AGP Executive Report

Election Fight in PA-1: Democrat Bob Harvie has sent a cease-and-desist letter to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick over what he calls defamatory campaign ads that blur a past FBI-related matter and claim Harvie is under criminal investigation—Fitzpatrick’s team hasn’t responded. Cost Relief for Pennsylvanians: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s expanded Property Tax/Rent Rebate program is set to send $226.4M to nearly 376,000 people, boosting the max rebate to $1,000 and raising income limits for seniors, widows/widowers, and residents with disabilities. Secret Service Scrutiny: A DHS inspector general report says local police made 102 radio calls about the Butler, Pa. shooter, but the Secret Service missed them due to communications failures—new details add pressure on the agency’s protective planning. Egg Price-Fixing Settlement: PA AG Brown and partners secured a multistate deal forcing major egg producers to pay $3.3M and deliver 53M eggs, including millions to food banks. Local Spotlight: Miller Charm Farms’ kielbasa won grand champion at the Pennsylvania Association of Meat Processors convention. Independence Day Safety/Heat: Across the region, extreme heat is reshaping holiday plans, with organizers adding cooling and medical support and some events adjusting schedules.

Grocery Deal: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65B, paying $1.25B cash and assuming about $400M in liabilities, adding roughly 200 stores across northern Ohio and western Pennsylvania. Public Safety: A DHS inspector general report says the Secret Service missed multiple chances to stop the would-be assassin at Trump’s Butler rally, including failures to secure sightlines and missed radio warnings. Food Safety: Lancaster County restaurant inspections flagged issues like raw chicken stored above sauce buckets and sanitizer test-strip shortages in recent Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture reports. Housing Affordability: A Pew report finds first-time homebuying is harder than ever for under-40 Americans, with the price-to-income ratio rising sharply since 1975. Local Economy/Community: Pennsylvania’s Shapiro administration will buy 350 tons of Erie-area grapes for juice concentrate to help farmers after canceled contracts, sending product to food banks. Healthcare: Heritage Valley is now officially part of Allegheny Health Network, expanding access to hospitals and clinical sites in western Pennsylvania. Energy & Heat: Heatwave conditions triggered burn bans in parts of York County ahead of July 4, with officials urging strict fire safety.

Local Government: Joseph Fleming was sworn in as DuBois city manager, taking over after nearly 19 months of interim leadership following the DuBois–Sandy Township consolidation. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Residents criticized the Reservoir Road sewer project delay, saying deadlines and grant money are at risk. Energy & Environment: A new report warns data centers’ natural gas power plans could sharply raise Pennsylvania’s climate pollution, while heat-wave grid strain is pushing utilities to consider backup power. Business & Consumer Impact: Cumberland Farms filed for a U.S. IPO, and Kroger’s $1.65B deal to buy Giant Eagle is reshaping the grocery landscape. Community & Culture: DCNR kicked off its third annual Outdoors for All celebration on the Schuylkill River. Food Security: Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s $26M in charity donations includes a $1M gift to Helping Harvest in Reading. State Politics: Pennsylvania lawmakers and House leadership clashed over a flag-themed suit jacket during America 250 festivities.

Wildlife & Roads: Pennsylvania launched a statewide Wildlife Connectivity Work Group to cut wildlife-vehicle crashes and reconnect habitat, co-led by DCNR and PennDOT with a federal grant backing the plan. Budget Deadline Drama: Harrisburg missed the June 30 budget deadline for a fifth straight year, with Senate Republicans leaving early and Democrats accusing them of walking away from negotiations. Minimum Wage Fight: A Senate GOP move blocked a Democratic push to raise Pennsylvania’s minimum wage, marking 20 years since the last increase. SNAP Cost-Sharing: Pennsylvania’s SNAP payment error rate remains high, raising the odds the state will have to cover more costs under federal rules starting next year. Grocery Shake-Up: Kroger announced a $1.65B deal to buy Giant Eagle, keeping the Giant Eagle name and expanding Kroger’s footprint across the region. Egg Price-Fixing Fallout: Major egg producers agreed to pay $3.3M and donate tens of millions of eggs after allegations they manipulated bids to push prices higher. Gaming Oversight: Lawmakers are moving to address the Supreme Court’s skill-games ruling and the 120-day moratorium, aiming to fit the machines into Pennsylvania law. America 250 Local Color: From Revolutionary War history events to Fourth of July programming, communities across Pennsylvania are leaning into the 250th with ceremonies, museums, and public performances.

