First Read – Dec. 8, 2023

WEATHER: Philadelphia: mostly sunny, high of 50; Harrisburg: mostly cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, high of 55; Pittsburgh: partly sunny, high of 57.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* The fallout from University of Pennsylvania President Liz Magill’s widely criticized congressional testimony has grown to the point where Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed concerns with her responses – and lawmakers have begun to call for her resignation. 

* From our partners at Route Fifty, with additional reporting by City & State: A conflict between state and federal laws may delay the first distribution of funds to the states from the $42.5 billion program to expand internet access.

* In this week’s Winners & Losers, Austin Davis is elected vice chair of the Democratic Lieutenant Governors Association, former Philadelphia labor leader John “Johnny Doc” Dougherty is found guilty of more than 70 criminal counts – and more. 

NEW THIS MORNING:

* The state House will take a three-month break from voting this winter due to water damage affecting the chamber’s ceiling – a development that has raised questions about whether the chamber will complete this year’s state budget before March, Spotlight PA reports.

* Longtime Philadelphia labor leader Johnny Doc yesterday was convicted of more than 70 counts in a federal fraud and embezzlement trial for stealing funds from the electricians union he once led, WHYY reports. 

* Freedom Caucus Chair and U.S. Rep. Scott Perry is one of nearly 200 people on Georgia prosecutors’ witness list who could be called in for former President Donald Trump’s election interference case, WITF reports.

 * U.S. Sen. John Fetterman said in an interview that it "isn’t xenophobic" to worry about the southern border and argued that his political party should engage in more debates on the subject, Fox News reports.

 * The Ammon Recreation Center in Pittsburgh will serve as an emergency shelter this winter for the city’s homeless individuals, though both the city and the county are being criticized for not offering space at other facilities in Pittsburgh, WESA reports.

* Politics PA reports that Democratic state Sen. Carolyn Comitta and Republican state Rep. Joe Kerwin will both run for reelection next year for their respective seats in the General Assembly.

* GOP U.S. Senate candidate Dave McCormick outlined six measures the country should take to address China’s influence during a speech in Philadelphia on the anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

* Tree of Life, the nonprofit launched in 2022 to rebuild the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, unveiled a new memorial to victims of the 2018 mass shooting, which was the deadliest antisemitic attack in U.S. history, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

* In an interview, Shapiro looked back at his first year in office as a success, though he admitted there is unfinished business he would like to get done, KDKA reports.

* University of Pennsylvania students and staff protested outside the office of Penn President Liz Magill yesterday following congressional testimony she gave on antisemitism earlier in the week, CBS Philadelphia reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* Inquirer columnist Jonathan Zimmerman, who teaches education and history at the University of Pennsylvania, writes that the real problem with this week’s congressional testimony from university leaders on antisemitism is what they didn’t say. 

* The Delaware Valley Journal has an op-ed from Republican state Rep. Joseph D’Orsie, who writes that school choice is being held back in Harrisburg because of one major barrier: money.

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Hunter Biden, the son of President Joe Biden, was indicted on nine charges yesterday by a federal grand jury in California for failing to pay his taxes and understating his income on tax returns, Politico reports. 

* With a presidential election on the horizon, the total amount of advertising dollars spent on U.S. elections and advocacy issues is expected to grow to $16 billion next year – a figure that is 34% higher than in 2020, Axios reports. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To Michael Churchill, of counsel, Public Interest Law Center … to Brian Nutt, president, Ignite Strategies … on Saturday: to state Sen. Amanda Cappelletti … to Joanne Carroll, executive director, Trans Advocacy Pennsylvania … to T.J. Rooney, owner & president at Tristate Strategies PA and president at Rooney Novak Isenhour … and, on Sunday: to state Sen. Greg Rothman … to former Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper … and to Carol Kuniholm, chair of Fair Districts PA … 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:

10 a.m. – The Pittsburgh City Council Committee on Hearings meets, Council Chambers, City-County Building, Pittsburgh. Watch here. 10:30 a.m. – Jarrettown Elementary School Show Chorus performs, Main Rotunda, state Capitol, Harrisburg. 

11:30 a.m. – Gov. Josh Shapiro, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission to host grand opening of new State Archives building, Pennsylvania State Archives Building, 1681 N. Sixth St., Harrisburg. Watch here. 

12 p.m. – The House Judiciary Committee meets, Room 140, state Capitol, Harrisburg. Watch here. 

2 p.m. – The House Republican Policy Committee meets for a public hearing on school funding and tax credit scholarships, Archbishop Ryan High School, 11201 Academy Road, Philadelphia. Watch here. 

KICKER: 

“We cannot leave Harrisburg next week without addressing some of the things that must be taken care of.” – Pennsylvania Senate President Pro Tempore Kim Ward, via Spotlight PA