First Read – Jan. 4, 2024

WEATHER: Philadelphia: isolated snow showers before 8 a.m., cloudy through mid-morning, then gradual clearing, high of 43; Harrisburg: partly sunny, high of 40; Pittsburgh: chance of snow before 8 a.m., mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming sunny, high of 33.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* Two GOP state senators who represent different portions of central Pennsylvania won’t be running for office again in 2024 in separate moves that have already piqued the interest of several candidates seeking election to the state’s upper chamber. 

* Democratic state Rep. Jared Solomon picked up two endorsements this week in the race for attorney general, including support from the United Food and Commercial Workers Local 1776. You can find City & State’s running list of candidates and endorsements in the AG race here.

NEW THIS MORNING:

* The Associated Press interviewed Gov. Josh Shapiro, discussing the Commonwealth Court’s ruling on school funding, how the state is preparing to administer the 2024 presidential election and working with a divided legislature. 

* Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato announced wage increases for hundreds of full-time county employees yesterday in a move that will raise their base pay to $22 an hour by 2027, the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports. 

* U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is renewing calls for Sen. Bob Menendez’s resignation from the U.S. Senate after a federal grand jury issued a second superseding indictment alleging that Menendez helped a developer secure a multimillion-dollar investment from a Qatar-linked company, NBC News reports. 

* Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker’s first full day in office included phone calls and staff meetings, a press conference and a meeting with Shapiro, The Philadelphia Inquirer reports. 

* Data from the Philadelphia Police Department shows that violent crime – including homicides, rapes and shootings – dropping in the city in 2023, with violent crime dropping by 7% compared to 2022 levels, though retail theft and carjackings increased significantly, PhillyVoice reports. 

* During an interview with WILK’s Morning News radio show, Shapiro discussed compromising in Harrisburg, misinformation and elections, as well as the Dallas Cowboys, PennLive reports. 

* Lisa Kerle, a constituent services specialist in Rep. Donna Oberlander’s office, announced this week that she will seek the GOP nomination in the 63rd House District after Oberlander said she won’t seek reelection, Politics PA reports. 

* GOP Senate candidate Dave McCormick said in a recent interview during his visit to Israel that he fully backs Israel’s military strategy, and endorsed Israel’s goal of eliminating Hamas from the Gaza Strip, Jewish Insider reports. * Democratic state Rep. Scott Conklin was named chair of the House Commerce Committee this week, while state Rep. Carol Hill Evans will take over as chair of the House State Government Committee, StateCollege.com reports. 

* U.S. Sen. Bob Casey visited Reading yesterday to tout portions of the Inflation Reduction Act that reduce costs for prescription drugs such as insulin, WFMZ reports. 

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that after Mayor Cherelle Parker’s history making inauguration, now comes the hard part: delivering on her pledge to make Philadelphia the “safest, cleanest, greenest city in America.”

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Former President Donald Trump is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to keep his name on Colorado’s ballot and reverse a decision from the Colorado Supreme Court that deemed him ineligible to run in the 2024 presidential election, Politico reports.

* Over a half-dozen state Capitols went on lockdown yesterday after bomb threats were emailed to employees in the buildings – though law enforcement officials say no evidence of explosives has been found, The Messenger reports.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: To former state Rep. and John Galloway … and to Holly Kinser, senior vice president, government relations, Bellevue Strategies … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

MOVING ON: Former Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission Chair Gladys Brown Dutrieuille has joined The Stevens & Lee Companies, a platform that includes Stevens & Lee, GSL Public Strategies Group and Stevens & Lee Public Affairs … Eric Mock has been named the chief lobbyist for the Pennsylvania Association for Justice … Have a career change or life event to announce? Email us: editor@cityandstatepa.com.

TODAY’S SKED:

10 a.m. – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding and American Dairy Association Northeast unveil the 2024 Farm Show butter sculpture, Maclay Street Lobby entrance, PA Farm Show Complex & Expo Center, 2300 N. Cameron St., Harrisburg. Watch here. 

KICKER: 

“You can read about these things, but when you see it yourself, it’s just much more meaningful.” – McCormick on his trip to Israel, via Jewish Insider