News & Brews February 27, 2024
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Will Biden’s LNG pause hurt him in Pa.?
POLITICO reporter Josh Siegel writes that “President Joe Biden’s decision to pause new exports of U.S. natural gas is rattling his allies in the essential swing state of Pennsylvania.” His move has split members of his own party in a state he can’t afford to lose. “Biden’s reelection this year may hinge on whether he can hold the heavily working-class state he narrowly carried in 2020, which is now the second biggest natural gas producer in the country behind Texas,” Siegel writes. “And while his move to reassess the climate impacts of natural gas shipments may have helped shore up support from young environmental activists, others are questioning his strategy.”
‘Machine-style politics’ returns to Pittsburgh
The Post-Gazette Editorial Board decries the enmeshed relationship between Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey’s office and SEIU—to the point that Gainey has pretty much become an SEIU arm and is using his mayoral office to advance the union’s agenda to the detriment of the constituents he’s supposed to serve.
AFP backs McCormick with $1M Pa. ad buy
The Delaware Valley Journal reports that Americans for Prosperity Action has executed a $1 million ad buy in support of GOP U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick. One of the ads takes aim at incumbent Democrat Sen. Bob Casey, saying he “deserves a pink slip, not another term.” The media buy “includes spots on connected TV (streaming) and the internet on sites like YouTube.”
Lafayette College prepping for Sept. VP debate
It’s still seven months until the September 25 vice presidential debate, scheduled to take place at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. But Lehigh Valley News reports that the school is already “gearing up” for the event. And while the debate details will primarily be handled by the Commission on Presidential Debates, Lafayette plans to “host a days-long celebration of democracy.”
Watch today’s budget hearings
The Senate Appropriations Committee will hear from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission/Pennsylvania Game Commission this morning at 9:30 a.m. (watch here) and from the Department of Agriculture at 1:00 p.m. (watch here). The House Appropriations Committee will hear from the Department of State this morning 10:00 a.m. (watch here) and from the Department of Health and Department of Drug & Alcohol Programs this afternoon at 1:00 p.m. (watch here). Full legislative schedules can be found here.