It’s a new day at PoliticsPA and I am excited to get started in this most consequential year for the Commonwealth. Whether it’s the battle over the new maps or the chase for the governor’s chair. The Pennsylvania U.S. Senate race may determine who has the majority in Washington? What a time to be covering politics!

I welcome your input. Do you have a tip to share? Other newsworthy notes or stories worth telling? Add me to your press list and drop me an email at Steve@PoliticsPA.com.

News

My Promise to You as PoliticsPA’s New Managing Editor: Message from Steve Ulrich: It’s a new day at PoliticsPA and I am excited to get started in this most consequential year for the Commonwealth. My promise to you is that we will provide the best information that we can gather in a timely fashion. What a time to be covering politics!

Podcast: All Your Redistricting Questions Answered!: In the latest episode of the PoliticsPA Podcast, SpotlightPA journalist Kate Huangpu details where we’ve been and where we’re headed when it comes to redrawing the maps for Congressional and state legislative seats in the commonwealth.

‘Bartos emerging as GOP faithful’s favorite for U.S. Senate; White, Barletta gain an edge for governor’: PennLive reports that “Montgomery County real estate developer Jeff Bartos continues to build on his lead in the crowded field of Republicans vying for the open U.S. Senate race.”

‘Trump stays on sidelines in Pennsylvania Senate race — for now’: NBC News reports that “worried about backing a losing candidate, Trump is apt to hold off until he has a clearer idea of who’s most likely to win, Republicans close to McCormick and Trump said.”

‘Pro-Oz group changes ‘You’re Fired’ ad against McCormick’: POLITICO reports that “in the Pennsylvania GOP Senate battle to prove who’s most loyal to Donald Trump, David McCormick just scored a small victory.” 

‘Who should be allowed to sell liquor in Pa.? Proposal would let voters decide’: PennLive reports that “Rep. Natalie Mihalek, R-Allegheny County, has introduced legislation calling for a proposed constitutional amendment prohibiting the commonwealth from manufacturing or selling liquor.”

‘Senators interrogate Wolf map at hearing, though no one could speak for it’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “lawmakers left a hearing on Gov. Tom Wolf’s proposed congressional map with more questions than answers on Friday afternoon.”

‘What we know about the 2020 Fulton County election review through open records’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “swimming in hundreds of open records requests since complying with an off-the-books election review, Fulton County is now faced with a series of lawsuits over missing information related to the probe.”

‘Election experts say Pennsylvania’s voting process is well-protected from ballot tampering’: WITF reports that “Pennsylvania’s Department of State said the rules for counting votes are designed to ensure nobody can tamper with the process and the procedures are clear: vote counters aren’t allowed to be alone with ballots.” 

‘Ted Cruz Endorses McCormick in Pa. Senate Race’: Newsmax reports that “Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, endorsed Dave McCormick for the 2022 Senate election in Pennsylvania on Friday during an appearance on Fox News’ “The Ingraham Angle.””

‘Pennsylvania payrolls grew in December amid labor shortage’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania’s payrolls grew again in December as the unemployment rate fell for the 10th straight month, according to new figures Friday, but a persistent worker shortage continued to keep labor markets tight.”

‘Pennsylvania set state record for gambling revenue in 2021’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania set another annual record for gambling revenue in the era of online gambling and sports betting, state regulators said, reporting that casinos and other operators won more than $4.7 billion from gamblers in calendar year 2021 in one of the nation’s largest commercial casino states.”

‘Pa. Secretary of Education testifies that increased funding to schools could increase college attainment’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Pennsylvania’s Secretary of Education highlighted higher education disparities as a trial over funding of state’s public schools entered its eighth week in Harrisburg.”

‘Central Pa. borough poised to become first to repeal LGBTQ protections’: PennLive reports that “a central Pennsylvania borough is poised to become the first municipality to repeal anti-discrimination safeguards that protect residents against discrimination based on their sexual orientation, ethnicity or gender identity.”

