🐪 Good Day Wednesday. Congrats to State Sen. Amanda Cappelletti on the birth of Taglia May McQuiston. Mom, Dad and daughter are doing well.

PA Weather
Murrysville | Sunny, 45
Mifflintown | Sunny, 46
Moosic | Decreasing Clouds, 40

PA Sports
76ers (43-22) | d. Minnesota 117-94 | FRI v. Portland
Penguins (32-22-9) | d. Columbus 5-4 (OT) | THU v. NY Islanders
Flyers (24-29-11) | lost v. Tampa Bay 5-2 | THU v. Carolina

What We’re Hearing
“Instead of playing politics as usual, let’s show the people that we are up to this task.”

A Free Playbook Subscription
Sign up for today and get your free Playbook subscription emailed to you every weekday morning.

Top Story

1. Shapiro Proposes $44.4 Budget

“Gov. Josh Shapiro delivered his first budget address to a joint session of the Pennsylvania General Assembly on Tuesday, calling for investments to make Pennsylvania communities safer and healthier, create opportunity and build an economy that works for all, and ensure every child has access to a quality education.

“This budget is packed with commonsense solutions to the problems the people of Pennsylvania face every single day,” said Shapiro. “This budget lowers costs and cuts taxes for Pennsylvanians. It cuts red tape, speeds up permitting, and supports business. It strengthens our communities and makes them safer and more just. It protects our environment and invests in public health.

Related

Shapiro’s 1st PA Budget Stresses Schools, Prudence. “Gov. Josh Shapiro is proposing a hefty increase in aid to Pennsylvania’s schools in his first budget delivered Tuesday to the Legislature, but the Democrat’s administration also emphasized prudence, saying a massive cash surplus will dwindle over time.” (AP)

New Hope For Philly Dems and Wary GOP Optimism: Shapiro’s Budget a Rare Sign Of Unity in Harrisburg. “Gov. Josh Shapiro openly aimed for bipartisan appeal when he unveiled his first state budget Tuesday. At least initially, he got the response he wanted.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Shapiro’s Budget Pitch Keeps PA Spending Relatively Flat, Preserves Some Pandemic Benefits. “In his first budget proposal as Pennsylvania’s chief executive, Gov. Josh Shapiro is calling for $1 billion in new education spending, permanent state funding for public defenders, and an expansion of a shrinking rebate program for older people.” (Spotlight PA)

Shapiro Shoots For The Possible In First PA Budget As GOP Sees Common Ground. “In speaking to a joint House-Senate session, the new governor offered sweeping proposals that covered initiatives in just about every department in state government.” (PennLive)

• What’s In Shapiro’s Budget Plan For You? (PennLive)

Harrisburg

2. Reactions to Shapiro Budget Proposal

Reactions to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s budget address on Tuesday came swiftly from both sides of the aisle after the conclusion of his 84-minute speech.

Related

Shapiro’s First Big Speech Set Up A Clear Contrast With Another Rising Star. “With a cadence and intonation that drew comparisons to Barack Obama’s oratory, Gov. Josh Shapiro’s first budget address Tuesday was more than just a funding pitch to the Pennsylvania Legislature.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Shapiro Wants to Raise Minimum Wage to $15. Will a Changing Harrisburg Make It Happen? “Many businesses in Pennsylvania have already bumped up starting wages past the $7.25 minimum currently in place, but more than 30% of hourly workers in the state made less than $15 per hour last year.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

State University Scholarship Initiative Not Included in Shapiro’s Budget , Nor Is Aid Sought To Freeze Tuition. “Leaders of Pennsylvania’s state-owned universities said boosting Commonwealth funding by 3.8% to $573.5 million would enable them to consider freezing tuition across the 85,000-student system for a fifth straight year this fall.” (Tribune-Review)

• The Winners and Losers In Shapiro’s First Budget. (Times-Tribune)
• Five Takeaways From Shapiro’s First Budget Address. (City & State)

Around The Commonwealth

3. 2024 Presidential Primary Conflicts With Passover In PA

“Pennsylvania, Maryland, Rhode Island and Delaware plan to hold their presidential primary elections on April 23, 2024. It’s the first day of Passover, making voting impossible for observant Jews who do not work, drive, use electronics or write in observance of the holiday.” (Jewish Insider)

Related

Here’s Why Scott Perry Believes His Phone Messages Are Private. “Congressman Scott Perry is relying on the Speech or Debate Clause of the Constitution to keep federal prosecutors from accessing over 2,000 text messages, emails, and attachments that were seized from his phone by the FBI last summer.” (WITF)

Speaker Sets Vote During May Primary To Fill House Vacancy. “Democratic Speaker Joanna McClinton of Philadelphia announced that the vote to succeed former Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver will take place on May 16.” (AP)

More Than 90 Candidates Filed To Be On Philly’s May 16 Primary Ballot. “Philadelphia politicians have been campaigning for public office for months now, but Tuesday marked the day they — maybe — became official candidates.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Petition Filings Set Stage For Hotly Contested Democratic Primary This May. “Tuesday marked the deadline for candidates to file election petitions for the May 16 primary … and all signs point to spirited races up and down the ballot. At least on the Democratic side.” (WESA)

Safety – Not Police Accountability – A Focus In Allegheny County Exec Race. “In a competitive and crowded race for Allegheny County executive, John Weinstein is betting a different public safety message will carry the day.” (Public Source)

Commissioners, County Treasurer Races Highlight May Primary Election Ballot. “Contested races for the major parties’ Lackawanna County commissioner nominations and the Democratic county treasurer nomination will highlight the May 16 primary election ballot.” (Times-Tribune)

A First Look at the Lehigh Valley’s Municipal Races. “Most of this year’s races will focus on local matters — who approves of policies in area schools, who will set municipal property taxes and who will prosecute crimes in the region.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

PA Treasury Wins SCOTUS Case Against Delaware. “In 2016, the Pennsylvania Treasury Department filed a lawsuit against the state of Delaware. Now, in 2023, the case finally seems to be approaching a conclusion.” (NorthcentralPA.com)

Mark DiVecchio, Former County Executive, Dies At 64. “Mark DiVecchio, who served as Erie County government’s chief executive from 2006 through 2009 after a long career as an Erie County councilman, has died.” (Erie Times-News)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

• Shapiro’s Budget Address Encourages Cooperation. Is It Likely? (Tribune-Review)
• Democratic Party Endorsement Fees Are Undemocratic. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• “Free Press” Declares War On “Free Speech.” (Howard Lurie)
• East Palestine Should Never Be Forgotten (Patrick O’Shea)
• Fetterman’s Decision Can Inspire Others. (Dean Phillips)

1 Thing

5. 🍪 Girl Scout Cookie Markup

The newest Girl Scout cookie – the Raspberry Rally – is already sold out. But you can find it on eBay.

Described as a sister to Thin Mints (my personal favorite), it is the first Girl Scout Cookie to be sold exclusively online and cost $5 per box.

Several auctions on eBay offered the cookies for $20, $30 and as high as $79.99 for a single box.

Thanks for starting your day with us.
What did you think of today’s newsletter?
Please invite your friends
to subscribe to the PoliticsPA Playbook