🙂 Monday, Monday

PA Weather
Pittsburgh | Showers, Breezy, 52
Harrisburg | Partly Sunny, then Wintry Mix, 44
Philadelphia | Increasing Clouds, 46

PA Sports
76ers (39-20) | lost to Boston, 110-107 | MON vs. Miami
Penguins (29-21-9) | d. Tampa Bay, 7-3 | TUE vs. Nashville
Flyers (23-28-10) | lost to New Jersey, 7-0 | WED vs. NY Rangers

What We’re Hearing
U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy will hold a fundraiser for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, the co-chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus, on March 29.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Aria Austin of Sen. John Fetterman’s office.

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Top Story

1. Pressure Mounts For PA Senate to Provide Child Sexual Abuse Survivors With Chance For Justice

“House Speaker Mark Rozzi received applause Friday in the Capitol Rotunda from a large gathering of Democratic colleagues after the legislature took a major step toward his decade-long promise to deliver justice for survivors of childhood sexual abuse.

The Berks County Democrat, a victim of clergy sex abuse as an adolescent, said, “I want to say to all the victims and survivors out there that we have your backs. We will support you.” (PennLive)

Related

Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Window Again Gets PA Lawmakers’ OK. “Victims would be able to sue over otherwise outdated claims of child sexual abuse under two pieces of legislation passed Friday by the Pennsylvania House, but it’s unclear whether the state Senate will take them up.” (AP)

House Passes Child Sex Abuse Lawsuit Window. “It took a special session, but Mark Rozzi (D-Berks) got what he wanted.” (PoliticsPA)

Harrisburg

2. A Conversation With Josh Shapiro

“No bills have come across Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk during his first month in office.

But he’s kept busy.

The new Democratic governor has worked to cast himself as a leader willing to reach across the aisle in a deeply polarized state. And he’s put time into boosting his national profile, too — giving interviews to Fox News and the Washington Post shortly after taking office, and going to the Super Bowl in Arizona.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

PA House Prepares to Consider Delayed Rules. “Pennsylvania House Speaker Mark Rozzi says he will introduce chamber rules this week that would give Republicans more power to set the legislative agenda, even though they are now the minority party.” (Spotlight PA)

PA Senator Hospitalized While Returning From Hearing On Train Derailment. “A 39-year-old state senator from Montgomery County was hospitalized overnight after falling ill while returning from a Thursday committee hearing on the toxic train disaster that occurred in East Palestine, Ohio.” (PennLive)

More Farmland Protected in Chester County and In PA. “Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration announced this week that Pennsylvania protected 3,047 acres on 32 farms in 21 counties from future residential or commercial development.” (West Chester Daily Local)

PA Treasurer Urges More Attention Be Paid to Mail-In Voters. “State Treasurer Stacy Garrity called on fellow Republicans to embrace mail-in ballots and organize a better ground game to avoid key political losses as the party did last year to Democrats, especially in the U.S. Senate and governor races.” (Williamsport Sun-Gazette)

Graduating In PA Is About To Get More Complicated. Are Schools Ready? “Pittsburgh Public Schools and other districts statewide are now four months from facing the first big test of Act 158, which introduces four alternative pathways for graduation that students can take instead of gaining a score of proficient on all three Keystone exams.” (Public Source)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Insiders, Progressives and Underdogs: How The Race For Allegheny Exec Shapes Up

“Democrats running for Allegheny County’s top job are making their opening arguments.

Less than three months before the May 16 primary, the crowded field means it’s too early for a single front-runner, party operatives watching the race say. Four of the seven candidates have separated themselves from the pack with big campaign fundraising hauls. But those contenders still need to reach beyond their core supporters to energize the broader Democratic coalition, campaign veterans say.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Ups and Downs for Feb. 20-24. “As the special session in Harrisburg winds to a close, it’s time to look back at the week that was with our Ups and Downs.”  (PoliticsPA)

Fox Media Analyst Says Network Won’t Let Him Cover Dominion Lawsuit. “Fox News host Howard Kurtz said on Sunday that the network will not allow him to cover the defamation lawsuit filed by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox.” (The Hill)

Experts: Senate Job Not to Blame For Fetterman Health Concerns. “The eyes of the country were watching Democratic U.S. Sen. John Fetterman as the former Braddock mayor and Pennsylvania lieutenant governor took office in January, just months after his recovery from a life-threatening stroke.” (Tribune-Review)

City Hall Is About To See Some Serious Turnover That Will Determine The Direction of Philadelphia Government. “If you’re not a fan of what’s been happening at City Hall recently, 2024 could be your year.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

With Major Medicaid Changes Ahead, Advocates Want to See Increased Staffing For Assistance Offices. “A group of health advocacy organizations are asking the state to improve staffing at county assistance offices, as well as to make other administrative changes the advocates say will lessen the likelihood of people losing their health coverage once the state starts “unwinding” its pandemic-era Medical Assistance.” (WESA)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

• Sexual Harassment Threatens Too Many Female Lobbyists In PA’s Capital. (Jennifer Riley, PennLive)
• Look to Mayors Past For a Guide to Philadelphia’s Future. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Mayor Gainey Needs New Team to Turn Things Around. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Ron DeSantis’ Blue-Collar Roots in Western PA. (Salena Zito, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• What’s Wrong With Electing Judges? Let’s Start With Everything. (Dick Polman, PA Capital-Star)
• The Burden of PA Taxes. (Tribune-Review)
• Standardize Voting Access. Make It Easy. (Times-Tribune)

1 Thing

5. Love In The Steel City?

Looking for love in all the wrong places? Try Pennsylvania. According to a recent study, two Pennsylvania cities are among the best in the country for singles. They also named the No. 1 city in Pennsylvania to date and find that special someone. Who’s No 1? Pittsburgh. (WMMR.com)

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