Shapiro To Call For US Pressure On China. This is the PoliticsPA Playbook.

🌻 Happy Thursday. 47 days until the midterms

🎶 Your Morning Pick Me Up. My Best Friend’s Hot. The Dollyrots

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PA Sports 
⚾  Phillies (84-68, +1.0 GB WC) | Washington 3-0 | Thu at NY Mets
⚾  Pirates (75-77) | Milwaukee 4-5 | Thu vs. Milwaukee

🔈 What We’re Hearing. Gov. Josh Shapiro will call for the U.S. to push China for “practical guardrails to reduce risks to the American people” and muscular federal regulation in a speech in Pittsburgh today. He will also blast President Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson for not doing enough to respond to the threat of rogue AI.

📺  What We’re Reading. The Cook Political Report Battleground District poll surveyed voters in the 37 districts it rates as Toss Up, Lean Republican or Lean Democrat.  In those competitive districts, which Trump won by an average of five points in 2024, Democrats now hold a two-point advantage on the generic congressional ballot, 49% to 47%. In other words, a district that Trump carried by five points in 2024 would have a Democratic advantage of two points today — a seven point swing in Democrats’ favor. 

💬 Tips. PoliticsPA is Pennsylvania’s premier source for nonpartisan political news and analysis. Tips or press releases can be sent to [email protected].

The PoliticsPA Playbook is compiled by Steve Ulrich. For the web version, click here. Was this email forwarded to you? Subscribe here.

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Top Story

1.   As Warnings Mount, Democrats Eyeing the Presidency Wake Up to AI Fears

“Democrats with an eye on the presidency in 2028 are racing to address voters’ fears about artificial intelligence — planning speeches, warning about the technology on social media and, in a few cases, introducing legislation.

The flurry of activity, which so far has been heavier on rhetoric than specific policies, is a turnaround for many Democrats who have been slow to address the fast-changing technology that has a powerful industry behind it that has punished its perceived enemies in elections.

Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania is planning an address on AI on Thursday, following his executive order in August to remove data centers from a fast track permitting process in the state.” | Washington Post

Elsewhere

Redistricting Moved 1 In 10 Americans Into A New House District, Report Finds. “The unprecedented spate of mid-decade redistricting for the U.S. House has changed the congressional districts for one-tenth of Americans and significantly altered the makeup of at least one-fifth of districts, according to a new study.” | AP

Pennsylvania Republicans Join Bipartisan Push For National Anti-Gerrymandering Rules. “Republican Pennsylvania Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick and Ryan Mackenzie joined members of the House Problem Solvers Caucus in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday to announce four bills intended to implement a redistricting framework the caucus released in July.” | WHYY

McCormick Favors, Fetterman Opposes CLARITY Act. “Pennsylvania U.S. Sens. John Fetterman and Dave McCormick found themselves on opposite ends of a vote on a major cryptocurrency proposal on Tuesday.” | The Center Square

Skill Games Face Seizure As Deadline For PA Legislature to Act Looms. “Leaders in the Pennsylvania legislature say they want to legalize and regulate skill games before a court-mandated deadline opens the terminals up to seizure by law enforcement. Whether they’ll actually reach a consensus within the next month — ahead of critical legislative elections that will determine control of the General Assembly — is much murkier.” | Spotlight PA

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State

2.   Election 2026: The 19 State House Races We’re Watching

“We are now less than 50 days from the midterm elections and if Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro wants to see his dream of the Democratic trifecta in Harrisburg come true, his party will have to hold onto its majority in the state House.