‘Senate aspirant McCormick ‘feels at home’ during NEPA campaign stop’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Dave McCormick took a break from the crowd at Isabella Restaurant Friday night to talk about his campaign for the U.S. Senate and he was sure to make one clear point.”

‘Senate candidate visits area’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that Kathy Barnette, “seeking the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Pat Toomey, appeared in Lycoming County this week to talk to Republicans about her policies and why she chose to run.”

‘Candidate vying for Pennsylvania Lt. Governor holds meet and greet event in Erie’: WJET reports that “Chris Frye, who is the current mayor of New Castle, PA, stopped by the Erie County Republican Headquarters Saturday evening. Folks were able to meet him and ask questions.”

‘Pennsylvania Turnpike seeking new contract for processing toll payments’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the Pennsylvania Turnpike is reviewing proposals for a contract to process toll payments and expand the ways motorists can pay.”

‘Pennsylvania dairy farmers hope to milk U.S. trade win over Canada’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pennsylvania dairy farmers are applauding a recent international trade dispute victory and hoping the decision will be a boon for one of the nation’s top milk-producing states.”

‘Western Pa. Democrats see infrastructure investment as game-changer’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “giving a sneak peek of what might be one of the Democratic Party’s marquee arguments ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, top officials in Allegheny County formed a unified front on Friday and deemed the $1.6 billion investment into Pennsylvania’s bridges a game-changer in connecting communities.” 

‘Report seeks action on Pennsylvania primary care doctor shortage: ‘We are not going to see a doctor’ when needed’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “with a new report detailing the ongoing shortage of primary care doctors, Rep. Paul Schemel said failure to fix the problem in Pennsylvania means “we are going to increasingly find we are not going to see a doctor” when desired.”

‘George C. Thomas, former WVIA host, running for 119th state House seat’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “George C. Thomas, former host of the WVIA “Call the Doctor” program, announced he is a candidate in the Republican primary election for the 119th state House District.”

‘State Rep. Natalie Mihalek announces bid for another term’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “state Rep. Natalie Mihalek is seeking another term representing the 40th Legislative District in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, it was announced this week.” 

‘U.S. Rep. Wild asks employee to withdraw from Northampton County election commission consideration’: WFMZ reports that “U.S. Rep. Susan Wild has asked an employee to withdraw her name from consideration for an appointment to the Northampton County Election Commission.”

‘Bud lights 90 candles’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “on the eve of his 90th birthday, the Mirror reached out to former U.S. Rep. E.G. “Bud” Shuster to catch up on what the retired congressman has been doing since he stepped out of the limelight and to get his perspective on politics then and now.”

‘Scavo will report to prison on Feb. 21’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Frank Scavo, who was sentenced on Nov. 22 to serve 60 days in prison for his role in the Jan. 6 riots at the U.S. Capitol in Washington D.C., was granted a delay in reporting, his attorney confirmed Saturday.”

‘Proposed Congressional District Maps Multiply as Deadline Looms’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “the Pennsylvania Senate State Government Committee approved the state House’s proposed map outlining 17 new congressional districts on a party-line vote this week, sending it to the full Senate for a final.”

‘How Philly City Council’s redistricting plan could violate the ‘one person, one vote’ principle of election law’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia City Council President Darrell L. Clarke’s new proposal to redraw Council district boundaries largely follows the contours of Council’s current map, with boundaries moved around the edges to account for population changes that have made some districts too small and some too large.”

‘Philadelphia pauses plan to fire unvaccinated city workers’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia officials have called a temporary halt to their plan to fire employees who don’t comply with the COVID-19 vaccine mandate for city workers, due to continued arbitration with two of its unions.”

‘Philadelphia lags behind other big cities in job growth after being ‘disproportionately hit’ by pandemic’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia is lagging behind other major metro areas in growing its job market, according to several recent reports.”

‘Gainey says Pittsburgh needs to address gun violence following deadly shooting of 15-year-old’: WESA reports that “Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey was elected last year after campaigning to reform policing in Pittsburgh and work more closely with the city’s school district. And just weeks into his term, the shooting death of 15-year-old student Marquis Campbell on Wednesday showed how crucial such issues can be.”

