First Read PA – Oct. 25, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: mostly sunny, high of 73; Harrisburg: partly sunny, high of 74; Pittsburgh: mostly cloudy, high of 75.

FROM CITY & STATE:

*  In an exclusive interview with City & State, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey discusses the need to protect workers against “robot bosses,” the threats posed by artificial intelligence and how state and federal lawmakers can work together to regulate AI.

* In one of the few occasions Philadelphia mayoral candidates Cherelle Parker and David Oh were at the same event, the two party’s nominees answered voters’ questions and offered how they would address issues ranging from the 76ers’ arena proposal to violent crime. Here are five takeaways from the 6ABC mayoral town hall.

* Gov. Josh Shapiro signed a new bill into law this week that makes sought-after updates to the state’s Dog Law – a statute regulating dogs and kennels throughout the commonwealth that advocates have long said is in need of a refresh.

NEW THIS MORNING:

* Lawmakers in the state Senate approved legislation yesterday that would require parental approval in order for students to access books that are deemed sexually explicit, The Associated Press reports.

* Maria Battista, a GOP candidate running in next month’s election for state Superior Court, has been released from the hospital after she was hit by a car on Sunday while putting out campaign signs, PennLive reports.

* As he entered the state’s race for auditor general this week, state Rep. Mark Rozzi endorsed a candidate to succeed him in the 126th House District: Jacklyn Rusnock, an instructor at Reading Muhlenberg Career and Technology Center who also happens to be his ex-spouse, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports.

* Data from the Pennsylvania Department of State shows Democrats with a voter registration edge in the state heading into November, Politics PA reports.

* GOP state senators gathered in the state Capitol yesterday to tout their support for the commonwealth’s involvement with two regional hydrogen hubs, The Center Square reports. 

* Five Philadelphia organizations representing residents in Center City and South Philadelphia announced their formal opposition to a $1.5 billion proposed Philadelphia 76ers arena yesterday, calling on Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squilla to block the project, WHYY reports.

* Westinghouse, a nuclear power company based in Cranberry Township, is expanding in western Pennsylvania with a new location in Etna that will serve as a manufacturing site for a key component to the company’s eVinci nuclear batteries, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

* Transit Workers Union Local 234, a union representing more than 5,000 SEPTA workers, plans to strike beginning in November if a contract agreement is not reached by the end of the month, NBC Philadelphia reports.

* Nine candidates are running in next month’s elections for Erie County Council, and with four of seven seats up for grabs, the election offers a chance for voters to shift control of the council, Go Erie reports. 

* McNees, Wallace and Nurick, a Harrisburg-based law firm, is looking to sell its 98,500-square-foot building on the Susquehanna River waterfront – currently valued at $11 million, PennLive reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Tribune-Review writes that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs needs to correct issues that led to a veteran suicide at a VA hospital in O’Hara Township.

* The Inquirer has an op-ed from Kelly Knutson and Ellen Kohler, who write that Gov. Josh Shapiro should use the “full extent of his authority” to protect the state’s wetlands. 

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson of Louisiana – the current vice chair of the House Republican Conference – is the latest House GOP nominee for speaker of the House after Rep. Tom Emmer’s bid for the speakership failed to move forward, The Messenger reports.

* President Joe Biden is hosting Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese for an official state visit today that will focus on innovation – including a new submarine cable project providing internet for Pacific Island countries, Semafor reports. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll … and to Joe Corrigan, principal at Edge Hill Strategies … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

9 a.m. – The Senate Republican Policy Committee meets for a public hearing on regulatory reform, Room 8E-B, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

9:30 a.m. – The Senate Intergovernmental Operations Committee meets for a public hearing on data sharing practices between PennDOT, the Department of State and third parties, Hearing Room 1, North Office Building, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Appropriations Committee and House Education Committee meet for a joint public hearing on education, Community College of Philadelphia, Winnet Student Life Bldg., Room 52-3, 1700 Spring Garden St., Philadelphia. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The House Republican Policy Committee meets for a public hearing on aging with confidence, Redstone Highlands Community Center, Murrysville Campus, 4951 Cline Hollow Road, Murrysville. Watch here.

10 a.m. – The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Finance meets, remotely. Watch here. 

10 a.m. – The Pittsburgh City Council Standing Committee meets, Council Chambers, City-County Building, Pittsburgh. Watch here.

10:30 a.m. – The Senate Consumer Protection & Professional Licensure Committee meets, Room 461, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

1 p.m. – The Philadelphia City Council Committee on the Environment meets, remotely. Watch here. 

1:30 p.m. – The Senate Democratic Policy Committee meets for a hearing on water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure, Room 8E-B, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

2 p.m. – Military and Veterans Affairs Hall of Fame welcomes a new inductee, Fort Indiantown Gap Community Club, Bldg. 9-65, Fisher Ave., Annville. Watch here. 

KICKER: 

“Now is time to partner with one another and find a way to bring another hydrogen hub to the Mon Valley.” – Michael Ford, secretary-treasurer of the Pennsylvania Building and Construction Trades Council, via The Center Square