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🌨️ Indiana | Snow Showers, 28
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🏀 Sixers (12-5) | LA Lakers 138-94 | Wed vs. New Orleans
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Pennsylvania Society Calendar of Events
Is your event on our calendar? We will be updating the calendar regularly as we approach this weekend’s gathering in New York City.

What We’re Hearing
State Rep. Craig Williams will formally announce his candidacy for Pennsylvania Attorney General today.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Rob Mercuri.

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Top Story

1. DelVal Rep. Craig Williams to Jump Into AG Race

“State Rep. Craig Williams says Pennsylvania needs a Marine for attorney general. And he isn’t letting other GOP candidates keep him out of the race.

Williams, who has been widely viewed as a potential candidate for months, is expected to formally launch his campaign on Tuesday.

He is entering a crowded race with two Republicans already in the GOP primary — York County District Attorney Dave Sunday and former Delaware County District Attorney Kat Copeland — and at least five Democrats running as well. Sunday entered the race back in July and has been endorsed by the national Republican Attorneys General Association.” (DV Journal)

Related

Lehigh County DA Endorses Copeland In Crowded Attorney General Race. “Lehigh County District Attorney Jim Martin on Monday endorsed a former Philadelphia-based federal prosecutor as she campaigns for Pennsylvania’s top law enforcement officer.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Smucker Bill Would Block Biden Administration Effort To Boost Wages For Some Construction Workers. “U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker introduced legislation earlier this month to block the Biden administration’s changes to prevailing wage calculations for workers on federally funded construction jobs.” (LNP)

Shapiro Signs Informed Consent Bill Into Law. “A bill requiring patient consent on medical exams performed for educational purposes was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro in a private ceremony on Monday, after it was officially signed into law last week.” (Penn Capital-Star)

State

2. How The Ongoing PA Budget Impasse Is Hurting Community Colleges, Libraries

“As Pennsylvania lawmakers continue to debate whether to fund parts of the state budget, people who run key programs around the commonwealth are being forced to make tough decisions.

A Philadelphia nonprofit that provides wardrobes to low-income people has let go of staff. Preschools and community colleges have taken on debt to pay bills. And a library in the Poconos has cut back on programming including a visit from Santa.

The continued absence of code bills has caused missed payments for community colleges and library districts, administrators said. Other organizations told Spotlight PA a lack of communication around the timing and amounts of future payments has prompted them to dip into reserves or preemptively cut costs.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Federal, State Investigators Probing Aliquippa Water Authority Hack. “An Iran-aligned “hacktivist” group known for targeting the critical infrastructure sector reportedly hacked a Municipal Water Authority of Aliquippa water booster station Saturday. Federal officials are assisting Pennsylvania State Police in a criminal investigation following the apparent cyberattack.” (Beaver County Times)

Pennsylvania Considers Divesting Public Funds From China. “Last year, Pennsylvania divested its government holdings of certain firms in Russia and Belarus, as well as the two countries’ governments. This year, some legislators want to follow a similar divestment path for China.” (The Center Square)

PennDOT May Pursue Disqualification Of Contractor In Wage Theft Case, PA Supreme Court Rules. “PennDOT contractor G.O. Hawbaker Inc.,  which was forced to repay more than $20 million in wages stolen from its employees, lost its bid to halt the state’s process to disqualify the company from bidding on road work projects.” (Penn Capital-Star)

HD-105: Fleming Announces Reelection Run. “State Representative Justin Fleming announced Monday that he will run for reelection to continue serving the 105th legislative district which consists of parts of Lower Paxton Township, Penbrook Borough, and Susquehanna Township in Dauphin County.” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Tiny Cumberland County Town Faces Fiscal Nightmare: Raise Taxes And Cut Police, Or Raise Taxes More

“First, raise taxes.

That’s the unfortunate position residents of this tiny borough in western Cumberland County are facing as Newville officials start the hard process of reckoning with having put too much trust for too long a period into the wrong person.” (PennLive)

Related

How Mayor-Elect Cherelle Parker Landed On Kevin Bethel As Her Top Cop. “The process is emblematic of how Parker is likely to govern: she demands a clear structure and advice from as many stakeholders as possible.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Reports of the Philly GOP’s Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated, Political Observers Say. “While the local GOP could not match the enthusiasm, organization, and out-of-town funding the WFP mustered this year, it’s a little early to start writing eulogies for the city’s Republican establishment, political observers say.” (Billy Penn)

Davis Denies Claims In Whistleblower Suit, Including Why Worker Had To Stand At Meeting. “In response filed in court, lawyer for Erie County Executive Brenton Davis denies that firing of juvenile counselor Shawn Held was in retaliation for Held’s complaints about food at juvenile center.” (Erie Times-News)

Northampton County Election Investigation Results At Least Weeks Away, Executive Says. “Northampton County’s investigation into what went wrong with the Nov. 7 general election likely won’t be released by year’s end, Executive Lamont McClure said Monday.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Election 2023

• Berks Election Board Delays 2023 Municipal Election Certification Due To Court-Ordered Ballot Inclusion. (Berks Weekly)
• York County Won’t Finish Final Certification Until Tuesday. (York Dispatch)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

• Philadelphia’s Next Police Commissioner Must Balance Public Safety And Accountability. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Parker Makes Right Choice With Police Commissioner Pick. (Dom Giordano)
• Struggling River Towns Will Have To Merge. Here’s How It Will Happen. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• The Voters Who Helped Trump Become President Can Stop Him This Time. (Colbert I. King)
• Elections Workers Should Not Have To Face Threats, Harassment. (Washington Observer-Reporter)

1 Thing

5. To The Bottom of the World

From left: Reps. Henry Cueller (D-Texas), Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.), Tony Gonzales (R-Texas) and Steve Womack (R-Ark.) traveled to Antarctica on a congressional delegation over the Thanksgiving recess.

“It’s one of the most amazing trips that a member of Congress can take,” Cueller told Axios, praising the National Science Foundation researchers whom the delegation met with.

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