It’s Fat Tuesday. Indulge responsibly

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. How Sweet It Is by Marvin Gaye.

PA Weather
Aliquippa | Becoming Mostly Sunny, 62
Annville | Becoming Mostly Sunny, 55
Allentown | Becoming Mostly Sunny, 53

PA Sports
Flyers (27-26-8) | Tue vs. Calgary
Penguins (24-29-10) | Tue vs. Colorado
Sixers (21-39) | Portland 102-119 | Tue vs. Minnesota

What’s Happening Today. The House Appropriations Committee holds a hearing with the Dept. of Human Services. The Senate talks with the Dept. of Corrections and PEMA.

What We’re Hearing. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau dropped a lawsuit against the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency, which was accused of illegally collecting on student debt that was discharged in bankruptcy and reporting to credit agencies that borrowers weren’t making payments.

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

Top Story

1. Laid Off Federal Workers From PA Brace For ‘Awkward’ Honor of Attending Trump’s Big Speech

“Three weeks ago Jessica Fair was walking the grounds of Valley Forge Historical Park as the park’s architect, planning how to protect the more-than 250-year-old buildings on site.

Tuesday night she’ll sit in the gallery of the U.S. House of Representatives alongside dozens of fellow terminated federal employees when President Donald J. Trump gives an address to both chambers of Congress in a quasi-State of the Union, just six weeks since taking office.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

U.S. Tariffs On Canada and Mexico Take Effect, As China Takes Aim at U.S. Farm Exports. “Starting just past midnight, imports from Canada and Mexico are now to be taxed at 25%, with Canadian energy products subject to 10% import duties. The 10% tariff that Trump placed on Chinese imports in February was doubled to 20%, and Beijing retaliated Tuesday with tariffs of up to 15% on a wide array of U.S. farm exports.” (AP)

Pittsburgh Protesters Urge Sen. Dave McCormick to Take Action to Support Ukraine. “Protesters turned out Monday at the Downtown Pittsburgh office of US Sen. Dave McCormick with chants and personal letters urging him to show more support for Ukraine.” (WESA)

In Purple Bucks County, Pennsylvania, Residents Split on How President Trump Is Handling Second Term. “People who spoke to CBS News Philadelphia Monday were largely divided along party lines, with those who supported Mr. Trump saying they like what they see. Those who didn’t support him still don’t.” (CBS Philadelphia)

Bill to Ban Trans Athletes From Girls’ and Women’s Sports Teams Fails to Advance In Senate. “A test vote on the bill failed to gain the 60 votes needed to advance in the chamber as senators stuck to party lines in a 51-45 vote tally.” (AP)
 

State

2. Calls For Cyber Charter Reform Intensify After Audit Found Ballooning Revenue, Surpluses

“Key Republicans say they are increasingly convinced they must reform Pennsylvania’s quickly growing cyber charter schools after an audit identified ballooning revenue and surpluses and “uncommon” spending.

For years, efforts to overhaul the way these schools are funded and overseen have foundered amid Harrisburg’s complicated education politics. Republicans, in particular, have been torn between fiscal accountability and ensuring families have considerable alternatives to public schools.

But the audit, from Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor, may have cut through some of the political noise.” (Spotlight PA)

Elsewhere

7 Pennsylvania Mayoral Races to Watch in 2025. “Mayor’s offices will be up for grabs in cities throughout the commonwealth, including in Pittsburgh, Erie, Harrisburg, Lancaster and Scranton, among others.” (City & State)

Pennsylvania Attorney General Names Eisenberg and Wren to Leadership Roles. “Ron Eisenberg will serve as Executive Deputy Attorney General and Chief of the Civil Division, while Ben Wren has been named Deputy Chief of Staff.” (MyChesCo)

Greg Rothman, Malcolm Kenyatta Speak on Current State of Their Parties. “In the latest episode of Battleground Politics, both political leaders speak with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk about the current state and direction of their parties.” (NBC Philadelphia)

An Interview With Jason Richey. “Seth Higgins interviewed Jason Richey, who had recently been elected chairman of the Allegheny County Republican Party.” (Broad + Liberty)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Series of Public Hearings on Rural Population Loss Kicks Off in Altoona

“State lawmakers, county commissioners and local municipality leaders met Friday in Altoona for a public hearing on rural population decline.

The Pennsylvania Rural Population Revitalization Commission was formed in June through a state law, following a report showing the projected declining and aging population in rural counties.

The commission is hosting public hearings across the state to help inform legislative recommendations.” (WPSU)

Elsewhere

Pennsylvania’s Cash-Strapped Rural Communities Struggle to Land Grant Funding. “Grants are key for funding big projects in rural communities, but many local governments don’t know how to get them. Pennsylvania’s Rural Population Revitalization Commission is looking for ways to change that.” (Lancaster Farming)

Spruce Creek Land Dispute Pits Owners Against State. “A property dispute spanning several years between the state of Pennsylvania and a group of homeowners along a renowned trout fishing creek could soon be resolved through the courts. The state claims their boundary lies in the middle of the creek, while the homeowners say they own both sides.” (The Center Square)

Gainey and O’Connor Argue Over ‘MAGA Assault’ in Pittsburgh Mayoral Race. “The Democrats competing in Pittsburgh’s May 20 mayoral primary traded criticism over their donors on Monday, after Mayor Ed Gainey blasted Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor for reports tying O’Connor to Republican contributors. O’Connor, for his part, pushed back by faulting Gainey’s own receipts — and pointing to the incumbent’s previous willingness to host a GOP presidential convention.” (WESA)

• Who’s Running For Pittsburgh Mayor? (Public Source)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Josh Shapiro Has The Ideas. Will He Take The Gloves Off? (Sean Patrick Cooper)
• Trump Addresses Congress As The Union Tumbles Into Disarray. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Progressives Should Admit That Donald Trump Might Do Something Right. (Adriana E. Ramírez)
• Just When We Need Them, the Media’s Credibility Hits Bottom. (Gerard Baker)
• For Democrats, It’s Time to Get Rude. (Christina Bellantoni)

1 Thing

5. Weather Geeks: These Volunteers Brave the Snow and Rain to Help Forecasters

“Rev. Robert Miller and engineer Steve Fazekas are among the people who report rainfall and snow to the National Weather Service. They are part of a legion of volunteer weather watchers nationwide for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS), a nonprofit that measures and maps precipitation for the National Weather Service, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, emergency managers, utilities, ranchers, farmers and others.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

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