????  Hello, Monday. That feeling when your team wins on SNF ????

????️  In Today’s Edition. Will PA Remain a Swing State? 48 Budgets in Place — Pennsylvania and Michigan To Go. Latinos in Hazleton Say They’re Sticking by Trump. 7 Stress-Free Pennsylvania Towns For A Weekend Retreat.

????  Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Shout. The Isley Brothers.

PA Weather
☀️  Waynesburg | Sunny, 73
????️  Wellsboro | Mostly Sunny, 68
☀️  West Chester | Sunny, 72

PA Sports
⚾  Phillies (83-60) | Miami 4-5 | Mon-Thu vs. NY Mets
⚾  Pirates (64-80) | Milwaukee 2-10 | Tue-Thu vs. Baltimore
????  Eagles (1-0) | Sun vs. Kansas City
????  Steelers (1-0) | NY Jets 34-32 | Sun vs. Seattle
????  Penn State (2-0) | Florida International 34-0 | Sat vs. Villanova
????  Pitt (2-0) | Central Michigan 45-17 | Sat vs. West Virginia
????  Temple (2-0) | Howard 55-7 | Sat vs. Oklahoma

????  What We’re Hearing. House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries has named Congressman Brendan F. Boyle to serve as the Lead Democrat for the US Congressional Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

????️  What’s Happening Today. The state Senate will convene at 1 p.m. 

????  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.   Will PA Remain a Swing State? Voter Registrations Are Increasingly Going Red

“Republicans continue to take big bites out of the Democratic Party’s long-running voter registration edge in Pennsylvania. 

This could, sometime in the next few years, lead to the Republican Party overtaking its rival as the state’s largest party, by registration, for the first time since at least 1970.

That is something to celebrate for Republicans, and another pain point for Democrats still licking their wounds from a poor electoral showing in 2024.

But then what?” (PennLive)

Elsewhere

PA Democrats Pick Eugene DePasquale As Party Chair. ‘We Have to Offer Real Ideas.’ “DePasquale said he was committed to helping Democrats retain control of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. He said Democrats need to offer a positive vision to win back voters who have drifted away from the party.” (Philadelphia Inquirer) 

New PA Democratic Chair Discusses What’s Needed to Win Back Black Voters. “Former Democratic Auditor General Eugene DePasquale said the party needs to get back to “bread and butter” issues. When it comes to Black voters, he thinks there needs to be more listening and more action to lower costs like groceries and housing.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

In Philly, A ‘Wide-Open Race’ to Represent the Nation’s Most Democratic Congressional District. “Ahead of next May’s Democratic primary, three state legislators, a Jefferson Health doctor, a Temple University computer science professor and two other political newcomers have entered the contest, and more candidates could still jump in.” (Billy Penn)

Kelly On Seeking Ninth Term: ‘I’m Proud of Our Work’. “U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly is running for a ninth term in Congress, he announced Friday. The 77-year-old Republican was first elected in 2010 and took office in 2011. Since then, he’s easily won re-election to Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District, which has grown more conservative in recent years.” (Erie Times-News)

State

2.  Every State in the Nation Has Some Form of a Budget In Place — Except Pennsylvania and Michigan

“Just two states in the nation have been unable to pass budgets for the 2025-26 fiscal year – and now, they’re staring down significant consequences if their respective legislative bodies fail to act soon.

Pennsylvania has entered its third month without a new budget, while Michigan is just weeks away from a potential shutdown. Meanwhile, lawmakers in other states have figured out their spending plans – or contingencies.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Elsewhere

PA State Senate Returns For Scheduled Session, But Budget Deal Not Imminent. “Pennsylvania’s state Senate is set to return to Harrisburg Monday afternoon, but with no agreed-upon solution for a state budget impasse that is already 10 weeks old, Harrisburg politicos say not to expect much more than a business-as-usual legislative session.” (WESA)

State’s Transit Funding Crisis Looks to Have a Temporary Fix. “A Philadelphia lawsuit could lead to temporary funding that postpones massive transit cuts proposed at Pittsburgh Regional Transit in February.” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Around The Commonwealth

3.  Latinos in Hazleton Say They’re Sticking by Trump

“Hazleton is the only one of Pennsylvania’s three largest majority-Latino cities to vote for Trump. The others, Reading and Allentown, supported him with about 35% of the vote.

Seven months into Trump’s administration, residents in Hazleton are grappling with their decision. Residents overwhelmingly said they object to the deportation or arrests of hardworking, noncriminal, undocumented immigrants, though they have yet to see much aggressive enforcement in their hometown.

But many Latino Trump supporters in the Luzerne County community said despite their misgivings about immigration policy, they still largely stand by the president.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

A Year Later, Rural Pennsylvanians Still Recovering From Debby. “For the residents impacted, however, feeling forgotten by state agencies like the Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency, or PEMA, and its federal counterpart FEMA is unacceptable, though not unexpected.” (The Center Square)

PA Supreme Court Order Prompts Cancellation of New Lackawanna County Commissioner’s Inauguration. “The state Supreme Court issued an emergency order that blocked Brenda Sacco from taking the oath of office Friday morning.” (WVIA)

Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• In PA and Across the Nation, Small Towns Need Help to Address Catastrophic Flooding. (Paige Cognetti) 
• Our State Supreme Court Justices Are Partly Partisan. (Bruce Ledewitz)
• What Happened to Democrats? (Adriana E. Ramírez)
• Kennedy’s Anti-Science Agenda Threatens Decades of Medical Progress. (Mark Singel)
• A Mail-Vote Job for Josh Shapiro. (Wall Street Journal)
• Reply to Senator Dush’s Op-Ed On Medicaid Cuts. (Kirstin Snow)
• Federal Grants Should Serve People, Not Politics. (Dr. Jeannine L. Lisitski)
• School Choice Puts Parents in the Driver’s Seat. (Dom Giordano)
• No Stocks For Congress. (TribLIVE)
• We Must Amend PA Constitution to Ensure Fair Representation, Avert Extreme Gerrymandering. (LNP)

1 Thing

5.   7 Stress-Free Pennsylvania Towns For A Weekend Retreat

Thinking about next weekend already?

“With summer coming to a close, the demands of everyday life often start to creep back in. The fall season, however, can present just as many opportunities for adventure, particularly if you are open to a quick weekend trip. Across Pennsylvania, weekend escapes range from outdoor retreats at lakes and nature reserves to tasty stops at pretzel bakeries and chocolate parks. These seven towns make the most of Pennsylvania’s variety, giving you the chance to unwind and enjoy a stress-free day or two.” (World Atlas)

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