????  It’s Thursday. A sad day in the Commonwealth.

????️  In Today’s Edition. One of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania police this century. Garrity: ‘Shapiro Makes Kirk Assassination About Himself.’ PA’s Budget Still Isn’t Done. What Gives? Most Comfortable Economy Seats for Long-Haul Flights.

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Happy. The Rolling Stones

PA Weather
☀️  Franklin | Sunny, 82
☀️  Hanover | Sunny, 84
☀️  New Hope | Sunny, 83

PA Sports
⚾  Phillies (91-62) | LA Dodgers 0-5 | Fri-Sun vs. Arizona
⚾  Pirates (65-88) | Cubs 4-8 | Fri-Sun vs. Athletics

????  What They’re Saying. “This is an absolutely tragic and devastating day for York County and the entire commonwealth of Pennsylvania.” – Gov. Josh Shapiro

????  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.   Shooting Kills 3 Officers and Wounds 2 More in York County

“Law enforcement were investigating Thursday after a shooting killed three officers and wounded two more in southern Pennsylvania the day before.

The violence erupted in rural York County as officers followed up on a domestic-related investigation that began on Tuesday. Police killed the shooter.

It was one of the deadliest days for Pennsylvania police this century.” (AP)

Elsewhere

‘This Kind of Violence, It’s Not OK,’ Shapiro Says After 3 Officers Killed in York County. “Three police officers lost their lives during a shooting at a property in North Codorus Township on Wednesday afternoon. “Our hearts and prayers go out to them and the families of the deceased and the families of those officers who were wounded,” Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Christopher Paris said. “There are simply no words that I can offer to assuage the grief that this community has experienced and unfortunately will continue to experience. The grief will be unbearable, but we will bear it.”” (York Dispatch)

Fetterman, McCormick Jointly Denounce Political Violence in Wake of Kirk Assassination. “PA senators criticize extremism from both sides, but focus on far-left voices accusing right of authoritarianism.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Obama Condemns ‘Horrific’ Kirk Shooting, But Defends the Right to Criticize the Founder of Turning Point USA. “Former President Barack Obama suggested that President Donald Trump and his allies are using the killing to heighten polarization by stifling debate about what Kirk advocated in his podcast and appearances on college campuses.” (POLITICO)

Trump Admin. Threatens to Withhold $460M In Food-Stamp Funding If PA Doesn’t Share Personal Data. “A long-simmering battle between Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro and the White House over the state’s food-stamp program is set to come to a head by the end of this week.” (WESA)

State

2.  Garrity: ‘Shapiro Makes Kirk Assassination About Himself’

“In a sharp reversal from her words from Tuesday, State Treasurer Stacy Garrity went on the offensive against Gov. Josh Shapiro this morning, saying that Pennsylvania’s chief executive turned the “political assassination of Charlie Kirk into a commentary about himself.

“Josh Shapiro had a chance to honor Charlie and his legacy. Instead, he made it about himself,” said Garrity. “This assassination is a moment for Americans to come together and honor Charlie’s deep devotion to the founding values of our nation: freedom of speech and the free exchange of ideas. It’s not another opportunity for Shapiro to play politics and polish his image.”” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

‘Pennsylvanians Deserve Better’: A Q&A With 2026 Gubernatorial Candidate Stacy Garrity. “The incumbent state treasurer talked about her gubernatorial campaign and how she’d govern in a politically divided state Capitol.” (City & State)

Cognetti, Bresnahan Trade Barbs As PA-08 Contest Heats Up. “The election for the 8th Congressional District seat in northeastern Pennsylvania is still over 13 months away but the contestants are getting a running start.” (PoliticsPA)

Pennsylvania Moves to Ban Crypto Trading by State Officials. “House Bill 1812 would prohibit legislators and their close relatives from trading cryptocurrencies, creating digital tokens, or promoting projects where they hold a financial stake.” (North Penn Now)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  A Big Transit Deal Is Off the Table, But PA’s Budget Still Isn’t Done. What Gives?

“More than a week ago, Gov. Josh Shapiro took off the table what he called the biggest obstacle to a finished Pennsylvania budget. 

His administration funded SEPTA for the next two years, flexing infrastructure dollars to cover operating expenses for the distressed Philadelphia-area system. 

But even with the transit conundrum kicked down the road, the budget isn’t done.” (Spotlight PA)

Elsewhere

Larry Krasner Prepares Philly For Possible National Guard “Invasion.” “The Democratic district attorney’s “Be the Light, Bring the Light” tour is a warning about President Trump possibly sending in the National Guard and doubles as a rallying cry for local resistance.” (Axios Philadelphia)

Allegheny County Institutes Hiring, Spending Freeze As State Budget Impasse Continues. “The Allegheny County budget has been carefully managed this year and has strong liquidity, but due to the delay in passing a state budget and the threat of a federal shutdown, we are asking staff to hold off on hiring open, non-critical positions and pause discretionary spending where possible.”” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

‘He Should Not Be Martyred:’ Lehigh County Executive Candidate Swipes Back After GOP Chair Condemns Comments on Charlie Kirk. “State Rep. Josh Siegel doubled down Wednesday on comments condemning both the assassination of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk and the era of violence that he said Kirk helped usher into modern American politics.” (LehighValleyNews)

As Tensions Escalate, Lackawanna County Commissioners Call Names, Argue About Budget and Reassessment. “Lackawanna County Commissioner Chris Chermak accused colleague Bill Gaughan of acting like a “smart ass” and threatened to “tackle somebody to the ground” as they debated reassessment and budgeting Wednesday.” (WVIA)

SCI Rockview and Quehanna Boot Camp Closures Move Forward. “The report points to a declining prison population statewide and the need for significant maintenance spending on the facilities. The state said closing the facilities would save more than $100 million in future years.” (WPSU)

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• Reject the Partisan Push to Oust PA Supreme Court Justices. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Gov. Shapiro Shows the Leadership America Needs After Charlie Kirk’s Assasination. (PennLive)
• Faced With Donald Trump, What Would Martin Luther King Jr. Do? (Tom Moran)
• What’s Wrong With Late PA Budgets (That’s Not a Question). (John Baer)
• Affordable Child Care in Pennsylvania Should Not Be Politically Gridlocked. (Erica Reade) 
• Budgeting Reform That Serves You. (Emily Greene)
• Josh Shapiro’s Both-Sides Dodge. (Ada Nestor)
• PA Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Gamble on Transgender Issue Is a Bad Bet. (Christopher Brooks)

1 Thing

5.  10 Most Comfortable Economy Seats For Long-Haul Flights

“The thought of flying long-haul in economy class is enough to send a shiver down most travelers’ spines, especially if you’re attempting to fall asleep on an overnight flight. The most affordable airline seats have a bad reputation for having little personal space, rigid seats, and ultra-cramped legroom—not exactly a winning combination for landing in your destination refreshed and ready to go.

But there are certain seats at the back of the plane that actually do offer a respectable amount of comfort, if you know how to find them.” (Condé Nast Traveler)

Thanks for starting your morning with us.
Let’s have a better one than yesterday. See you tomorrow.