News & Brews January 28, 2025
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Pa. Dems mum on whether they’ll do nothing until special election
Spotlight PA reports that with the Pa. House once again tied at 101-101 due to the death of Democrat state Rep. Matt Gergely, Democrat leaders won’t say whether they’ll stop operations until his seat is filled and they once again have a numerical majority. “Last session,” the story notes, “a tied chamber repeatedly ground operations in Harrisburg to a halt as Democratic leaders declined to bring bills up for a vote…. This included a nearly three-month period during which Democratic leaders stopped all floor operations because they said a leaky roof needed to be fixed.” Wait, what? You mean to say the “leaky roof syndrome” was all a front? We are shocked. Shocked. (Actually, no, we knew that.)
WaPo thinks Shapiro tops Dems’ 2028 list
The Washington Post thinks Gov. Josh Shapiro tops the list of potential frontrunners for the Democrat presidential nomination in 2028. Also on the list? Sen. John Fetterman. That would be an interesting primary match-up….
Fetterman’s approval rises among Pa. GOP-ers
According to a Morning Consult analysis, Democrat U.S. Sen. John Fetterman’s approval has nearly doubled among Pa. Republicans since early 2023, going from 14% to 27%. Overall, “48% of Pennsylvania voters approve and 37% disapprove of Fetterman’s job performance, marking an 8-percentage-point increase in his net approval rating.” While Fetterman still votes solidly with Democrats on several key issues, he has aligned with Republicans on others, and he has also cautioned his party not to “freak out” at everything President Trump does.
Pittsburgh mayor won’t enforce immigration law
Speaking at the Pennsylvania Press Club luncheon yesterday, Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey—who is up for re-election this year—said he will not cooperate with federal immigration officials in upholding and enforcing United States immigration law. “My administration will not work with ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement],” Gainey said. “We will do whatever’s necessary to make our city more welcoming. That’s what we’re built on.” Since taking office last week, President Trump has moved quickly on the issue that ranked among the top for voters: addressing illegal immigration.
School choice press conference this morning!
At 10:00 a.m. this morning, lawmakers, parents, students, and education advocates will gather at the Capitol for a press conference as part of National School Choice Week. The event, hosted by Pa. Families for Education Choice, “will bring students from all over the state to the Capitol … to highlight many of our state’s educational options and the opportunities they offer to families.” Watch the live stream at 10:00 a.m. here.