10/3 Playbook: Trump Charts Path to Total Control

October 3, 2025 | 8:08 AM EDT

Steve Ulrich

???? The Weekend Starts Now

????️ In Today’s Playbook. Trump Charts Path to Total Control Amid Government Shutdown. Ward Talks Budget, Garrity, Chinese Flag. Election Cheat Sheet.

???? Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. I’ll Be There For You. The Rembrandts

PA Weather
☀️ Conneaut Lake | Sunny, 78
☀️ Raystown Lake | Becoming Sunny, 77
☀️ Lake Ariel | Sunny, 69

⏰ Our Budget Countdown Clock. Welcome to day #95 of the state’s budget impasse.

???? What We’re Hearing. Bob Brooks, a Democratic candidate for PA-07, announced that his campaign raised over $305,000 in the first five weeks of his campaign.

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

Top Story

1. Trump Charts Path to Total Control Amid Government Shutdown

“President Trump is seizing on the government shutdown as an “unprecedented opportunity” to consolidate control in the Oval Office, accelerating a trend toward unchecked power.

Why it matters: Many Democrats see the shutdown as a necessary evil to halt — or at least slow — Trump’s steamrolling of democratic norms and independent institutions. So far, the standoff is only emboldening the White House.

The bottom line: Government shutdown or not, Trump has spent his presidency methodically erasing the independence of institutions that once served as checks on executive power.” (Axios)

Elsewhere

PA House Democrat Confronts House Speaker Johnson Over ‘Racist’ Sombrero Video Shared by Trump. “Pennsylvania Democrat Rep. Madeleine Dean took Speaker Mike Johnson to task earlier this week over the AI-generated deepfake video shared by President Donald Trump that portrayed House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries in a sombrero. “It’s bigoted. It’s racist. You should call it out,” the lawmaker from Montgomery County told Johnson.” (PennLive)

MAGA’s Top “Voter Fraud” Watchdog Votes in a Swing State. He Doesn’t Live There. “Jack Posobiec is very concerned about voter fraud. Posobiec is particularly focused on Pennsylvania, repeatedly accusing the state’s Democratic officials of fraud, even spreading conspiracy theories that were followed by an RNC lawsuit. The focus on voter fraud in Pennsylvania is particularly ironic because it sure looks like, and a trail of documentation suggests, that Posobiec is living in Maryland but voting in Pennsylvania.” (Slate)

Shapiro Is Making a $250,000 Donation — And Big Imprint on the PA Democratic Party. “Gov. Josh Shapiro may not have announced his gubernatorial reelection bid just yet, but he’s getting the state Democratic Party ready for 2026 and beyond.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Stelson Raised $1.2 Million in the First Few Months of Her Rematch Challenge of Scott Perry. “Janelle Stelson has raised more than $1.2 million since launching her rematch campaign in July against Republican U.S. Rep. Scott Perry, according to her campaign.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

State

2. Ward: “We Can Pass Budget Today If We Let Democrats, Governor Have Their Tax Increase”

“Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) said that Pennsylvania’s 94-day budget impasse could end today if Senate Republicans let Gov. Josh Shapiro and House Democrats “have their tax increase.” Appearing on 1210 WPHT’s Dom Giordano Show, Ward criticized Democrats for the delay in passing a budget that was due on June 30.

“It’s been a long road, we’re late with the budget, and I keep telling people we can pass a budget today if we don’t fight to keep your taxes down.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

‘Unconscionable’ PA Budget Impasse Forces Area Counties, Local Services to Scale Down. “Despite Gov. Josh Shapiro’s insistence this week that Pennsylvania state budget negotiations are “incredibly close” to ending an impasse entering its fourth month, county leaders and service agencies in Southwestern Pennsylvania say they’re preparing to scale down operations without dedicated state funding.” (WESA)

Shapiro Advances Plan to Shield PA From Trump Admin Policies on Childhood Vaccines. “Gov. Josh Shapiro has unveiled a broad plan to protect access to childhood vaccines in Pennsylvania, attempting to shield the commonwealth from any federal actions that make it harder to get certain immunizations.” (USA Today Network)

Hailsham Named PA Dems Executive Director. “Larry K. Hailsham Jr., a senior member of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration since 2023, has been appointed Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.” (PoliticsPA)

Shapiro Administration Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show Theme: ‘Growing a Nation’. “Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding announced the 2026 Pennsylvania Farm Show theme, “Growing a Nation.” The 2026 Farm Show — Pennsylvania’s State Fair™ — will kick off a year of America250PA special events and celebrations bringing millions of visitors to the Commonwealth recognizing Pennsylvania’s leading role in the founding of our American democracy.” (News Release)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Your Cheat Sheet to the 2025 General Elections

“Four contests have come to largely define the 2025 elections: the elections to lead New Jersey, Virginia, and New York City, plus California’s redistricting measure. But there’s so much else on the ballot.

Enter our annual cheat sheet to help you track this busy general election.” (Bolts)

Elsewhere

PA-03: With Evans’ Backing, Stanford Announces Run For Congress. “Dr. Ala Stanford, one of the area’s most prominent physicians and medical health experts, announced that she is a candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 3rd Congressional District in 2026.” (PoliticsPA)

What Bucks County Voters Need to Know About DA Jennifer Schorn and Democratic Challenger Joe Khan. “Schorn, who has worked as a county prosecutor, touts experience in criminal cases. Khan says his time as county solicitor shows his track record protecting Bucks residents.” (WHYY)

PA City Takes First Step to Impose Term Limits For Elected Officials. “Williamsport City Council, by a 7-0 vote on Thursday, passed on first reading an ordinance that limits the mayor, treasurer and controller to two consecutive four-year terms. It would be three four-year terms for members of the council.” (PennLive)

Lehigh County Executive Candidates to Debate on Oct. 8. “Republican Roger MacLean and Democrat Josh Siegel, the two candidates running for Lehigh County executive, will participate in a debate at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 8 at Lehigh Carbon Community College.” (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Editorial

4. What Do You Think?

Pennsylvania’s Budget Impasse Directly Hurts Children and Youth | Daniel S. Heit
How Pennsylvania Turned Opioid Settlement Money Into Real Solutions | Michael Puskaric
Transit Advocates Must Show Their Movement Has Resonance | Mark Nicastre
Who Suffers When Both PA and D.C. Grind to a Halt? | Mustafa Rashed

1 Thing

5. Livestock Landscaping: Vermont Ski Areas Employ Goats And Sheep To Clear The Slopes

“Months before the first snow beckons skiers, sheep and goats are hitting the slopes in Vermont.

Dozens of animals have been mowing down overgrown vegetation at Jay Peak near the Canadian border. They’re expected to clear 25 acres (10 hectares) over a five-week stint, an experiment officials say is worth a try on part of the 300 acres (120 hectares) that need to be mowed. The goal is to gradually reduce the reliance on gas-powered mechanical mowers.

“This year has proven that it can be done and be done successfully,” said Andy Stenger, director of mountain and base area operations. “They’re great employees. They take a lot of lunch breaks, but that’s kind of the idea.”” (AP)

Thanks for starting your Friday with us.
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Steve Ulrich

Ulrich has worked as managing editor of PoliticsPA since January 2022 after spending two years as the Director of Elections in York (Pa.) County. Prior to that, he spent 35 years as a college athletics administrator. Send email to [email protected]