🌧️ Greetings, Tuesday. Stay weather-wise today and tomorrow.

PA Weather
🌧️ Irwin | Rain, Windy, 51
🌧️Williamsport | Rain, Breezy, 46
🌧️Catasauqua | Rain, Breezy, 47

PA Sports
🏀 Sixers (23-12) | Wed vs. Atlanta
🏒 Flyers (20-14-6) | Pittsburgh 1-4 | Wed vs. Montreal
🏒 Penguins (20-15-4) | Philadelphia 4-1 | Thu vs. Vancouver

What We’re Hearing
“You are going to see those price tags in the half-million dollar range, and that won’t be considered extraordinary.” – Chris Borick

Start Your Week Smart
The PoliticsPA Playbook gives you all today’s PA political headlines in an easy-to-read format. All by 8 AM. And it’s free. Subscribe now.

Top Story

1. Control Of PA House Up For Grabs In 2024 Election As Both Parties Prepare For A Slugfest

“Though state House candidates won’t start filing nominating petitions for a couple of more weeks, the 2024 election battle for control of the Pennsylvania chamber — currently tied at 101-101 — already looks like it will be a steel cage affair.

“Pennsylvania is one of our top targets,” Abhi Rahman, spokesperson for the national Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said Thursday.

Nominating petitions can be filed starting Jan. 23. Candidates’ campaign spending in such races can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Chris Borick, a professor of political science at Muhlenberg College, said that’s sure to happen this year.” (Morning Call)

Related

McCormick Brings U.S. Senate Candidacy To PA Farm Show. “Republican Senate candidate David McCormick worked to cement a vital part of his base in this year’s U.S. Senate race in Pennsylvania – rural voters – with a visit to the Pennsylvania Farm Show in Harrisburg Monday.” (PennLive)

A Year of GOP Dysfunction Ends With Democrats Lee, Deluzio Talking About Accomplishments. “Remember how Congress rolled into 2023? You’re forgiven if you’ve erased it from memory.” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

From The Editor: About Our New Partnership. “To those who are disappointed with our move, I respectfully ask that you give us a chance to show you what we believe PoliticsPA has the potential to become: a better, stronger version of its current self.” (PoliticsPA)

State

2. A Group Of PA Lawmakers Didn’t Take Pay During The Budget Impasse. A Bill Would Force All To Abstain

“Twelve state House lawmakers didn’t cash at least one of their paychecks during Pennsylvania’s six-month budget impasse last year, as the legislature struggled to agree on the last pieces of the state’s $45.4 billion spending plan.

The group represents a tiny fraction of the 253-member legislature. However, under a bill floated by one of the check-rejecters, all lawmakers as well as the governor and lieutenant governor would be forced to forgo their pay during future budget impasses.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

PA-12: MacDonald Declares For Democratic Nomination. “Laurie MacDonald, president and CEO of Center for Victims, has added her name to the growing list of candidates for the Democratic nomination for the 12th Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Summer Lee.” (PoliticsPA)

Solomon Claims $1M On Hand For Attorney General Campaign. “Rep. Jared Solomon announced that his campaign is starting the new year with over $1 million on hand in his quest for the Democratic nomination for state Attorney General.” (PoliticsPA)

IRS Seizes Former Skill Game Executive’s Cash, Accounts As Part Of Tax Investigation. “Federal investigators have seized more than $400,000 from a retired Pennsylvania State Police corporal who, until recently, served as compliance director for Pace-O-Matic, the maker of Pennsylvania skill games at the center of a legal quandary over whether they are gambling devices.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Partisan Split On Energy, Environment Makes Compromise Unlikely. “As energy and environmental issues remain central in Pennsylvania for 2024, the partisan divide in the General Assembly means compromise on major issues will be rare. It’s not a new dynamic in the legislature and it’s here to stay for now.” (The Center Square)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Park Service Retracts Decision To Take Down William Penn Statue At Philadelphia Historical Site

“The National Park Service withdrew a proposal Monday to take down a statue of William Penn at a Philadelphia historical site as part of a renovation that touched off a torrent of criticism over the legacy of the man who founded the province of Pennsylvania.

In a brief statement, Independence National Historical Park said it has withdrawn the proposal it had announced quietly before the weekend about a wider renovation of Welcome Park, located just blocks from the Liberty Bell and the National Constitution Center.

The proposal, it said, was released “prematurely” and hadn’t undergone a complete internal review.” (AP)

Related

Pittsburgh City Council Brings In New Members, Taps Lavelle As President. “Councilman Daniel Lavelle was tapped to be the new council president, succeeding Theresa Kail-Smith who has served in the role since 2020.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Sen. Bob Casey: Commercial Passenger Flight Service Returning To Williamsport. “Beginning in May, local travelers will be able to fly to and from Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., from the Williamsport Regional Airport, according to U.S. Sen. Bob Casey.” (Daily Item)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• In Philadelphia’s Measles Outbreak, A Reminder Of The Importance Of Vaccines. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Astrobotic Launch Is Next Step For Space Program In Pittsburgh. (Tribune-Review)
• Good To See Voter Registration On The Rise. (Daily Item)
• Why Efforts To Keep Trump Off Primary Ballots Defy Every Principle Of Democracy. (Kyle Sammin)
• The Dangerous Christian Belief That Donald Trump Is A ‘Man Of Faith’. (David Mills)
• Class Actions and the Candy Bar. (Wall Street Journal)
• Saving Democracy Or Destroying It? (Andy Bloom)
• Electric Vehicle Tax In Pennsylvania Would Punish Drivers For Being Responsible. (Greg Alvarez)
• The Case For Universal Choice. (Martin F. Lueken, Marc Leblond)

1 Thing

5. Weather Wise

Another powerful winter storm is set to hit the Commonwealth, bringing concerns of widespread flooding and high winds Tuesday into Wednesday.

A flood watch already has been issued ahead of the storm. The combination of 2 to 3 inches of rain along with heavily saturated ground and melting snowpack could produce widespread flooding, the National Weather Service said.

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