Hi, Tuesday. Baseball season is underway (though in Tokyo)

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

Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. I Will Survive. Gloria Gaynor

PA Weather
Kane | Sunny, 58
Klingerstown | Sunny, 60
Kennett Square | Sunny, 62

PA Sports
Flyers (28-33-8) | Tampa Bay 0-2 | Thu vs. Washington
Penguins (28-31-10) | Tue vs. NY Islanders
Sixers (23-45) | Houston 137-144 | Wed vs. Oklahoma City
St. Francis | Tue vs. Alabama State (NCAA Men’s Tournament)

What’s Happening Today. The House is in session at 11 a.m.

What We’re Hearing. “House Ag Chair G.T. Thompson told the Pennsylvania Capital-Star that “at this point in time” he’s planning to stay in Congress and not run for Pennsylvania governor.”

Top Story

1. Shapiro Says Trip to White House Helped Unfreeze $2.1 Billion In Federal Funds. White House Doesn’t Agree

“Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro went to the White House last month on a mission: Get the federal government to unfreeze more than $2.1 billion in federal funds already allocated to the state.

Shapiro worked the room to restore his state’s funding, according to new details disclosed by Shapiro’s office about how Pennsylvania’s first-term Democratic governor is navigating Trump’s second administration.

But Trump’s White House disputed Shapiro’s timeline of events, accusing the governor of taking credit for something he played little part in.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Is This PA City’s Mayoral Primary a Barometer of Democrats’ Future? “The mayor’s race in Pennsylvania’s second-largest city not only features a primary challenge to the progressive Democratic incumbent but accusations that Trump-supporting Republican donors are behind the insurgency.” (PennLive)

Hundreds of Former Federal Workers Have Applied For Pennsylvania State Government Jobs Amid DOGE Layoffs. “Pennsylvania has received approximately 1,100 applications for open state jobs from people who previously worked for the federal government, a spokesperson said.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Bresnahan to Host Telephone Town Hall. “U.S. Rep. Rob Bresnahan Jr. on Monday said the best way to address concerns and questions of his constituents is to talk to them directly. That’s why Bresnahan, R-Dallas Township, said he will hold a telephone town hall meeting on Tuesday, March 25.” (Wilkes-Barre Times Leader)

• Will U.S. Reps. Scott Perry and Lloyd Smucker Hold Town Halls This Week? Seems Unlikely. (York Dispatch)
• Democrats to Hold ‘People’s Town Hall’ in Lehigh Valley, Calling On Ryan Mackenzie to Oppose Trump’s Agenda. (Allentown Morning Call)
• Demonstrators Outside McCormick’s Scranton Office Say No One Answers Constituents’ Calls. (WVIA)

State

2. Path Forward For Voter ID in PA, As Long As It ‘Doesn’t Disenfranchise’

“A Republican lawmaker’s bill to tighten voter ID requirements in Pennsylvania may be part of a compromise with Democrats on a larger set of election reforms.

The bill by state Rep. Tom Mehaffie III, R-Dauphin, meets a key Democratic Party condition — that voter ID not disenfranchise any voters.

Mehaffie’s bill would create a “non-strict” ID requirement, the kind already in place in 24 of the 36 states with voter ID requirements, according to the National Conference of State Legislators.” (LNP)

Elsewhere

House Lawmakers Reintroduce Legislation to Close Pennsylvania’s Gender Earnings Gap. “Women in Pa. earned 82.4% of men’s wages in 2023. That’s below the national average of 83.6%.” (Penn Capital-Star)

‘Federal Cuts to CISA Programs Make Elections Less Secure, Pennsylvania’s Al Schmidt Warns. “In a letter to the homeland security secretary, he cites the critical help local election officials have gotten from the cybersecurity agency.” (Votebeat Pennsylvania)

PA Dems Again Seek ACA Protections in State Law, GOP Votes Shift in Opposition. “A party-line vote of members of a Pennsylvania House committee advanced a group of bills intended to enshrine certain protection from the federal Affordable Care Act into state law but revealed a new voting pattern among opponents.” (New Castle News)

Pittsburgh Lawmaker’s Bill Would Require State Oversight of Medical Marijuana Products. “Pittsburgh Democrat Dan Frankel, who chairs the House health committee, wants the state to create “strict reporting requirements” for companies that sell cannabis products used for medical purposes.” (WESA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Pennsylvania’s Local Leadership Crisis

“Local governments in some Pennsylvania communities are facing a continuing crisis: a shortage of residents willing to step up and serve.

“We simply have fewer young people in rural areas than we used to, and those individuals who are living in rural areas tend to be a little older on average,” said Kyle Kopko, the executive director of the Center for Rural Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvanians will hit the polls on May 20 for the primary, choosing from among thousands of candidates seeking to run local government. Roles for mayor, council member, auditor, elections judge and others offer nominal pay and sometimes, long hours. And, officials say, there are sometimes not enough people willing to run for local office, to fill open seats or to give voters options.” (Latrobe Bulletin)

Elsewhere

Gaughan, County Sue Over McGloin Replacement Process. “Democratic Lackawanna County Commissioner Bill Gaughan is suing over the controversial process of replacing former Commissioner Matt McGloin, arguing a recent county court order on the replacement process violates a relevant rule the state Supreme Court adopted in 2019.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Rep. Lee, Local Leaders Raise Flags Amid Threats to DEI Programs, Education Funding. “Pennsylvania schools face mounting pressure as President Donald Trump continues to make good on his campaign promise to overhaul American education.” (WESA)

Republican Charlie Spano Aims to Get Bob Bolus Bumped Off GOP Primary Election Ballot For Scranton Mayor. “Spano filed in Lackawanna County Court a challenge to Bolus’ seeking the GOP nomination for mayor in the May 20 primary election, arguing Bolus falsely claims in his candidate affidavit that he is eligible to hold the office of Scranton mayor.” (Scranton Times-Tribune)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Tax Cuts in Parker’s Budget Proposal Are Welcome, But Challenges Remain. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Trump’s Tariffs Are Saving the American Steel Industry. (Philip K. Bell)
• Manufacturer & Business Association Urges Trump to OK Nippon’s U.S. Steel deal. (Jezree Friend)
• The Customer Is No Longer Right, and the Investor Is Never Satisfied. (Adriana E. Ramírez)

1 Food Thing

5. PNC Park Unveils New Menu Items

“Aramark, the Pittsburgh Pirates’ longtime food partner for the past 52 years, is introducing new menu offerings for this coming baseball season.

Additions include the fried almond torte, Polish cannonball and a chipped ham empanada.” (Greensburg Tribune-Review)

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