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What We’re Hearing
“Property taxes make up the majority of districts’ budgets, and many administrators testified [during education hearings] that charter payments are a big reason why property taxes must be so high.” – Rep. Pete Schweyer

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Top Story

1. Poll: Biden Leads Trump; Casey Holds Edge on McCormick

“President Joe Biden has a 7.5-point advantage over former President Donald Trump in Pennsylvania in a poll conducted by Susquehanna Polling & Research.

The same survey also showed that U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. has a 3.8-point edge over Republican challenger Dave McCormick.

The numbers for the 46th president are up from a Quinnipiac University poll conducted earlier in the month that showed Biden with a 49-46 lead and a marked improvement from a December poll conducted by the Muhlenberg College Institute of Public Opinion which saw Biden with a 42-41 advantage inside the +/- 6.5% margin of error.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Deluzio Launches Re-Election Bid With Little Fanfare, But Pledge To Serve District. “Congressman Chris Deluzio quietly launched his bid for re-election Tuesday evening, a rollout that had the workmanlike style that has characterized much of the Democrat’s approach to representing Pennsylvania’s 17th District. And he offered that focus as an antidote to the dysfunction that has provided much fodder for political headlines over the past year.” (WESA)

Rep. Thompson Says He’s Running For Re-Election. “U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson, chair of the House Agriculture Committee, said Tuesday he would seek another term in Congress. “If there was any question, today I am announcing my campaign to seek re-election to Congress,” said Mr. Thompson, 64. ” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

An Anti-Trump Republican Is Challenging Scott Perry In GOP Primary. “John Henry Newman, who is disturbed by U.S. Rep. Scott Perry’s role in attempting to overturn the 2020 election, plans to challenge the congressman in the Republican primary.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

• Scott Perry Draws GOP Primary Challenge Over His ‘Ridiculous’ Attempt To Overturn The 2020 Election. (The Keystone)

State

2. Long-Sought Charter School Changes On The Table As PA Lawmakers Plot Education Funding Overhaul

“Pennsylvania lawmakers are considering significant changes to the way charter schools are funded as they undertake a monumental overhaul of public education mandated by a court ruling.

More than 160,000 Pennsylvania students are enrolled in brick-and-mortar and cyber charter schools, with the latter’s enrollment having ballooned in recent years.

Tuition for these students is almost entirely funded by the public school districts in which they live. In conversations with Spotlight PA, key lawmakers on both sides of the aisle acknowledged that this arrangement leads to financial losses for districts, which can’t reduce costs enough to offset charter tuition.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

HD-201: Kinsey Says Current House Term Will Be His Last. “State Rep. Stephen Kinsey (D-Philadelphia) announced Tuesday that the current legislative term will be his last. Kinsey has served as state representative for the 201st Legislative District since 2013.” (PoliticsPA)

HD-139: Adams Decides Against Standing For Re-Election. “It won’t be twice as nice for state Rep. Joe Adams (R-Pike/Wayne). The freshman legislator announced Monday that he will not seek re-election due to medical news requiring him to focus his care on his family.” (PoliticsPA)

Former Sen. Daylin Leach Settles Defamation Suit With The Philadelphia Inquirer. “The saying goes, “Never argue with someone who buys ink by the barrel.” But in this case, former Democratic state Sen. Daylin Leach has prevailed, although his political career is over.” (DV Journal)

American Lung Association Flunks PA In Newest Tobacco Control Report. “Pennsylvania has again received a failing grade from the American Lung Association in an annual report on tobacco control. The Keystone State received two Ds and three Fs in the five categories studied by the health organization in the “State of Tobacco Control 2024.” (CNHI News)

Around The Commonwealth

3. After First Fighting ‘Extremist’ Policies In Bucks County, Coalition Launches To Help School Boards Across The State

“Community members worried about school board proposals to limit library books or police the participation of transgender students now have a statewide group to help fight those policies.

Pennsylvanians for Welcoming and Inclusive Schools (PA WInS), a coalition of advocacy groups including Education Voters PA, the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, and the Education Law Center, initially formed in late 2022 to combat “extremist” board policies in Bucks County.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Cumberland County Constable Removed From Office After Trying To Commandeer Voting Machines. “Judge Edward Guido stripped Troy Beam of his office after a Tuesday morning hearing on Beam’s efforts to intervene and inspect voting machines at four different polling places in the county’s western end last November.” (PennLive)

PA Lawmakers Hear Complaints About Soaring Water And Sewer Rates, And A Law ‘All About Money. Big Money.’ “A rebellion among frustrated water and sewer ratepayers — including some in Butler County — has state lawmakers talking about changing or getting rid of a 2016 law that observers say has fueled corporate takeovers of the systems and much higher rates.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Candidate Announcements

• SD-27: State Sen. Lynda Culver Announces Re-Election Bid. (CNHI News)
• HD-85: Newcomer Announces Candidacy for PA House District 85. (WKOK)
• HD-136: State Rep. Bob Freeman Announces Re-Election Bid. (LehighValleyNews.com)
• HD-136: Easton Councilwoman Announces Run For State House Seat. (LehighValleyNews.com)
• HD-141: State Rep. Davis Announces Re-Election Bid. (Levittown Now)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Nikki Haley Was an Illusion. It Just Shattered. (Frank Bruni)
• The Big Winner Of The 2024 GOP Primaries Was The ‘Big Lie’. (Ramesh Ponnuru)
• Will Voters Punish Total Incompetence? House Republicans Are About To Find Out. (Walter Shapiro)
• Shapiro Must Step Up, Be A Champion For Public Schools. (Jackie Huff, Donna Smith)
• Do You Own The Things You Buy? Thanks To Congress, It Depends. (Kyle Sammin)
• A Democratic Resurgence In Franklin County? These Could Be The Reasons Why It Could Happen. (Bill Gindlesperger)
• Programs For Parents Who Want Educational Alternatives. (Rep. Joshua Kail)
• Congress Needs To Pass Legislation To Keep Low-Income Americans On The Internet. (Steven J. Samara)
• Who Is Better At Election Predictions, Pundits Or Psychics? (Thom Nickels)
• State Betting on Gambling Addiction. (Chris Kelly)

1 Thing

5. Swifties May Be Able To Sway 2024 Elections: All Taylor Swift Has To Do Is Say The Word

“Pop superstar Taylor Swift might have helped register enough voters in a single day last September to swing close races in multiple states, with turnout experts predicting a strong youth vote for the 2024 presidential election.

“The younger generation is really starting to connect the dots between what they care about and participation numbers,” said Andrea Hailey, the CEO of nonpartisan Vote.org, which registered 279,400 new voters last year. “When you have someone registering 30,000 votes at a time it absolutely can have an impact.” (USA Today)

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