Happy Monday. Will it be a quiet few days leading up to the holiday?

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What We’re Hearing
“Those who have wanted to sow division and doubt in the integrity of our elections have blocked the most simple election reform we can do.” – Matt Bradford, D-Montgomery

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Eric Nelson.

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Top Story

1. DOS: Full Speed Ahead On Special Elections In February

The Pennsylvania Department of State says it is moving forward with its plans for special elections in February to fill three vacancies in the state House.

The DOS and acting Secretary of the Commonwealth Leigh Chapman filed a 17-page response to the lawsuit filed by House Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) in his quest to stop the February 7 date for special elections in the 32nd, 34th and 35th House Districts. (Associated Press)

Related

Republicans Pick Nominees For Three Open State House Seats In Allegheny County. “The Republican Committee of Allegheny County selected nominees Saturday for special elections next year to fill three vacant state House of Representatives seats.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

PA Republicans Fight To Prolong House Majority And Pass Far-Reaching Constitutional Amendments. “Republicans in Pennsylvania’s state House could hold a functional majority until at least mid-February thanks to Democratic vacancies — and they’re considering using that advantage to pass a handful of far-reaching constitutional amendments.” (Spotlight PA)

One County Remains In Certifying Election Results. “Five weeks after the conclusion of the 2022 general election, there is still one county that has yet to certify its election results in the Keystone State.” (PoliticsPA)

Harrisburg

2. What’s In PA Republicans Package Of Constitutional Amendments?

“During the 2021-22 legislative session, the Republican-controlled House and Senate approved five proposed changes to the Pennsylvania Constitution. If the proposals are passed by the Legislature again in the 2023-24 session, they will be sent to the voters for their approval.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Related

Voting Laws Are On The Agenda For The PA Legislature, But Neither Party Will Get Their Full Wish List. “Pennsylvania lawmakers agree on one thing: the commonwealth needs to rewrite its election laws. Then, the disagreements start.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)Past Opening Day Shockers In Harrisburg. “John Perzel, a Republican, was stone faced on the House floor as the coup unfolded to remove him from the speakership and replace him with a nominal Republican, Dennis O’Brien.That scene from January 2007 was a lesson that things don’t always go as planned on swearing in day in the Pennsylvania General Assembly.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Bucks Among GOP’s Four Must-Win Counties In 2024

“In the four battleground states likely to decide the outcome of the next presidential election, clawing back swing-voter support in the suburbs will be the key to unlocking a Republican revival.

The epicenter of any GOP comeback in Pennsylvania starts in Bucks County.” (Axios)

Related

And Then There Were Nine. “State Rep. Amen Brown launched his campaign for Philadelphia mayor on Friday, becoming the ninth Democrat to join the mayoral field that could shape up to be the largest in decades.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Feud Escalates In PA County Government; Controller Claims Fiscal Records Are ‘In Shambles.’ “The ongoing feud between the Lycoming County controller and commissioners has escalated with the controller claiming the county fiscal records “are sadly in shambles.” (PennLive)

Westmoreland Elected Officials To Receive Record Raises. “Westmoreland County elected officials are getting huge raises in 2023.Commissioners, along with row officers and judges, will receive 7.8% higher wages next year under an existing pay structure put in place more than two decades ago to ensure the county’s election officials receive annual cost of living increases.” (Tribune-Review)

Easton Councilman Announces He’s Running For Mayor. “A longtime Easton councilman announced he’s running to unseat the even-longer-serving mayor. Democrat Peter Melan said he’ll take on Mayor Sal Panto Jr. in the 2023 election.” (LehighValleyLive)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Republicans Play Dirty In Power Struggle For PA State House. (Paul Muschick, Morning Call)
• New Caucus Raises Plenty Of Questions. (York Dispatch)
• We Can’t Forget The Health Dangers Of Fracking. (Joseph Otis Minnott, PA Capital-Star)
• The Real Losers In The Fight Over The PA House Are The Voters. (Ray Landis, PA-Capital-Star)
• Keller’s Disturbing, Disappointing Turn. (Daily Item)
• American Democracy Proves Resilient. (David Shribman, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• PA House Only Needs To Look At History To Find Bipartisanship It So Solely Lacks. (Mark S. Singel, PennLive)
• McClinton Can No More Declare Herself Speaker Than Trump Can Declare Himself President. (Jennifer Stefano, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Cutler’s Power Grab On Special Elections Disenfranchises W. PA Voters. Here’s Why. (Marc Stier, PA Capital-Star)

1 Thing

5. Bottoms Up

The Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board released its 2021-22 Fiscal Year Report recently. 

While the top three counties – Allegheny, Philadelphia and Montgomery – accounted for 35 percent of statewide sales, Adams County saw the largest increase in sales by 12.37 percent. 

Philadelphia and Washington counties were tied for second with a 9.17% rise in sales, while Center (6.97%) and Franklin (5.22%) rounded out the top five.

The largest percentage decrease in sales? Potter County (23.40%).

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