AGP Executive Report

Pennsylvania Politics & Elections: At the GOP’s Dallas midterm convention, President Trump doubled down on a $5,000 “Trump dividend” pitch and attacked Democrats as extremists, while Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman—appearing via video—praised GOP Sen. Dave McCormick and said he rejects “extremes and socialism,” stoking fresh party-switch fears. Election Administration & Voting Rights: A ProPublica-backed audit found the U.S. Postal Service mishandled some ballots in this year’s primaries, citing training gaps and tracking errors—raising questions as November pressure mounts. Public Safety & Courts: Highmark says it will end its Pennsylvania contract with the Rothman Institute on Oct. 1, alleging No Surprises Act and Independent Dispute Resolution abuses tied to out-of-network physician assistants. Infrastructure & Local Politics: Aligned Data Centers broke ground on a 2 GW “Project Phoenix” campus in Shippingport, pitching it as community-centric under Pennsylvania’s GRID standards—while the broader data center backlash continues to shape campaigns. State Governance & Risk: Pennsylvania’s aging levees face tighter funding and harsher weather, putting more than 158,000 residents and $26.2B in property at ongoing flood risk. Legal/Policy Watch: Pennsylvania lawmakers are weighing limits or outright bans on flock cameras as they prepare for fall return.

GOP Midterms in Dallas: President Trump headlined the first-ever Republican midterm convention, urging voters to “pretend” he’s on the ballot and warning that outcomes could affect border, taxes, and safety. Pennsylvania Politics: The biggest Pennsylvania twist came when Sen. John Fetterman appeared in a surprise prerecorded video backing GOP Sen. Dave McCormick and praising Trump’s steel agenda, while attacking “socialism” and “extremes” in his own party—fueling fresh talk of a party switch. Elections & Federal Pressure: Pennsylvania’s top election official, Al Schmidt, told counties the state’s mail-ballot rules remain unchanged despite Trump administration efforts, and said the state is coordinating with law enforcement within legal limits. Mail Ballots Scrutiny: A USPS inspector general audit found training and tracking gaps that could delay ballots, raising questions as the Supreme Court weighs mail-voting disputes. Public Health: Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak continues to draw political heat as a coroner confirmed two infant deaths tied to measles, while CDC counting remains contested. Gaming Enforcement: Pennsylvania State Police reminded businesses of the Oct. 14 compliance deadline after the state Supreme Court ruled “skill games” are unlawful slot machines without proper licensing.

9/11 Remembrance in Pennsylvania: Communities across the state are marking the 25th anniversary with memorials, stair climbs, and programs at schools and universities, including IUP’s annual Sept. 11 event and local ceremonies tied to Flight 93 and first responders. Immigration Enforcement & Penn State Airport: Spotlight PA reports ICE has sharply increased use of Penn State’s State College Regional Airport to move detainees, with advocates arguing the practice makes legal challenges harder. Election Law Discipline: Votebeat says a Lehigh Valley attorney who represented Fulton County in a 2020 election dispute faces possible suspension or disbarment for alleged “bad faith” conduct. AI/Data Center Politics: As national backlash grows, Pennsylvania’s tougher data-center permitting requirements and community-approval push are highlighted amid broader efforts to restrict new facilities. Healthcare Fraud Fallout at Temple: A Philly-area morning roundup reports Temple University ended a planned $55M donation to its College of Public Health after allegations tied to an alumnus’s alleged insurer overbilling. Horse Slaughter Case: A Lewistown man faces New York charges after authorities say he tried transporting horses to Canada for slaughter.

Election Access & Voting Logistics: Luzerne County Council Democrats asked the county Election Board to consider adding more mail ballot drop boxes for the Nov. 3 general election, while two GOP council members voted no. Immigration Enforcement: ICE arrested at least 49 immigrant construction workers in two central Pennsylvania operations tied to a Geisinger Medical Center project in Danville, according to advocates. State Health: Pennsylvania reported 582 confirmed measles cases across 37 counties, with 102 hospitalizations and two deaths, as vaccination efforts ramp up. Midterm Politics: Pennsylvania Republicans are sending key figures to Trump’s Dallas midterm convention as the party tries to defend control of Congress. Philadelphia Power Struggle: Shania Bennett, Parker’s former youth engagement director, announced she’ll challenge Mayor Cherelle L. Parker in the 2027 Democratic primary. Local Government Watch: Pittsburgh’s Planning Commission delayed a vote on short-term rental rules pending legal review on enforcement and court risk. Public Safety & Courts: State Police are investigating a Lebanon County TikTok romance/catfish scam alleging $384,000 in losses. 9/11 Commemoration: Multiple Pennsylvania-focused remembrance items are circulating ahead of the 25th anniversary, including events and ceremonies tied to Flight 93.

