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🔊  What We’re Hearing. “I am unapologetically pro-military—I believe in a strong, lethal military. But I am also unapologetically pro the LGBTQ community… I am calling on President Trump to rescind this executive order––to allow and honor the inherent dignity of our servicemembers regardless of what their race is, what their gender is, who they love, or how they identify.” – Sen. John Fetterman

🔊  What We’re Hearing II. “Maryland, which had its first legal sale of adult-use cannabis in July 2023, is expected to surpass $1 billion in sales this year and yield more than $100 million in tax revenue.”

🎂  Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Sen. Steve Santasiero and Rep. Nancy Guenst.

📱  Social Media. Join us on Twitter and Bluesky at @PoliticsPA

Top Story

1. Could Recreational Marijuana Really Bring $1.3 Billion in Revenue to PA Over Five Years?

“Gov. Josh Shapiro again proposed legalizing recreational marijuana as part of his $51.5 billion budget pitch last week, the third time he has pushed for its legalization since he took office, and as nearly every state bordering Pennsylvania already permits adult-use cannabis sales.

But this year, Shapiro’s estimates of how much revenue the recreational marijuana industry would bring to Pennsylvania increased by more than 3,000% from his budget pitch last year, where he estimated the state would bring in $14.8 million in the first year of legalizing cannabis.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Capital-Star Q&A: Kenyatta Talks Democrats’ Direction After Becoming DNC Vice Chair. “Trump administration is doing is ‘the worst reverse Robin Hood that we could have imagined.’” (Penn Capital-Star)

Expert, Business Opinions Split Over Trump Tariffs on Steel, Aluminum. “If the stock market is any indication, domestic steel and aluminum manufacturers can expect a boost from the 25% import tax on these materials imposed by President Donald Trump. Industry analysts, though, say pain could be on the way for adjacent sectors.” (Greensburg Tribune-Review)

House Members Running For Governor Could Complicate Fight For Majority. “In Pennsylvania, Republican Rep. Dan Meuser is considering a challenge to Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro. Trump won Meuser’s 9th District with 69 percent, so there isn’t a risk of a Democratic flip there.” (Roll Call)

Contest Every Race, PA Dems Launch Statewide Candidate Recruitment Drive. “In a hotly contested 102-101 Keystone State House, one seat makes all the difference. That’s why Contest Every Race and the Pennsylvania Democratic Party are launching a new initiative to recruit Democrats to run for every local office across the state.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. Millions Earmarked to Keep Rural Hospitals Open, Recruit Health Care Providers in Shapiro’s Budget Proposal

“Rural health services would get an injection of taxpayer dollars to keep their doors open and recruit more professionals to work in remote communities under Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s proposed budget.

The $51.4 billion pitch unveiled to lawmakers earlier this month also includes a $25 million expansion of an agriculture grant program and increased spending on outdoor recreation that local officials say is key to boosting local revenue.” (Spotlight PA)

Elsewhere

Pennsylvania Legislator Wants to Put the Kibosh on Taxes on Holocaust Reparations. “Charlotte Howe was testifying in support of a bill to exempt Holocaust-related reparation payments from state income tax. Pennsylvania is one of only four states that still tax such payments made by the German government, as well as court judgments for stolen property, as personal income.” (WHYY)

Representative Brendan Boyle on the DOGE-Heads and How the Democrats Lost Pennsylvania. “Tara Palmeri talks with Pennsylvania representative Brendan Boyle about what went wrong in Pennsylvania in the 2024 election.” (The Ringer)

The Fight to Save Women’s Sports with PA Rep Barb Gleim. “She goes in depth with Flora Posteraro of Chick2Chick Uncut about why she wants a law on the books in this podcast, “The Fight to Save Women’s Sports.”” (PennWatch)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Pennsylvania ‘Iron Mountain’ Mine Draws Attention of Elon Musk and DOGE

“An old limestone mine operated by ‘Iron Mountain’ that’s located just north of Pittsburgh in Butler County is drawing the attention of Elon Musk.

The mine is located in Cherry Township and its cool temperature and low humidity levels are supposed to provide optimal and secure conditions to preserve items.

The United States government’s Office of Personnel Management uses Iron Mountain to process and store paperwork when federal workers retire and now Musk is taking aim at the facility.” (CBS News Pittsburgh)

Elsewhere

‘Housing, Housing, Housing:’ Parker Lays Out Her Agenda For Year Two of Her Administration. “Mayor Cherelle L. Parker on Wednesday said her focus for 2025 is on increasing housing production, revitalizing the Market East corridor, and launching an ”aggressive” tax reform plan.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

A State Lawmaker Wants to Stop New Cyber Charters From Entering Pennsylvania. Here’s Why. “State Rep. Tarah Probst is leading the effort to prohibit new virtual academies from entering the commonwealth, noting in a memo this week that the state’s cyber charter laws are “severely out of date and in desperate need for change.”” (USA Today Network)

Delco DA Stollsteimer: I Won’t Help Enforce Immigration Law on ‘Peaceful’ Illegal Aliens. “Delaware County District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer portrays himself as a law-and-order Democrat. But there are some laws — America’s laws against illegal immigration, for example — he refuses to enforce.” (DV Journal)

‘Street Mayor’ Community Activist Announces Run For Mayor of Harrisburg. “Harrisburg community activist Tone Cook is often known as the city’s ‘street mayor.’ Now, he’s looking to make it official.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Is PA Attorney General Dave Sunday Putting Politics Over Pennsylvanians? (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Trumponomics and Rising Inflation. (Wall Street Journal)
• The Alternative to Trump Cannot Be a Defense of Institutions as They Are. (Rep. Ro Khanna)
• PA Can’t Cede Bipartisan Clean Energy Progress to Trump’s Fossil Fuel Focus. (Molly Parzen)
• Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Has Been Under Attack Since 1850. (Robert Hill)

1 Thing

5. Why People Are Naming Bugs, Rats and Cats After Their Exes This Valentine’s Day

“Feel like dissing instead of kissing your former lover this Valentine’s Day? Think your ex is more like a rat than a prince? Do you believe your former paramour should never procreate?

Animal shelters and zoos around the country are encouraging little cathartic avenues for revenge this holiday — and raising money for a cause — with a slew of darkly funny fundraisers for those whose Cupid’s arrow missed the mark.” (AP)

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