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What We’re Hearing. Ambassador David L. Cohen has been selected as the recipient of the 2025 Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement Award – the PA Society’s highest honor.

Top Story

1. Judge Blocks Part of Trump Election Overhaul

“A federal judge blocked the Trump administration from enacting certain changes to how federal elections are run, which included proof of citizenship in order to register to vote.

In an order Thursday, U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly granted a preliminary injunction to stop the citizenship requirement from being implemented immediately while the lawsuit carries on.

The proof of citizenship portion of President Trump’s order is similar to the GOP-led Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, which requires documentary proof of citizenship when people go to register to vote.” (The Hill)

Elsewhere

Dave McCormick Tells Hundreds of Local Republicans at Annual Fundraising Dinner to Keep 2024 Momentum Going. “Sen. Dave McCormick said to local Republicans that the party’s 2024 success in Pennsylvania was due to a strong ground game — but that the work must continue if they want to continue winning political races.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Pennsylvania Donors Give $8.6M to Trump Inaugural Committee. “In total, Pennsylvanians contributed $8,606,603.37 to Trump’s inaugural fund. City & State takes a closer look at  the 13 donors from Pennsylvania who contributed to Trump’s inaugural committee.” (City & State)

DNC Announces “Organize Everywhere, Win Anywhere” 50-State Strategy. “The new four-year agreement is designed to deliver more resources into Democratic state and territory parties than ever before, including a baseline of $17,500 per month.” (PoliticsPA)

Trump Directs DOJ to Investigate Democrats’ Donation Platform ActBlue. “President Trump on Thursday requested Attorney General Pam Bondi investigate ActBlue and other donation groups in what the White House says is a crackdown on “illegal ‘straw donor’ and foreign contributions in American elections.”” (Axios)

Rep. Bresnahan Joins Bipartisan Effort to Create Congressional Term Limits. “U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. said public office should not be seen as a lifelong career, but as a service to the community and country. “Term limits allow for more discussion and new ideas in Congress. As a younger member, I have seen how representation from the younger generations is lacking, and term limits would allow for these new generations to voice their opinions in an elected capacity.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

State

2. Regional Planners Calculated the Impact On Traffic If SEPTA Cuts Happen. It’s Really Bad

“An additional 275,000 cars per day would pack the region’s interstates and highways if SEPTA goes through with a proposal to cut nearly half its transit service, new traffic projections from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission show.

“Imagine if everyone from Pittsburgh decided to visit the region on the same day, and they all drove themselves here — even the children,” said Matt Gates, DVRPC’s associate director for travel trends and forecasts.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Topper Bill Would Save SEPTA Through Public-Private Partnership. (DV Journal)

Elsewhere

‘Essential’ or ‘Propaganda’: PA Lawmakers Differ On Support For Trump’s Call to Eliminate Funding of NPR and PBS. “Pennsylvania Democrats said they would fight Republican efforts to defund NPR and PBS while most Republicans declined requests for comment.” (WHYY)

From Delco to DOGE. “Elon Musk campaigned relentlessly for Trump in Pennsylvania last year. Now the DOGE leader is the face of Democrats’ political pushback.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

DNC Steps Into Voting Rights Fight in Pennsylvania. “The Democratic National Committee is ramping up its fight with the GOP over voting rights, urging the Supreme Court to reject Republicans’ efforts to limit provisional voting in Pennsylvania.” (Politico)

Pittsburgh Electricity Supplier Urges Careful Planning For Data Centers’ ‘Extreme Energy Demands’. “An executive for the company that provides electricity in Pittsburgh cautioned state regulators on Thursday that if “extreme energy demands” of data centers are not managed properly, other customers could bear some of the cost and the grid could be impacted.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Bill Passes Exempting Farmers From Unemployment Tax For Migrants. “House Bill 1157 would spare farmers from paying unemployment taxes for migrant workers with H-2A visas, as these workers are not eligible to receive unemployment benefits. It would also free workers from having part of their pay docked to go toward the state’s unemployment fund.” (The Center Square)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Shapiro Remains Silent on Endorsement as Pittsburgh Mayoral Race Heats Up

“As politicians, labor organizations and community groups continue to toss their support behind the Democratic candidates for Pittsburgh’s next mayor, there’s one voice that’s been noticeably silent.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a popular governor in the most populous swing state, has remained quiet when it comes to the mayoral race for Pennsylvania’s second largest city.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

• Anti-Gainey Mailers Featuring a Dilapidated Building Stoke a Fiery Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race. (WESA Politics)

Elsewhere

Growing Number of PA Residents Wrongly Think Childhood Vaccines May Be Linked to Autism: Survey. “The Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion survey found that just under 1 in 3 adults in Pennsylvania (31%) agree that the chances of a child getting autism are increased if they receive the recommended childhood immunizations.” (PennLive)

Cody Balmer’s Family Said They Tried to Get Him Help Before and After He Allegedly Tried to Kill Gov. Josh Shapiro. They Received Little Response. “The man charged with setting the governor’s residence ablaze was not acting out of hate or political beliefs, his family said, but rather the culmination of weeks of spiraling mental health issues.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Bethlehem Mayoral Race

• In Reelection Campaign, J. William Reynolds Touts ‘Promises Kept’ (Allentown Morning Call)
• City Council Member Grace Crampsie Smith Has a Different Vision to Tackle Affordable Housing (Allentown Morning Call)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Josh Shapiro and Moral Clarity. (Larry Platt)
• On Affordable Housing, Ed Gainey Is Selling a Fairy Tale. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Can Larry Krasner Be Pro-Democracy and Anti-Debate? (Roxanne Patel Shepelavy)
• Approving the Nippon-U.S. Steel Merger Would Be An Economic Win For Trump, and For Pittsburgh. (Audrey Russo)
• All Voters Deserve a Voice in Our Primaries. (Mark Umansky)
• SCI Rockview Should Remain Open. (Lock Haven Express)
• In the Closure of Delco Hospitals, a Warning About Private Equity Ownership. (Christine Polizzi)
• Regardless of the Reason, UPMC’s Policy Change Is Good For Kids. (Beth Ann Rosica)
• Want Women to Have Kids? Value Motherhood More. (Lori Falce)

1 Thing

5. What Tariffs Could Mean For Pennsylvania Craft Brewers

“President Trump’s tariffs are causing uncertainty in Pennsylvania’s craft beer industry.

The big picture: The nation’s craft brewing industry is coming off a third consecutive year of negative growth, a trend driven by market saturation and shifts in alcohol consumption, particularly among younger drinkers. And now brewers, especially small producers, are being hit by tariffs on equipment, kegs, aluminum cans and ingredients, such as hops and grain.

Four Pennsylvania craft breweries made the Brewers Association’s 2024 list for the top 50 companies in terms of production.” (Axios Philadelphia)

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