????????  The Holiday Weekend Commences. Have a safe and happy holiday. We’re off tomorrow to celebrate and we’ll see you on Monday.

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Born In The USA. The Boss.

PA Weather
☀️  Pittsburgh | Mostly Sunny, 88 
☀️  Gettysburg | Sunny, 87
☀️  Philadelphia | Sunny, 90

PA Sports
⚾  Phillies (51-36) | San Diego 4-6, 5-1 | Fri-Sun vs. Cincinnati
⚾  Pirates (38-50) | St. Louis 5-0 | Fri-Sun vs. Seattle
⚽  USMNT | Guatemala 2-1 | Sun vs. Mexico (Gold Cup Final)
⚽  Union (12-4-4) | Sat vs. Nashville

PA Money | Futures (as of 7:44 a.m.)
????  Dow +34.00 |  NASDAQ +14.25 |  S&P +3.50

☑️  What We’re Hearing. Former Pennsylvania Health and Human Services director Meg Snead called out State Treasurer Stacy Garrity for her support of the OBB, saying she needs the support of President Trump for her gubernatorial 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.   Megabill On The Cusp

“Speaker Mike Johnson is potentially just a couple of hours away from sending Donald Trump his “big, beautiful bill,” defying expectations about whether he could meet the president’s arbitrary but unwavering July 4 deadline.

After it appeared to be derailed late Wednesday by hard-right holdouts, Republicans advanced the bill around 3:30 a.m. 

During the all-nighter, GOP leaders kept the procedural vote open for almost six hours as they worked to flip 12 votes. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) was the lone Republican to vote “no” at the end.” (Politico)

Elsewhere

The Levers of Power. “As Congress goes back and forth over what used to be called the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ one thing becomes clear. Elections have consequences. Kudos to those in the minority for their cause. On the 162nd anniversary of Gen. Robert E. Lee’s last stand in Gettysburg, it may be considered a lost cause.” (PoliticsPA)

Street Makes It Official, Announces Candidacy For PA-03 Seat. “Pennsylvania state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) has officially announced that he is a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the 3rd Congressional District seat.” (PoliticsPA)

New Push For National AI Rules Likely After State Ban Fails. “The demise of a controversial proposal in Republicans’ budget bill that blocked state-level regulation of artificial intelligence is fueling fresh pressure for federal action.” (Axios)

State

2.  Pace of PA Budget Talks Hit By ‘Big Beautiful Bill’ as Shapiro Slams Cuts to Medicaid, SNAP

“Two days after Pennsylvania missed a constitutionally-mandated June 30 state budget deadline for the fourth year in a row, contentious debate over a major federal tax and policy bill — which could put states on the hook for substantial healthcare and food assistance costs — returned to the U.S. House of Representatives Wednesday.

Multiple state lawmakers have said Congress’ wrestling match over Republicans’ controversial “big beautiful” reconciliation bill is influencing the pace of talks in Harrisburg.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Elsewhere

HD-137: Warren Announces Candidacy for NorCo Seat. “Jeff Warren, a Northampton County councilman, has announced his candidacy for the State House of Representatives in the 137th Legislative District.” (PoliticsPA)

PA Bill Aimed at Protecting Municipal Workers Passes House, Amid Rising Political Violence. “A bill increasing penalties for assaulting municipal workers in Pennsylvania passed the state House on Tuesday, amid a climate of rising political violence.” (PennLive)

A Pennsylvania Fracking Report Had 8 Recommendations. 5 Years Later, Few Have Been Implemented. “Five years after a landmark Pennsylvania grand jury report slammed the Department of Environmental Protection for failing to protect the public from the health effects of fracking, advocates, including those living near fracking sites, say little has changed.” (WHYY)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  Trump Administration Withholds $230 Million for Pennsylvania Schools

“Pennsylvania education leaders are scrambling after the Trump Administration said it would withhold more than $230 million in congressionally approved funding for after-school programs, teacher training, literacy, and education for migrant and non-English speaking students.

A spokesperson for the state Department of Education said the U.S. Department of Education informed officials Monday evening of a delay in the release of funding that was due to be available starting Tuesday. 

The action is separate from the budget reconciliation bill pending final approval in the U.S. House.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Elsewhere

‘An Explosion of Need’: Pittsburgh Hospitals Brace For Medicaid Cuts. “In Pennsylvania, the Medicaid cuts are expected to cut federal spending by $53 billion by 2034, according to an analysis. And at least 11 hospitals in Western Pennsylvania — seven owned by UPMC — would see funding cuts totaling $467.7 million for the period.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trash and Frustrations Mount, But Talks Resume, As the DC 33 Strike Continues. “It has closed libraries and swimming pools, and has forced recreation centers to cut back hours. And on its second day it was evident that an increasingly acrimonious strike by Philadelphia’s largest municipal union was creating a trash crisis — and eyesores throughout the city.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Editorial

4.  Speak Your Mind

• Saving Allegheny County Finances Will Require More Hard Choices, Including the Choice to Pursue Growth. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette) 
• Can a 34-Year-Old Philadelphian Save the Democratic Party and America? We Shall See. (PennLive)
• Medicaid Matters to Every Pennsylvanian. (Dr. Val Arkoosh)
• Rethinking Education. (Sen. Tracy Pennycuick)
• Pennsylvania’s Needs Real Solutions to Decline, Not Photo-Ops. (Tom DiBello)

1 Thing

5.   Thousands Expected For Annual Gettysburg Re-Enactment

“The 162nd Gettysburg Civil War Battle Re-enactment will take place July 4-6 at the Daniel Lady Farm, giving attendees of all ages three days of entertainment, education and history filled with living history presentations and a different battle each day, according to a release from Destination Gettysburg.

There are expected to be 800 to 850 re-enactors attending over the three days, a number slightly higher than last year, according to Doug Snyder, president of the Gettysburg Battlefield Preservation Association (GBPA) and Union re-enactor.” (Gettysburg Times)

Thanks for starting your holiday weekend with us.
Have a safe, happy holiday and we’ll see you Monday.