennsylvania are backing former President Trump with their money than any other presidential candidate.” (Axios Philadelphia)

Supreme Court Ruling On Trump Likely Dooms Legal Push To Boot Scott Perry From PA Ballot. “Monday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling protecting former President Donald Trump from ballot disqualification was good news for him — and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

New Poll Shows Pennsylvania Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Biden LNG Pause. “A new statewide Pennsylvania poll released Monday morning showed 58% of Pennsylvania voters surveyed oppose President Joe Biden’s liquefied natural gas export moratorium after learning the details of the impact it would have on jobs and communities in the state.” (Washington Examiner)

State

2. PA-12: MacDonald Withdraws From Dem Primary; Reemerges As GOP Write-In Candidate

“It was quite the Monday for Laurie MacDonald.

At a Commonwealth Court hearing in the morning to review her challenged nomination petitions, she suddenly announced to the judge that she was exiting the race for the Democratic nomination for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District seat.

Later in the afternoon, MacDonald made another announcement that she was going to conduct a write-in campaign for the Republican nomination for the same seat.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Transit Boost In Shapiro’s Budget Benefits Both Cities And Rural Counties, PennDOT Secretary Says. “The $283 million boost in transit funding proposed in Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget would benefit every county in Pennsylvania, Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll told state House lawmakers Monday.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Activists Call For Legalizing Pot While State Police Leaders Are Questioned About It. “A handful of activists supporting statewide marijuana legalization and/or decriminalization gathered Monday at the Capitol for the Pennsylvania State Police budget hearing.” (PennLive)

PennDOT Supports Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants. “The Shapiro administration said Monday it supports giving non-citizens driver’s licenses, following a trend across the Mid-Atlantic that posits the policy change as a safety measure.” (The Center Square)

Cutler Looks To Reduce Drug Prices By Expanding Prescription Recycling Program. “State Rep. Bryan Cutler wants to lower prescription costs by expanding a little-used program created to help cancer treatment facilities donate their unused or surplus medications.” (LNP)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Shapiro Highlights Pennsylvania Budget Priorities During County Commissioners Gathering

“Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered an address to the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) on Monday afternoon, highlighting the importance of their work while laying out his budget priorities. ”

Shapiro said his administration aims to be a “complementary force” for CCAP and county commissioners and described the relationship between them as “unprecedented.”” (Penn Capital-Star)

Related

Pittsburgh-Area Rabbis Sign Open Letter Denouncing Rep. Summer Lee Over Anti-Israel Rhetoric. “More than 40 rabbis and cantors in the Pittsburgh area have signed on to an open letter voicing their continued disappointment with Rep. Summer Lee (D-PA) over her criticism of Israel amid its war with Hamas in Gaza, and accusing the congresswoman of using “divisive rhetoric” that the clergy members say they “have perceived as openly antisemitic.”” (Jewish Insider)

Montco Commissioner Makhija Touts New College Student Voter Registration Program. “In a recent podcast interview, Montgomery County Commissioner Neil Makhjja, who chairs the county Election Board, discussed participating in a voting roundtable hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris.” (DV Journal)

LCCC Board To Vote On Contract With Yudichak As New President. “The Luzerne County Community College board of trustees plans to vote on an employment contract with former state Sen. John Yudichak as the next president of the school.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• No One Is Above The Law. (E. Faye Williams)
• Immigrants Make Pittsburgh Stronger. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Occupational Licensing Holds Pennsylvanians Back. (Jennifer Stefano)
• The Alabama IVF Decision Was Not About Dobbs. (Cynthia M. Allen)
• Pennsylvania Is Powered By Natural Gas, And It’s Better For Our Planet Than You Think. (Karly Matthews)
• Bad Leadership and Bad Politics Handicapping Republicans. (Keith Naughton)
• It Will Take More Than Money To Solve Pennsylvania’s Education Crisis. (Beth Ann Rosica)
• Investing In PA’s Outdoor Economy. (Thomas Gilbert)

1 Thing

5. Move Over, Big Apple! Latrobe Is Now The Big Banana

“The city of Latrobe has a lot of ap-peel after being named an inaugural inductee of the Dole Banana Hall of Fame.

The Dole Hall of Fame was created earlier this year as part of the Dole 125th Banana-versary, having been in the banana business since 1899.

As the home of the banana split and host of the annual Great American Banana Split Celebration, Latrobe’s culinary and cultural contributions go back almost as far as Dole’s.” (Latrobe Bulletin)

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