☃️  Just Another Manic Monday. And a snowy one for some, too.

🗞️  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

PA Weather
⛄  Washington | Snow (2-4), 27
❄️  Chambersburg | Snow (2-4), 28
🛷  Kennett Square | Snow (2-4), 29

PA Sports
🏈  Penn State (12-2) | Thu vs. Notre Dame
🏈  Steelers (10-7) | Cincinnati 17-19 | Sat vs. Baltimore
🏈  Eagles (14-3) | NY Giants 20-13 | Sun vs. Green Bay
🏀  Sixers (14-19) | Brooklyn 123-94 | Mon vs. Phoenix
🏒  Penguins (17-17-7) | Carolina 3-4 (OT) | Tue vs. Columbus
🏒  Flyers (17-19-4) | Toronto 2-3 | Tue vs. Toronto

⛄  Closed. Employees under the governor’s jurisdiction who physically report to work in the Capitol Complex are authorized a full-day, weather-related closing on Monday, Jan. 6.

📱 Social Media. PoliticsPA has a number of social media outlets for you to get the latest political news from around the Commonwealth: Twitter | Bluesky | Facebook | LinkedIn

Top Story

1. Biden’s Decision to Block Nippon Steel Takeover Creates Uncertainty For U.S. Steel Workers

“By blocking a Japanese company’s takeover of U.S. Steel, President Joe Biden said he was protecting good jobs in the American heartland. He may be putting them at risk instead.

In making its nearly $15 billion bid for the storied Pittsburgh-based steelmaker, Nippon Steel had promised to invest $2.7 billion in U.S. Steel’s aging blast furnace operations in Gary, Indiana, and Pennsylvania’s Mon Valley. It also vowed not to reduce production capacity in the United States over the next decade without first getting U.S. government approval.” (AP)

Elsewhere

How Congress Will Certify Trump’s Electoral College Victory on Jan. 6. “The congressional joint session to count electoral votes on Monday is expected to be much less eventful than the certification four years ago that was interrupted by a violent mob of supporters of then-President Donald Trump who tried to stop the count and overturn the results of an election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden.” (AP)

Biden Faced a Lonely Battle to Sell His Vision of American Democracy. “Mr. Biden’s  theory of how to succeed in an era of American politics dominated by Trump fell apart in the final phase of his presidency — and how he has been publicly and privately rethinking whether he should have handled some decisions differently.” (Washington Post)

Fetterman Says He’ll Work With McCormick For a ‘Better Pennsylvania’. “U.S. Sen. John Fetterman appears ready to bury the campaign trail hatchet he wielded against GOP Sen. Dave McCormick, saying he met with his new counterpart over dinner, and had a “great discussion.”” (Penn Capital-Star)

Fetterman, McCormick Draw Senate Committee Assignments. “As the 119th Congress got ready to convene at noon Friday, Pennsylvania’s senators have received their 2025-26 committee assignments.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. Shapiro Called Trump An Existential Threat. Now, He Says He’s Ready to Work With Him

“On the 2024 presidential campaign trail, Gov. Josh Shapiro frequently called Donald Trump an existential threat to American democracy. As Pennsylvania’s attorney general, he regularly boasted about suing — and beating — Trump’s first administration.

But this year, as Trump takes the Oval Office again and Shapiro eyes the 2028 Democratic presidential ticket, the Pennsylvania governor has a new, more amiable game plan: Work together — as long as it doesn’t compromise residents’ “fundamental freedoms.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Shapiro, Davis Respond to Biden’s Decision to Block US Steel Deal With Nippon. “Now that President Joe Biden has used his authority to block the proposed sale of U.S. Steel to Japanese-based Nippon Steel, both Gov. Josh Shapiro and Lt. Gov. Austin Davis have issued statements calling on executives with U.S. Steel to live up to their commitments to western Pennsylvanians.” (PoliticsPA)

Mackenzie Sworn In As the Lehigh Valley’s New Congressman: ‘Now It’s About Governing’. “Ryan Mackenzie became the Lehigh Valley’s newest U.S. representative against a backdrop of palace intrigue Friday afternoon.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Cartwright Looks Back, Ahead in Sweeping Interview. “Former U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright might run again in 2026.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

From Taxes to Clothes Lines: PA Lawmakers Float Bill Ideas as Session Opens. “Lawmakers return to work Tuesday to start the 2025-26 legislative session and ideas for new laws are streaming in.” (PennLive)

Prominent Trump Fundraiser Enters PA GOP Chairman Race Amid Pushback to Sen. Rothman. “Until less than a week ago, the contest to become the next chair of the Republican Party of Pennsylvania seemed like a done deal, with virtually every prominent elected Republican coalescing around one candidate. Now, the knives are out.” (PennLive)

Pennsylvania Could Be on the Sidelines As States Line Up to Battle Trump Over Climate. “As President-elect Donald Trump takes direct aim at federal climate policy, states and their attorneys general are preparing to fight back.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3. These Are The Issues That Could Highlight the Pittsburgh Mayor’s Race

“As the race for the next mayor of Pittsburgh enters the pivotal time period ahead of the May Democratic primary, the winner stands to inherit the keys to the city — and some of the problems plaguing it.

Mayor Ed Gainey announced in early September that he would be running for re-election. In December, Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor made his candidacy announcement, setting the men up for a competitive primary election.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

GOP to Kick Off 36th Senate District Nomination Process With Informal Straw Polls. “A strong hint at who will be the next state senator for northwest Lancaster County could come as soon as tonight and should be all-but-decided by Tuesday evening.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

County Executive Sara Innamorato Hit Her Stride — And Some Snags — In 1st Year, Observers Say. “The county executive campaigned on a platform related to social and human services. Many of her first-year initiatives focus on that area.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

• Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato Reflects on First Year in Office, Maps Out Year Ahead. (WESA)

Overtime, Chaotic Early Voting, Municipal Elections Prep: A County Election Director Shares His Story. “Sean Drasher started his career in election administration by winning … an election.” (WITF)

Lackawanna County Native Preate to Serve As Top Aide in Trump’s Treasury Department. “President Donald Trump’s named Alexandra Preate as senior counselor to Scott Bessent, his treasury secretary nominee.” (WVIA)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Las Vegas, New Orleans, and the Ugly Truths America Won’t Talk About. (Will Bunch)
• Blocking Nippon, and the False Promise of Post-Industrial Pittsburgh. (Brandon McGinley)
• Mr. Fetterman and Mr. McCormick, Say No to RFK Jr. (Donna A. Gaffney and Teri Mills Tualatin)
• Biden Kills Rescue Plan for U.S. Steel. (David N. Taylor)
• Despite Federal Reversal, PA Continues to Allow Boys to Compete Against Girls in School Sports. (Beth Ann Rosica)
• Republican Budget Gimmicks: Just Say No. (Bloomberg)
• U.S. Steel No-Sale Another Chapter In ‘A Past That Is Long Since Gone.’ (Christopher Briem)
• Assessing Ryan Aument’s Record as State Senator, And How He Navigated GOP’s Embrace of MAGA Culture Wars. (LNP | Lancaster Online)

1 Thing

5. Demolition of Beaver Stadium’s Press Box Delights Chilly Fans

“Hundreds of people gathered in the snow early Saturday morning to watch the demolition of the press box at Penn State’s Beaver Stadium, a step in the university’s $700 million renovation project.

At the demolition party, Chuck Hockenberry added his signature to a stadium bleacher removed from near the press box and on display at the event for fans to write on.” (WPSU)

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