🥁  Parade Day in Philly. We’re off for Presidents Day so we’ll see you on Tuesday.

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😆  DYK? Just five Pennsylvanians have graced the cast of SNL over its 50-year run. Can you name them? Answer below.

🎂  Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Leanne Krueger.

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Top Story

1. Governor Files Lawsuit Challenging Trump Administration’s Unconstitutional Federal Funding Freeze

“In response to the actions of the Trump Administration to freeze federal funding, Gov. Josh Shapiro has taken legal action to restore Pennsylvania’s access to the funds.

The governor, along with several Pennsylvania executive agencies, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania that seeks relief from the feds’ “flagrantly lawless actions.”” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Shapiro Lawsuit Has ‘Legal Standing’ Against Trump’s Fund Freezes: PA Attorney General. “Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday struck a cautious tone Thursday responding to questions regarding his position on lawsuits against the Trump administration’s controversial funding freeze, including one filed by Gov. Josh Shapiro.” (PennLive)

McCormick Announces PA Senior Leadership Team. “In addition to hiring an experienced Pennsylvania-based team, McCormick has opened seven regional offices across the state to serve constituents.” (DV Journal)

John Fetterman Calls On Trump to Rescind Transgender Military Ban Order, Saying It’s Not About ‘Woke’. “Fetterman, a Pennsylvania Democrat, has shown a willingness to collaborate with the Trump administration on other issues but drew a line at LGBTQ rights.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Republicans May Find It Harder to Cut Medicaid Than They Think. “The program’s surprising superpower? It’s popular.” (POLITICO)

State

2. Fact Check: It’s Not Illegal — And Not Uncommon – For Voters To Be Registered In Two States

“A conservative activist is claiming that Pennsylvania has “tens of thousands” of voters improperly registered, but state officials say he’s misrepresenting a normal, legal part of the voter registration system.

The commonwealth regularly cleans its voter rolls to eliminate names of people who have moved out of the state or otherwise become ineligible. This process isn’t immediate. It can take several years, as counties are required to send voters notices to make sure they’re not improperly disenfranchised. All of this is regulated by federal and state law.” (Votebeat Pennsylvania)

Elsewhere

A Closer Look at Shapiro’s Carbon Tax Plan. “Gov. Josh Shapiro recently unveiled his asks for the coming state budget, and like many of his predecessors, some of his latest proposals are ones he couldn’t get approved in years prior.” (The Center Square)

Penn State Warns of Impact Trump Administration NIH Funding Policy Changes Could Have. “When researchers at Penn State and other universities receive grants for their work, a certain amount goes to cover overhead — keeping the lights on and the labs running. Those indirect costs vary. According to the National Institutes of Health, they average 27% to 28%, but can be 50%, 60% or higher. The Trump administration, though, wants to cap those costs at 15% for research getting NIH funding.” (WPSU)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Confusion Over Trump’s Plan to Cut Budget, Cull Federal Workers Spreads to Central PA

“President Donald Trump’s withholding of federal funds and widespread attempts to gut established programs has already created mass confusion across a swath of the Harrisburg region’s workforce, as his attempt to reshape the federal government grinds its way through the courts.

The Harrisburg metro region in Dauphin, Cumberland, and Perry counties employs roughly 7,500 federal workers — about 2% of the area’s labor force — largely through several Department of Defense installations, according to federal data.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

Will An Allegheny County Property Tax Hike Haunt Democrats Running for County Council? “If you’re an Allegheny County homeowner bracing for a higher property tax bill, you can take comfort in knowing this much: The bill may also be coming due for some of the County Council members who voted for the tax hike last year.” (WESA Politics)

Mackenzie Denounces Northampton Executive’s ICE Decision. “Newly-minted U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-07) took to the floor of the House of Representatives on Wednesday night and denounced the 2020 decision by Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure to not fully cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).” (PoliticsPA)

‘We Absolutely Did Cooperate With ICE’: McClure Fires Back After Mackenzie Attacks Northampton Co. Policy. “U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie on the House floor denounced Northampton County and County Executive Lamont McClure for not cooperating with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. McClure is firing back with accusations that the congressman does not understand what he’s talking about.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Faculty and Coaches Vote No Confidence In Commonwealth University President. “Commonwealth University faculty and coaches voted overwhelmingly this week to approve a no- confidence measure against their president, Bashar Hanna, citing concerns about his leadership, declining enrollment, budget woes, and a lawsuit verdict.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• A Broken System: The Case Against Gov. Shapiro’s Budget. (Phillip Martell)
• Gov. Shapiro’s Broken Promises Are Breaking Pennsylvania. (Andrew Lewis)
• Shapiro’s Lack of Leadership on Energy Leaves PA in the Dark. (Sen. Scott Martin)
• PA’s Sean Parnell As the Face of Trump’s Pentagon Is Another Assault On Women. (Will Bunch)
• PA Patients Must Be Able to Find In-Network Doctors. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Is Larry Krasner in Trouble? (Larry Platt)
• Peace Through Weakness in Ukraine? (Wall Street Journal)
• Marc Fogel, Saquon Barkley, Donald Trump and Rooting For All the Right Reasons. (Lori Falce)
• Republicans Wouldn’t Attack Higher Education If It Didn’t Act Like An Arm of the Democrats. (David Mastio)

1 Parade Thing

5. Eagles Super Bowl Parade: Best spots, What to Wear, and Survival Tips

“Philly, we did it again.

The Eagles are Super Bowl champions, and you know what that means: Broad Street is about to become the biggest, loudest, and most chaotic party in the country.

More than a million people are expected to flood the city for the parade, and if 2018 was any indication, it’s going to be loud, packed, and absolutely unforgettable. But before you step out the door, you’ll need a plan.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Answer: Tina Fey (Upper Darby), Tim Kazurinsky (Johnstown), Laura Kightlinger (Erie), Dennis Miller (Pittsburgh) and Cherin Oteri (Upper Darby)

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