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** 1. How Pennsylvania House Democrats may derail Shapiro’s national ambitions ([link removed])
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By Erik Telford

The 2024 election may be over, but it is safe to bet that Gov. Josh Shapiro — whose national ambitions are well known — already has his eyes set on 2028. As Pennsylvania enters the final legislative session of his term, Shapiro should avoid putting the presidential cart before his gubernatorial horse.

Shapiro entered office two years agopromising bipartisan leadership ([link removed]) and committed to work with Republicans in the state Capitol. He campaigned telling voters he wouldtake on the big fights ([link removed]) and pledged to deliver on policies with broad bipartisan support, including tax cuts and Lifeline Scholarships for kids in failing schools.

Despite the hype about Shapiro’s talent as a politician, he’s proven unskilled and ineffective at governing. His first two years in office tell a story of a stunning lack of accomplishment, abdication of leadership, and betrayal of trust with the legislature.

Why It Matters. Despite his lack of productivity and leadership, Shapiro still garners national attention. The national media has devoted a significant amount of attention to Shapiro, whom some pundits have praised as a “Democratic rising star ([link removed]) ,” “Superman ([link removed]) ,” and “the Dem’s next darling ([link removed]) .”

In 2024, this national notoriety catapulted Shapiro asone of the leading candidates ([link removed]) to serve as an eleventh-hour running mate for Vice President Kamala Harris.

But the public is wising up to Shapiro’s abysmal record. In recent polling, when asked if the governor has delivered any significant accomplishments during his time as governor,54 percent ([link removed]) of Pennsylvania voters said either “no” or “unsure.” Those who answered “yes” struggled to identify any specific Shapiro milestones other than the quick repair of I-95 in July 2023—a rebuilding effort that had less to do with the governor and more withthe federal government backing it ([link removed]) (which didn’t stop Shapiro fromtaking credit ([link removed]) for in the Washington Post).

Continue Reading ([link removed])


** 2. An unlikely case against open primaries ([link removed])
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By Beth Ann Rosica

Pennsylvania is one of fourteen states in the country with closed primary elections, meaning a voter must officially register with a political party in advance of the election date in order to participate. And the only political parties that get to vote in the Pennsylvania taxpayer funded primaries are Republicans and Democrats.

As one of only fourteen states in the country with a closed primary process, the discussion of open primaries regularly surfaces in Pennsylvania.

There are many reasons why people are against open primaries, but my perspective on it is likely different from the typical arguments.

Why It Matters. Since I am not registered as either a Democrat or Republican, I am excluded because only those registered voters can participate in the primary. Yet, I am forced to pay for this expense.
However, I don’t think the answer is to allow independents and other third-party voters to participate in the primary of their choice. The answer should be every party pays for its own primary.

Why should the government, aka taxpayers, fund the Democratic and Republican primaries when third parties fund their own selection process?

Imagine the cost savings for the state government if there was only one election day each year?

Continue Reading ([link removed])


** 3. Lightning Round
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* Judge’s donations from campaign committee raise ethical issues and questions ([link removed])
* Thom Nickels: Owen Wister and the ‘Western Cure’ ([link removed])
* Beth Ann Rosica: Suburban congress members prioritize illegal immigrants over citizen safety ([link removed])
* Guy Ciarrocchi: Progressives policies are doomed to fail — often in deadly ways ([link removed])
* Lange silences Willistown taxpayer despite Sunshine Act, gets sued ([link removed])


** 4. What we're reading
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President-elect Donald Trump will take the oath of office tomorrow, thanks in large part to his victory right here in Pennsylvania. At RealClear Pennsylvania this week, Athan Koutsiouroumbas writes that the Republican sweep in the commonwealth was no fluke ([link removed]) . Increased voter registration across the state, once assumed to be universally favorable to Democrats, has instead built an electorate that leans more to the right than it has in many years. Still, as author (and Broad + Liberty co-founder) Albert Eisenberg warns at the same website, the GOP should be sure not to become complacent ([link removed]) . Republicans made striking gains among Hispanic Pennsylvanians, but keeping new voters interested in supporting the party means showing up and supporting their
needs and interests more than once every four years.

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— The Editors at Broad + Liberty
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