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📅  What’s Happening Today. Both the House and the Senate convene at 11 a.m.

🔊  What We’re Hearing. Energy and Commerce Vice Chair John Joyce of Pennsylvania said in an interview it’s becoming increasingly likely that Medicaid is going on the chopping block in reconciliation.

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Top Story

1. Trump’s Federal Funding Freeze Leaves Pennsylvania in Limbo

“In a stunning late-night maneuver, the Trump administration ordered a temporary pause on federal financial assistance, a halt that could disrupt trillions of dollars and hundreds of programs.

“This memorandum requires Federal agencies to identify and review all Federal financial assistance programs and supporting activities consistent with the President’s policies and requirements,” wrote Matthew J. Vaeth, Acting Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

Later Tuesday afternoon, U.S. District Judge Loren AliKhan stayed the federal freeze until 5 p.m. on Monday, February 3, with a hearing on the request for the TRO at 11 a.m. that morning.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Federal Grants Freeze and Medicaid Outage Have Pittsburgh Officials, Groups Grappling With Uncertainty. “City of Pittsburgh spokesperson Olga George said the funding freeze “has the potential to significantly impact” many city programs.” (Public Source)

A Proposed Federal Funding Freeze Causes Concern For Philly Health Organizations. “Billions in federal dollars for health initiatives and research in the Philadelphia area were under scrutiny Tuesday as the Trump administration proposed a temporary freeze on a wide swath of federal funding.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Trump Signs Executive Order Aimed At Banning Gender Transitions For Those Under 19. “In the midst of the controversy surrounding the freeze on federal funding, President Donald Trump signed another executive order on Tuesday aimed at curtailing gender transitions for people under the age of 19.” (PoliticsPA)

Voting Rights Groups Are Concerned About Priorities Shifting Under Trump’s Justice Department. “Conservative calls to overhaul the department by removing career employees, increasing federal voter fraud cases and investigating the 2020 election are raising concerns among voting rights groups about the future of the agency under Pam Bondi, who supported Trump’s legal efforts to overturn the 2020 Pennsylvania election results” (AP)

State

2. Rothman and Bachenberg Battle for PA GOP Chairmanship

“Pennsylvania GOP state chair Lawrence Tabas is stepping down, and he’s going out on a high note.

Two Republicans have emerged as the candidates to replace him: State Sen. Greg Rothman (R-Cumberland) and Allentown businessman Bill Bachenberg.” (DV Journal)

• Voices of Reason: Exclusive Interview With Greg Rothman. (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Will Attorney General Dave Sunday Sue the Trump Administration or Be More Hands Off? “Then-Attorney General Josh Shapiro frequently sued Donald Trump’s administration during his first term as President. Will Republican Attorney General Dave Sunday take a similar approach?” (abc27)

Senate Moves to Reinstate Utility Cutoff Protections For Pennsylvanians But Disputes Remain. “State senators began work this week to reenact a law that barred utility companies from cutting off service to customers in the winter, regardless of their ability to pay.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Price Cap Possible As Rising Energy Costs Loom. “A new deal could dampen the shock of anticipated price spikes from rising energy costs. On Tuesday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said PJM will support a new price cap meant to lower the cost of the power grid in the coming year after a recent auction forecasted an 800% increase. That spike would have translated to a 30% rise in utility bills.” (The Center Square)

PA Lawmakers Gear Up to Defend Reproductive Rights. “Members of the Pa. Women’s Health Caucus celebrated their legislative victories from the previous session and announced their agenda to protect reproductive rights over the next two years.” (The Keystone)

PA Group Scrutinizes Cyber Charter Spending on Cars, Dining, and Entertainment. “Pennsylvania’s largest online charter school spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on dining, entertainment, retail purchases and vehicles, a public education advocacy group found in a review of two years’ worth of checks cut by Commonwealth Charter Academy.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Pittsburgh’s GOP Primary For Mayor Heats Up As Second Republican Announces Bid

“For the first time in nearly a century, Pittsburgh will see a competitive Republican primary election in the race to be the city’s next mayor.

Lawrenceville business owner Thomas West, 48 of Highland Park, became the second Republican to announce his mayoral candidacy when he launched his campaign Tuesday evening in East Liberty.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Six Democrats Vie For Gergely’s Mon Valley House Seat This Weekend. “No less than a half-dozen Democrats have entered the race to replace Matt Gergely, who died earlier this month, as their party’s nominee to fill his seat in the 35th state House District.” (WESA)

ECGRA Head Perry Wood Enters County Executive Race, Pledges ‘Collaborative’ Leadership. “Wood, 46, framed his candidacy as an effort to restore dialogue, collaboration and integrity to a county executive’s office he claims lacks the “temperament.”” (Erie Times-News)

Trump Wants to ‘Overhaul’ FEMA. What to Know About the Agency’s Role in the Philly Region. “The president issued an executive order Friday launching a year-long review of the agency’s recent disaster responses.” (WHYY)

PA GOP to Settle Another Clash, This Time in Washington County. “The PA GOP is again under the scorch of the spotlight, facing both a tense chairman race, but also settling disputed county GOP chairman elections – all of this drawing more attention to a divide within the party, seemingly between the “establishment” cronies and the “grassroots” MAGA patriots.” (Harrisburg 100)

Residents Oppose County Tax Increase and Change in Tax Ratio. “Last year, the Clearfield County Commissioners changed the predetermined ratio from 25 to 50 percent of the assessed value of real estate, which doubles the amount local municipalities receive for each mill of real estate taxes.” (Clearfield Progress)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Congress Must Stand Up For Itself After Trump Unlawfully Sacked Watchdogs. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Will Sunday and Trump Spell Trouble For the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office? (A. Benjamin Mannes)

1 Thing

5. No Pepsi, Coke

“Everyone’s favorite place to buy 100 rolls of toilet paper can now be everyone’s favorite place to get an ice-cold fountain Coke. Costco’s CEO confirmed last week that it’s switching from selling Pepsi products to Coca-Cola at its food courts, adding to soda shake-ups happening at chains across the country.

Not long ago…Costco used to sell Coca-Cola products. But it changed to Pepsi in 2013 to be able to keep the price of its renowned $1.50 hot dog combo. CEO Ron Vachris didn’t explain why the big box store is reverting to its old carbonated ways, but the switchover is expected to happen this summer.” (USA Today)

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