🔥  Good Wednesday Morning. Thanks for joining us.

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

PA Weather
☁️  Blairsboro | Mostly Cloudy, 21
🌤️  Shamokin | Partly Sunny, 25
🌥️  Media | Increasing Clouds, 28

PA Sports
🏀  Sixers (20-34) | Thu vs. Boston
🏒  Flyers (24-26-7) | Sat vs. Edmonton
🏒  Penguins (23-25-9) | Sat vs. Washington

🗓️  What’s Happening Today. Budget hearings continue in Harrisburg. Next up, Transportation, State Police and Health.

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

Top Story

1. McCormick On Board With Trump, DOGE Shakeup While Fetterman Blasts ‘Chaos, Confusion’

“U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick says he’s on board with President Donald Trump’s and Elon Musk’s efforts to overhaul the federal government — moves the administration says target waste and abuse of taxpayers’ money but that have sparked protests about a “billionaire takeover” and inspired Sen. John Fetterman to raise alarms of “chaos and confusion.”

Still, Mr. McCormick said the administration “can’t do dumb things.”” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

New DNC Chair Starts Anti-Trump Push in Pittsburgh. “New Democratic National Committee head Ken Martin said Tuesday that Western Pennsylvania is the perfect location to start his fight against President Trump and Elon Musk.” (Axios Pittsburgh)

Governor Josh Shapiro Aims to Make Pennsylvania ‘Compete’ In NIL, Bring ‘Stability’ to Transfer Portal. “Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke to the Post-Gazette and one TV outlet about the future of name, image and likeness (NIL) in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, among other topics, during halftime of the Pitt-Syracuse game on Tuesday night at Petersen Events Center.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Howard Lutnick, Haverford College’s Largest Donor, Is Confirmed As Trump’s Secretary of Commerce. “Lutnick, the CEO of Cantor Fitzgerald, a Wall Street financial services firm, will lead the United States’ top agency for spurring economic and job growth.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Attorney General to Address National Gathering of Conservative Activists. “State Attorney General Dave Sunday is scheduled to speak Saturday at the Conservative Political Action Conference, a center of support for President Donald Trump.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. PA Elected Leaders Attended Super Bowl LIX. Who Paid Their Way?

“Pennsylvania is no stranger to the National Football League’s biggest game and neither are its elected officials.

When either of Pennsylvania’s NFL franchises make it to the title game, the state’s elected leaders are often on hand, no matter the location.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, both Democrats, and U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.), made the trip to New Orleans for the game.

But who footed the bill?” (Penn Capital-Star)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Nominates Rowe, Shirley For Cabinet Posts. “Gov. Josh Shapiro has tapped Dr. Carrie Rowe to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education (PDE), while also selecting Jessica Shirley for the post of Secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).” (PoliticsPA)

Big Disparity in PA Financial Projections Sets Off Sparks As Budget Hearings Begin. “A roughly $5 billion disparity in revenue projections for Pennsylvania — one set from the administration of Gov. Josh Shapiro, one set from an independent agency — set off sparks Tuesday as state budget hearings got underway.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

PA Senate Kicks Off Budget Hearings With Testimony From the Department of Revenue. “Before lawmakers dive fully into negotiations over next year’s spending, budget hearings offer a chance for them to question Shapiro’s cabinet secretaries and their staff about what their agencies would do with the money allocated to them, and how they’re already using state resources. It also offers a stage for lawmakers to praise or scorn initiatives.” (Penn Capital-Star)

PA Senate Appropriations Leader Casts Doubt on Legal Weed Deal With Shapiro. “One of the Pennsylvania Senate’s most influential figures said Tuesday that he doesn’t see a path forward on a marijuana legalization deal, suggesting a bumpy road ahead for the revenue boosters that Gov. Josh Shapiro has pitched in his 2025-26 budget framework.” (PennLive)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Philly DA Larry Krasner Tries to Harness Democratic Rage Toward Trump As He Launches Third Bid For Office

“Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner announced Tuesday that he is running for reelection and will face off for the Democratic nomination against Patrick Dugan, a former local judge.

But Krasner did not refer to Dugan once. He spent much more oxygen on President Donald Trump.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

State-Owned Universities Seek Funding Boost to Fend Off Tuition Hikes. “Pennsylvania higher education officials urged lawmakers on Tuesday to increase funding for public universities next year so state-owned institutions, like Millersville University, can avoid tuition hikes.” (LNP)

• Higher Education Faces Declining Enrollment, Federal Uncertainty. (The Center Square)

Bethlehem City Council Declines to Vote on ‘Welcoming City’ Immigration Ordinance, Despite Activists’ Push. “Despite a push from local pro-immigrant activists, Bethlehem City Council members Tuesday declined to put forward an ordinance that would limit the city’s cooperation with federal immigration authorities.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Vogel Enters Race For Erie County Executive. “Entrepreneur Christina Vogel on Monday launched her candidacy for Erie County executive, pledging to cut through the “drama” of county government and instead focus on people, partnerships and fiscal responsibility.” (Erie Times-News)

Montco Commissioners Outline Plans For 2025 At ‘State of the County’ Address. “Montgomery County commissioners, local elected officials and community members gathered Tuesday for the annual “State of the County” address.” (WHYY)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Paid Leave For Pennsylvanians Is An Opportunity to Put Politics Aside. (Reps. Natalie Mihalek and Jennifer O’Mara)
• Trump Has Triggered a Constitutional Crisis. The Only Way He Succeeds Now Is If We Let Him. (Devontae Torriente)
• Donald Trump is Winning Pennsylvania. (Athan Koutsiouroumbas)
• The Common Folk Pay the Price For Tariffs, While Others Save on Taxes. (Jack Ochs)
• Can Congress Tell the President What to Do? (Bernard S. Sharfman)
• The New GOP: Pro-Union or Pro-Worker? (Wall Street Journal)
• Despite Federal Order, Pennsylvania May Continue to Allow Boys to Compete in Girls’ Sports. (Beth Ann Rosica)
• “We’re Under Attack.” (Elaine Maimon)
• D-E-I is D-E-D. (Russell Frank)

1 Thing

5. The Cool Restaurants Are on OpenTable Now

“In one sense, the online-reservation tables had been turned. A decade ago, Resy skimmed many of the most popular restaurants off of OpenTable’s platform, turning it from a monopoly player in digital reservations to an old-timer. Over the last year or so, that’s changed: OpenTable is now betting that a combination of product updates, pricing changes, and a full-on charm offensive — plus, in certain cases, straight cash — will be enough to win back the kinds of sought-after spots that draw diners to a booking platform.” (Grub Street)

Thank you for starting your day with us.
And reading the PoliticsPA Playbook