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Top Story

1. Shapiro Critical of Trump Tariffs and Effects on Commonwealth

“At an event in Bethlehem on Wednesday, Gov. Josh Shapiro was critical of the first 70 days of the Trump Administration, while also admitting that he is hoping for the president’s policies to work.

“Let me just say, in general, I hope the President’s policies work, because I’m always cheering for America,” the governor said. “I want to see America succeed. I want to see Americans be better off.

“But what I’ve seen over the first 70 days of his administration is chaos that has resulted in higher prices, fewer rights, and more worry from so many people that I meet all across Pennsylvania.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Josh Shapiro Says ‘People Will Suffer’ and PA Republicans Have Mixed Views of Trump’s Tariff Plan. “U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, a Republican from Butler County who owned a group of auto dealerships, was among those skeptical of Trump’s tariff plan.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Rep. Perry Faces Angry Voters in the Comments Section of Tele-Town Hall. “Perry’s strategy to avoid the growing backlash among some voters over Republican support for Trump administration policies may have been planned to avoid hostile confrontations with voters, but the virtual medium did not shield him from their anger.” (PennLive)

• After Weeks of Demand, Congressman Scott Perry Holds a Town Hall — Over the Phone. (Penn Capital-Star)

For Trump, Musk Is a Scapegoat and a Liability. But For Now, He’s Still Useful. “Elon Musk has become a valuable heat shield for a president who avoids blame at any cost.” (New York Times)

State

2. Bucks County Commissioner Harvie He’s Running For Congress Against Fitzpatrick

“Bob Harvie, chair of the Bucks County Commissioners, is running for Congress in hopes of unseating five-term Republican U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in 2026.

Harvie, a commissioner since 2020, was a longtime public school teacher in Bucks County who made history when Democrats flipped the county board five years ago for the first time since 1983.

Now, he’ll try to oust the lone Republican representing Southeastern Pennsylvania in Congress.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Pennsylvania Will Need to Fill In Gaps From Federal Cuts or Be Left Without Services, Says Union Rep. “The reach of layoffs in the federal government will go beyond the jobless, state politicians and a labor leader said Wednesday, expressing worries about the implications for widely used services from the Department of Veterans Affairs and Social Security Administration.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Senate Democrats Urge Bipartisan Support For Housing As Federal Backing Crumbles. “State lawmakers gathered in Harrisburg Wednesday to denounce what they see as a Trump administration rollback of anti-discrimination housing laws. They’re aiming to garner bipartisan support in the state Senate to ensure Pennsylvania upholds federal standards that have been in place for decades.” (WESA)

Bill Seeking to Limit ‘Acting’ Cabinet Heads Clears PA Senate in Split Vote. “Members of the Pennsylvania Senate split along party lines in approving a proposed bill Wednesday that if enacted would restrict how long cabinet officials could lead state agencies in an “acting” role and without formal confirmation.” (New Castle News)

Around The Commonwealth

3. $10 Billion AI Data Center Planned For Indiana County

“Homer City, Pennsylvania, was once known for having the state’s largest coal plant, complete with smokestacks and cooling towers.

That was then. This is now for the borough of under 2,000 residents in Indiana County.

Officials have announced that the former Homer City Generating Station, which was the largest coal-burning power plant in the Commonwealth, will now be home to a natural gas-fired facility with as much as 4.5 GW of power generation, making it the largest such power station in the United States.” (PoliticsPA)

• HCR Plans $10 Billion Gas-Powered Data Center Campus, Employing Thousands. (Indiana Gazette)
• Homer City to Become Gas-Powered Data Center Campus. (Axios Pittsburgh)

Elsewhere

As Demand For Data Centers Balloons, A Dauphin County Township Wants to Clear Space For Them. “Data centers are proliferating across the country. And three Swatara Township commissioners said at a hearing on Wednesday that they just want to be proactive and prepared if any data centers are ever proposed in their municipality.” (PennLive)

Gainey, O’Connor Talk With Jewish Community at Candidate Forum. “The Pittsburgh Democrats running for mayor tackled their plans for issues facing the city’s Jewish community and others at a forum Wednesday evening.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Your Guide to the 2025 Primary. “If you want a glimpse at why this year’s primary election matters, just consider: America’s judicial system, judges, district attorneys and all, may be the last stronghold of our democracy.” (Philadelphia Citizen)

Bucks County Schools Rely on Local Taxes More Than Most in PA. Why These Costs Are Rising. “Public school districts across Pennsylvania face a growing reliance on state and federal relief to cover mandated costs such as pensions, special education and charter school tuition.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Trump’s New Protectionist Age. (Wall Street Journal)
• The Democratic Party Owns Joe Biden’s Policy Fails. (David Winston)
• After Failing in Wisconsin, Will Musk Bring Big Money to PA Elections? (John Baer)
• Pennsylvania GOP Must Learn How to Win Without Trump on the Ballot. (Christopher Tremoglie)
• The Importance of Strong Energy Policy. (Rep. David Rowe)
• The Pennsylvania Energy Cost Crisis. (Rep. Martina White)
• Skepticism About Likelihood of Term Limits Warranted. (Williamsport Sun-Gazette) 
• Federal Funding Freeze For Pennsylvania Farmers Is a Blow to Cleaner Waterways. (Julie Krall)
• Josh Shapiro Supports Big Dope, Hoping For Big Money. (Stephen Catanzarite)
• Pittsburgh Regional Transit Must Help Save Itself. (Colin McNickle)
• Unlocking Crypto’s Potential Depends On Clear Federal Regulations. (Tyler Harttraft and Charles Scrimalli)

1 Thing

5. Visualized: Daily Internet Activity in 2025

“Every minute, the internet facilitates a staggering amount of activity. In just 24 hours, trillions of interactions add up, reflecting our growing dependence on the internet for communication, entertainment, and commerce.

In this infographic, we visualize the massive scale of daily internet activity, from emails to Zoom meetings.” (Visual Capitalist)

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