🌧️  Monday, Monday. A new week. Will the budget get done?

PA Weather
Greensburg | Showers, storms, 80
Harrisburg | Showers, storms, 88
Easton | Showers, storms, 87

PA Sports
Phillies (40-37) | NY Mets 7-6 | Tu-Th at Chicago
Pirates (35-42) | Miami 0-2 | Tu-Thu at San Diego
Union (10-5-4) | Inter Miami 4-1 | Sun vs. Atlanta

What We’re Hearing
There will be senate committee meetings to consider Al Schmidt, Khalid Mumin, Richard Negrin and Thomas Cook for cabinet positions this morning.

What’s Happening
The House will convene at noon. The Senate will convene at 1:30.

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Top Story

1. Abortion Rights Fueled Democrats In PA Midterms. Will It Motivate Voters Again In 2024?

“The abortion issue helped Democrats in Pennsylvania and across the country win close races in 2022 despite a weak economy and slumping approval ratings for President Joe Biden. The renewed focus on abortion comes as some Republicans have called for a national abortion ban and Democrats argue that even in states such as Pennsylvania, where abortion is legal, obstacles to receiving care remain.

Republicans, for their part, face a conundrum: The issue that once motivated their base now shows signs of being politically toxic.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

The Supreme Court’s Biggest Decisions Are Coming. Here’s What They Could Say. “The Supreme Court is getting ready to decide some of its biggest cases of the term. The high court has 10 opinions left to release over the next week before the justices begin their summer break. As is typical, the last opinions to be released cover some of the most contentious issues the court has wrestled with this term including affirmative action, student loans and gay rights.” (AP)

Fetterman Is ‘Grateful’ To Be Alive And Back In The Fight. “Sen. John Fetterman, weeks into his return to the Senate after an extended hospital stay to treat depression, carried out a small act of rebellion that showed a glimmer of the fiery populist who won over Pennsylvania voters last year.” (Washington Post)

State

2. Trump Lands Endorsements From Five PA House Members

“Is Pennsylvania Trump Country?

Five members of the Keystone State’s GOP congressional delegation say yes.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

Laughlin’s Suit Unearths Emails About His View Of Kelly, Mastriano, Trump Election Lies. “A defamation lawsuit brought by state Sen. Dan Laughlin has shed new light on GOP politics at the local, state and national levels, including efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election.” (Erie Times-News)

In PA, 1.2M Registered Voters Can’t Take Part In Primaries. Election Officials Urge House Lawmakers To Change That. “I’ve taken to being Independent for nine months from early spring,” he said. “When I see things heating up in the primary, I’ll send in a change of ballot and become a Republican for primary season. Then, in early June, I’ll go back to Independent.” (WITF)

GOP State Legislatures Seek Greater Control Over State And Local Election Offices. “Lawmakers in several Republican-led states have been looking to exert more authority over state and local election offices, claiming new powers that Democrats warn could be used to target left-leaning counties in future elections.” (AP)

PA State Budget Talks Continue Amid Partisan Tensions. “As the June 30 deadline for the state budget draws near, tensions are brewing in the Capitol.” (WESA)

Will The Volunteer Firefighter Go Extinct? One PA Fire Chief, State Senator Think So. “State Sen. Frank Farry says it’s inevitable: At some point, Pennsylvania residents will have to pay for fire protection.” (Erie News-Times)

Around The Commonwealth

3. I-95 Opens To Traffic In Philadelphia

“On Friday morning, Gov. Josh Shapiro and Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Secretary Mike Carroll officially reopened six lanes of traffic on I-95 less than two weeks after a deadly fire and collapse of the roadway.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

This Tax Cut May Be Coming To (Almost) Everyone In PA. “Pennsylvania’s notoriously divided House of Representatives has united around one of the new governor’s campaign promises.” (PhillyBurbs.com)

Progressive Shift In Allegheny County Years In The Making. “Three high-profile wins by progressive candidates in May’s Democratic primary punctuated a shift in the party in Allegheny County that has been years in the making, political observers say.” (Altoona Mirror)

This Year’s Mayoral Primary Was The Most Expensive Election In Philadelphia’s History. “The Democratic candidates and the political action committees that supported them spent about $37.7 million, an Inquirer analysis found.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Local 98 Rejects Johnny Doc’s Pick To Lead Philly’s Politically Powerful Electricians Union. “John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty’s campaign to depose the man he backed 19 months ago to lead Pennsylvania’s most politically powerful union was rejected Saturday as members of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers voted to keep Mark Lynch Jr. as their business manager.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Delco Republicans Sue County Over Election Board Appointments Process. “The Delaware County GOP has filed a lawsuit against Delaware County and county council for the right to name its own representative to the three-member county Board of Elections.” (Delaware County Times)

UpRooted: How Establishment Democrats Lost Their Stronghold In The City Of Chester. “From his campaign headquarters on West Third Street in Chester, Stefan Roots put it plainly: he was fed up with the way things were going. Streets were blanketed with litter, people were moving out and the city was on the brink of financial ruin. Someone had to do something. ” (Broad + Liberty)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Pittsburgh And Philly Bridges Should Lead Nation In Safety. (Tribune-Review)
• Opioid Settlement Must Avoid Mistakes Of Squandered 1990s Tobacco Money. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• America Is Turning Into Ancient Rome. (David Brooks)
• Why PA Needs A Master Plan Written For – And By – Older Adults. (Jason Kavulich, Bill Johnston-Walsh)
• It’s Time To Make It More Convenient To Get Canned Cocktails In PA. (Alex Baloga)
• Competing For College Students Amid Declining Enrollment. (Tribune-Review)
• Millennials Moving To The Center And Right. (William Haupt III)
• PA House Bill Offers Best Plan To Raise The Minimum Wage, Boost Our Economy. (Rep. Ryan Bizzarro)
• Pittsburgh Synagogue Shooter Should Not Be Executed. (Abraham Jacob Bonowitz)

1 Thing

5. 100-Year Rainstorms

“A database — used by infrastructure planners designing bridges, buildings and tunnels — vastly understates the risk of extreme rain.

Why it matters: NOAA precipitation expectations, used to determine the risk of a “100-year” rainstorm and even rarer events, aren’t keeping pace with the warming climate, the First Street Foundation concludes.

First Street’s study shows that more than 50% of Americans live in an area that’s now twice as likely to experience a 1-in-100-year flood event when compared to NOAA expectations.

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