Election Integrity: DOJ charged two Pennsylvania residents—Katya Rodriguez and Marisol Guzman—with illegal voting in the 2024 election, spotlighting noncitizen registration claims and potential prison exposure. Data Centers & Water/Power: A new debate is heating up over AI data centers, including whether cloud seeding could be used to boost rainfall near facilities—despite long-running scientific and legal skepticism. Local Governance: DuBois City Council faced public pushback over its public-comment rules, including a requirement that speakers state their home addresses. 9/11 Remembrance in PA: Multiple stories mark the 25th anniversary, from Philadelphia’s 9/11 Heroes Run involving students to coverage of how communities and schools teach the attacks as firsthand memory fades. Politics & Messaging: AP reports Trump is leaning into a “Trump show” at the Dallas GOP convention, aiming to make Nov. 3 feel like a referendum on him even though he’s not on the ballot. Labor & Community: Pittsburgh’s Labor Day parade drew Gov. Josh Shapiro and union crowds, underscoring labor’s political muscle heading into the midterms.

Labor Day Politics in Philly & Pittsburgh: Union members packed Labor Day parades across Pennsylvania, with organizers and elected Democrats framing the marches as a referendum on costs and workers’ rights. 9/11 Commemoration & Civic Memory: Pennsylvania marked the 25th anniversary with new state archival programming, including PHMC’s “Witness to History: Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001,” plus local memorial services in Bristol and Southington. Fetterman Fallout: Sen. John Fetterman faced fresh internal-party backlash after former staffers went public with complaints, escalating a fight Democrats usually keep behind closed doors. Consumer Protection: Pennsylvania AG Dave Sunday moved to hold North Philadelphia tow companies in contempt, alleging violations of a 2022 settlement tied to predatory towing and fee practices. Immigration/Universities: Georgetown halted most off-campus work authorizations for international students under new federal guidance, limiting CPT to work “required to graduate.” SEC vs. ISS: The SEC sued proxy adviser ISS over withheld documents, putting corporate governance scrutiny front and center. Trade & Tariffs: Canada’s counter-tariffs are set to hit U.S. goods tied to swing states including Pennsylvania, with talks reportedly stalled.

Labor Day & Philly Labor Politics: Thousands of union workers and families are marching in South Philadelphia for the 39th annual Tri-State Labor Day Parade, with Mayor Cherelle Parker, Lt. Gov. Austin Davis, and members of Congress expected to attend. Measles & Public Health Fight in Pennsylvania: A new measles flare in Lancaster County is driving renewed political heat over vaccination and reporting, as state and federal officials spar over deaths and the CDC’s tally. Election Integrity in the Courts: Federal prosecutors charged a Carlisle couple and a Harrisburg woman in alleged illegal voting tied to the 2024 election, with additional charges reported in New Jersey. EBT Skimming Crackdown: Pennsylvania investigators say they helped stop an EBT skimming scheme that stole food-assistance benefits from a 7-Eleven, with suspects arrested after cross-state coordination. Animal Welfare Enforcement: State police arrested a horse trafficker accused of shipping animals to Canada for slaughter, the first enforcement of a New York ban. Local Economic & Jobs News: A state grant is helping a Michelin-starred Philly restaurant expand, while Brunk Industries plans a major Armstrong County expansion. Data Centers Backlash: Across the country, voters and politicians are increasingly pushing back on data center growth—an issue now showing up in midterm politics.

Mail-Vote Fight in Court: Nevada AG Aaron Ford won a preliminary injunction blocking USPS rules that would have forced states to seek federal approval for ballot and return-envelope designs and use a new USPS tracking portal—an effort Pennsylvania and other states challenged ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Measles and Politics Collide: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged a Lancaster County infant’s death was caused by measles, after earlier reporting said he pushed CDC to remove two Pennsylvania deaths from the national tally—fueling a renewed dispute over how outbreaks are counted and communicated. Public Safety in Philly Area: A stabbing on I-476 triggered a chase, an officer-involved crash, and a Villanova shelter-in-place as police say the suspect was armed with a gun and knife before being captured. State Education Push: Bloomsburg Area School District students got free, healthy breakfasts with state education and agriculture officials highlighting continued universal breakfast funding in Gov. Shapiro’s budget. Land Conservation Win: A Pennsylvania couple’s 78.3-acre purchase was permanently protected via a conservation easement, stopping plans for 88 houses and 21 condos and expanding a preserved corridor. Labor Day Local Color: A roundup of Labor Day history and observances in Yakima, plus community remembrance items tied to the 25th anniversary of 9/11.

