👋 Goodbye, July! Another one bites the dust.

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What We’re Hearing
“I think people should be concerned because people should stand up and say we want this kind of organization to thrive so democracy can be out in the public, and it can be debated and discussed,” Glenn Geissinger, Northampton Republican committee chairperson said.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Sen. Judy Schwank.

All The PA Political News You Need To Start Your Day
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Top Story

1. Trump Airs Grievances About Criminal Probes, Biden Policies And DeSantis In Erie Speech

“Former President Donald Trump, two days removed from being indicted on additional felony charges for allegedly mishandling classified documents after leaving the White House, went on the defensive at a rally Saturday in his return to bellwether Erie County in the critical battleground state.

Despite losing here in 2020 after carrying the county and state four years earlier, he declared Erie a “Trump stronghold” that would deliver victories again for him next year.

“For seven years you and I have been fighting side by side to rescue our nation from the sinister forces that truly hate it and want to destroy it and some of those are from within,” he said.” (Erie Times-News)

Related

Supporters Say They Stand With Trump As Ex-President Visits Erie. “What’s he done that’s so bad?” she asked rhetorically. “He has helped this country. I’ve asked some of my own family members why they don’t like Trump and they can’t give me an answer other than ‘I just don’t like him.’” (Meadville Tribune)

Thompson Enjoying A Surge In PAC Donations Now That He Runs A Key Committee. “The food and agriculture giant Archer Daniels Midland Co. made $2.4 million in donations from its political action committee from 2007 through 2022. Not one dime went to U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson. But then Mr. Thompson, R-Centre, became chair of the powerful House Agriculture Committee after the Republicans took control of the chamber in January. The company’s PAC quickly contributed $3,000 to his 2024 re-election campaign.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

PA State Rep Running On ‘America First’ Agenda To Flip House Seat Red. “U.S. congressional candidate Ryan Mackenzie discusses his plans to flip a Pennsylvania House seat red with an ‘America First’ policy.” (Fox News)

State

2. Dems Pick Powell As Nominee For State House Seat Vacated By Innamorato

“Local Democrats have chosen Lindsay Powell to fill the vacant state House seat left by Sara Innamorato, choosing her out of a field of five candidates in a gathering Saturday on the North Side.

That gives Powell the inside track to being the first Black woman to represent the 21st House district, which includes portions of Pittsburgh as well as the nearby northern suburbs of Shaler, Etna, Millvale, and Reserve Township.” (WESA)

Related

GOP Picks Nominee For Special Election To Replace Innamorato In 21st House District. “Local Republicans have selected a nominee to seek the state House seat vacated by Sara Innamorato, entering a race that will determine control of the state House this September. GOP leaders on Sunday quietly selected Erin Connolly Autenreith to be their champion in the Sept. 19 special election to fill the seat in the 21st House District.” (WESA)

Shapiro Administration Provides Budget Update To Stakeholders. “Letters have been sent to those receiving funding from the Department of Education as well as the Departments of Health, Human Services, Drug and Alcohol Programs and Aging.” (PoliticsPA)

PA Begins To Miss Education, Human Services Payments As Budget Impasse Continues. “Nearly a month after Pennsylvania lawmakers failed to meet an annual budget deadline, bills are coming due for education and human services expenses that state officials do not have the authority to pay.” (Spotlight PA)

Doug Mastriano Sure Seems To Be Campaigning For Something, And Republicans Are Worried. “Doug Mastriano, the Republican defeated last year by Gov. Josh Shapiro, is still out on the campaign trail and clearly stoking his base. But to what end?” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

PA Liquor Control Board’s Grip On Liquor Sales Faces A New Round Of Resistance. “Botched update, surprise fee hike gin up calls for ending wholesale state control of Pa. wine and spirits sales” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Around The Commonwealth

3. House Dem. Campaign Chief Collected $365,000 In Reimbursements From Campaign Committee

“The executive director for the House Democratic Campaign Committee in Pennsylvania has collected just over $365,000 in payments categorized as reimbursements across the last three years, according to campaign finance reports available through the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Reimbursements on campaign finance reports are not unusual. However, they are rarely over $1,000. HDCC executive director Trevor Southerland, on the other hand, has several reimbursements over $20,000.” (Broad + Liberty)

Related

Here’s What Cherelle Parker Has Been Up To Since Winning The Democratic Nomination For Mayor. “Since winning the Democratic primary for mayor two months ago, Cherelle Parker has largely stayed out of the public spotlight. She is heavily favored to defeat Republican David Oh in November.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Northampton County League Of Women Voters Could Disband. Some See That As A Blow For Democracy. “The Northampton County League of Women Voters — which has long provided nonpartisan information to people ahead of elections, among other services — is likely disbanding.” (Morning Call)

Erie County Dems Nominate Rock Copeland To Replace Mary Rennie On Ballot. “The Erie County Democratic Party on Saturday nominated Rock Copeland to replace former County Councilmember Mary Rennie on the 2023 general election ballot.” (Erie Times-News)

Forensic Audit Of 2020 Election Results In County Trump Won Big. “It has been nearly three years since then President Trump handily won Lycoming County in his unsuccessful bid for reelection. But two voters are continuing their pursuit for a forensic audit of the county’s November 2020 general election results for president.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• What We Must Do About The State Budget. (Sen. Kim Ward)
• Legislative Malpractice Tolls For Thee. (Times-Tribune)
• Forget I-95; Gov. Shapiro Should Slash The Bureaucracy For Everybody. (Jennifer Stefano)
• Let The Debates Begin: Critical County Executive Race Needs Informed Voters. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• The Rockey Road To The County Executive’s Office. (Salena Zito)
• Why I Can’t Forgive David McCormick’s Saudi Business Ties. (Judi Reiss)
• Surely, We Are Better Than What We Have Become. (Mark S. Singel)
• The Rising Demand For School Choice. (Wall Street Journal)
• Setting The Record Straight On School Voucher Program. (Sen. Scott Martin)
• Republicans Push Vouchers To Undermine Public Schools. (Jacques Gibble)
• Approval Ratings Soar For Governors, Including Here In PA. (Uniontown Herald-Standard)
• K&A Makes A Presidential Race Appearance. (Larry Platt)
• Public Really Does Have Right To Know. (Pottsville Republican & Herald)
• Cutting Support To Daily Collegian Shows Penn State Doesn’t Value Information. (Tribune-Review)
• Exodus Speaks To Cost Of Living. (Times Observer)

1 Thing

5. Rain On Me

Waynesburg celebrated its 150th annual “Rain Day” on Saturday.

The festival began decades ago when Caleb Ely. a local farmer, remarked that it always seemed to rain on his birthday, July 29.

Festival organizers said it has rained 118 out of the 150 years the festival has taken place. (WPXI)

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