Good Thursday Morning.

PA Weather
Conneaut Lake | Sunny, 63
Mifflintown | Mostly Sunny, 65
Kennett Square | Partly Sunny, 62

PA Sports
Pirates (17-8) | LA Dodgers, 8-1 | Th vs. LA Dodgers
Phillies (12-13) | Seattle 6-5 | Th vs. Seattle
Union (CONCACAF) | LAFC 1-1 | Tue vs. LAFC
76ers | Next: Celtics/Hawks

What We’re Hearing
“Look, we’re passing things — big things. Isn’t that a sign of success” – Rep. Scott Perry assessing Kevin McCarthy’s leadership.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Sen. Carolyn Comitta.

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Top Story

1. House GOP Passes Debt Limit Package

“House Republicans narrowly passed legislation Wednesday pairing nearly $4.8 trillion in deficit reduction measures with a debt limit increase into next year — a move they argue should force Democrats to finally negotiate conditions for raising the nation’s borrowing limit.

The 222-member House GOP conference largely unified around the bill after weeks of tense negotiations, including last-minute changes leadership reluctantly agreed to include in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.

“There is no way Congress will agree to 10 years of destructive caps and the biggest single cut to nondefense programs in American history,” House Budget ranking member Brendan F. Boyle, D-Pa., said during the debate.” (Roll Call)

Related

Lee, Deluzio Blast Republican Measure To Cut Spending, Raise Debt Limit. “The Pittsburgh region’s two newest U.S. House members slammed the debt ceiling bill Speaker Kevin McCarthy barely muscled through the Republican-led chamber on Wednesday afternoon.” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Harrisburg City Councilwoman Shamaine Daniels To Repeat Bid For Congress In 10th District. “U.S. Rep Scott Perry is less than four months into his sixth term in Congress. But he’s already started picking up opponents for a seventh.” (PennLive)

Meet The New Race, Same As The Old Race. “It’s not just the candidates who could look the same next fall. The battleground of states is likely to look familiar as well.” (Roll Call)

There’s A New Push To Make PA’s Primary Elections Open To Independents. “More than 1.2 million registered voters can’t take part in Pennsylvania’s “closed” party primary elections. A bipartisan pair of state senators say changing that is crucial to restoring healthy political discussion.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. What Will PA House Democrats Do With A Majority? First, They’re Moving Long-Stalled Priority Bills

“Pennsylvania Democrats used the first full week of session since they solidified their majority in the state House to make their priorities clear: They intend to pass long-requested changes to election administration and anti-discrimination laws.

Committees in the House considered dozens of bills this week, and sent more than 40 to the floor for votes by the full chamber. Democrats argue the half-dozen GOP-sponsored proposals they included in that blitz show they intend to run the chamber in a bipartisan way.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

House Judiciary Moves Four Bills That Could Expand State’s Gun Laws. “Could lawmakers be moving closer to an actual debate on firearms policies in the Commonwealth? Yes, and it could happen sooner than later.” (PoliticsPA)

• Gun Control Measures Advance In PA House. (AP)

Your Insurance Must Soon Cover Genetic Testing And MRIs – Including Copays – For Breast Cancer Screenings In PA. “People across Pennsylvania at high risk for breast cancer will soon be able to get necessary screenings covered entirely by their insurance — including their copay and deductible — that advocates say will save lives by detecting the cancer earlier.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Senate Confirms Another Of Shapiro’s Cabinet Nominees. “By a near unanimous vote, Major General Mark Schindler was confirmed on Wednesday by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as Pennsylvania’s adjutant general, becoming the second member of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Cabinet to lose “acting” before his title.” (PennLive)

PA Legislature Takes First Step Toward Banning Supervised Injection Sites Statewide. “Supervised injection or safe consumption sites are places people could go to use illegal drugs while being monitored by medical experts. They have become a thorny and contentious neighborhood-by-neighborhood issue — but the decision may be taken out of local hands and put into the state’s.” (WHYY)

