😎  G’day, Thursday. Thank you for your service, Bob Casey

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Top Story

1. Bob Casey Bids Farewell From Floor of U.S. Senate

“Narrowly defeated for reelection to the U.S. Senate, Pennsylvania Democratic stalwart and Scranton political scion Bob Casey bid farewell Wednesday from Congress.

Casey delivered his farewell address on the Senate floor, and was joined by family, friends, colleagues and current and former staff members celebrating “his record of delivering for Pennsylvanians, supporting children and families, and fighting for people with disabilities.”

“I rise today for the final time as a United States Senator with a heart full of gratitude,” Casey said. “When I was growing up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, my mother Ellen Harding Casey would often say to my brothers and sisters and me … ‘count your blessings.’ Count your blessings.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Elsewhere

Casey’s Farewell Remarks to the U.S. Senate. “On Wednesday, U.S. Senator Bob Casey delivered his farewell remarks on the Senate floor.” (PoliticsPA)

How Dave McCormick Won 2024’s Closest Senate Race — And How He’ll Shape the GOP in Washington. “The freshman senator-to-be from Pennsylvania was one of the first Republicans to outline what became the party’s core strategy against Kamala Harris in the fall.” (NBC News)

Implementing Vision. “If Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick wanted to send the message that he was interested in getting to work immediately after he’s sworn into the Senate, he could have done worse than selecting Mark Isakowitz as his chief of staff.” (Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle)

Donald Trump Said He Wants to Ban Trans Athletes From Competing. The Reality Is More Nuanced. “One of President-elect Donald Trump‘s most popular talking points during his campaign centered on the future of transgender athletes.” (AP)

State

2. Some Think Fetterman Is Selling Out to the GOP. Not So Fast, PA Democrats Say

“John Fetterman is having a moment in Washington’s latest political transition, and this time it’s not about his fashion choices.

It has all fueled a mid-term judgement day of sorts for Fetterman as Washington D.C. resets for Trump 2.0, especially among hardcore progressive Democrats – some of whom worry that Fetterman is determined to become the next Joe Manchin or Kyrsten Sinema of the Senate.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

Fetterman Pays Up After Steelers Fall to Eagles. “One thing you can say about U.S. Senator John Fetterman. He settles his debts quickly.” (PoliticsPA)

Shapiro Talks Small Businesses, Big-Time College Sports in Lancaster Stop. “Gov. Josh Shapiro made a stop in the city of Lancaster on Wednesday to tout small businesses and their economic development in the Commonwealth and also talked a little college sports along the way.” (PoliticsPA)

Outgoing Lehigh Valley Rep. Susan Wild Reflects On Her Three Terms. ‘A Privilege To Be In Public Service’ “As she prepares to leave office after six years in Congress representing the Lehigh Valley, Democrat Susan Wild counts elevating the region’s status among her biggest accomplishments.” (Allentown Morning Call)

PA Lawmakers Talk of Requiring Gas Detectors In Buildings After Explosion That Killed 7. “On March 24, 2023, a natural gas-fueled explosion tore apart a candy company building in a working-class neighborhood in Eastern Pennsylvania, killing seven people and injuring 11 others — and now some in the state Legislature believe the tragedy could provide a societal safety lesson.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Ballot Reversal: How Erie County Flipped Back to Donald Trump

“There were no big surprises at city of Erie polling sites in the Nov. 5 presidential election.

The Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, won all 63 city voting districts, according to Erie County voting data, aided significantly by the city’s more than 2-1 Democratic voter registration edge.

However, Trump flipped the script outside the city.” (Erie Times-News)

Elsewhere

Republicans Set Timeline to Nominate Their Replacement For Sen. Ryan Aument. “Republicans interested in replacing outgoing state Sen. Ryan Aument in an upcoming special election have about two weeks to apply for the county GOP committee’s nomination.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Chester County Commissioners Vote to Increase Property Taxes 13% Over Resident Objections. “The vote comes a week after Delaware County raised its property taxes by 23%, and a day before Montgomery County officials are expected to vote on a 9% increase.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Dauphin County Commissioners Approve Massive Tax Hike. “Dauphin County Commissioners voted Wednesday to increase property taxes by 21.8% in 2025, the county’s first property tax raise in nearly 20 years, and to cancel the county’s contract with its longstanding lobbying firm.” (PennLive)

One Year Later: Most Innamorato Transparency Pledges Still ‘Under Consideration’. “As a candidate for Allegheny County executive, Sara Innamorato signed on to a wide range of transparency measures around campaign finance, contracting and publishing her daily schedule. Most of the ideas have yet to be put into practice.” (Public Source)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Josh Shapiro Must Stand With PA Workers and Support Nippon Deal. (Andrew J. Lewis)
• `Tis the Legislature’s Season to Pretend It Likes Reforms. (John Baer)
• The Press Is Giving Donald Trump the George W. Bush Treatment. (Heather Digby Parton)
• College Sports Aren’t Ruined. They’re Just Growing Up. (Ryan Winn)

1 Thing

5. Where Did All The Guinness Go?

“Guinness kegs across the UK are running dry, while Guinness owner Diageo has issued an “allocation limit” on how many kegs of the Irish stout pubs in England, Wales, and Scotland can receive.

The problem? Demand. Between July and October, UK beer sales were down 0.5%, but Guinness sales rose 21%. It’s now the top-selling beer by volume in the UK, and the fastest-growing imported beer in the US.

Pat Logue, owner of London’s Sheephaven Bay pub, told CNN that it was once considered an older man’s drink, but “now it’s a cool drink.”” (BBC News)

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