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FBI Seizes Perry’s Phone. Mastriano Cuts Jan. 6 Interview Short. Two Super PACs put millions into Senate Race.  Here is the Playbook. 

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Top Story

1. Trump ally Rep. Scott Perry says the FBI seized his cellphone one day after Mar-a-Lago raid

“Republican Rep. Scott Perry of Pennsylvania says that the FBI has confiscated his cellphone.

Perry, in an exclusive statement, told Fox News on Tuesday that while traveling with his family earlier in the day, he was approached by three FBI agents who handed him a warrant and requested that he turn over his cellphone.

The confiscation of the congressman’s personal phone comes one day after FBI agents searched former President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.” (Fox News)

Related

Pa. Rep. Scott Perry says FBI took his cellphone after Trump property search: report
“Pennsylvania Rep. Scott Perry told Fox News that the FBI confiscated his cellphone on Tuesday. According to the network, Perry said he was traveling with his family when he was approached by three FBI agents who had a warrant for his phone.” (PennLive)

U.S. Rep. Scott Perry says the FBI seized his cell phone on Tuesday
“U.S. Rep. Scott Perry said Tuesday that FBI agents had seized his cell phone, making the York County Republican the latest ally of former President Donald Trump to find himself drawn into a widening Justice Department probe.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Governor

2. Pa. governor candidate Doug Mastriano shuts down Jan. 6th committee deposition in dispute over recording, rules

“Pennsylvania’s Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano abruptly ended a scheduled deposition today with the House Select Committee investigating the circumstances surrounding the Jan. 6th, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of former President Donald J. Trump.

Next up? He plans to go to court with a direct challenge to the committee’s deposition authority.” (PennLive)

Related

PA House Speaker Cutler says he won’t back alternate electors’ scheme if Mastriano is elected
“House Speaker Bryan Cutler said Tuesday he would object to any attempts by state Sen. Doug Mastriano to appoint alternate electors in Pennsylvania as a scheme to block a Democratic win in the 2024 presidential race.” (LNP | LancasterOnline)

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is coming to Pittsburgh to stump for Doug Mastriano, but their event’s exact location is a mystery
“Organizers had originally said the event would be held at David L. Lawrence Convention Center, but there appeared to be a scheduling conflict. The nation’s largest progressive political convention — Netroots Nation — has the Convention Center booked next week through the weekend. Now, the DeSantis event’s location is listed as “to be announced” on its webpage for ticket sales.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

U.S. Senate

3. Two super PACs are pouring tens of millions into Pennsylvania for Oz and Fetterman ads

“Pennsylvania was already expected to have one of the most expensive Senate races in the country. Now two super PACs are spending big bucks booking TV time.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Oz, Mastriano rip FBI search of Trump’s home while Democrats focus social media attacks elsewhere
“Republican candidates for Pennsylvania governor and U.S. senator had harsh words on Tuesday about the FBI’s search of former President Donald Trump’s Florida home.” (PennLive)

Around the Commonwealth

Pa. Planned Parenthood sees an uptick in out-of-staters seeking abortion access
“Pennsylvania has begun to see an uptick in the number of women traveling from states where abortion access is banned or restricted to seek care in the post-Roe v. Wade era.” (PennLive)

Congressman Fitzpatrick, Former FBI Agent, Comments On Search Warrant Execution At President Trump’s Residence
“Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said he will “get to the truth” following FBI special agents executing a search warrant at former President Donald Trump’s home in Florida.” (Levittown Now)

Pa. state senator introduces hospital reform legislation to address ‘destabilizing effect’ from recent closures
“A state senator who represents Chester County plans to introduce legislation to address the flurry of hospital closures and service shutdowns that have swept through the region in recent years.” (WHYY)

Gov. Tom Wolf, CMU President Farnam Jahanian among Pennsylvanians at Biden’s signing of ‘CHIPS and Science’ bill
“Prominent Pennsylvanians attended President Joe Biden’s signing of the CHIPS and Science Act, a new law that directs billions to spur domestic semiconductor manufacturing and could potentially unlock billions more for scientific research.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Pa. Department of Labor and Industry ends vocational rehab waitlist
“A waitlist for job training opportunities for people with disabilities has been lifted across Pennsylvania. This week, the state’s Department of Labor and Industry has opened up more vocational rehabilitation services.” (WLVR)

Pa. average gas price could fall below $4 by late August, analyst says
“The national average price of gasoline could go below $4 per gallon as soon as today as prices fall for an eighth straight week, industry analyst Patrick De Haan said. Pennsylvania has about a 60% chance of falling below $4 by late August, De Haan said.” (Pittsburgh Tribune-Review)

Commentary  

• The state budget rightly dedicated $200 million to school safety and youth mental health (David Hein, PennLive)
• Pa. is home to more racist incidents than any other state (Andrew Goretsky, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Voters get a win in state Supreme Court decision upholding no-excuse mail-in voting in Pennsylvania (LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board)
• After an FBI search of Trump’s estate, the GOP dangerously closes ranks (Inquirer Editorial Board)
• Let the story of the 4,000 beagles be a cautionary tale for Pennsylvania (Jenny DeHuff, City & State PA)