Data Center Backlash in Pennsylvania: NPR reports public opposition to data centers is rising fast, forcing politicians to scramble as the issue becomes a midterm wedge. Election Security & Federal Pressure: DHS is pressing DOJ to revisit ERIC voter-data practices and election-system concerns, while separate reporting highlights DHS/ICE talk of enforcement near polling places—raising alarms about intimidation. Measles Fight Turns Political: RFK Jr. acknowledged a Lancaster County infant death tied to measles, but the dispute over “measles-associated” counts continues to roil Pennsylvania’s public health leadership. Pennsylvania Governance: The House will hold a rare Philadelphia session in Congress Hall for the state constitution’s anniversary, a historic break from Harrisburg. Local Government Watch: DuBois City Council weighs replacing thousands of water meters, debating billing accuracy and costs. Public Safety & Community: WVU Police’s new explosives-detection K-9 “Storm” shows how campus law enforcement is evolving.

Ballot Fight in PA-7: Commonwealth Court ordered the Green Party candidate Andrew Tupone removed from the Nov. 3 ballot, saying he wasn’t properly endorsed and improperly used the party name to qualify. Senate Scrutiny: A Wall Street Journal report says U.S. Sen. John Fetterman is facing mounting criticism over missed Senate duties and a heavier focus on conservative media appearances and Israel advocacy. Proxy Adviser Under SEC Pressure: The SEC filed a court bid to force Institutional Shareholder Services to comply with a July subpoena, spotlighting regulators’ push into proxy-adviser practices. Local Governance: Luzerne County’s new Act 29 requirement will force many property buyers to submit contact info to the county assessor so municipalities can reach owners about code issues, with potential fines for false or missing updates. Public Safety & Courts: Prosecutors are weighing whether to retry Lindsay Clancy after a mistrial in the killing of her three children. Health & Accountability: A county coroner confirmed a Pennsylvania infant died from measles, as the broader measles death-count dispute continues to roil state and federal officials.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal judge blocked Trump’s USPS mail-ballot reform with a preliminary injunction, setting up another appeal as DOJ argues the rule should apply broadly to election mail. Election Integrity & Enforcement: DOJ says it has charged far more noncitizens in election-fraud cases than under the prior administration, while courts and election officials keep wrestling with how to administer rules ahead of November. Pennsylvania Politics & Governance: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration is also facing pressure on data centers and election tech—while Spanberger’s new Housing Production Commission held its first meeting, aiming to speed housing supply. Public Safety Tech Backlash: Pennsylvania joins a growing push to restrict Flock-style surveillance cameras, with Shapiro signaling openness to a statewide ban. Measles as a Political Flashpoint: Lancaster County’s outbreak remains central, with lawmakers pushing for more state-to-county disease data sharing as officials and agencies dispute reported deaths and counts. 9/11 Commemoration: Multiple Pennsylvania-focused remembrance pieces mark the 25th anniversary, including vigils and local reflections on the war on terror’s lasting impact.

Mail Voting Fight: A federal judge blocked Trump’s USPS mail-ballot rule, keeping states’ procedures in place for the November midterms as Pennsylvania and other states argue the changes would be unworkable and disenfranchising. Election Access in PA: A Commonwealth Court judge disqualified Green Party candidate Andrew Tupone from the ballot in PA-07, setting up an appeal and reigniting accusations of party “plant” tactics. Measles Clash: HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. acknowledged a Lancaster County infant death as measles-related, while the CDC still omitted Pennsylvania deaths from its national tally—fueling a high-profile Shapiro–federal standoff. School AI Policy: Pennsylvania lawmakers advanced plans for AI guardrails in K-12, including privacy protections and district policies. Data Centers & Local Politics: Lawmakers and communities continued debating data center growth and tax incentives, with opponents warning about power costs and governance. Courts & Public Trust: A Philadelphia Family Court judge facing domestic violence charges resigned after prosecutors withdrew charges. Budget/Policy Push: Area lawmakers at the State of the Commonwealth Address highlighted the 2026-27 budget, skill games, and data centers.

