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🔉 What We’re Hearing. “I don’t think it went well for him today. I’m not really sure how much support’s going to emerge after that. I’m not sure he’ll even make it out of the committee.” – Sen. John Fetterman on RFK Jr. hearing.

🔉 What We’re Hearing II. “The governor has touted an agreement this week with PJM, the grid operator for our electricity. This announcement does nothing to make energy less expensive in Pennsylvania. The claim of $21 billion in savings is something consumers of electricity will never see materialize because rates will continue to rise even under this agreement.” – Sen. Joe Pittman

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Top Story

1. Medicaid Payment Systems Restored in PA as Trump Administration Rescinds Federal Funding Freeze Memo

“Federal computer systems that were down in Pennsylvania on Tuesday were restored, and President Donald Trump’s administration on Wednesday rescinded its controversial memo ordering the pause of trillions of dollars in federal disbursements that caused chaos throughout the state and across the country as officials scrambled to decipher which government programs were at risk and groups mounted legal challenges to block it.

Federal funding makes up approximately 40% of Pennsylvania’s annual spending, totaling nearly $49 billion in the current fiscal year. These funds are often used by state governments or pass through to local governments to pay for essential services, such as highway repairs, food programs, public education, and more.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Calls Funding Freeze Actions ‘Chaotic’ and ‘Reckless’. “Speaking in Harrisburg to highlight his Administration’s work to save consumers billions on their utility bills, Gov. Josh Shapiro said that computer systems that the state uses to operate initiatives that rely on federal funding have been restored to working order.” (PoliticsPA)

McCormick Presses Gainey to “Follow The Law” on ICE Cooperation. “U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick is backing the Trump administration and pushing Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey to fall in line with stronger immigration enforcement.” (PoliticsPA)

Donald Trump Wants the U.S. To Be the ‘Leading’ Producer of Non-Fuel Minerals. Here’s How Pennsylvania Could Help. “Pennsylvania could help President Donald Trump’s second administration achieve its energy goals, but not in the way most people may think.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Checking Back on Key 2024 Counties, Part One: The Industrial North. “Last year, ahead of the 2024 election, we went through each of the seven presidential Toss-up states and flagged counties that we thought would be important to watch. Well, with the election several months in the rearview mirror, we’ll be going back to see what the Crystal Ball counties told us—or, what they didn’t—about how the overall contest shook out.” (Sabato’s Crystal Ball)

State

2. Power Grid Operator Reaches Deal With PA Governor in Utility Bill Dispute

“The operator of the mid-Atlantic’s power grid has reached an agreement with Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro that he and other state leaders in the region say could save residents billions on their electric bills.

The settlement, announced by Shapiro’s office Tuesday, comes less than a month after the Pennsylvania governor filed a complaint before federal utility regulators calling on PJM Interconnection, operator of the regional power grid, to impose a lower price cap on its next energy auction.” (Baltimore Banner)

Elsewhere

Group of PA District Attorneys Call For Statewide Ban on Machine Gun Conversion Devices, or “Switches.” “The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association (PDAA) called on state lawmakers Wednesday to help find solutions for several public safety concerns, which includes adopting a statewide ban on machine gun conversion devices, also known as “switches.” These devices enable shooters to unload an entire magazine of bullets in a couple of seconds. ” (YourErie.com)

PA Senate Passes First Bills of New Session With Debate Over Benefits Crackdown. “The four bills with which the Republican-controlled chamber kicked off the new session generated relatively familiar floor debates over well-trod issues. All four passed on near-party-line votes, and are far less likely to get through the Democratic-majority state House of Representatives.” (PennLive)

Amid An Increasingly Hostile National Climate, Struggle Over LGBTQ Rights Likely in PA Legislature. “During the last legislative session, Pennsylvania lawmakers introduced 71 bills and nine regulations that would have had positive impacts on the lives of LGBTQ people. At the same time, lawmakers also introduced 14 bills that would have restricted or eliminated their rights and protections.” (PennLive)

State Rejects Application For Cyber Charter School With AI Teacher and Two Hours of Daily Class. “The Pennsylvania Department of Education on Wednesday denied an application for a controversial cyber charter school that uses artificial intelligence called Unbound Academy, which was seeking to operate in Pennsylvania.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Election Reforms, Mental Health Funding, 911 Support: PA Counties Set Their Legislative Priorities

“When the Legislature does not act, counties carry the burden. That was the theme across the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania’s top three legislative priorities, released Wednesday.

The bipartisan group wants vote-by-mail reforms, as well as additional funding for Emergency 911 and mental health services.” (WITF)

Elsewhere

City Council Moves to Head Off a Campaign to Force Pittsburgh to Cut Ties With Israel-Linked Companies. “Two referendums could get final approval as early as next week, setting the stage for a clash over the controversial issue.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Job Satisfaction Among Election Administrators Continues to Sink, Survey Shows. “The survey by the Elections & Voting Information Center, released exclusively to Votebeat, shows that most election administrators would not recommend the job to their own child.” (Votebeat)

Mayor Gainey Leans Toward Tapping Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief For the Job. “Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey is leaning toward nominating acting Police Chief Christopher Ragland to permanently fill the role, though city council President R. Daniel Lavelle started the process late Wednesday of trying to tack on another 30 days to Chief Ragland’s interim term.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Harrisburg Treasurer Dan Miller Throws Hat in Ring For City Mayor’s Race. “He’s the third major candidate to get into the primary race, joining current incumbent Mayor Wanda R.D. Williams – whom Miller supported in 2021 and previously announced her plans to seek a second term – and City Council member Lamont Jones.” (PennLive)

Councilwoman Grace Crampsie Smith Announces Candidacy For Bethlehem Mayor. “Smith is chair of the city’s finance committee, serves on the community development and public works committees, and has served on the public safety committee.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Our Stories Are One of the Strongest Forms of Resistance to Trump’s Fascist Assault. (Helen Ubiñas)
• Trump’s Deportation Goals Need More Scrutiny Amid Overall D.C. Chaos. (John Baer)
• It’s Not Pittsburgh’s Job to Enforce Federal Immigration Law. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• America Needs DEI. (Carlos T. Carter)
• All Presidents Test the Limits of Their Authority. Trump Is Doing Something Far More Radical. (Aziz Huq)
• Government Must Be Reliable to Function. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
• Sanctuary Cities Plan to Defy Immigration Law, Still. (Stu Bykofsky)
• Can $600 Million Reinvent Downtown Pittsburgh? (Diana Lind)

1 Movie Thing

5. ‘Bucks County, USA’ Review: An Enraging, Exhausting Doc on How American Politics Weaponizes Our Kids

“Sundance: Directors Barry Levinson and Robert May visit a contentious purple county in Pennsylvania to better grasp how divisive political discourse is affecting students and families.

Late in the second episode of “Bucks County, USA,” two teachers on opposing sides of their town’s ongoing ideological rift decide to sit down and hash out their issues. Katherine, a recent retiree with a progressive mindset, invites current third-grade teacher and moderate-conservative Vonna over to break bread over wine, cheese, and not-so-spirited debate. Both women are tired of the intense rhetoric dividing Doylestown, PA, and while they each recognize they can’t settle every polarizing issue in one night, they’re intent on building a bridge to better, clearer communication going forward. (Indie Wire)

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