Democrats currently hold a 103-100 majority in the House and are hopeful that party enthusiasm and Republican apathy could enable Dems to take their largest advantage in the chamber since 1992 when they held 105 seats.” | PoliticsPA

Elsewhere

Voices of Reason: Why Americans’ Opinion of Israel Has Changed. “Since the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, Americans have viewed Israel in a different light. In this episode of Voices of Reason, PoliticsPA’s Steve Ulrich and Rabbi Jack Paskoff from Congregation Shaarai Shomayim in Lancaster discuss why Americans’ opinions of Israel have changed and what can be done to repair the relationship.” | PoliticsPA

Pennsylvania’s Measles Outbreak Is Enormous. “Following America’s recent measles deaths, anti-vaccine activists have cast doubt on the virus as the culprit. They’ve pointed to a victim’s underlying health conditions or, as they did last year in Texas, blamed hospital error. But the two latest measles deaths in Pennsylvania—bringing the state’s total to four since mid-August—have made the United States’ measles crisis undeniable.” | The Atlantic

State Treasury Flagged $1.4B in Improper Payments; Lawmakers Say Greater Oversight Needed. “Pennsylvania’s fiscal watchdog halted about 20,000 improper state government payments worth $1.4 billion last fiscal year.” | Penn Capital-Star

PA House Dems Demand Records on Contracts at PA’s Biggest ICE Facility. “Pennsylvania Democrats in the U.S. House are digging into the financial links between ICE, Clearfield County and the company that operates the Moshannon Valley Processing Center.” | PennLive

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Around The Commonwealth

3.  For Pennsylvania Voters, Abortion Rights Are Personal and Political

“According to research from Reproductive Freedom for All, eight in 10 voters say it is important for lawmakers to protect access to reproductive healthcare, including 58% who called it “very important.” Half said they wanted more laws protecting abortion nationwide. Forty-three percent of voters said support for an abortion ban would be a total dealbreaker.

The findings come as Pennsylvania voters prepare to choose lawmakers who could shape the future of abortion access in the commonwealth.” | The Keystone

Elsewhere

McCormick Backs MMR Vaccine As Measles Deaths Rise. “Republican U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick reiterated his support for the measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine after two more deaths in Pennsylvania were associated with measles.” | Axios Pittsburgh

Philly DA Larry Krasner Faces Legal and Political Uncertainty After A Judge Said He May Have Committed Crimes. “A federal judge’s statement this week that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner may have committed crimes while running his office came as part of a lengthy battle in a complex post-conviction case. But the fallout is likely just beginning.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

Philly’s Political Parties Can Now Spend Unlimited Amounts In Coordination With Their Candidates. “In next year’s primary elections for mayor and Council, candidates endorsed by the Democratic City Committee could be able to access major financial advantages over their rivals.” | Philadelphia Inquirer

SD-26: Gail Scott v. Incumbent Tim Kearney. “A challenger has emerged in the 26th state Senatorial District to face the incumbent who has held the post since being elected in 2018.” | Delco Times

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Editorial

4.  What Do You Think?

• President Trump’s Assault on the Midterm Election Is Down But Not Out | Philadelphia Inquirer
• Gov. Shapiro’s Intrusive New Regulations Create Covid Déjà Vu | Sen. Scott Martin
• The Pennsylvania Constitution Cannot Be Circumvented | Sen. Doug Mastriano
• Pittsburgh Can’t Afford To Be A Trust-Fund City Anymore | Brandon McGinley
• Before Pennsylvania Kids Can Learn to Read, They Need to Feel Safe and Fed | PennLive
• For Trump, Jews Are Proving To Be A Very Useful Tool | James Loeffler
• Mid-Term Election Day Rapidly Approaching | Emily Brey
• Can Democrats Rise Above Partisanship to Reject Krasner? | Broad + Liberty
• 235 to Zero: The Choice Shapiro Never Talks About | Dan Bartkowiak
• Time For Westmoreland County to Consider Home Rule | Bryan L. Kline

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1 Thing

5.   Cherry Crest Farm Holds On to National No. 2 Ranking For Its Patriotic Corn Maze

“For the third year in a row, Cherry Crest Adventure Farm has the second-best corn maze in the country.

So say the voters in USA Today’s nationwide 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards.

The theme of this year’s maze at the Ronks agricultural attraction pays tribute to America’s 250th birthday and features the Liberty Bell and five shooting stars scattered around the central image and the number 250 in the upper left-hand corner.” | LNP

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