May 16: It Takes Two

Good Morning. Is that the sun out there?

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Ellwood City | Mostly Sunny, 78


Millheim | Mostly Sunny, 76


Nanticoke | Partly Sunny, 75

PA Sports


Phillies (31-13) | NY Mets 10-5 | Thu vs. NY Mets


Pirates (19-25) | Milwaukee 2-10 | Thu-Sun vs. Chicago Cubs


Union (3-5-4) | New York City FC 1-2 | Sat vs. New England

What We’re Hearing. Janelle Stelson announced the endorsements of four members of Congress: Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), and Susan Wild (PA-07) in her race for PA-10.

Happy Birthday. Cake and candles for Rep. Dwight Evans.

Daily Bruce. “I had a friend was a big baseball player, back in high school. He could throw that speedball by you. Make you look like a fool boy“ – Glory Days

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Top Story

1. Biden, Trump Agree to Two Debates

“It takes two, baby, it takes two, just me and you.”

President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump agreed to hold two campaign debates with the first slated for the end of June.

Biden and Trump will debate in Atlanta in an event hosted by CNN on June 27, while the second debate is scheduled to be hosted by ABC News on September 10.” (PoliticsPA)

Related

What’s Behind Biden’s Plan for a June Debate. “The presidential race was shot full of adrenaline Wednesday morning after President Joe Biden’s surprise announcement that he was ready to debate former President Donald Trump in two network television-produced bouts. But even those in Biden’s orbit are questioning whether this is real.” (NOTUS)

Trump and Biden Are Competing To Quarterback The Super Bowl of Tax Policy. “With large chunks of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act set to expire at the end of next year, along with a key piece of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, whichever party wins the White House and Congress will have the opportunity to rewrite much of the IRS code.” (Semafor)

Women Lag Men In Political Donating. Why Giving Circles Like J. Smith-Cameron’s Could Help Narrow That Gap. “Women were about 45% of donors to state House and Senate general election campaigns between 2019 and 2022, according to research from the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University (CAWP).” (CNN)

David McCormick Proposes Moving Department of Energy to Pittsburgh. “McCormick, who has criticized President Joe Biden and Mr. Casey on energy policy, argued that moving the department, which employs more than 14,000 federal workers, would place federal officials closer to energy production.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

State

2. Education Funding Boost, Tax Cuts On Table As PA Budget Talks Begin

“More than a month out from the June 30 budget deadline, top Pennsylvania lawmakers are beginning a new round of negotiations with few specific points of agreement.

The renewed deliberations come just five months after the divided legislature finalized a deadlock-plagued deal for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

Bills from the legislature’s two chambers and Gov. Josh Shapiro’s February budget address illustrate the many competing visions for the state’s annual funding plan.” (Spotlight PA)

Related

Governor Pushes Public Transit Funding in Lancaster Stop. “Gov. Josh Shapiro made a stop in Lancaster on Wednesday to push his plan to pass his budget proposal that calls for nearly $283 million to be allocated for public transit.” (PoliticsPA)

• Gov. Shapiro Pushes Public Transit Boost With $39 Million For PRT As Republicans Plan To Take A Look. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Shapiro Signs Bill Making Xylazine Possession Illegal. “Xylazine is now formally listed as a Schedule III drug in the commonwealth after Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a Somerset County legislator’s bill into law Wednesday.” (CNHI News)

Meet The 11 Pennsylvania Billionaires On Forbes’ Richest People In The World List. “Last year, Pennsylvania’s billionaires were worth a combined $76.3 billion, according to Forbes. With two more members in its ranks, Forbes says Pennsylvania’s billionaires are now worth a collective $84.48 billion.” (The Keystone)

Around The Commonwealth

3. How a Lehigh Valley Radio Host Is Playing An Outsized Role In The 2024 Presidential Election

“As a former host for mainstream corporate radio stations across the country, Victor Martinez was told to stay away from politics while on air.

While working for a Washington, D.C., radio station in 2016, a large immigration-related protest was planned in the city. But corporate leaders told Martinez and the other radio personalities, “don’t get involved.”

When Martinez purchased what is now La Mega Radio station in Allentown in 2017, it was his opportunity to define his own rules as a radio host.” (Allentown Morning Call)

Related

Luzerne County Judges Deny Cabell’s Petitions Over Write-In, Provisional Votes. “A panel of three Luzerne County judges on Wednesday denied a petition from state Rep. Mike Cabell to count write-in votes cast in the April 23 Republican primary for the 117th District state House seat.” (Citizens Voice)

Lawsuit, Records Requests Signal ACLU Effort To Target ‘Notice And Cure’ Policies For Flawed Mail Ballots. “The ACLU of Pennsylvania is suing one county and may file more cases in an effort to challenge a policy that it says disenfranchises voters who make an error when casting ballots by mail.” (Votebeat)

PA Treasurer Candidate’s Communications Director Dual Role Raises Ethical Concern. “Pennsylvania’s state treasurer race rarely draws national media attention. But the two major party candidates’ differing views on investing public funds in foreign holdings appeared in a United Press International story about the student protest at Columbia University over Israel’s war in Gaza.” (PennLive)

Political Advertising Is In Season, Who Is Funding It And Where Is It Coming From? “During election seasons, political advertising is everywhere. Sometimes it feels nearly impossible to avoid, whether you see a commercial on TV, the internet or even in the mail and we’re already seeing accusations in political advertising pick up.” (YourErie.com)

PA ‘Parental Rights’ Movement Mom Sentenced In Bucks County Underage Drinking Party. “A former Pennsylvania lieutenant governor candidate and prominent figure in the conservative “parental rights” school movement will serve a year of probation for providing alcohol to teenagers during a rowdy party at her Bucks County home last year.” (Bucks County Courier Times)

Editorial

4. What’s On Your Mind

• Biden Will Lose The Support Of Eligible Immigrant Voters Without Humane Border Policies. (Jasmine Rivera and Tsehaitu Abye)
• Here’s My Plan To Take On The Culture Of Washington, Rein In Federal Overreach, And Improve Congress. (Dave McCormick)
• Mayor Ed Gainey Doesn’t Respect Pittsburgh. (Ruth Ann Dailey)
• Don’t Let All The Political Madness Turn You From Democracy. (John Baer)
• Will the Debates Matter? The Media Doesn’t Care. (Jack Shafer)
• Harrisburg Hits & Misses for the Hardworking Taxpayer. (Emily Greene)
• Is America Dictator-Proof? (The Economist)
• Congress Must Take Action To Ensure And Expand Voting Rights. (Nicolas O’Rourke)

1 Thing

5. Delay of Game

“American sports may have seen its most epic battle of the year: a single raccoon vs a team of men trying to capture it with trash cans.

The stripy tailed interloper stopped play for almost two minutes in the Major League Soccer game between Philadelphia Union and New York City on Wednesday night, prompting a battle of wit and skill with staff on the field of Subaru Park in in Chester, PA.

“This is marvelous entertainment. Go on, raccoon! You can get away,” Callum Williams, the commentator on Apple TV said, before adding “Don’t hurt him!” as the plastic prison was at last put into place.” (NBC News)

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