✡️  Thursday. Wishing all who observe Yom Kippur a meaningful day of reflection.

????️  In Today’s Playbook. 3 in 5 Pennsylvanians Approve of Shapiro’s Job Performance. Gun Bill Debate Leads to Shouting Match in PA House. White House Asks Penn to Sign ‘Compact’ of Operational Principles. Who is Tilly Norwood and Why is Hollywood Up in Arms?

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Radio Song. R.E.M.

PA Weather
☀️  Beaver Falls | Mostly Sunny, 77
☀️  Lock Haven | Mostly Sunny, 72
☀️  Villanova | Mostly Sunny, 68

PA Sports
⚾  Phillies (96-66) | Sat vs. LA Dodgers

⏰  Our Budget Countdown Clock. Welcome to day #94 of the state’s budget impasse.

????  What We’re Hearing. A plus for PA’s vote for Trump? OMB announced that the Trump administration was planning to cancel nearly $8 billion in funding for climate-related projects in 16 Democratic-leaning states who voted for Kamala Harris in 2024.

????  The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. To read in your browser, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe for free.

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Top Story

1.   QU Poll: 3 in 5 Pennsylvanians Approve of Shapiro’s Job Performance

“Pennsylvanians think Gov. Josh Shapiro is doing a good job. 

At least that’s what the findings from a Quinnipiac University poll released Wednesday show.

Three in five (60%) of respondents approve of the job that the third-year chief executive has done, while just 28% disagree.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

The Blame Game. “It’s time for America’s favorite game show: “Who’s. To. Blame.” The shutdown of the federal government is in its first hours but that did not stop Pennsylvania’s elected leaders from pointing fingers and assessing blame in an attempt to entice you – dear reader – to affix responsibility to the other side and hold them accountable.” (PoliticsPA)

Federal Shutdown: U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie and His Democratic Opponents Blame the Impasse On Their Opponents. “The candidates in next year’s Lehigh Valley congressional race cast blame on the opposing party as the federal government ground to a halt early Wednesday morning.” (LehighValleyNews)

Fitzpatrick, Others Say They Will Not Accept Salary During Government Shutdown. “Bucks County Republican Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-01) said that he will not accept his salary during the federal government shutdown.” (PoliticsPA)

Fetterman Again Shows Independent Streak, Frustrates Left Over Government Shutdown Fight. “As he rallied Republicans behind his major tax and spending plan in June, President Donald Trump singled out U.S. Sen. John Fetterman as the only Democrat who might back the so-called “big beautiful bill.” “He seems to be the most sensible one lately,” Trump told reporters.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

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State

2.  Gun Bill Debate Leads to Shouting Match Between Lawmakers in Aisles of PA House

“A fiery state House debate over a gun bill on Wednesday turned into a close-range shouting matching that included a comment that was taken as a threat and as a racial epithet, according to lawmakers who witnessed the events.

The fight over gun legislation was the most raucous in recent memory, to the point that House Speaker Joanna McClinton, D-Philadelphia, closed the session by admonishing her colleagues and suggesting that some of their behavior had crossed the line from legislative debate into unlawful threats.” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

PA-03: Stanford Announces Run For Congress, Gets Endorsement From Dwight Evans. “Dr. Ala Stanford, the first Black female pediatric surgeon entirely trained in the United States, announced Wednesday morning that she will run for the 3rd Congressional District as a Democrat next year.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

Shapiro Signs Order to Protect Vaccine Access, Coverage in PA and Combat Misinformation. “Gov. Josh Shapiro on Wednesday signed an executive order aimed at protecting access to recommended childhood and adult vaccines, maintaining insurance coverage and aligning state health policies with the guidance of respected experts.” (PennLive)

With 2026 Ahead, PA Democrats Pick Shapiro Ally Larry Hailsham Jr. as New Executive Director. “With a crucial gubernatorial race just over the horizon, Pennsylvania’s Democratic Party has a new leadership team in place — and now has a close associate of Gov. Josh Shapiro at the helm.” (WESA)

Media Trust Hits New Low Across the Political Spectrum. “Only 28% of Americans say they have a great deal or a fair amount of trust in the mass media, down from 68% in 1972.” (Axios)

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Around The Commonwealth

3.  White House Asks Penn to Sign ‘Compact’ of Operational Principles In Exchange For Funding Advantages

“Penn is one of nine schools that the White House approached on Wednesday requesting adherence to a set of principles in order to receive preferential funding treatment, according to The Wall Street Journal.

The memo — titled the “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education” — laid forth guidelines that would govern Penn’s admissions, pricing, and hiring practices. In exchange, higher education institutions that sign the agreement will receive “multiple positive benefits,” including “substantial and meaningful federal grants.”” (The Daily Pennsylvanian)

Elsewhere

Independence Hall Closed; White House Says Federal Layoffs ‘Imminent’; Impacts In Philly and Across the Region. “President Donald Trump has threatened to fire “a lot” of federal workers, a threat that has drawn a lawsuit.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Philly DA’s Race Is Seeing Little Money and Even Less Noise With One Month to Go. “With about one month left until the Nov. 4 general election, the district attorney’s race between incumbent Larry Krasner and Republican nominee Patrick Dugan is awfully quiet.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Gainey’s Budget Proposal Would Leave Smaller Mayor’s Office For His Successor. “The plan slashes $3.2 million from the mayor’s office while reducing capital spending and unfilled positions citywide.” (Public Source)

Davis Proposes 2026 Erie County Spending Plan With No Tax Hike, Taps ‘Rainy Day’ Fund. “He proposed to balance expenses with $3.9 million from the county’s reserve fund, a move he described as the “perfect use” of previously unused tax dollars.” (Erie Times-News)

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Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• There Are No Winners in a Government Shutdown, But Democrats Are Right to Fight | Philadelphia Inquirer
• PA Treasurer Garrity’s Fast-Start Challenge to Gov. Shapiro Is Rare and Noteworthy | John Baer 
• Trump Isn’t Battling Crime — He’s Stress-Testing the State | Jack Hill
• The First Trump Ran For President in 1968 | Gillis Harp
• America’s Pharmacist in Chief | Wall Street Journal
• Tell Congress: Stop Budgeting by Crisis | Emily Greene
• A Republic, If You Can Keep It | Jakob P. Hutter
• County Meetings Canceled, Latest Casualty of Pennsylvania Budget Battle | TribLIVE

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1 Thing

5.  ‘AI Actor’ Tilly Norwood Stirs Outrage in Hollywood

“Like thousands of actors, Tilly Norwood is looking for a Hollywood agent.

But unlike most young performers aspiring to make it in the film industry, Tilly Norwood is an entirely artificial intelligence-made character. Norwood, dubbed Hollywood’s first “AI actor,” is the product of a company named Xicoia, which bills itself as the world’s first artificial intelligence talent studio.

Since the Dutch producer and comedian Eline Van der Velden launched the digital character’s prospective career, Tilly Norwood has been all the talk in Hollywood.”

» What They’re Saying. “To those who have expressed anger over the creation of my AI character, Tilly Norwood, she is not a replacement for a human being, but a creative work — a piece of art,” Van der Velden said on Sunday. “Like many forms of art before her, she sparks conversation, and that in itself shows the power of creativity.” (AP)

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