Tax Enforcement: The 3rd Circuit upheld tax evasion convictions for a Pennsylvania insurance business owner, finding he concealed a bank account on 2016 returns while the IRS was pursuing collection. Grocery Shake-Up: Kroger agreed to buy Giant Eagle for $1.65 billion, a deal that would expand Kroger’s reach across Pennsylvania and the broader Midwest/Mid-Atlantic and could set up price pressure and store integration questions for shoppers. Food Prices & Settlements: Major egg producers agreed to pay $3.3 million and donate 53 million eggs after DOJ and state officials alleged coordinated price-fixing that drove up costs. Local Economy & Development: St. Peter’s Village in Chester County—about 83 acres with dozens of homes and historic buildings—heads to a large fall auction, raising the stakes for redevelopment plans. Public Health & Weather: Lancaster County is dealing with intense heat that’s stressing outdoor workers and drying streams, with potential risks for people and wildlife. Sports & Community Identity: Hershey’s Christian Pulisic is spotlighted as a hometown hero tied to the World Cup, underscoring how Pennsylvania places keep shaping national stories.

US Supreme Court: The court struck down President Trump’s executive order limiting birthright citizenship, ruling that children born in the U.S. to unlawfully or temporarily present parents are still citizens under the 14th Amendment, 6-3. Pennsylvania Politics: Lawmakers are pushing a plan to eliminate school property taxes, with a virtual town hall set to explain a swap to higher income and sales taxes. State Budget: Pennsylvania missed its June 30 budget deadline, with negotiations expected to drag into early July. Energy Costs: A proposed tax cut to lower electric bills would eliminate a state tax on electricity sales and comes with a major budget tradeoff lawmakers haven’t fully explained. Local History & America 250: Westmoreland County museums and historical groups are adapting how they preserve and teach local history as the America 250 milestone approaches. Community & Public Safety: A volunteer search and rescue team helped recover a missing person in a multi-day effort. Business/Legal: A Pennsylvania-New Jersey litigation boutique added a former U.S. attorney’s office deputy to its team.

SCOTUS & Sports: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld transgender sports bans in a 6-3 ruling, likely validating similar rules in many states and reshaping school athletics nationwide. Firearms: SCOTUS let stand a 3rd Circuit decision striking down Pennsylvania’s emergency concealed-carry limits for 18-20-year-olds. Pennsylvania Politics: A fight over Pennsylvania’s spot at the Great American State Fair is heating up after bipartisan sponsors secured a state booth “at no cost,” countering Gov. Josh Shapiro’s earlier pullout. Consumer Protection: Pennsylvania’s attorney general joined a multistate egg price-fixing settlement: major producers will pay $3.3M and donate tens of millions of eggs to food banks. Public Health: A parasite causing explosive watery diarrhea is spreading across the U.S., with cases reported in multiple states. Business & Defense: Bell Textron won a $43.2M contract for advanced helicopter parts, with work tied to U.S. military upgrades.

Independence Day travel: AAA expects 72.2 million Americans to travel for the U.S. 250th holiday, with the worst driving times Thursday through Sunday afternoons and Pennsylvania gas averaging about $3.98. America 250 & local life: The Hollidaysburg Community Band brought its music to France for D-Day commemorations, while local papers and communities keep rolling out 250th history features and events. Higher ed debate: Faculty unions are pushing back on three-year bachelor’s degrees, warning they could undercut academic integrity. Public safety in small towns: Bernville Borough voted to disband its police department after staffing and cost pressures, saying it will rely on Pennsylvania State Police. Health care update: Baxter Health added a pulmonologist/critical care physician with 30+ years of experience. Public health win: A Pitt-led randomized trial found automated EMR alerts in western Pennsylvania clinics nearly tripled chlamydia screening for young women. Courts & policy: Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court ruling limits how self-referral rules apply to certain prescriptions tied to dispensing pharmacies.

