First Read PA – July 19, 2024

WEATHER: Philadelphia: sunny, high of 88; Harrisburg: sunny, high of 88; Pittsburgh: patchy fog, then sunny, high of 85.

FROM CITY & STATE:

* City & State’s founder, Tom Allon, imagines a scenario where the president gets told the truth about the election and what he needs to do to save the country.

* From our partners at Route 50: The Biden administration announced $5 billion to build major bridge replacements, including several grants that were among the largest received by states in their history. 

* In this week’s Winners & Losers, Rep. Susan Wild and Congressional candidate Janelle Stelson reported raising huge donation amounts in Q2; Rahim Islam, the former CEO at Philadelphia music icon Kenny Gamble’s nonprofit, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for embezzlement; and bribery, and more. 

NEW THIS MORNING:

* In a sign that he’s seen as a potential presidential contender, the Commonwealth Foundation announced plans to place ads critical of Gov. Josh Shapiro in newspapers in Milwaukee, Washington, D.C., and Chicago, the Delaware Valley Journal reports.

* For the first time ever, Pennsylvania will offer free legal representation to low-income renters facing an eviction or another housing-related issue, WHYY reports.

* Under a little-noticed provision in the new state budget, Pennsylvania municipalities will be forced to allow rodeo events to take place in their borders even if local lawmakers have voted to restrict them, Spotlight PA reports. 

* The Pennsylvania Department of State is hoping another change to mail ballot return envelopes will eliminate the chance of ballots being rejected this November because of voters failing to write in the year completely, The Morning Call reports.

* Lt. Gov. Austin Davis yesterday spoke out against a possible second term for former President Donald Trump, a nationwide abortion ban and a recently released conservative policy proposal, the Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports.

* U.S. Rep. Susan Wild is reportedly among the Democrats looking to halt Biden’s DNC virtual nomination, Broad +Liberty reports.

* A retired DuBois doctor, Jim Sweetland, recounts trying to save the man, Corey Comperatore, who was fatally shot at the Trump rally last weekend, WESA reports.

* Pittsburgh Regional Transit is committed to replacing its 81 light rail trains and will set up a process to borrow as much as $800 million for the work in case it needs it, Union Progress reports.

* The Pennsylvania District Attorneys Association elected Clinton County District Attorney David Strouse as its president for 2024-2025, The Express reports.

* An online post made by the mayor of Bernville following the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump on Saturday has received a mountain of backlash that has led the borough to temporarily close its offices, The Times-Tribune reports.

EDITORIAL PAGES:

* PennLive has an op-ed by Eric D. Darr, president and CEO of Harrisburg University of Science and Technology, who writes that with operating budgets locked in for the upcoming academic year, most universities are countering inflation and higher operating costs by passing the expense to the learner – but not Harrisburg U. 

* The Wall Street Journal writes that broken windows policing has returned to Philadelphia as police crack down on crime in the troubled Kensington area.

NATIONAL POLITICS:

* Republican vice presidential pick J.D. Vance spoke directly to the swing-state voters who will determine the outcome of the presidential election during his 38-minute prime time speech on the third night of the RNC, Penn Capital-Star reports.

* Former President Barack Obama has told allies in recent days that President Joe Biden’s path to victory has greatly diminished and he thinks the president needs to seriously consider the viability of his candidacy, The Washington Post reports.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

HAPPY BIRTHDAY: to Becky Bradley, executive director, Lehigh Valley Planning Commission … to Latoya Edmond, regional director, CareerWork$ … to Pedro Rivera, president, Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology …

on Saturday … to Lisette Martinez, chief equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging officer, National Audubon Society … to Philadelphia Municipal Court Judge Francis Shields … to Lindsey Mauldin, deputy chief of staff for health and human services in the office of Gov. Josh Shapiro … 

and on Sunday… to state Sen. Maria Collette … and to Melonease Shaw, founder and CEO, Maven Inc. … Want to wish someone a happy birthday in our newsletter? Email their name, job title and upcoming birthday to editor@cityandstatepa.com.

KICKER: “It is the Department’s view that, if the date written on the ballot can reasonably be interpreted to be ‘the day upon which (the voter) completed the declaration,’ the ballot should not be rejected as having an ‘incorrect’ date or being ‘undated.’’ –  Deputy Secretary for Elections Jonathan Marks via The Morning Call