‘Racial Justice Summit addresses equity issues in Black communities’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “how to build equity in Black communities was the primary topic of Pittsburgh’s 24th annual Racial Justice Summit.”

‘District court system realignment would eliminate two magistrates in Washington County’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “a plan to realign the district courts system in Washington County over the next few years would eliminate two magistrates when their terms expire.”

‘Scranton’s 30-year designation as financially distressed finally ending’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “as Scranton sheds its Act 47 status Tuesday, the newspaper looks at how the city fell into a financial pit, how it clawed its way out and what it needs to do to stay on solid ground.”

‘Lancaster GOP to teach FreePA members how to run for committee. Here’s why some moderate GOP members are concerned’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County’s Republican Party will provide election training next month to a conservative group whose members regularly spread disinformation about election fraud and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

‘Bethlehem hires public relations firm that worked on mayor’s campaign’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Bethlehem has hired the same local public relations firm to do social media work that newly elected Mayor J. William Reynolds used for his campaign.”

‘Berks Commissioners push back against PennDOT’s proposed bridge toll’: WFMZ reports that “PennDOT says the Lenhartsville Bridge in Greenwich Township needs to be fixed, and is proposing a toll to pay for it. The Berks County Commissioners are pushing back.”

‘Dept. of Ag: Thousand Cankers Quarantine lifted after 8 yrs.’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a quarantine that was in effect for eight years has been lifted by the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, which said Friday that the disease affecting Pennsylvania’s Black Walnut trees is “no longer a threat.””

‘The coronavirus in Pennsylvania, by the numbers’: City & State PA reports that “Pennsylvania officially reported more than 6,400 hospitalizations for COVID-19 on Friday.”

Opinion  
Val Arkoosh and Olivia Harbison: A New Generation Braces For The Horrors Of Overturning Roe
Clarice Schillinger: Back The Blue With Just More Than Words!
Paul Muschick: Gov. Tom Wolf touts Pennsylvania’s strong financial position. Why that’s only half the story
Paul Muschick: Remember the plan to tax retirement income in Pennsylvania? It’s back
Mark S. Singel: Joe Biden must do a better job at controlling the messaging
Christine Flowers: Applauding Sen. Corman for Move to Oust DA Krasner
Larry Platt: Potholes, Litter and Customer Service 
John L. Micek: Pa. Gov. Wolf announces $15M for gun-violence prevention programs | Friday Morning Coffee
Salena Zito: From the Pa. Farm Show: Energy costs are top concern
Jules Lobel: The Pa. Constitution supports a fair education for all – rich and poor alike
Signe Espinoza: On Roe v. Wade’s anniversary, an open letter to my past self 
Joe McClure: Harrisburg’s Harvey Taylor Bridge opened to fanfare 70 years ago, but it brought unintended consequences 
Dr. William Dempsey: In the fight against COVID-19, vaccines are the best weapon
Dr. Frank A. Maffei: You can help doctors and nurses overwhelmed with COVID patients, including very sick children
PennLive Editorial Board: Every government meeting should be livestreamed so anybody, anywhere can watch 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Sale of Cheswick plant good sign for post-coal economy
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Hunting for better representation 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Firing professor would taint Penn State 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh school van shooting a call for action
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lancaster County school officials shouldn’t surrender to those seeking to ban books from school libraries 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Manheim Township doesn’t need more traffic congestion at proposed Chick-fil-A site
Adam N. Geer: Repeal Philly police residency requirements to boost the force amid murder crisis 
David M. Shribman: Our welcoming nature prevails
David W. Brown: Simply admitting more Black students won’t fix Temple’s diversity problems 
David Oxman: Jefferson doctor: Do active shooter trainings do more harm than good? 
Will Bunch: The question is no longer Donald Trump’s criminality but whether America will care
John Cole: Caution: Wide Load | Editorial Cartoon
John L. Micek: In Year Two, no more Mr. Nice Biden, please