Great American State Fair: Pennsylvania is back in the mix after Gov. Josh Shapiro initially pulled out, with Sens. John Fetterman and David McCormick teaming up with private groups to represent the Keystone State at the Washington, D.C. event. Elections & voting rules: The U.S. Supreme Court rejected GOP efforts to block states from counting certain postmarked mail ballots, while another case could tighten rules around citizenship proof and spur voter purges. Medicaid fight: Pennsylvania’s AG Dave Neronha and allies sued the Trump administration over unlawful Medicaid work requirements that could hit medically frail patients. Public services tech: A new report spotlights how Pennsylvania agencies are using cloud tools and AI with incremental upgrades to modernize services. Local business impact: Swissvale business owners warn Parkway East closure will worsen already-heavy traffic and disrupt deliveries. Education: Luzerne County Community College won a $1M dual credit grant to expand college coursework for rural and underserved students. Crime: A Norristown man was charged in a $3.8M Ponzi scheme. Health & safety: Extreme heat watches stretch across the East, including eastern Pennsylvania, ahead of the July 4 holiday.

Pennsylvania at the Great American State Fair: Sen. John Fetterman and Sen. Dave McCormick stepped in to secure Pennsylvania’s presence at the National Mall fair after Gov. Josh Shapiro said the state couldn’t find a sponsor, framing the effort as private and not taxpayer-funded. Democrats’ internal fight: A New York primary win by a democratic socialist is rattling establishment Democrats and raising questions about identity politics and who leads the party going into the 2028 fight. Trump passport backlash: A new America250 passport design featuring Trump’s face and signature sparked mockery and legal/ethical grumbling over how personalized branding is showing up on official documents. Measles alert in PA: The state reported 84 measles cases so far in 2026, with 72 in the Lancaster-Lebanon region, as health officials push vaccination and local outreach. Local business news: Centre County opened nominations for the 2026 Business Awards, while Warren County is offering facade grants for storefront improvements. Courts and taxes: A Clinton County woman was charged with failing to remit $1.13M in withheld payroll taxes.

Gas Prices & Politics: President Trump is pressing oil companies after pump prices haven’t dropped as fast as crude, and says he’s told the Justice Department to investigate possible “gouging.” State Courts & Voting Privacy: A federal judge dismissed a DOJ bid to get Pennsylvania’s full, unredacted voter-registration database, saying the administration lacked legal authority and warning of “weaponization” concerns. Local Government & Data Centers: East Rockhill supervisors authorized a revised data center ordinance after residents raised alarms about noise and groundwater depletion, adding tighter standards and reporting. Housing Policy: A major bipartisan housing bill still faces uncertainty after Trump declined to sign it, tying it to a separate voting-access measure while lawmakers discuss possible next steps. Education Costs & Enrollment: A new report says Pennsylvania public school enrollment has fallen sharply since 2019 while spending rises, with test proficiency continuing to decline. Independence Day in PA: East Waterford’s Fourth of July celebration returns with a new Tuscarora 5K and expanded patriotic events tied to America 250.

School Choice in Harrisburg: Three years after a bitter budget fight over private-school tuition, top Pennsylvania Democrats say they’re ready to engage again, with House Majority Leader Matt Bradford pointing to “intriguing” uses of Trump tax credits and hinting the issue could return to state budget talks. Health Care Funding Fight: A lawsuit says a new Trump administration “alignment review” for Title X family-planning grants could delay or deny federal money to Pennsylvania providers serving about 160,000 patients. Economy Under Pressure: A new national poll finds Trump’s economic approval slipping to 37% while disapproval hits 60%, as prices and costs stay a top concern. AI Bubble Anxiety: Wharton and other experts warn tech stock swings are reviving fears of an AI bubble and potential fallout. Great American State Fair Fallout: After Gov. Josh Shapiro said Pennsylvania couldn’t find a sponsor, Sen. Dave McCormick and Sen. John Fetterman say private partners will fund a Pennsylvania showcase at the National Mall. Gaming Milestone: Pennsylvania gambling hit a new record month, with May revenue topping $625 million, driven by online casino growth.

