April 12th: Student Debt Relief is Coming

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What We’re Hearing. “From day one of my Administration, I promised to fight to ensure higher education is a ticket to the middle class, not a barrier to opportunity. I will never stop working to cancel student debt no matter how many times Republican elected officials try to stop us.” – President Joe Biden

Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. David Zimmerman (Sat.)

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Top Story

1. Biden Canceling Student Debt For More Than 277,000 Borrowers

“President Joe Biden announced on Friday he would be canceling debt for more than 277,000 borrowers.

The administration is forgiving $7.4 billion for borrowers in more than 40 states in the latest debt relief program, bringing the total amount of student loan cancellation over Biden’s presidency to $153 billion.

Biden’s loan forgiveness actions have largely targeted public service workers, those on IDR plans, borrowers defrauded by their schools and people with disabilities.” (The Hill)

Related

Biden Prepares Pennsylvania Swing To Make The Economic Case Against Trump. “The push will kick off Tuesday with a major address in Biden’s hometown of Scranton, Pennsylvania, campaign officials told CNN, a site he’s often turned to as the backdrop for making his economic populist pitch to voters.” (CNN)

Gov. Josh Shapiro Attended The White House State Dinner, Showing His Alliance With Biden Remains Strong. “The Shapiros were among more than 200 guests, including the Clintons, Jeff Bezos, and members of the Biden family. Paul Simon, who is one of first lady Jill Biden’s favorite artists, performed. The Japanese prime minister is also a fan.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Focus Groups: Swing Voters Aren’t Buying Trump’s Abortion Stance. “About half of Pennsylvania swing voters said presidential candidate’s stances on abortion will influence how they vote in the fall, according to our latest Engagious/Sago focus groups.” (Axios)

Green Party Starts Petition Drive to Get Jill Stein on PA Ballot. “Coming soon to a front doorstep near you … The Green Party of Pennsylvania has begun its petition drive to get Jill Stein, its presidential candidate, on Pennsylvania’s general election ballot.” (PoliticsPA)

Cornel West Could Cause a Headache for Biden. First, He’d Have to Get on More Ballots. “The philosopher and academic launched a long shot third-party bid for president but needs far more funding to make the ballot in all 50 states.” (NOTUS)

State

2. Trump Is Headed To Bucks County This Weekend, But Don’t Expect Fitzpatrick To Be There

“Former President Donald Trump’s first stop in Pennsylvania on Saturday will be a fundraiser in Bucks County — a short distance from U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s district office.

But Fitzpatrick’s plans on Saturday remain unclear.

The self-described moderate Republican, who has a history of dodging questions about Trump, did not respond to inquiries about whether he’ll attend the event.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

Pennsylvania U.S. House Primary Preview: Keystone Battlegrounds Abound. “If Democrats are to take back control of the House this November, they’ll need to hold the line in the Keystone State, home to three of their most vulnerable incumbents.” (Cook Political Report) $$

Congressional Primary Preview: PA-01. “Another sitting congressman faces a primary challenge, this time on the Republican side as incumbent Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is being challenged by Mark Houck. Democrat Ashley Ehasz awaits in the fall.” (PoliticsPA)

• Republicans Fitzpatrick, Houck to Face off in Sunday Debate. (DV Journal)

Filings Show Top Conservative Donor Jeffrey Yass Gave $800K To PAC Attacking Summer Lee. “The group, called Moderate PAC, has spent more than $586,000 in the Pittsburgh area, running a series of ads online and on TV attacking Lee and boosting her Democratic challenger Bhavini Patel, an Edgewood councilwoman.” (Tribune-Review)

• A Super PAC Touting Itself As ‘Moderate’ Is Mostly Funded By Republican Billionaire. (WESA Politics)
• Financial Irregularities Surround House Candidate Bhavini Patel. (The American Prospect)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Making Sense Of A Swing County: Erie, Pennsylvania

“Erie, Pa., supported Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 elections, Donald Trump in 2016 and Joe Biden in 2020.

What makes the county such a reliable bellwether? And how are campaign operatives there feeling about this year’s race?” (NPR Politics)

Related

PA Student Teachers Flood State With Stipend Applications. “Applications for student teacher stipends opened at 9 a.m. Thursday, and by 11 a.m. the state had received more applications than it could afford.” (WESA)

Armstrong County Man Launches U.S. Senate Campaign. “Armstrong County native and Libertarian John Thomas launched his campaign for United States Senate. To qualify for the November ballot, Thomas needs to collect 5,000 valid signatures across the state of Pennsylvania.” (ExploreClarion)

Lawsuit Settled: 2 Top US Gun Parts Makers Agree To Temporarily Halt Sales In Philadelphia. “Two of America’s leading gun parts manufacturers have agreed to temporarily halt sales of their products in Philadelphia and elsewhere in Pennsylvania, city officials said Thursday, announcing a settlement of their lawsuit against the companies.” (AP)

Advocates, Jails Ramp Up Efforts To Ensure Eligible Voters In Pennsylvania Jails Can Cast A Ballot. “Almost 60% of the state’s county jails had no written policy on jail voting in 2020, according to a 2021 report from All Voting is Local. In 2020, when there were 25,000 people held in Pennsylvania’s county jails, only 52 requested mail-in ballots for the general election, the group found.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Pregnancy Should Not Be More Dangerous For Black Women In Pennsylvania. (Blayre Holmes Davis)
• The Republicans’ New Idea Didn’t Work In The 19th Century, And It’s A Bad Idea Now. (Dennis Jett)
• New HUD Leadership Needs To Bring Change For Johnstown. (Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr.)
• The Arrogance Of The Left — Always Certain, Usually Wrong. (Guy Ciarrocchi)

1 Thing

5. Lunchables Aren’t Safe For Kids, Says New Report

“If your parents never let you get the ham and cheese packs or pepperoni pizza meals that your classmates would proudly assemble in the cafeteria, text them a quick thank you. This week, the advocacy group Consumer Reports (CR) said scientists found hormone-disrupting chemicals and high levels of lead and sodium in the ultraprocessed meal kits.

Based on these findings, the group strongly recommended that the USDA remove two “school version” Lunchables from the National School Lunch Program for low-income students.” (Morning Brew)

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