First Read PA – Oct. 24, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: sunny, high of 67; Harrisburg: patchy frost before 9 a.m., sunny, high of 69; Pittsburgh: sunny, high of 72.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* With generative artificial intelligence technology far outpacing the legislation to regulate it, there are growing concerns about the impact it could have on voters being misled about candidates – and the electoral process overall. 

NEW THIS MORNING:

* GOP U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser dropped out of the race to become the next Speaker of the U.S. House just a day after he entered as a candidate, stating that he wants to focus on helping former President Donald Trump lead his presidential campaign in the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports.

* Candidates running for Allegheny County Executive are shifting their focus to election administration and integrity, with Republican Joe Rockey vowing to leave the county elections department as-is, while Democrat Sara Innamorato says politics should be left out of election operations, WESA reports.

* State Rep. Mark Rozzi, who briefly served as speaker of the state House earlier this year, will seek the Democratic nomination for auditor general in 2024, PennLive reports.

* Janelle Stelson’s time as a local television anchor appears to be paying off early in the state’s 10th Congressional District race as Stelson has a 13-point lead over Harrisburg City Councilmember Shamaine Daniels, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

* This year’s municipal races across the state – including for major positions in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh – could provide hints on how voters feel about progressive candidates, as well as issues like abortion and crime, The Associated Press reports. 

* Lawsuits are piling up against Philadelphia Register of Wills Tracey Gordon, who is facing lawsuits from five former employees who say Gordon pressured them to donate to her reelection campaign, Axios Philadelphia reports.

* Eight schools overseen by Pittsburgh Public Schools were identified as “hard-to-staff schools” between 2022 and 2024, and the school district appears to lack a comprehensive plan to address staffing gaps, Public Source reports.

* Another candidate has entered the race for the 103rd state House District, with Camp Hill Borough Councilmember Mercedes Evans announcing yesterday that she will seek the Democratic nomination, Politics PA reports.

* The Hempfield Area School District in Westmoreland County is considering a change to district policy that would allow the district to search students and their belongings with metal and weapons detectors, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

* The Philadelphia Office of Community Empowerment and Opportunity’s Philly Counts team is seeking to raise awareness about drug overdose deaths and provide people with resources through door-to-door canvassing efforts, WHYY reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Inquirer editorial board examines the race for an open seat on the state Supreme Court, ultimately giving Judge Daniel D. McCaffery its endorsement.  

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez yesterday pleaded not guilty to a charge that he secretly acted as a foreign agent for Egypt during his time as head of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Politico reports.

* Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy said he believes House Majority Whip Tom Emmer is the only GOP candidate in the speaker’s race who understands the difficulties of the job, The Messenger reports.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Nicholas Bertram, president of The GIANT Company… and to Bruce Castor, attorney at van der Veen, O’Neill, Hartshorn, and Levin … 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:

9:30 a.m. – Rally in support of LGBTQ+ nondiscrimination protections, Front Capitol Steps, state Capitol, Harrisburg. 

10 a.m. – The Senate Banking & Insurance Committee meets, Room 8E-B, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

10 a.m. – The Senate Environmental Resources & Energy Committee meets, Room 461, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

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

10:15 a.m. – Amazon and Gov. Josh Shapiro celebrate the opening of a new fulfillment center in York, 5125 Commerce Drive, York.

10:30 a.m. – The Senate Health & Human Services Committee meets, Room 8E-A, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here.

10:30 a.m. – The Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee meets, Room 8E-B, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here.

11 a.m. – The Senate Transportation Committee meets, Room 8E-B, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here.

11 a.m. – Press conference in support of the Patient Safety Act, Main Rotunda, state Capitol, Harrisburg. 

11:30 a.m. – The Senate Education Committee meets, Room 8E-A, East Wing, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

11:30 a.m. – Nurses rally in support of the Patient Safety Act, Front Capitol Steps, state Capitol, Harrisburg. 

12:30 p.m. – State Sens. Bartolotta, Ward, Pittman, Robinson and Yaw highlight the benefits of hydrogen hubs, Main Rotunda, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

1 p.m. – The House Appropriations Committee and the House Education Committee meet for a joint public hearing on education, School District of Philadelphia Administrative Building, 440 N. Broad St., Ste. 301, Philadelphia. Watch here. 

1:30 p.m. – Shapiro and Secretary Siger join Westinghouse Electric Company and western Pennsylvania leaders for economic development announcement, Westinghouse eVinci Accelerator Hub, 51 Bridge St., Etna. Watch here. 

2 p.m. – The House Republican Policy Committee meets for a public hearing on rural connectivity, Fay-Penn Economic Development Council, 1040 Eberly Way, Suite 100, Lemont Furnace. Watch here. 

2 p.m. – The Philadelphia City Council Committee on Public Safety meets, remotely. Watch here. 

5 p.m. – The Allegheny County Council meets, Allegheny County Courthouse, Fourth floor - Gold Room, 436 Grant Street, Pittsburgh.

Off The Floor – The Senate Law & Justice Committee meets, Rules Committee Conference Room, state Capitol, Harrisburg. 

KICKER: 

“We must, this week, come together as Republicans and elect a new speaker and get back to work.” – Meuser, via the Capital-Star