10/6 Playbook: Shaping Voting Rights in PA

October 6, 2025 | 9:03 AM EDT

Steve Ulrich

???? Hello, Monday. And hello year #66

????️ In Today’s Playbook. How Supreme Court Retention Race Could Shape Voting Rights in PA. Closer Look at GOP’s Health Care Argument. Leaders Say ‘Life’ Has Returned at Schools With Cell Phone Bans. Smaller Portions at Restaurants.

???? Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Birthday. The Beatles

PA Weather
☀️ Huntingdon | Sunny, 84
☀️ Palmyra | Sunny, 83
☀️ Lancaster | Sunny, 82

???? What’s Happening Today. The House (12:00) and Senate (1:00) are both in session.

???? What We’re Hearing. “They don’t have a property tax crisis, they don’t have a business climate crisis, they don’t have an energy crisis,” New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli recently said of Pennsylvania. “[If] another state’s doing something way better than we are, we should [do it] too.”

???? 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. How November’s Pivotal Supreme Court Retention Race Could Shape Voting Rights in PA

“Republicans have long argued that Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has played too large of a role in shaping the state’s elections, especially regarding mail voting and decisions made ahead of the 2020 election when President Donald Trump falsely attacked mail voting as fraudulent.

Now, that argument is central to the GOP effort to oust three Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices who are standing for retention this year in a race that could hold major consequences for election law in the critical swing state, which could decide the presidency in 2028.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

Josh Shapiro Is Dominating the Race For Governor of … New Jersey. “Gov. Phil Murphy famously said he wanted to make New Jersey the California of the East Coast. His successors, though, are trading California dreams for Keystone pragmatism.” (POLITICO)

Self-Described ‘Unapologetic Supporter of Israel’ John Fetterman Weighs In As Trump Seeks to Broker Peace Deal. “Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania, a staunch and unflinching Israel supporter, wants Hamas to accept the peace deal President Donald Trump is aiming to help broker, and is calling out pro-Palestinian protesters for not demanding that Hamas agree to the peace deal.” (Fox News)

Intense and Intentional Training Is Helping Democratic Women Gain State Lawmaking Seats. “Many advocates for women’s representation say it’s important that women’s voices are present during policy discussions. Democrats tend to agree, believing representation from a variety of demographics and viewpoints is valuable to leadership. Republicans tend to believe the best candidate will rise to the top whoever that may be.” (AP)

State

2. A Closer Look at GOP’s Health Care Argument Over Federal Government Shutdown

“The budget deadlock that shuttered the federal government has spawned a political argument over whether or not Democrats want to provide free health care to noncitizens in the country illegally.

U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker made that argument in a newsletter sent to constituents, criticizing Democrats for choosing “political theater” when voting against a GOP proposal to keep the government running temporarily.

But is it true? More than a dozen mainstream news organizations investigated the issue and concluded that the GOP’s line of attack is baseless.” (WITF)

Elsewhere

Amid Crosstalk from Trump, Pennsylvania Republicans Encourage Mail Voting. “As state-level Republicans increasingly embrace mail voting, it appears voters are starting to as well.” (Votebeat Pennsylvania)

HD-148: Daley Will Not Seek Reelection. “State Rep. Mary Jo Daley announced on Friday that she will not seek reelection in 2026.” (PoliticsPA)

Pennsylvania College Students Are Very Down On Democracy, New Survey Shows. “A left-leaning group had conversations with 2,800 college students. The responses were grim, but could provide a playbook for how to reach Gen Z.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. In Northeast, Central PA Schools With Cell Phone Bans, Leaders Say ‘Life’ Has Returned

“Both Democratic and Republican lawmakers in Harrisburg have discussed or proposed enacting legislation to limit cell phone use in schools. Across Northeast and Central Pennsylvania, rules on cell phone use vary greatly, from allowing students to use phones in hallways and the cafeteria, to requiring students to keep their phones in locked pouches.

“We’re giving them back a play-based childhood, instead of a phone-based one,” said the Rev. AJ Rizzo, S.J., Prep president. “You can feel that energy in the building, in even the short time that we’ve been doing this.”” (WVIA)

Elsewhere

Race For Pittsburgh Mayor Turns Quiet During Final Month. “After a bruising primary full of TV ads, yard signs and political sparring, Pittsburgh’s mayoral race has entered a quieter phase.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Disparity of Funding and How That Affects PA Schools Highlights 10th District Forum. “The event featured a panel discussion that was promoted as addressing topics such as bullying and mental health, school safety, societal and the increasingly complex dynamics within school board governance.” (PennLive)

Harrisburg’s Downtown Revitalization Plan Stalled By State Budget Delay, Officials Say. “A coalition of Harrisburg city leaders, economic development officials and state lawmakers says a professional planner is essential to lead a sweeping vision for revitalizing the city’s struggling downtown. But the effort is on hold as state funding remains tied up in the unresolved budget.” (PennLive)

Editorial

4. What Do You Think?

Please, Penn — Stand Up to the Trump Administration This Time | Jonathan Zimmerman
Gainey’s Sloppy, Spiteful, Dishonest Budget Must Be Rejected by Council | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
It’s Long Past Time to Get the State Budget Done | Sen. Patty Kim
America’s Semiconductor Crossroads: PA’s Role in Securing Minerals For the AI Age | Carl A. Marrara
Chemistry research is fueling Pennsylvania’s economy — so why are we defunding it? | Kenneth Knappenberger, Gregory Ferguson and Haitao Liu
What is the Point of a Fight in the Pennsylvania State House? | TribLIVE
Fair Public Education Funding is a Ship That Needs to Sail | Michelle Williams Lopez
The Independent Era is Coming | John Halpin

1 Thing

5. Diners Increasingly Have A Taste For Smaller Portions

“In a world of bottomless pasta bowls and all-you-can-eat buffets, some restaurants are going the other way, offering customers smaller portions for prices that are a little easier to swallow.

Honey, I shrunk the plates: Olive Garden started experimenting with lighter portions earlier this year as a way to offer some variety from the unlimited pasta and breadstick deals it’s known for. Customers like the new options, which have turned some diners into regulars.

According to the National Restaurant Association, 74% of customers want smaller portions.” (Morning Brew)

Thanks for starting your week with us.
Happy birthday to me! See you tomorrow

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]