Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, February 2, 2026

Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro to Deliver 2026 Budget Address

Governor Josh Shapiro is set to deliver his 2026-27 budget address before a joint session of the General Assembly. Facing a reelection year and a divided legislature, the Governor is expected to prioritize a new statewide “housing action plan” aimed at increasing supply and reducing costs through local zoning reforms. Other key pillars of the proposal include addressing surging energy demands, driven largely by data center development, and securing sustainable, recurring funding for public transit agencies like SEPTA and Pittsburgh Regional Transit, which have operated under emergency funding measures since late last year. While the Governor is not expected to propose broad-based tax hikes, the budget will likely revive debates over legalizing recreational cannabis and regulating “skill games” to generate new revenue streams. Spotlight PA has more.

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Treasurer Garrity and Governor Shapiro on Federal Immigration Enforcement

Governor Josh Shapiro and Republican challenger Treasurer Stacy Garrity have staked out opposing positions on federal immigration enforcement following the fatal shooting of U.S. citizen Alex Pretti in Minneapolis. Governor Shapiro, during a national media tour for his new memoir, called for federal agents to leave the city, arguing their operations are “outside the bounds of law.” In contrast, Treasurer Garrity stated that “it’s best to cooperate” with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and praised border czar Tom Homan’s leadership. While Governor Shapiro’s staff is preparing for the possibility of federal surges in Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, Treasurer Garrity emphasized that state officials should assist federal agents during “targeted actions.” The Philadelphia Inquirer has more.

Punxsutawney Phil Predicts Six More Weeks of Winter

Punxsutawney Phil predicted six more weeks of wintry weather after seeing his shadow at Gobbler’s Knob in western Pennsylvania. The announcement, translated by his handlers in the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club, comes amid an already long and cold season that saw tens of thousands of visitors brave single-digit temperatures to witness the annual tradition. While the forecast was met with a mix of cheers and boos, it marks the second year in a row Phil has called for an extended winter. The Associated Press has more.

IFO Releases January Monthly Revenue Update

The Independent Fiscal Office (IFO), the state agency responsible for providing revenue projections and impartial analysis for state legislators, has released its monthly revenue update for the month of January, showing that actual collections were $146 million higher than IFO projections. The report also shows that revenues of $3.94 billion reflect an increase of $11 million (+0.3%) compared to the same month in the prior year. View the report here.

Philadelphia

Governor Shapiro Denounces District Attorney Krasner’s Comments on ICE

Governor Josh Shapiro condemned Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s rhetoric during an interview with Fox News, calling Krasner’s comparison of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to Nazis “abhorrent” and “unacceptable.” Shapiro urged for a “cooling down” of tensions following unrest in Minnesota, while simultaneously accusing the Trump administration’s policies of injecting “chaos” into American streets. The Governor also turned his criticism toward Vice President JD Vance, alleging that the Vice President has remained silent on antisemitism for “political gain” by failing to condemn certain figures on the right. Shapiro maintained that leaders in both parties must speak with “moral clarity” to confront rising antisemitic views across the political spectrum. Fox News has more.

Federal

PA Midterm Congressional Races to Watch

With the U.S. House of Representatives closely divided, Pennsylvania is once again expected to be a battleground for campaigns determining federal control. Analysts point to four key districts, the 1st, 7th, 8th and 10th districts, currently represented by U.S. Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08) and Scott Perry (R-PA-10), that were decided by narrow margins in 2024 and remain top targets for both parties. Republicans seek to defend gains made by Representatives Ryan Mackenzie and Rob Bresnahan, while Democrats aim to flip these seats and challenge incumbents like Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick and Scott Perry. City and State Pennsylvania has more.

Senator Fetterman Backs Mask Usage for ICE Agents Following Doxxing Threats

U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) broke with many in the Democratic party, expressing support for  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents wearing masks during enforcement operations to prevent “doxxing” by protesters. Speaking on Fox News, Senator Fetterman argued that the practice is a necessary safety measure to protect agents and their families from being targeted or harassed. His comments come as Senate Democrats push for a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that would explicitly ban the use of masks by federal agents. While Fetterman remains a staunch supporter of the agency’s funding, he reiterated his call for President Trump to fire DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, citing “gross incompetence” in the wake of recent fatal shootings in Minneapolis. PennLive has more.

Senator McCormick Calls for National Voter ID Requirements Before Midterms

U.S. Senator Dave McCormick (R-PA) is urging Congress to implement national voter ID requirements and proof-of-citizenship mandates prior to the 2026 midterm elections. Senator McCormick highlighted his co-sponsorship of the SAVE Act, which would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship when registering for federal elections. While a strict voter ID law was struck down as unconstitutional by Pennsylvania’s Commonwealth Court in 2014, McCormick argued that federal action is necessary to ensure election integrity. The proposal faces significant hurdles in the U.S. Senate, where it would require bipartisan support to overcome a likely Democratic filibuster. abc27 has more.

PA Congressional Fundraising Numbers for Q4

The Federal Election Commission (FEC) recently released Q4 fundraising and spending numbers for Congressional members. The report includes details for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Representatives and Senators. PoliticsPA has more. 

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