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What’s Happening Today
The Senate convenes at 1 p.m.

What We’re Hearing
Mail voting generally doesn’t increase turnout and create new voters — it provides convenience for people who were going to vote anyway, study after study has shown.

Happy Birthday
Belated cake and candles for Sen. Dan Laughlin (Mon.)

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Top Story

1. Control Of PA House Hinges On Philadelphia Suburbs

“Democrats who reclaimed the Pennsylvania House majority in November and clung to a one-seat margin by sweeping three special elections earlier this year face yet another contest for control of the chamber next week, when voters will fill a vacancy in the Philadelphia suburbs.

At stake in the Delaware County special election is whether freshman Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro will have at least one chamber to aid his agenda going into the final month of budget negotiations. The result could also affect a proposed constitutional amendment on abortion rights that legislative Republicans are one House vote away from putting before voters as a referendum.” (AP)

Related

With The PA House And More At Stake, The Race To Replace A Disgraced Delco Lawmaker Is Heated. “A special election for a legislative seat in the Philadelphia suburbs would normally be a quiet affair, but with control of the Pennsylvania House at stake, the campaign to replace former state Rep. Mike Zabel, D-Delaware, is unusually intense.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

• Candidates For State House Special Election Spar. (DV Journal)
• HD163: PA House Majority Rides On The Outcome. (PoliticsPA)

Poll: Majority Planning To Vote At Poll. Fifty-two percent of respondents indicated that they plan to cast their vote on May 16 at their polling place. Forty-four percent are utilizing their option to vote by mail, while another three percent said they cannot vote as independents. Thanks for participating. (PoliticsPA)

Allegheny County

2. Money Flowing In Allegheny County Executive Race

“Although the City of Philadelphia mayoral campaign has become the most expensive race in the country at nearly $31 million, the chase for the Democratic nod for Allegheny County Executive is also opening eyes.

The four main contenders for the position – County Treasurer John Weinstein, Rep. Sara Innamorato, City Controller Michael Lamb and attorney Dave Fawcett – combined to raise $3.45 million.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Weinstein Leads In Fundraising, Spending In Allegheny County Executive Race, Late Report Shows. “Allegheny County Treasurer John Weinstein topped the half-dozen candidates for county executive in fundraising — and in spending — for the first four months of 2023, according to a campaign finance report released Monday.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Countywide Candidates Draw Big Contributions But Outside Money Draws The Most Attention. “Candidates for county-wide office reported raising eye-popping sums in campaign-finance reports that were filed late last week. But with just eight days to go before the May 16 primary, what’s drawing controversy isn’t the money candidates have raised for themselves: It’s the money being spent on their behalf by outside groups.” (WESA)

Dave Fawcett Spends Big – And Hypes A Big Park – To Surprise People In Race For Allegheny County Executive. “Dave Fawcett isn’t suggesting some “little froufrou park.” He says his plan to build a sprawling countywide park would help make the region a destination, rejuvenating hard-up communities with more than 100 miles of riverfront biking and walking paths.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Around The Commonwealth

3. They’d Like To Buy Your Vote

“In today’s newsletter, we’ll dive into which special interests are trying to buy your vote, explore the neighborhoods that raised these candidates, and recap the weird mayoral moments of yore.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Mayor Jim Kenney Voted For Cherelle Parker In Philadelphia’s Mayoral Primary. “Mayor Jim Kenney said Monday that he has voted for former City Councilmember Cherelle Parker in the hypercompetitive race to succeed him — but he stressed that he was not endorsing her and criticized former mayors who have backed other candidates.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Dauphin County: Who’s Running For Office? (PoliticsPA)

One Of The Democrats Running For Montco Commissioner Has Raised More Money Than All Of His Opponents Combined. “Neil Makhija, an attorney and civic leader, reported raising $842,000 from January through May 1 — more than his four rivals brought in combined.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Fundraising In Lackawanna County Commissioner Contest Approaches $600,000. “The Democratic Lackawanna County commissioner candidates have raised more than half a million dollars to win nominations in the upcoming primary election.” (Times-Tribune)

Rhetoric Heats Up In GOP Commissioner Primary As Party & PAC Ads Draw Scrutiny. “With one week to go until the municipal primary election, rhetoric in the Republican primary race for Lebanon County Commissioner has ramped up.” (LebTown)

Familiar Names From York County Political Dynasties Will Appear On Primary Ballots Next Week. “When York County voters head to the polls in next week’s primary, they’ll probably recognize a few last names on the ballot as several candidates follow relatives into public service.” (York Dispatch)

Will Civil Rights Prevail In Chester’s Bankruptcy Plan? “After the city of Chester, Pennsylvania filed for bankruptcy last year, all civil litigation was put on hold. And as WHYY’s Kenny Cooper reports, legal experts say people with judgments and settlements against the city will likely be left with little or no remittance.” (WBUR)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

Editorial

• Dragnet Of Mercy: Expand The Clean Slate Law. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
  Limit Kids’ Social Media Access. (Times-Tribune)
• Kaufer And Ryncavage Took Brave Stance on LGBTQ+ Vote. (Times Leader)

Opinion

• So-Called ‘Fairness Act’ Would Put Vulnerable Women At Risk. (Matt Sharp)
• Why The Left Keeps Winning While Breaking All The Rules. (Brandon McGinley)
• This Year, Local School Board Elections Matter More Than Ever. (Lloyd E. Sheaffer)
• Democrats’ Worker Safety Effort Is Not Ready For Primetime. (Rep. Eric Nelson)
• Gainey Should Be At The Head Of The Table. (Joseph Sabino Mistick)
• Discord Leaks Are A Foreign Policy Wakeup Call. (Jason Killmeyer)

1 Thing

5. Here Come The Robot Umpires

“It won’t look like WALL-E, Rosie or R2-D2. In fact, nothing resembling a robot will be on the field this season at Coca-Cola Park.

But if all goes according to plan, one of baseball’s biggest changes taking place behind the scenes will leave fans none the wiser.

For the first time in Allentown, and across Triple-A ballparks nationwide, the home plate umpire will be told through an earpiece whether each pitch is a ball or a strike.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

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