Good Monday morning Pennsylvania. Good morning Greg and others met at the PA Society. Promise made is a promise kept.

PA Weather
Ebensburg | Mostly Sunny, 44
Lebanon | Increasing Clouds, 47
Bethlehem | Sunny, 47

PA Sports
Eagles (11-1) | Tennessee, W 35-10
Steelers (5-7) | Atlanta, W 19-16
76ers (12-11) | MON vs. Houston
Flyers (8-12-5) | MON vs. Colorado
Penguins (13-8-4) | TUE vs. Columbus

What We’re Hearing
“We have to now recognize it’s a legal means of voting in our state,” state Republican chair Lawrence Tabas said. “We cannot allow the mail-in ballot to be ignored.”

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Top Story

1. Who’s The Boss?

When is a one-vote majority not a majority?

That is the question in Harrisburg as Democrats and Republicans spar over control of the state House.

Democrats won a 102-101 majority in the election last month, but with special elections in the offing to fill vacancies, that math changes with no precedent to guide the body. (Spotlight PA)

Related

McClinton On Verge Of Becoming First Black Female PA House Speaker. “On the verge of becoming the Speaker of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, state Rep. Joanna McClinton, D-191st District, said in a statement that the body would work to advance a “People First” agenda.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

PA Lawmakers Float Nearly 200 Ideas For New Laws, But Power Struggle In House Complicates Route To Passage. “State lawmakers, most of them fresh off election victories, have unleashed a flood of 197 ideas for new laws, but an ongoing power struggle in the House may complicate their path to becoming actual legislation.” (Morning Call)

PA Society

2. Out Of The Smoke, A Mayoral Candidate Emerges

“Amen Brown packed a smoke-filled room Friday evening with vestiges of wealth and power, past and present, as his plans to run for mayor in Philadelphia became clear.

The West Philadelphia state representative’s candidacy, expected to be announced Thursday, was made public by a deep-pocketed supporter, New York real estate developer Marty Burger. Brown’s event was part of Pennsylvania Society, the annual gathering in Manhattan of the state’s political class.

Three sources who have heard Burger’s pitch for Brown said he has vowed to launch a super PAC seeded with as much as $5 million.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Philly Mayoral Candidates Speak on LGBTQ Rights. “The Philadelphia Gay News reached out to the seven mayoral candidates — Jeff Brown, James DeLeon, Allan Domb, Derek Green, Cherelle Parker, Maria Quiñones-Sánchez and Rebecca Rhynhart — about where they stand on LGBTQ rights.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

In The Race For Philly Mayor, Derek Green Is Coming Out Swinging. “The former councilmember put out a biting statement about the latest entrant into the crowded Democratic field.” (Billy Penn)

Climate Protesters Target a PA Society Tradition. “About a dozen activists with Pennsylvania Action on Climate traveled to New York on Saturday morning to protest the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association annual event, chanting, “You take bribes! The planet dies!” as attendees filed into the Metropolitan Club.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Courts

3. The Single Most Important Case On – And For – American Democracy

The theory of the “Independent State Legislature” goes before the Supreme Court on Wednesday.

At stake – increasing the power of state lawmakers over elections for Congress and the presidency at the expense of voters. (Associated Press)

Related

Fetterman’s Top Aide Called For Dems To Brand Amy Coney Barrett’s SCOTUS Nomination ‘Illegitimate’ “Sen.-elect John Fetterman’s, D-Pa., incoming chief of staff vehemently pushed for Democrats to brand Supreme Court Justice Amy Coney Barrett’s nomination as “illegitimate” in order to pave the way for eventually eliminating the filibuster and packing more seats on the court.” (Fox News)

Defamation Suit Against Fox Grown More Contentious. “Lachlan Murdoch, the chief executive of the Fox Corporation, is expected to be deposed on Monday as part of a $1.6 billion defamation lawsuit against Fox News for amplifying bogus claims that rigged machines from Dominion Voting Systems were responsible for Donald J. Trump’s defeat in 2020.” (New York Times)

Around The Commonwealth

Cartwright Headed Back To DC With Chance At More Influence. “Co-chairman of the House Democratic Policy and Communications Committee for the last four years, Matt Cartwright will head back to the Capitol with an opportunity to move up in the Democratic leadership.” (Times-Tribune)

Vows To Reject Corporate PAC Money On The Rise For The Incoming Congress. “In the 118th Congress, a growing contingent of lawmakers is telling corporate PACs: We don’t want your cash. ” (Roll Call)

Philly DA Krasner Sues To Stop Lawmakers From Impeaching Him. “Philadelphia’s elected prosecutor asked a state court Friday to halt a Republican-led effort to remove him from office, arguing that the process ended when the Legislature’s two-year session ran out earlier in the week.” (WHYY)

Non-Religious Voters Wield Clout, Tilt Heavily Democratic. “When members of the small Pennsylvania chapter of Secular Democrats of America log on for their monthly meetings, they’re not there for a virtual happy hour.” (Associated Press)

With PA 21-22 Session Closed, A Look At Work By Area Legislators. “There were more than 4,000 bills and 600 resolutions proposed in the state House and Senate, the two chambers that constitute Pennsylvania’s General Assembly. Here’s a look back at the outcomes of legislation proposed by area lawmakers.” (Tribune-Democrat)

Opinion

• Dems, GOP Unite To Sell Out The American Worker. Maybe We Need A Labor Party. (Will Bunch, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Remembering Tony Auth. (Signe Wilkinson, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• How Changing Circumstances And Timeless Values Shaped PA’s New Legislative Maps. (Mark Nordenberg, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Wawa Versus Sheetz. A Question Of Regional Identity? Or Is It Just The Food? (Roger DuPuis, Times-Leader)
• Doug Mastriano Conceded The Election. Why Hasn’t He Called On His Supporters To Drop Their Challenges? (Paul Muschick, Morning Call)
• Get Ready For 2023 Local Elections. (Gary Stout, Observer-Reporter)
• It’s Time To Take Down Election Signs. (Jane Smith, Meadville Tribune)

1 Thing

State Football Title Games Set

The PIAA football championship matchups are set in each of the six classifications. All games will be played at Chapman Field at Cumberland Valley High School in Mechanicsburg.

1A: Steelton-Highspire (District 3) vs. Union (District 7), THU 1:00
2A: Southern Columbia (4) vs. Westinghouse (7), FRI 1:00
3A: Neumann-Goretti (12) vs. Belle Vernon (7), SAT 1:00
4A: Bishop McDevitt (3) vs. Aliquippa (7), THU 7:00
5A: Imhotep Charter (12) vs. Pine Richland (7), FRI 7:00
6A: St. Joseph’s Prep (12) vs. Harrisburg (3), SAT 7:00