April 2: Three for the Show

It’s a Wet, Wet Tuesday. Be weather aware in western PA today.

PA Weather


Fox Chapel | Thunderstorms, 70


Halifax | Rain, 48


Trexlertown | Rain, 48

PA Sports


Sixers (40-35) | Tue vs. Oklahoma City


Flyers (36-29-11) | NY Islanders 3-4 (OT) | Fri vs. Buffalo


Penguins (33-30-11) | NY Rangers 5-2 | Tue vs. New Jersey


Pirates (5-0) | Washington 8-4 | Mon vs. Washington


Phillies (1-3) | Cincinnati 3-6 (10) | Mon vs. Cincinnati

What We’re Hearing
A group of House Republicans are pushing to have Washington Dulles, DC’s main international airport, renamed — after Donald Trump. The bill’s being led by House GOP chief deputy whip Guy Reschenthaler.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Reps. Bryan Cutler, Jim Marshall and Jim Rigby as well as former Rep. Paul Kanjorski.

From Us to You
Did you know that the PoliticsPA Playbook reaches over 7,200 subscribers? Add your name to the list and we’ll deliver all today’s PA political headlines in an easy-to-read email format by 8 AM. And it’s free. Subscribe now.

Top Story

1. Can Democrats Flip The Pennsylvania Senate For a ‘Trifecta’?

“In 2022, Democrats regained control of the Pennsylvania House, a razor-thin majority that has survived several special elections since. Now, the party is eyeing the tantalizingly close margin in the state Senate, where Republicans hold 28 seats, and Democrats hold 22. If they were able to win a majority, or even reach a tie in the Senate, Democrats would have a trifecta in state government, with control of the governor’s office and both chambers of the General Assembly.

Democrats need to flip three seats for a tie, and four for a majority. But even a tie gives Democrats an edge in the upper chamber, since Democratic Lt. Gov Austin Davis would cast the tie breaking vote in the event of a stalemate.” (Penn Capital-Star)

Related

Democrats Open Philly Headquarters As Biden Campaign Boosts Staffing Across PA. “The office opening in Philly is one of 14 in Pennsylvania this past week and underscores how Biden’s campaign is staffing up early in key battleground states.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Trump’s Immigration Rhetoric Makes Inroads With Some Democrats. That Could Be A Concern For Biden. “Roughly two-thirds of Americans now disapprove of how Biden is handling border security, including about 4 in 10 Democrats, 55% of Black adults and 73% of Hispanic adults, according to a recent poll.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

The Real Question Over Trump’s VP Choice — Does It Matter? “Speculation is heating up about former President Trump’s choice of running mate. But the bigger question is, does it matter?” (The Hill)

State

2. Voter Registration by Congressional District in PA

“Courtesy of the Pennsylvania Department of State, here is the data for registered voters in the Commonwealth by congressional district.

Looking at the map, it becomes pretty clear pretty quickly which are the races to watch around Pennsylvania this fall.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

PA House Primary Preview: Northwest. “The countdown is underway to the 2024 Pennsylvania presidential primary. In the first of our series, PoliticsPA will take a look at two races in the northwestern portion of the state.” (PoliticsPA)

Pennsylvania and Other States Push To Combat AI Threat To Elections. “This year’s presidential election will be the first since generative AI — a form of artificial intelligence that can create new content, including images, audio, and video — became widely available. That’s raising fears that millions of voters could be deceived by a barrage of political deepfakes.” (Penn Capital-Star)

The Forward Party Wants to Be on PA’s 2024 General Election Ballot. It Must Overcome Several Hurdles. “If you want to get on the ballot as a third-party candidate in Pennsylvania, it helps to have a good lawyer.” (Spotlight PA)

PA-07 Primary: Republican Candidates Talk Reproductive Rights. “Two years after the Supreme Court’s controversial decision to overturn Roe v. Wade set a tone in the 2022 midterm elections, the three Republican candidates for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District are staking out different platforms on reproductive rights.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Affordable Internet Program That Helps 760,000 PA Families is on ‘Brink of Shutting Down,’ White House Says

“The Affordable Connectivity Program — which provides $30 monthly to help eligible households cover internet costs and $75 to eligible families on tribal lands — “is on the brink of shutting down” next month, Jessica Rosenworcel, chair of the Federal Communications Commission, wrote in a letter to lawmakers.

The program particularly helps veterans, seniors, Black and Latino communities, school-aged children and families in rural and tribal areas, White House officials told reporters in a press call Monday.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Why Philly Lawmakers Are Pushing To Repeal This Obscure PA Tax Rule. “Under the Pennsylvania uniformity clause, the city of Philadelphia can’t levy higher tax rates on skyscrapers than rowhouses, but some lawmakers want to change that.” (WHYY)

Conservative Pine-Richland School Board Director Launches New Statewide Coalition. “The Pennsylvania School Directors Coalition has billed itself as a resource for all school board members, “regardless of political viewpoint or ideology.” But its website doesn’t detail its leaders’ history with the state’s conservative education movements.” (WESA)

Sultana Gives Freeman 1st Primary Fight Since ‘82 For Easton-Area PA House Seat. “It’s the first primary challenge that Robert Freeman is facing since he was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1982. He hasn’t had a general election opponent since 2010 when he defeated Republican Ron Shegda with 64% of the vote ” (Armchair Lehigh Valley)

Census: PA Population Shrinking, But Here’s How Much Central PA Counties Grew Since 2020. “Central Pennsylvania bucked the state’s trend in population decline between 2020 and 2023, according to the latest figures available from the U.S. Census Bureau.” (York Daily Record)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Reject Trump’s Messianic Message Of Hate. (Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Pittsburgh Needs Cooperation To Get Moving Again. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Is Now The Time For Solar in Western Pennsylvania? (Tribune-Review)
• The Supreme Court May Support Abortion — For Legal Reasons. (Noah Feldman)
• Immigrants Are The Solution, Not The Problem. (Anuj Gupta)
• PA Senate Looks at Election Security, Finds It Lacking. (Dean Dreibelbis)
• Legal Pot In PA? Ignore The Hype And Consider What Happened In Other States First. (Scott L. Bohn)

1 Thing

5. Where Is The Best Bowling Alley in PA?

“Bowling has long been a cherished pastime for many, offering entertainment, competition, camaraderie, or a fun escape from harsh weather. Pennsylvania boasts an array of bowling alleys to fit our various communities throughout the Commonwealth. From nostalgic lanes that have been striking up joy for generations to modern, high-tech facilities, there’s something for every bowling enthusiast in the Keystone State.

We want to know: which bowling alley rolls a perfect game in your heart? Whatever your favorite alley’s charms may be, we’re asking you to vote for your favorite bowling alley in Pennsylvania.” (The Keystone)

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