FBI Phone Records: The FBI sought and obtained toll records for nine Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Cynthia Lummis, covering Jan. 4–7, 2021, as part of an investigation tied to efforts to overturn the 2020 election—no call content was included. Pennsylvania Courts & Gambling: The Pennsylvania Supreme Court backed the idea that “games of skill” are slot machines under state law, a ruling that could reshape how the machines are taxed and regulated. Public Lands Poll: A new poll finds 94% of Pennsylvanians back state parks and forests, with 86% saying public-lands funding should be a priority as budget talks near a June 30 deadline. Health Care Funding Fight: A lawsuit alleges a new Trump administration “alignment review” could delay or deny Title X family-planning grants for Pennsylvania providers. Local Conservation: Junior Game Warden camps in Butler County gave kids hands-on training in tracking, wildlife capture, and conservation careers. Business/Legal: Ahold Delhaize agreed to settle a $40 million federal False Claims Act case over allegedly inflated drug price reporting in Medicare Part D and other programs.

Education & Choice: Pennsylvania House Democrats on the Education Committee advanced bills that would slash tax-credit scholarships and cut charter funding, including support for special-needs students, drawing sharp criticism from advocates who say tens of thousands could lose aid. Child Care Workforce: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s administration highlighted a $25 million child-care recruitment and retention push, with retention bonuses for thousands of workers, and proposed adding another $10 million for licensed centers. Data Centers & Local Backlash: Pennsylvania towns and officials are weighing data center proposals as residents raise concerns about power, costs, and farmland impacts, with lawmakers debating whether to rein in growth. Local Government & Redevelopment: A Warren County Heritage Alliance is working on a counterproposal tied to a city Redevelopment Authority property transfer, after earlier terms were called too restrictive. Community & Culture: Conestoga River Club won grant funding to build a universally accessible, non-motorized boat launch on the Conestoga by 2027, and HoopsFest in Altoona brings Super Bowl hero David Tyree to inspire youth this July. Sports: A Spikes-Cutters game was canceled due to weather, and the State College Spikes promoted Dan Petrazzolo to general manager.

Data Centers in the Capitol: Gov. Josh Shapiro’s push to “incentivize” data centers is colliding with a tougher House GOP/Dem split, as lawmakers advance competing bills—one offering conditions tied to a major sales tax break, and another moving to repeal that break entirely. ICE Warehouse Uncertainty: Berks County and state officials say they’re still waiting on answers after reports the Trump administration may sell or give away several Pennsylvania ICE warehouses. Reproductive Health Under Legal Threat: A lawsuit alleges a Trump administration rule could delay or cut off Title X-style reproductive health funding for about 160,000 Pennsylvania patients. Pennsylvania Water Pollution Charges: CERTA co-owners face felony charges tied to alleged hazardous dumping and contamination of Connoquenessing Creek. Inflation Watch: The Fed’s preferred inflation gauge jumped to a three-year high, driven largely by gas prices. Little League Returns: The Little League World Series is back in South Williamsport with a full field and a major local economic boost.

Data Center Fight in Harrisburg: Pennsylvania lawmakers are split on how to rein in data centers, with the House backing Shapiro’s “responsible” incentives plan while also voting to repeal the sales tax break that developers rely on. Budget Pressure: As the June 30 deadline looms, debate is heating up over whether Pennsylvania should lean on rainy day reserves, with critics warning Shapiro’s plan spends more while savings run low. Local School Taxes: Keystone Central School District approved a $94M budget with a 3.5% property tax increase after an earlier proposal failed. Immigration Ruling: The U.S. Supreme Court let the Trump administration end temporary protections for Haitians and Syrians, opening the door to more deportations. Courts and Forfeiture: A GOP-backed House bill advanced to require clearer written notice to people facing civil asset forfeiture. Sports & Community: Lock Haven native Jasmine McCulley earned a Team USA spot for the 2026 world freestyle and rhythmic twirl championships in Paris.