Pennsylvania Perspective for Monday, July 20, 2026

Pennsylvania

Governor Shapiro Launches $3.3M Coordinated Campaign with PA Democrats

Governor Josh Shapiro has partnered with state party leaders to launch “Rise Up Pennsylvania,” a $3.3 million coordinated campaign designed to boost Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm elections. The coordinated midterm campaign will operate out of 27 field offices with nearly 100 full-time organizers and focuses on voter registration, field organizing, and targeted outreach to low-propensity and minority communities. Democrats hope the unified framework will help them flip four competitive Republican-held congressional seats, including the district represented by Representative Scott Perry (R-PA-10), while picking up the necessary seats to secure a governing state legislative trifecta in Harrisburg for the first time in over three decades. While state Republicans have criticized the funding sources and timing of the rollout, political observers note that the aggressive campaign allows the popular governor to leverage his $50 million fundraising cushion and high approval ratings to build critical party infrastructure ahead of a potential presidential bid in 2028.

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Financial Facts of FY 2026-27 PA Budget

According to an article by PA City & State, the recently adopted 2026–27 state budget features three specific financial adjustments outlined by the Independent Fiscal Office. First, the budget uses temporary accounting shifts to delay two monthly human services payments, which postpones $2.64 billion in spending to create one-time savings. Second, by avoiding any withdrawals from the state’s Rainy Day Fund, the reserve balance is now expected to gain approximately $350 million in interest. Third, lower spending across various state executive departments successfully reduced the commonwealth’s projected long-term structural deficit by $520 million, bringing the total down to just over $5 billion.

Spotlight PA Analysis Reviews Governor Shapiro’s Successes, Setbacks

In an article by Spotlight PA, reporters analyzed Governor Josh Shapiro’s governing record, contrasting his high-profile executive successes with notable legislative and policy challenges. While Governor Shapiro gained national prominence for swift executive actions, such as the 12-day reopening of a collapsed section of Interstate 95 and securing over $41 billion in private-sector investments, and continues to maintain high approval ratings backed by a massive $50 million fundraising operation, the analysis highlights that much of his broader legislative agenda, including raising the minimum wage and legalizing recreational marijuana, remains stalled in the Republican-controlled state Senate. The report details friction with his own party over his initial support for private school vouchers, multi-month budget delays, record-low legislative productivity, a workplace sexual harassment settlement involving a former top adviser, and dissatisfaction from specific constituent groups.

Philadelphia

District Attorney Krasner Responds to Congressional Subpoena in Washington

Following a federal subpoena from the U.S. House Judiciary Committee over Philadelphia’s immigration and sanctuary policies, District Attorney Larry Krasner traveled to Washington, D.C., to join a public protest outside the building where Virginia prosecutor Parisa Dehghani-Tafti was compelled to testify behind closed doors. Krasner criticized Committee Chairman Jim Jordan and the private nature of the hearings, stating that regional prosecutors face targeted federal pressure but remain committed to their local authority. While a House Judiciary Committee spokesperson stated they look forward to compliance by the July 29 deadline, Krasner later indicated that his office is in the process of reviewing the expansive request and plans to turn over the documents that are legally required.

Federal

President Trump’s Election Address Draws Criticism from PA Leaders

President Donald Trump in an address to the nation asserted that newly declassified documents reveal critical vulnerabilities and foreign data compromises within the U.S. election system, utilizing the speech to renew pressure on Congress to pass the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act. While the administration highlighted allegations of more than 270,000 noncitizens registered across four states, including Pennsylvania, media analysts noted the documents lacked proof of altered election outcomes, and major television networks opted not to broadcast the speech live. Governor Josh Shapiro criticized the remarks as a groundless effort to undermine public confidence in the voting system, and U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) publicly disputed the claims, affirming the integrity of the 2020 election results and calling the president’s focus on past cycles a distraction from pressing issues like the conflict with Iran.

Department of Homeland Security Ties Election Mandates to Federal Aid

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin announced that the federal government will condition future election-related funding and election machine reimbursements on states complying with mandatory security upgrades and voter roll audits. Secretary Mullin threatened non-compliant election administrators with maximum criminal penalties and financial fines, pointing to internal agency claims that over 250,000 noncitizens are currently registered across four states, including Pennsylvania. This warning follows recent administration maneuvers to pressure states by threatening to withhold funding, like Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) counterterrorism grants, for non-compliance. However, Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) announced that FEMA has released $13.5 million in previously delayed disaster relief and pandemic recovery funds to Pennsylvania entities following a personal appeal to the department.

Senator Fetterman’s Grassroots Funding Declines

Recent campaign filings reveal a sharp decline in U.S. Senator John Fetterman’s (D-PA) small-dollar donor base, dropping from nearly $646,000 during his first three months in office to $21,000 over the last quarter. This contraction follows a series of policy rifts between the Pennsylvania lawmaker and the progressive flank of the Democratic Party, driven primarily by his outspoken support for Israel and his willingness to support select cabinet nominees for President Donald Trump. While Senator Fetterman has drawn some new financial backing from pro-Israel political action committees and retains a 77% approval rating among Republicans, recent polling indicates that 69% of Democrats oppose his performance, with majorities in both parties suggesting he leave the Democratic ticket ahead of a potential 2028 primary challenge.

State Representative Rabb Criticizes Senator Fetterman, Outlines Progressive Priorities

During an interview with PoliticsPA, state Representative Chris Rabb (D-200), the Democratic nominee for Pennsylvania’s 3rd Congressional District, sharply criticized U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA), characterizing him as someone who has betrayed his constituents since taking office. Representative Rabb, an aligned Democratic Socialist who is running unopposed by any Republican candidate in the November election, also stated that Governor Josh Shapiro’s political positions do not align with Democratic Socialism, though he acknowledged the necessity of balancing ideological purity with electoral viability for a potential presidential bid. Defending progressive policies, Representative Rabb argued that foundational American social safety nets function as socialist programs and called for systemic, rather than incremental, governmental reforms to counter corporate influence. On foreign policy, Representative Rabb criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza, advocated for a reduction in U.S. foreign intervention, and declared that his federal priorities would center on removing money from politics, restoring civil society, and potentially invoking the 25th Amendment against President Donald Trump.

Cozen Corner

Budget Season Wrap-Up: What States Can Tell Us About Governing

Budget season offers a window into state priorities, policy choices, and the challenges lawmakers are working to address. As state negotiations wrap up in Illinois, New York, and Virginia, we explore the tradeoffs, areas of agreement, and key decisions that shaped this year’s legislative sessions. What do these budgets reveal about governing today, and what do they signal for the road to the November midterms? Featuring Public Strategies’ Julia Hammond (VA), Sydney Holman (IL), and Katrell Lewis (NY). Click here to listen.

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