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🔉 What We’re Hearing. “People are concerned about (Fetterman’s) health,” said Sharif Street, the state’s Democratic Party chairman. “They want to make sure he’s OK. People care about him. There’s a lot of love for him out there.”

🔉 What We’re Also Hearing. “It’s pretty impossible to overstate how disengaged (Fetterman) is,” a recently departed staffer said. “He doesn’t read memos, he’s taking very few meetings … the job is just a platform for him to run for president, that’s all he cares about.”

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

Top Story

1. John Fetterman Finds Himself Increasingly Alone

“John Fetterman has long been on a political island — and now his tendency to rebuff professional relationships is coming back to bite him.

Few fellow Democrats have rushed to Fetterman’s defense after an explosive article in New York magazine reported that current and former staffers are seriously concerned about his mental and physical health. The Pennsylvania senator, who has strongly denied claims that he is unfit to serve, is not doing traditional damage control, and most top Democrats aren’t going out of their way to do it for him.

Instead, private chatter about primary challenges to Fetterman has ramped up. And in recent days, some Pennsylvania Democrats have begun to quietly review the rules about what would happen if he stepped down and whispered about potential replacements.” (Politico)

Elsewhere

Inside Sen. John Fetterman’s Office: Canceled Meetings, Skipped Votes and an Outburst With PA Teachers. “The meeting started off normally enough, with representatives from Pennsylvania’s largest teachers union thanking Sen. John Fetterman for defending public education. But as the teachers from the Pennsylvania State Education Association and the National Education Association pressed Fetterman to do more to push back on federal education cuts, he grew frustrated and his tone shifted.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Fetterman Raises Alarms With Outburst at Meeting With Union Officials, AP Sources Say. “Democratic Sen. John Fetterman was meeting last week with representatives from a teachers union in his home state when things quickly devolved. Before long, Fetterman began repeating himself, shouting and questioning why “everybody is mad at me,” “why does everyone hate me, what did I ever do” and slamming his hands on a desk.” (AP)

Smucker Leads Budget Hardliners in Letter to GOP Leaderships Renewing Call For Spending Cuts. “Lancaster County Congressman Lloyd Smucker led 31 other House Republicans on Wednesday to reiterate their demand that this year’s budget slash federal spending by at least $2 trillion over the next decade.” (LNP)

18 Months Out, These Are the 10 Most Vulnerable House Members of 2026. “In the world of finance, the adage “past performance is not indicative of future results” serves as a warning for investors. But in politics, past performance can provide a handy measure to assess the vulnerability of members of Congress, especially early in an election cycle.” (Roll Call)

State

2. PA House Advances Bill Legalizing Recreational Marijuana

“In a straight party-line 102-101 vote, the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives advanced House Bill 1200 that would legalize recreational marijuana in the Commonwealth.

It is the farthest an adult-use recreational cannabis bill has advanced in the legislative process since the state legalized medical marijuana a decade ago.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Senate Education Committee Advances PASS Scholarships. “Call them “lifeline scholarships” or “PASS scholarships.” Voucher-style scholarships are back for consideration in Harrisburg.” (PoliticsPA)

Some PA School Districts Are Facing Budget Cuts Despite Winning a Court Case Over State Funding. “Underfunded districts like William Penn and Pottstown are facing budget cuts and shortfalls and some say increases in state aid aren’t coming quickly enough.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Bill Requiring AEDs at Schools and School Sporting Events Passes PA House Committee. “A bill that would require automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to be present at school and school sporting events passed the House Education Committee with bipartisan support Wednesday.” (Penn Capital-Star)

‘Time to Regrow the Organization,’ Hardline Trump Backer From PA Takes Reins at the NRA. “One of Donald Trump’s biggest and most controversial Pennsylvania-based supporters, has assumed the top job at the National Rifle Association, a move that could have major political implications for the commonwealth and beyond.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Democratic Candidates For Mayor Face Off in Final Televised Debate

“In what could be the last debate for the Democrats running for mayor of Pittsburgh, incumbent Ed Gainey and challenger Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor faced off once again in a televised debate Wednesday evening.

The candidates hit their usual campaign points about public safety and affordable housing, although a few moments during the debate turned tense.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

Nine Ways Trump’s Spending Cuts Would Squeeze Pittsburgh Government, Arts and Research. “Pittsburgh and Allegheny County could lose out on $25 million annually under President Donald Trump’s proposal to slash a 50-year-old grant program, part of a White House plan to cut domestic spending by more than 20% while increasing defense spending.” (Public Source)

Homicides in Big Cities Kept Declining in Q1 of 2025, Stats Show. “Denver (58%), Honolulu (82%), Minneapolis (54%) and Philadelphia (28%) were among the cities showing notable drops.” (Axios)

A Montgomery County Commissioner’s Effort to Educate Voters Is Now An Emmy-Nominated Short Film. “Running elections in Pennsylvania’s third-most-populous county, Neil Makhija said he’s seen the slippery slope from election misinformation to political violence.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

U.S. House Republicans Berate Haverford College President Over Campus Antisemitism. “A trio of college presidents from across the nation Wednesday took heat from U.S. House lawmakers, as Republicans expand their drive to penalize higher education institutions they say have failed to combat antisemitism. But it was the Haverford president, Wendy Raymond, who drew the most outrage from Republicans.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Report About Security Failings Around the Arson Attack on Gov. Shapiro Should Be Made Public. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Shapiro Faces Short-Term Tests in Possible White House Quest. (John Baer) 
• House Bill to Modernize Law Would Enhance Government Transparency. (William M. Cotter)
• Duplicitous Democrats Question Sen. John Fetterman’s Mental Fitness. (Joe Battenfeld)
• Fetterman’s Real Sickness For the Left? Israel-itis. (Salena Zito)

1 Thing

5. Cardinals Are Watching ‘Conclave’ For Guidance on the Actual Conclave

“Faced with the highly secretive and complex ritual of choosing a new pope, Catholic cardinals have turned to Hollywood to learn how it could all play out.

As crazy as it might sound, some of the 133 high-ranking clerics set to enter the Sistine Chapel when the conclave starts on Wednesday have looked to the Ralph Fiennes movie ― handily titled just “Conclave” ― for pointers.”

Notable. No conclave since 1831 has lasted longer than four days. (Politico.eu)

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