Governor’s Race: Josh Shapiro and Stacy Garrity have agreed to debate Oct. 7 in Harrisburg, setting up a high-stakes clash over elections, Medicaid, and fraud. Election Security & Surveillance: Pennsylvania’s political fight over Flock-style AI cameras keeps heating up, with candidates and lawmakers pushing bans and restrictions as voters balk at license-plate tracking. Data Centers Backlash: Shapiro’s administration is moving to require local approval before DEP reviews data-center permits, while the broader campaign trail treats data-center growth as a flashpoint over power costs, transparency, and community control. Economy & Jobs: Shapiro and Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker announced Burlington Stores will relocate its corporate HQ to University City, backed by state and city incentives and aimed at creating 2,000 jobs. Local Governance: Hanover Borough debated draft rental safety inspection rules—every two years at $120 to landlords—drawing pushback from landlords over costs and government overreach. Public Safety & Courts: Former Gettysburg Mayor Chad-Alan Carr saw two charges dropped on statute-of-limitations grounds, but his case continues for remaining sexual-assault and corruption-of-minors counts. Wildlife Policy: A new independent report urges consolidating parts of Pennsylvania’s Game Commission and Fish and Boat Commission to cut costs, including potential savings of about $34 million annually. Immigration Enforcement: A York County youth soccer coach was detained by ICE after a visa overstay allegation, sparking community support efforts.

Home Care Wage Theft Crackdown: Pennsylvania labor officials launched proactive enforcement, sending information requests to home health agencies to stop wage theft and other violations affecting roughly 100,000 workers. Election Rules in the Courts: The Trump administration asked the U.S. Supreme Court to lift a block on USPS mail-in ballot tightening rules, arguing the changes could disrupt vote-by-mail procedures ahead of the Nov. 3 midterms. Measles Fight Turns Political: As Pennsylvania’s measles outbreak grows, CDC reporting on “measles-associated deaths” remains disputed, with new guidance urging some adults vaccinated in the 1963-1967 window to get MMR boosters. Surveillance Camera Backlash: Shamong Township moved toward a one-year moratorium on Flock and other automated license plate readers, joining a broader Pennsylvania debate over automated tracking. Immigration Detention: A Guinean man with nearly two decades of legal U.S. residence challenged ICE detention in federal court, arguing due process violations as deportation plans proceed. Jobs & Corporate Moves: Gov. Josh Shapiro and Philly Mayor Cherelle Parker announced Burlington will relocate its HQ to West Philadelphia, targeting 2,000 jobs, with state and city incentives. Public Safety: Erie declared a state of emergency after severe storms damaged roads, power lines, and trees.

Measles Tally Fight: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. asked the CDC to remove references to two Pennsylvania deaths from the agency’s measles online count, after questioning whether the disease contributed; CDC director Erica Schwartz carried out the change following an earlier state classification, deepening the Shapiro–Kennedy clash over outbreak data. Medicaid Work Rules: Pennsylvania began mailing notices to more than 700,000 Medicaid expansion enrollees about new federal work requirements starting in January, directing people to update information and check for exemptions. Election Security Courtroom Clash: The Postal Service is building a ballot screening system tied to the “confirmed” voter list concept, even as legal challenges continue—raising concerns about confusion and trust. Data Centers vs. Communities: A growing backlash to AI data centers is turning into a midterm political issue, with new pro-industry messaging aimed at battleground states. Energy & Jobs: Casella and Waga Energy brought a third renewable natural gas facility online at Pennsylvania’s McKean Landfill.

Gubernatorial Race: Gov. Josh Shapiro and GOP challenger Stacy Garrity will debate Oct. 7 at 8 p.m. in Harrisburg, with Dennis Owens moderating—setting up a high-stakes sprint to Election 2026. Privacy & Policing Tech: Shapiro says he has “real concerns” about Flock surveillance cameras and is weighing a ban, while lawmakers consider a bipartisan bill to add statewide privacy and accountability guardrails for automated license plate readers. Election Security & Federal Overreach: A new lawsuit targets DHS over claims tied to “unverified” noncitizen voter roll allegations, arguing the federal database-matching effort threatens lawful voters and could chill participation. Immigration Enforcement at the Local Level: Clarion Borough tabled an ICE MOU that would have expanded local police participation in ICE activities, reflecting growing community resistance to federal immigration cooperation. Labor & Wages: Pennsylvania labor regulators are launching proactive audits in the home healthcare industry after wage theft complaints surged, aiming to force wage-and-hour compliance rather than waiting for tips. Public Health Clash: Pennsylvania’s measles-related deaths dispute continues to roil politics, with the CDC challenging the state’s classification and fueling a Shapiro–RFK Jr. fight. Energy & Economic Development: A natural gas op-ed argues Pennsylvania hasn’t captured the full value of its “liquid gold,” while the state also touts education investment in Scranton as part of Shapiro’s broader agenda.