Transgender Health Becomes Flash Point In Debate About PA Anti-Discrimination Bill. “A day after a Pennsylvania House of Representatives committee voted to advance anti-discrimination protections for sexual orientation and gender identity, Democratic state Rep. Emily Kinkead drew the attention of a conservative outlet for comments she made shortly before the vote.” (WESA)

PA Lawmaker Tossed From Capitol Office Gets New Space, But Worries It May Be Temporary. “A Republican lawmaker tossed from his Capitol office space for being seen as too cozy with Democrats has a place to work again – even if it’s in a converted conference located in the Siberia of the statehouse.” (PennLive)

Kaiser Permanente To Acquire Geisinger; Danville Health Provider To Retain Name And Mission. “Geisinger Health will be acquired by Kaiser Permanente, a large California-based health care group, and will become the first health system to join Risant Health in a move the companies said will achieve better health care outcomes, improve affordability and expand access to value-based care in more communities across the country.” (News Item)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Rendell Endorses Rhynhart, Becoming Third Former Mayor To Back Her

“Ed Rendell, a former district attorney who was elected mayor in 1991, said that while other candidates are “excellent public servants,” Rebecca Rhynhart “has the greatest depth and broadest experience in the government’s executive branch.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Rendell Endorses Rhynhart For Philly Mayor. “She’s three-for-three. Rebecca Rhynhart picked up her third endorsement from a former Philadelphia mayor in her quest to win the Democratic nomination for the same position.” (PoliticsPA)

• Why Ed Rendell Is For Rhynhart. (Philadelphia Citizen)
• Rhynhart Says She Once Defended Nutter-Era Budget Cuts. But She Says She Wasn’t Responsible For Them. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• United We Dream Endorses Helen Gym For Philadelphia Mayor. (Al Dia News)

Who Should Dems Pick As Nominee For Allegheny County Executive? “It’s the most powerful position in Allegheny County politics. And we want to know what you think.” (PoliticsPA)

Republican Senator Cosigns $15 Minimum Wage. “The blue wave of support for a higher minimum wage in Pennsylvania turned a slight shade of purple on Friday.” (Broad + Liberty)

Meet The Candidates

• Chester County: Who’s Running For Office? (PoliticsPA)
• Meet The Candidates For Allentown City Council. (Morning Call)
• Erie County Council Race: (Erie News-Times)

Northampton County Council President Swaps Parties. “Kerry Myers, who in January became the first Black person to serve as council president, accused County Executive Lamont McClure of political maneuvering to force him from office.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

Editorial

• The Petty Animosity Of Political Ballot Challenges. (Tribune-Review)
• Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Utility Commission Nominee Is The Right Pick – But Faces Challenges. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Trim Benefit Costs With Wage Increase. (Times-Tribune)

Opinion

• If Americans Don’t Want Biden vs. Trump, Why Are We Headed Toward Biden vs. Trump? (John Baer)
• ALS Is Not An Incurable Disease – It’s An Underfunded One. (Rep. Louis Schmitt)
• The Crazy Candidate Will Lose In 2024. (Rich Lowry)
• Helen Gym, Jane Fonda, And The Media’s Double Standards. (Christine Flowers)
• PA’s Energy Future, Hidden Behind A Locked Door. (David Galluch)
• Shapiro Should Deliver On Most Popular, Bipartisan Campaign Promise – School Choice. (Rep. Joe D’Orsie)

1 Thing

5. Who Knew? Dairy Cows Love Hershey’s Chocolate

“An unmistakable smell swirled in the dusty air during a recent, windy morning on a Lancaster County dairy farm.

Red Knob Farm, a dairy operation a few miles north of the Maryland state line, is home to more than 1,500 cows, so there was that odor to contend with, of course. Workers had recently uncovered a large swath of winter rye that had been pickling under plastic too, but there was something more subtle wafting around, beyond the barns.

It was a brown powder, piled high inside a commodity shed. If you looked close enough, there were flecks of orange and yellow. It smelled sweet, like chocolate: Hershey’s Kit Kat to be specific.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

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