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🗞️ 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
🌥️ Washington | Increasing Clouds, 12
🌥️ Port Royal | Increasing Clouds, 16
☀️ Nottingham | Sunny, 17

PA Sports
🏈 Eagles (16-3) | Sun vs. Washington
🏒 Penguins (20-21-8) | Thu vs. Anaheim
🏒 Flyers (22-20-6) | Detroit 2-1 (OT) | Thu vs. NY Rangers
🏀 Sixers (15-27) | Denver 109-144 | Fri vs. Cleveland

🔊 What We’re Hearing. A special election has been called for Tuesday, March 25, for the 35th Legislative District seat held by the late Rep. Matt Gergely.

📱 Social Media. PPoliticsPA has a number of social media outlets for you to get the latest political news from around the Commonwealth: Twitter | Bluesky | Facebook | LinkedIn

Top Story

1. Sunday Sworn In As Pennsylvania’s Attorney General

“York County District Attorney Dave Sunday took the oath of office on Tuesday to become Pennsylvania’s Attorney General.

“The best outcomes that I’ve ever seen have been accomplished through the spirit of collaboration and teamwork, from the Navy to UPS and certainly as a prosecutor,” said Sunday. “I view the Office of Attorney General as having the potential to be a conduit for collaboration. This office has the ability to work with a dynamic network of individuals and organizations, agencies and systems.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

DeFoor Sworn In For Another Term as PA Auditor General. “Tim DeFoor, the first person of color to win election to statewide office in the Commonwealth, was sworn in for a second term on Tuesday as Pennsylvania’s Auditor General. “I strive to be a leader who does the job the way the job is supposed to be done, someone who draws conclusions based on facts, not politics, and serves the people of Pennsylvania,” said DeFoor. “By improving government, not tearing it down.” (PoliticsPA)

Garrity Sworn In As State Treasurer For Second Term. “Stacy Garrity was sworn in for a second term as State Treasurer on Tuesday afternoon before family and dignitaries from the Northern Tier and around the Commonwealth. “We must put aside past disagreements, embrace this moment of opportunity and find common ground. We cannot grow by division. We can and will grow by working together to make Pennsylvania a leader among states.” (PoliticsPA)

US Supreme Court Turns Away Pennsylvania Mail-In Ballot Dispute. “The U.S. Supreme Court declined on Tuesday to hear a bid by civil and voting rights groups to end Pennsylvania’s mandate that mail-in ballots bear a handwritten date on the outer envelope, a requirement they contend is unnecessary and has resulted in needless disqualification of legitimate ballots.” (Reuters)

Trump Administration Directs All Federal Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Staff Be Put on Leave. “The memo directs agencies to place DEI office staffers on paid leave by 5 p.m. Wednesday and take down all public DEI-focused webpages by the same deadline.” (AP)

State

2. Fetterman Pushes to Make PA Housing Program a National Pilot

“An overwhelmingly popular house renovation program in Pennsylvania is once again being considered for a federal pilot program.

U.S. Sen. John Fetterman introduced legislation last week to create a nationwide pilot of Whole-Home Repairs, a popular state program that provides grants and forgivable loans to homeowners and small landlords who want to repair and weatherize their homes.” (City & State)

Elsewhere

Fetterman Does Best to Dispel Party Change Rumors. “I’m not just a Senator for Democrats – I’m a Senator for all Pennsylvanians,” tweeted Fetterman two weeks ago. “It’s my job to find common ground and deliver results for everybody.” (PoliticsPA)

Michelle Henry Reflects Back On Her Time As Attorney General. “Pennsylvania’s outgoing attorney general reflects back on her tenure and talks about being the freshly minted state inspector general.” (City & State)

Pennsylvania Gaming Revenues Hit Record High in 2024 for One Main Reason. “Pennsylvania gambling revenues soared to record heights in 2024, exceeding $6 billion for the first time thanks primarily to growth in online gaming.” (Beaver County Times)

Skill Games Regulation Back On the Table in PA. “A multi-year push to regulate and tax skill games in Pennsylvania got a jumpstart last week from its most vocal legislative proponent.” (The Center Square)

Residents Ordered to Pay $850,000 Bond to Appeal Ohio Derailment Settlement Vow Not to Give Up. “Residents challenging Norfolk Southern’s $600 million settlement for the disastrous East Palestine train crash have asked a court to reject a judge’s order requiring them to put up an $850,000 bond to continue their appeal for higher compensation and more information about the contamination.” (AP)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Northampton County Executive Says He Won’t Seek Another Term

“Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure will not seek reelection this year, he said Tuesday, likely setting off a pitched fight to succeed him.

The announcement marks a reversal for McClure, who said as early as November 2023 and as recently as December that he would run again this year.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Elsewhere

‘Are We Really a Country of Law and Order?’: Pardon of Western PA Jan. 6 Rioters Draws Divided Reactions. “Four years ago, Winston Pingeon stood shoulder to shoulder with his fellow officers, the only line of defense between a vicious mob that vastly outnumbered them and the U.S. Capitol Building. Even now, the memories of that violent day still linger for Mr. Pingeon, 31.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Investigation of Voter Registration Fraud in Lancaster County Moved to PA AG’s Office. “The Pennsylvania Attorney General’s office has taken over investigations of alleged fraudulent voter registration applications submitted in several counties ahead of the 2024 presidential election, officials confirmed Tuesday.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

$1M From The State Prevented This Rural Hospital From Closing, But Its Troubles Aren’t Over. “Like other rural hospitals, Bucktail Medical Center in rural Clinton County has faced financial and operational challenges.” (Spotlight PA)

Commonwealth University Clearfield Location to Close Following Spring 2027 Semester. “The university cited declining enrollment and “the need for significant investments in the Clearfield location were key factors in this decision.”” (Clearfield Progress)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Gergely Seat Illustrates Importance of Respect With Lack of Majority. (Greensburg Tribune-Review)
• King Trump Threatens to Tear America Apart. (Trudy Rubin)
• American Oligarchy Begins as Trump Makes Billions While MAGA Gets Left Out in the Rain. (Will Bunch)
• The New Threat to Cities Like Pittsburgh. (Kelly McKinney)
• The Ignorance That Marks These Times Could Spell Our Doom. (Valerie Cruz)
• Want Your (Political) Independence? (Roxanne Patel Shepelavy)

1 Thing

5. World’s Top Snow Art

“The World Snow Sculpting Championship in Stillwater, Minn., crowned a new winner this past weekend.

🏆 Team Falcon of Mongolia beat out 11 competitors from across the globe with “Voice.” Team Taiwan’s “Whispers in the Breeze” nabbed the People’s Choice and Artists Choice awards.” (Axios)

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