👍 Make It A Terrific Tuesday. Thanks for being a subscriber of the PoliticsPA Playbook.

PA Weather
🌨️ North East | Rain and Snow, 38
☁️ Greencastle | Mostly Cloudy, 43
🌥️ Tannersville | Partly Sunny, 40

PA Sports
🏒 Penguins (11-10-3) | Philadelphia 1-2 (OT) | Wed. vs. Tampa Bay
🏒 Flyers (13-10-2) | Pittsburgh 2-1 (OT) | Thu vs. Arizona
🏀 Sixers (12-6) | Wed vs. Washington

What’s Happening
The 2023 Annual Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony takes place at 12:30 p.m.

Start Your Day Smart
Subscribe to the PoliticsPA Playbook. It’s free and gives you all today’s PA political headlines in an easy-to-read format. All by 8 AM.

Top Story

1. Shapiro Calls Incident During Philly Pro-Palestinian Rally “Blatant Antisemitism”

“After a ceremonial bill signing Monday morning in Bucks County, Gov. Josh Shapiro spoke forcefully on what he termed “blatant antisemitism” regarding an overnight incident at a Jewish-owned restaurant in Philadelphia.

“What we saw last night was not peaceful protest. What we saw last night, in my opinion, was blatant antisemitism. It was beyond peacefully protesting some policy difference in the Middle East.

“The purposeful gathering of a mob outside of a restaurant simply because it is owned by a Jewish person … It’s antisemitism, plain and simple.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Viral Chants At Goldie Draw Rebukes; Protest Organizers Say Criticism Detracts From Ceasefire Demand. “A viral protest chant that targeted an Israeli-owned falafel shop in Center City on Sunday has drawn criticism from President Joe Biden and Gov. Josh Shapiro, highlighted the challenges facing Jewish-owned restaurants, and added to an increasingly fraught political discourse around Israel during a time of war.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Man Accused Of Making Threats Against Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. “Blayk Bridges of Hyndman has been charged with making terroristic threats with the intent to terrorize another, according to WTAJ. The 25-year-old Bedford County man is currently in the Bedford County Jail.” (CBS Pittsburgh)

State

2. New PA House Rules Sought To Strengthen Bipartisanship. Insiders Say It Didn’t Work

“During the chaotic start to this year’s legislative session, Pennsylvania House Democrats used their new majority to pass a high-profile set of changes to chamber rules that backers said would make the government more productive and bipartisan.

Under the new rules, members of the minority party have more committee representation, while committee chairs have a stronger check on their ability to unilaterally sink bipartisan legislation.

But as the two-year session reaches the halfway mark, good-government advocates and Republican members of the state House minority caucus say nothing has changed. The majority party, observers said, is not any less powerful, and an increase in minority party bills is driven by Democrats’ goodwill — and could reverse anytime.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Shapiro Recommits To School Vouchers During ‘Business Matters’ Interview. “Months after a deal to create a state school voucher plan crumbled, Gov. Josh Shapiro reiterated his desire to make scholarships available to students in failing school districts during a local television appearance Monday.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

The Candidates Running For Pennsylvania Auditor General In 2024. “Next year, in addition to a bevy of high-profile races at the federal level, Pennsylvania voters will have the opportunity – and responsibility – of picking the state’s next auditor general. ” (City & State)

HD-160: Stare Announces Candidacy. “Community activist Carrie Stare announced her candidacy for the 160th Legislative District seat on Monday.” (PoliticsPA)

Hydrogen Hubs Face Scrutiny At Senate Dems Hearing. “Testifiers at an informational hearing on Monday pointed to application delays, costs, and efficacy as reasons to be cautious of the growing interest in hydrogen hubs as a method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Cumberland County Commissioner Leaves GOP

“Cumberland County commissioner Gary Eichelberger announced that he has left the Republican Party and changed his affiliation to independent.

‘Party leadership in [the] county has abandoned cornerstone Republican principles and has repeatedly and increasingly demonstrated overt hostility toward authentic conservatives, especially in its vicious opposition to my successful policies of smaller government and pro-taxpayer protections.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

State Senate Legislation Requiring Schools To Identify Sexual Content In Books, Class Material Currently Blocked In House. “Legislation recently passed by the state Senate could mean Lehigh Valley school districts would have to go through all of their school library books and classroom material to weed out content some state lawmakers have deemed “sexually explicit.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Delaware County Council Considering Five Percent Real Estate Tax Increase To Cover Years Of New Spending. “The Delaware County Council is considering a five percent tax increase for 2024 to raise about $10 million in new revenue as the recent years of expansive spending appear to be catching up with the county council.” (Broad + Liberty)

New Democrat-Led Board In Central Bucks Takes Control, Reverses Controversial Policies. “Among the first actions of the new board Monday were the hiring of a new solicitor, cutting back four controversial policies and starting a legal review of the more than $700,000 severance package for its outgoing superintendent approved just a few weeks earlier by the lame-duck board.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Residents Sue As Coraopolis Concrete Plant ‘Coats And Clogs Up Everything’  “The Bryan Materials Group is reviving an aging Coraopolis concrete plant, bringing back jobs and investing in the community. Residents have filed suit, claiming it’s a relentless source of dust and noise.” (Public Source)

Two Allentown Council Members To Bring Forward A Vote Of No Confidence In Mayor Matt Tuerk. “Council members Ed Zucal and Ce-Ce Gerlach authored a resolution on Wednesday’s agenda that would declare council has “no confidence” in Tuerk’s leadership as mayor. The vote would not require any specific action, but would be a symbolic show of City Council’s dissatisfaction with Tuerk’s leadership.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Intimidating Jewish Businesses Will Not End The Bombing In Gaza. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Four Ways PA Can Prepare For Climate Change. (Mathy Vathanaraj Stanislaus)
• 7 News Outlets Reimagining Political Journalism In Smart Ways. (Perry Bacon Jr.)
• Higher Ed Has Become a Threat to America. (John Ellis)
• Shapiro Imperils Electric Grid Reliability. (Lowman Henry)

1 Thing

5. Salted Caramel Coming to Farm Show

“The Pennsylvania Dairymen’s Association has announced that there will be a new flavor of Farm Show Milkshake for the 2024 Pennsylvania Farm Show.

Salted Caramel will be the new flavor for the farm show, as the Dairymen’s Association partners with Giant Food Markets in honor of its 100th anniversary.” (abc27)

Thanks for starting your morning with us.
Please invite your friends
to subscribe to the PoliticsPA Playbook