News & Brews September 9, 2025
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Shapiro approves SEPTA (& GOP) funding request
Yesterday, Gov. Shapiro’s administration “approved a request from the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority to use up to $394 million earmarked for capital improvements to help the deficit-plagued transit agency cover operating costs,” the Tribune-Review reports. This request was very similar to the proposal the Republican Senate put forward a few weeks ago, which Shapiro and Democrats opposed. Yet, now that Shapiro changed his mind, Senate Democrat Leader Jay Costa praised him for his “bold action.” Meanwhile, Republican Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward said, “Gov. Shapiro should be thanking us for providing a solution that was … right in front of him from the beginning….”
Pa. Freedom Caucus: Budget must include school choice & RGGI exit
In a brief statement issued yesterday on the ongoing budget impasse, the Pennsylvania Freedom Caucus wrote, “Any budget deal that fails to eliminate RGGI [the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative], does not include substantive school choice, and spends beyond the Commonwealth’s means should be rejected.” The statement added, “State Senators should carefully consider their position as the hard-working taxpayers of our Commonwealth will hold lawmakers accountable for unacceptable votes.”
National money comes to court retention races
Spotlight PA reports that the Republican State Leadership Committee has started spending money on Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court retention races. The group has spent at least $85,000 on digital ads, asking voters to vote “no” on retaining three Democrat Supreme Court justices. “If a justice loses their retention race this November, they must vacate their seat at the end of the year. Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro would be able to appoint a temporary justice, but that person would need approval from the state Senate, which is currently controlled by Republicans.” Meanwhile, yesterday the three justices up for retention participated in a forum where they said these elections are intended to be non-partisan. This is ironic, as the event was backed in part by Lefty groups, including Pa. Youth Vote and the New Pennsylvania Project.
The other judicial races on the ballot
Beyond the Supreme Court retention races, voters will also see races for Superior Court and Commonwealth Court on the November ballot. Spotlight PA breaks down these races, including what the respective courts do and who’s running for the one open seat on each court.
‘Way too early 2028 Democratic primary model’
And just for fun, pollster Patrick Ruffini has issued an admittedly “way too early” model of the 2028 Democratic primary field. Since polls are useless this far out, he writes, “we have to rely on fundamentals — factors like charisma, electability, fundraising, and demographic appeal.” How does that play out? Well, his first model “has Gavin Newsom ahead in a seven candidate field with a 29.7% chance of winning across 10,000 simulations. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez comes in second place with an 19.5% chance, followed by Pete Buttigieg at 13.4%, Josh Shapiro at 12.2%, Gretchen Whitmer at 11.3%, Cory Booker at 9.0%, and Andy Beshear at 5.1%.”