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Top Story

1.   Shapiro: ‘They Lied to the Very People That Voted For Them’

“Gov. Josh Shapiro called out GOP members of Congress, including a NEPA representative, as well as a potential gubernatorial opponent, in a Thursday morning interview with WILK Radio.

As the Big Beautiful Bill approached final passage in the U.S. House of Representatives, Shapiro was critical of those who he says lied to the people of Pennsylvania and cast their votes in support of President Donald Trump’s signature bill.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Pennsylvania Reacts to One Big Beautiful Bill Act. “Politicos across Pennsylvania are reacting with a mix of triumph, anger and despair following the passage of the federal budget resolution.” (The Center Square)

Fitzpatrick Voted Against Trump’s ‘Big Beautiful Bill.’ How Does His Vote Complicate Bucks County’s Midterm Race? “U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s position is precarious, at best. He’s one of just three GOP members in the 119th Congress who serves a district former Vice President Kamala Harris won in 2024.” (WHYY)

Here’s How Trump’s Big Spending Bill Could Impact Western PA. “Many struggling Pennsylvania families, health care providers, food banks and state and local leaders are bracing for the impacts of President Donald Trump’s and Republican allies’ tax and policy bill that became law Friday, with nonpartisan research groups and nonprofits predicting damaging cuts to Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and federal food assistance.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Trump Wanted ‘More Action Against Universities.’ His Staff Scrambled to Punish Penn. “President Donald Trump had already cut hundreds of millions to Columbia University over antisemitism allegations and put 59 other colleges on notice when word came down to staff that he wanted to punish more campuses.” (NOTUS)

State

2.   2026 GOP Primary Race For PA Governor Shapes Up as Candidates Seek to Curry Favor With Trump

“As the 2026 Pennsylvania gubernatorial race approaches, the Republican field is shaping up with several prominent figures expressing interest, if not outright campaigning, for the right to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro.

Three primary candidates are making stops and taking to the airwaves as they criticize the incumbent Democrat. Each is also making a clear bid for an endorsement from President Donald Trump, an anointment that may help their bid for the party nomination, or not.” (WHYY)

Elsewhere

20 Years After Pay Raise Scandal, Reformers Say Harrisburg Still Lacks Transparency and Integrity. ““We have not done nearly enough to change the way Harrisburg functions. It is still a place where public integrity often goes to die,” Tim Potts said.” (LNP)

Medicaid Cuts Could Become An Issue For These Swing-District PA Republicans — and Democrats See An Opportunity. “President Donald Trump’s “one big, beautiful bill” could be one big pain for the Pennsylvania Republicans who voted for it, hoping to hold onto their seats next year.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

As PA Gets Closer to Regulating Skill Games, Lawmakers Complain About Intimidation. “Fliers — and an all-out pressure campaign on GOP state senators — are the latest escalation by supporters of the powerful skill game industry, which has operated by its own rules in Pennsylvania for more than a decade, allowing the slot-machine look-alikes to proliferate by the tens of thousands around the state.” (PennLive)

With Budgets Already Approved, Some PA School Districts Are Banking On Cyber Charter Reform. “Public school districts across Pennsylvania faced a deadline of June 30 to approve a budget for the coming fiscal year. Many balanced their budgets, banking on the legislature’s approval of a proposal that would save their districts more than $600 million in cyber charter school tuition.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  Pennsylvania Hospitals Expected to Lose Out Under ‘Big Beautiful Bill’

“Pennsylvania’s hospitals and health care providers could be among the biggest losers under President Donald Trump’s tax cut and spending bill, which passed the U.S. House on Thursday and will be sent to Trump to sign into law.

For Pennsylvania hospitals, the cuts amount to about $4.5 billion per year over the next decade, said Nicole Stallings, president and CEO of the Hospital and Health Association of Pennsylvania. Millions losing health insurance would have a downstream effect on hospitals and health networks across the U.S. and Pennsylvania.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Elsewhere

What to Know About The Push For Open Primaries in Pennsylvania. “Proposals to give independent and unaffiliated voters a greater voice are popular, but they face tough odds in the legislature.” (Votebeat)

Mayor Cherelle Parker Wants Striking City Workers to See the Big Picture of What She’s Done For Them. So Far, It Isn’t Working. “Parker is asking AFSCME DC 33 to consider the 5% raises they won last year and her signature housing plan as part of her commitment to city workers.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Law Repealing Centuries-Old Sunday Hunting Ban Nears the Finish Line. “A new bill expanding options for hunters awaits Gov. Shapiro’s signature.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

After 1.5 years in Dauphin County Post, Official Weighs Run For Congress. “Dauphin County Commissioner Justin Douglas, who made a name for himself by calling out unethical deals in county government and speaking up on immigration issues, is considering a 2026 run for Congress.” (PennLive)

Conklin to Seek Reelection as State Representative in 77th District. “State Rep. Scott Conklin will run for reelection to the state House in 2026, he confirmed on Saturday, two days after a challenger emerged for his 77th District seat in next May’s Democratic primary.” (StateCollege.com)

Editorial

4.  Speak Your Mind

• Democracy Isn’t Dying In Darkness. It’s Being Killed Off In Plain Sight. (Jodie Ginsberg) 
• In Today’s GOP, There Is No Choice at All. (Jonathan Martin)
• One Big Beautiful Bill a Gamechanger for Western PA. (Rep. Mike Kelly)
• Pittsburgh’s Bridge Problems Continue Unabated Since Fern Hollow Disaster. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• The Big Ugly Bill Is Uglier Than You Think. (Mark S. Singel)
• Pennsylvania’s Nuclear Revival Is Powering America’s Future. (Sen. Greg Rothman)
• Legislators Should Not Make Rash Decisions on Skill Games. (Sen. Jarrett Coleman)

1 Thing

5.   11 Reasons Why Erie Seawolves Became the Erie Moon Mammoths

“Many people might be wondering just how the Erie SeaWolves staff convinced the “Last Week Tonight with John Oliver” team to choose them for the MiLB rebranding promotion.

In order to do so, SeaWolves team president Greg Coleman had to email a list of reasons as to why the SeaWolves were the perfect choice.

Those 11 reasons caught host John Oliver’s attention and landed the SeaWolves a rebrand that later became the Erie Moon Mammoths.” (Erie Times-News)

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