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Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. I’m Shipping Off to Boston. Dropkick Murphys

PA Weather
Johnstown | Cloudy, 41
Jim Thorpe | Decreasing Clouds, 50 🔽
Jenkintown | Cloudy, 57

PA Sports
Flyers (28-32-8) | Carolina 0-5 | Mon vs. Tampa Bay
Penguins (28-31-10) | New Jersey 7-3 | Tue vs. NY Islanders
Sixers (23-44) | Indiana 100-112 | Dallas 130-125 | Mon vs. Houston
Union (3-1) | Nashville 1-3 | Sat vs. St. Louis

What’s Happening Today. The House returns to session at noon.

What We’re Hearing. EMILYs List will be naming Pennsylvania State Senator Amanda Cappelletti a rising star in politics for her proven commitment to women and families and track record of delivering for her constituents.

Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Dave Madsen.

Top Story

1. Deluzio Says Dems Fighting Against Trump ‘Not Just Good Politics’ But ‘Good Policy’

““I think wanting to see Democrats stand their ground when this administration’s doing dangerous things is common sense, and it’s not just good politics, it’s good policy for this country,” Rep. Chris Deluzio told NewsNation’s Chris Stirewalt on “The Hill Sunday.”

“And again, I’m a guy who believes we’ll find common ground when we can, but you got to stand your ground when it’s time to fight for your people,” he added.

Deluzio’s comments follow an internal divide among Democrats over a funding bill that 10 party members in the Senate voted to advance Friday.” (The Hill)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Says Chuck Schumer Should Have Used ‘Leverage’ In Government Shutdown Fight. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said Democrats in Washington should have been more strategic in trying to extract concessions from the Republican-led Congress on the government funding bill that passed last week, weighing in on a debate that divided his party over its response to President Donald Trump’s agenda.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Mehmet Oz Testifies Before Senate Committee, Won’t Commit to Opposing Cuts to the Medicaid Program He Would Run. “Celebrity doctor and former Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz told senators he has the experience and reform ideas necessary to bring down the cost of health care and make Americans healthier in a hearing on Capitol Hill that showcased the former TV host’s penchant for charismatic salesmanship.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

State

2. PA Republicans Ask Trump to Axe New Medicaid Program For Poor Families, Children and Homeless

“State Senate Republican leaders are lobbying the Trump administration to rescind Medicaid waivers that expand social services for low-income mothers and children, the homeless, and individuals set to leave incarceration.

​​The debate over the specific policy, known as a Medicaid Section 1115 waiver, is wrapped up in two broader issues: President Donald Trump’s attempt to drastically downsize federal government, and Pennsylvania Republicans’ budget struggle with Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

Trump’s Cuts to Federal Workers Have Taken Their Toll on PA More Are Coming. “A county-by-county breakdown of the federal workforce in Pennsylvania.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Leaders Talk Raystown Campground Closure Impact. “With the announcement Thursday evening from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Baltimore District that campgrounds at Raystown Lake will be closed due to staffing shortages, people obviously have questions about the impact that will have on tourism and business locally.” (Huntingdon Daily News)

Medical Cannabis Companies Are Spending Big to Have a Say In PA’s Legal Weed Future. “Pro-cannabis interests spent at least $1.6 million lobbying the Pennsylvania legislature in 2024 as lawmakers weighed a legalization scheme that could see major profits for existing dispensaries and growers.” (Spotlight PA)

Pennsylvanians Join The Push to Term Limit Congress. “Rep. Jared Solomon, D-Philadelphia, has introduced a concurrent resolution calling Pennsylvania to join states seeking a constitutional amendment for Congressional term limits. A second resolution calls for adding term limits for Supreme Court Justices.” (The Center Square)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Key Endorsements Offer Windows Into How Pittsburgh’s Top Mayoral Candidates Could Govern

“On a Sunday afternoon during primary election season, dozens of candidates set up tables and chairs in the ever-unpredictable Pittsburgh weather for last-minute lobbying to earn the coveted endorsement of the Allegheny County Democratic Committee.

In the past, election winners often could be predicted based on their endorsements. Party and union leadership were the deciding factors in how people would vote. Now endorsements more commonly signal how a candidate will govern.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Philadelphia DA Election: What You Need to Know About the Democratic Primary Candidates. “Larry Krasner is being challenged by former Judge Patrick Dugan, who says the incumbent has not done enough to keep the city safe.” (WHYY)

An ‘Unapologetic’ Mayor Parker Proposes $872M Police Budget With Money For Forensics, Tech Upgrades, and Recruiting. “Parker framed the proposal to keep funding level as a second down payment on her plan to improve public safety following a pandemic-era surge in violence.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PRT to Float Steep Cuts to Allegheny County Bus and T Service, Fare Hikes. “Facing relatively flat state funding, the end of pandemic aid and lagging ridership, the agency that runs the T and bus lines is contemplating dramatic change.” (Public Source)

Michael Helfrich Now Says He Won’t Run For Reelection, Endorses Walker For York City Mayor. “York City’s mayoral primary race is down to a single candidate: Sandie Walker.” (York Dispatch)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Callously Deporting Longtime U.S. Residents Is Yet Another Failure of Trump’s Immigration Reform Efforts. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• What to Do When Washington Is Unprecedented, Ludicrous and Dumb. (Keith C. Burris)
• PA Budget Should Fully Fund Environmental Protection. (Rep. Greg Vitali)
• The Real Victims of Trump’s Education Cuts: Our Children. (Kathy Seidl and MaryAnn Daniels)
• Allegheny and Westmoreland Counties Show Why Pennsylvania Is A Swing State. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
• The Cavalry is Not Coming. (Chris Kelly)
• Congressman Smucker’s Constituents Have Concerns. He Ought to Face Them in a Real Town Hall. (LNP)
• I’m a Lifelong Democrat. My Party Is Failing and Needs to Learn From a Winner. (Doug Schoen)

1 Thing

5. This Lehigh Valley Mayor Is 95 and About to Compete For 12th Term In Office

“Of the hundreds of candidates who filed petitions last week to run for public office in the Lehigh Valley, none has the track record of Gerald C. Yob.

Yob has served 56 years as an elected official in Freemansburg — 44 as mayor and 12 before that on borough council.

Now the 95-year-old Democrat plans to seek an unprecedented 12th term as mayor.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

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