Leap Day is February 29, 2019.

It Only Happens Once Every Four Years. Happy Leap Day!

PA Weather


Grove City | Gradual Clearing, 35


Huntingdon | Becoming Sunny, 40


Ivyland | Mostly Sunny, 40

PA Sports


Sixers (33-25) | Fri vs. Charlotte


Flyers (31-22-7) | Fri vs. Washington


Penguins (27-21-8) | Thu vs. Seattle

What’s Happening
Senate Appropriations Committee hearings begin at 9:30 a.m., while the House sessions begin at 10 a.m.

What We’re Hearing
‘It will be a real challenge’ for whoever succeeds McConnell, ‘because the party is divided in a lot of ways that the party hasn’t been in a very long time.’ – former Sen. Pat Toomey

Pennsylvania Political News Sent Directly to You
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Top Story

1. Democrats Fail to Get Traction in Must-Win Pennsylvania Even as Economy Improves

“The economy is on the upswing in Philadelphia and its suburbs after several years of pandemic-related weakness. New housing developments are going up as the region adds jobs and population, old industrial sites are being redeveloped and inflation has moderated.

That should be good news for President Joe Biden, who needs a large vote margin in Philadelphia and southeastern Pennsylvania to carry the state in an expected rematch with former President Donald Trump in November. But local Democratic leaders say Biden and the party need to do more to capitalize on an opportunity to persuade voters that his administration deserves credit for the rebound.” (BNN Bloomberg)

Related

McConnell to Step Down as Leader at the End of the Year. “The long-serving Republican leader said he would step aside from the role at the end of his term but remain in the Senate, acknowledging that his views on national security had put him out of step with his party.” (New York Times)

Montco Congresswoman Madeleine Dean Returns From Israel And Calls For Bilateral Cease-Fire. “U.S. Rep. Madeleine Dean said a recent trip to Israel and Palestinian territories and concerns over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s “dishonesty” and “broken promises” has led her to call for a bilateral cease-fire in Gaza.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Republicans Block Senate Bill To Protect Nationwide Access to IVF Treatments. “Senate Republicans have blocked legislation that would protect access to in vitro fertilization, objecting to a vote on the issue Wednesday even after widespread backlash to a recent ruling by the Alabama Supreme Court that threatens the practice.” (AP)

• Rep. Scott Perry Under Fire For Co-Sponsoring Bill That Democrats Say Would Ban IVF Treatments. (PennLive)

State

2. Shapiro Unveils Election Security Task Force To Mitigate Threats To The 2024 Vote

“Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania will announce a new election security task force Thursday that will put in place a cascade of measures across federal, state and local agencies that officials hope will keep the 2024 vote in the battleground state free from interference, misinformation and other major obstacles.

The Election Threats Task Force, first reported by NBC News, will be led by Secretary of the Commonwealth Al Schmidt and will involve officials from at least 10 government agencies, from election administration and law enforcement to homeland security to emergency management.” (NBC News)

Related

Why Gov. Josh Shapiro’s Agenda Could Hinge On 3 Election Upsets In The Pennsylvania Senate. “A few flips in the Pennsylvania Senate could change the trajectory of Harrisburg for the remainder of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s term.” (Erie Times-News)

State Senate Republicans Tee Off On Shapiro Education Proposals. “The verbal tug-of-war over billions of dollars in potential spending increases on basic education intensified sharply on Wednesday, as Republicans who control the state Senate lashed out at Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro’s education secretary for what they called a lack of information.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Matzie Proposes Changes to PIAA Executive Board. “The Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association (PIAA) has been many things to many people in its 110 years of existence. Now, a state representative wants to capitalize on a state Supreme Court ruling and make changes to the not-for-profit corporation.” (PoliticsPA)

• Rep. Stender Backs Proposed PIAA Bill To Add State Legislators To Executive Board. (Daily Item)

McClelland’s PA Treasurer Campaign Raised And Spent Money Months Before It Officially Existed. “Erin McClelland, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to run for state treasurer, campaigned and accepted donations months before registering a fundraising committee with the Pennsylvania Department of State, as candidates for state office are required to do. ” (Penn Capital-Star)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Three Republicans Spar In Debate For Lehigh Valley Congressional Race

“Little daylight separated the Lehigh Valley’s three Republican congressional candidates during an hourlong debate Wednesday afternoon.

Kevin Dellicker, an Air Force Reserve intelligence officer; state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie; and Maria Montero, a member of former Gov. Tom Corbett’s administration, faced off at WFMZ’s studio for a taping of Business Matters.

On foreign affairs, the three offered unequivocal support for Israel and its continued its military campaign in Gaza following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack. They labeled the Chinese government as the United States’ primary enemy and agreed America needed to be careful not to be dragged into every foreign conflict in order to build up its military.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

Related

Democrats Hoping For Rep. Scott Perry’s Seat Debate In Hershey. “The home stretch of the Democratic Party’s race to find an opponent for U.S. Rep. Scott Perry in Pennsylvania’s 10th Congressional District unofficially kicked off Wednesday night with a scattershot debate in Hershey between five of the six candidates on the primary ballot.” (PennLive)

Kelly’s GOP Primary Challenger Disqualified From Ballot. “A Republican primary challenger to U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly has been disqualified from the ballot for failing to have enough valid signatures on nominating petitions.” (New Castle News)

GOP Makes Gains In Delaware Valley Voter Registration Numbers. “The Pennsylvania GOP entered 2024 knowing it had a lot of work to do — particularly in the Delaware Valley. And early voter registration numbers show they’re making progress. Modest, perhaps, but progress nonetheless.” (Broad + Liberty)

Philly Dem Pushes $21/Hour Minimum Wage, but Workers May Pay the Price. “During a Zoom Town Hall Tuesday with self-declared “fair wage” advocates, Philadelphia Democrat Rep. Chris Rabb said $15 is not enough, and he wants the minimum wage to reach $21 an hour.” (DV Journal)

Off Target? Mount Washington Youth Sports Group Offers AR-15 As Raffle Prize. “The Washington Heights Athletic Association’s decision to include a potent rifle as a fundraiser prize has some in the neighborhood and beyond questioning the message that sends.” (Public Source)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• The Two Great Tides Of American Politics Are Going Out. (David Shribman)
• Mitch McConnell’s Great Senate Legacy. (Wall Street Journal)
• Mitch McConnell Bent The Arc Of American History To The Right. (Marc A. Thiessen)
• The Longer PA’s Mail-In Voting Issues Linger, The Worse It Is For Democracy. (John Baer)
• Skill Games Should Be Held To The Same Standards As Casinos. (Pete Shelly)
• Governor Shapiro’s Budget Plan Chases the Shiny Objects. (Carl Marrara)
• Women and the Future of Politics. (Elwood Watson)
• Franklin County Republicans Have A Lot To Vote For On April 23. (Dwight Weidman)
• Time for Big Ideas in Pennsylvania. (Rep. Tim O’Neal)

1 Thing

5. Making Up For Lost Time

“During the 2.3 billion miles the spinning Earth has traveled around the sun in the last four years, the clocks of the world have quietly banked about 1,440 minutes.

On Thursday, we get to go to the cosmic ATM of time and make our quadrennial withdrawal — that 24 hours that constitute “leap day,” as the shortest month in the shortest season gains an extra day and the rest of calendar takes a forward “leap.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

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