Happy Spring!  I think there’s college basketball on TV today. That explains the tickle in my throat [cough, cough]

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Your Morning Pick-Me-Up. Happy. Pharrell Williams.

PA Weather
Meadville | Showers, 53
Mercersburg | Showers likely, 62
Mountain Top | Increasing Clouds, 62

PA Sports
Flyers (28-33-8) | Thu vs. Washington
Penguins (28-32-10) | Fri vs. Columbus
Sixers (23-46) | Oklahoma City 100-133 | Fri vs. San Antonio
NCAA Wrestling Championships | through Saturday (Wells Fargo Center)

Social Media. Join us on Twitter and Bluesky at @PoliticsPA

Top Story

1. Trump Administration Freezes $175M in Federal Funding to U. of Pennsylvania

“Fox Business News is reporting that the Trump Administration has put a hold on $175 million in federal funding to the University of Pennsylvania, in part to the institution’s handling of the Lia Thomas swimming case.

Wednesday’s decision is a result of Penn’s “policies forcing women to compete with men in sports.” The funding pause follows a Feb. 5 executive order signed by Trump threatening to remove federal funding from universities that allow the participation of biological men in women’s sports.

“This is just a taste of what could be coming down the pipe for Penn,” one senior Trump administration official told Fox News.” (PoliticsPA)

• Trump Administration Has Paused $175 Million in Funding to Penn For Allowing Transgender Athlete to Compete. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• ‘Proactive Punishment’: Trump Admin Pauses $175M to Penn. (Inside Higher Ed)

Elsewhere

Trump to Sign Order Thursday to Dismantle Education Department. “The executive order directs Education Secretary Linda McMahon “to take all necessary steps to facilitate the closure of the Department of Education and return education authority to the States” while ensuring “uninterrupted delivery of services, programs, and benefits on which Americans rely,” according to a White House summary seen by Axios.” (Axios)

Fetterman Continues Support of Israel, Demanding Release of Hostages During 2nd Visit to Jewish State. ““Hamas does not want peace,” Sen. John Fetterman posted on X. “I unapologetically, 100% stand with Israel, and demand the release of all remaining hostages.”” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

With Dems Set to Skewer Him, Rep. Mackenzie Calls 1st Town Hall of His Own at Same Time. “U.S. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie announced he’ll be hosting a telephone town hall event Thursday evening — just as his political rivals launch their own town hall that will focus on proposed cuts to Medicaid.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

‘Where is Scott Perry?’: Progressive Group Holds Town Hall, With Focus Largely on Medicaid Cuts. “As Republican lawmakers across the United States face backlash during town hall meetings, or refuse to host them at all, one group in central Pennsylvania held their own town hall Wednesday evening to tell U.S. Rep. Scott Perry how they feel about proposed Medicaid cuts, among other concerns.” (PennLive)

State

2. Did Lack of “Early Voting” Affect Pennsylvania’s 2024 Vote?

“The nonpartisan, multistate organization, “All Voting Is Local,” released a report on Wednesday, analyzing data that showed how the addition of an in-person early voting option made a major difference in early voter turnout in 2024.

“The Effects of Early In-Person Voting in Michigan vs. Pennsylvania,” displayed how Michigan’s addition of an in-person early voting option made a major difference in early voter turnout compared to the Keystone State, a demographically similar state where no such option exists.” (PoliticsPA)

Elsewhere

Mon Valley Special Election to Determine PA House Majority. “Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. On Tuesday, there is a special election that will determine the majority in the Pennsylvania state House.” (PoliticsPA)

Trump’s Pardons Spark Fresh Fights Over Abortion Clinic Safety. “Abortion rights supporters across the country are scrambling to strengthen protections for clinics in response to moves by the Trump administration that they believe will put providers and patients in danger. Legislation by Pennsylvania Democratic Rep. Lindsay Powell also faces a challenging path. She said she’s still working to win that support from across the aisle.” (POLITICO)

Pregnant and Stranded: One Lawmaker Wants to Lower the Number of Maternity Care Deserts in Pennsylvania. “Nearly 12.4% of women in Pennsylvania lack access to a birthing hospital within a 30-minute drive. The national average is 9.7%. Imagine being pregnant and having to drive more than 30 minutes to get the consistent care you need.” (The Keystone)

PA House Advances Online Data Privacy, Cryptocurrency Bills. “A Pennsylvania House committee approved a consumer data privacy bill Tuesday that would set rules for how companies collect, store and sell individualized information from people’s online activities.” (WITF)

When Will Recreational Weed Be Legal in Pennsylvania? The Wait Isn’t Over. “Despite increasing pressure on Pennsylvania lawmakers to legalize recreational marijuana, adult residents likely won’t be purchasing cannabis without a medical card anytime soon.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Around The Commonwealth

3. PA’s New Attorney General Won’t Be Suing President Trump. What You Need to Know About Republican Dave Sunday’s Quest to be a ‘Boring AG’

“Pennsylvania’s new attorney general, Dave Sunday, has a desire that few top prosecutors would ever say out loud in today’s hyperpolarized political environment: He wants to be boring.

“Too much in society, people are desperate for a social media hit. They’re desperate to get a bit of attention that day,” said Sunday last week in an interview in the attorney general’s Philadelphia office in Center City. “I want to be a boring AG. I’m focusing on my job and what I’m supposed to be doing.”” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Elsewhere

‘You Cannot Live Freely If You Are Living In Fear’: Delaware County Council Considers ‘Ghost Gun’ Ban. “Delaware County Council introduced an ordinance Wednesday evening that would effectively ban the manufacture, possession, transfer and use of “ghost guns.”” (WHYY)

Working People Find They Have Value in This Year’s Race For Pittsburgh Mayor. “Working folks in Pittsburgh are now so worthy that they find themselves at the center of a fight. Workers are actually wanted here, at least in the Democratic mayoral primary race. The two candidates — incumbent Ed Gainey and challenger Allegheny County Controller Corey O’Connor — are scrambling to get the attention and backing of wage earners and their unions.” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Erie Elections Board Didn’t Act in ‘Bad Faith’ After Drop-Box Video Overwritten: Judge. “The Erie County Board of Elections and two county clerks were neither in contempt of a court order compelling them to produce election-related records, nor did they act in bad faith when they couldn’t, Common Pleas Judge David Ridge ruled.” (Erie Times-News)

Editorial

4. Speak Your Mind

• Trump Seems Determined to Spark a Constitutional Crisis. Will Anyone Stop Him? (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Time For Another 5 Questions About Trump’s ‘Golden Age of America’. (John Baer) 
• Our National Parks Are National Treasures DOGE Must Not Cut. (John Plonski)
• What’s Missing in the Loud Debate Over Guns? Listening. (David Greene)
• The One Way New Jersey Is Five Times Better Than PA on Transparency. (Broad + Liberty)
• Why Do School Districts Spend So Much Money Fighting Right to Know Requests? (Beth Ann Rosica)

1 Bracket Thing

5. March Madness, Pennsylvania-Style: 64 Locally-Made Products Compete in Bracket-Style Tournament Again

“As everyone is filling out their March Madness brackets, the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry again has prepared its own tournament with a field of 64 made-in-PA goods.

The first round of the Coolest Thing Made in PA contest began Tuesday, and anyone can cast votes by visiting the chamber’s account on X, formerly Twitter, and selecting an option in each head-to-head match up. The competitors include food and drink, vehicles, instruments, art supplies, appliances, sports equipment and more – all produced in the state.” (Philly Voice)

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