Pennsylvania
Harris, Trump court suburban Pennsylvania voters in path to White House
The keys to the White House may be decided on the ground in Pennsylvania, where campaigns are blanketing the commonwealth, and the pivotal suburbs.
Both former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris visited the Philadelphia suburbs this week as they vie for Pennsylvania’s 19 electoral votes, and the suburban residents who could prove crucial to their effort.
“We just want to make sure that Kamala wins,” said Rosemary Moller. “Because the alternative is very frightening.”
She and her husband, Jeffrey, added to the more than one million door knocks the campaign has completed in the state as volunteers canvass out of 50 campaign offices. They hit the pavement in Montgomery County, a region they too call home.
“If you’ve judged by lawn signs, you’d have to say that, like, 99% of the lawns don’t have a sign out at all, so you don’t really know what’s what’s going on,” said Jeffrey Moller.
“In our neighborhood,” Rosemary Moller added, “It’s a little bit more Kamala than Trump.”
The Harris-Walz campaign approaches Pennsylvania with go-everywhere tactics, but a senior advisor for Pennsylvania notes the suburbs are a significant target. They’re full throttle with organizing, phone calls and paid media, recognizing the need for significant margins in the suburbs to win Pennsylvania.
In 2016, Hillary Clinton received 742,226 votes in the four counties surrounding Philadelphia. Trump ultimately won the state. But in 2020, President Joe Biden got 170,792 more, when he ultimately turned the state blue that year.
RELATED STORY | Pennsylvania GOP group comes out with support for Harris-Walz ticket
But the campaign sees the suburbs as their own blue wall, and believes they are seeing enthusiasm in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia that will match 2020 levels.
“Our township isn’t the well to do area that you might find elsewhere in Montgomery County, people trying to raise their kids and put their kids through school and so forth. So I think money is a big issue,” said Jeffrey Moller, adding he doesn’t believe it makes sense to connect higher prices to the Biden administration.
The campaign is homing in on messages including Harris’ plan to combat price gouging, her healthcare policy, reproductive rights and around the issue of democracy.
It believes they’re making progress in their suburban margins, according to a senior advisor for Pennsylvania, in part contending Trump’s “extremism” is driving voters to them as they also focus on swaying Republicans, and make efforts in more historically red areas.
During the Republican primary, more than 19% of voters supported Nikki Haley over Trump in Bucks County, and nearly 25% of voters supported Nikki Haley over Trump in Montgomery County.
“The coalition we have built has room for everyone who is ready to turn the page on the chaos and instability of Donald Trump,” Harris said during a rally alongside Republicans who have endorsed her at Washington Crossing.
But former president Donald Trump’s team has dismissed concerns over former Haley supporters backing Harris, as they zero in on issues like inflation, the economy and the border.
“We win this great commonwealth, we are going to win the whole ball game,” Trump said during a town hall in Oaks, PA earlier this week, his first visit to the collar counties since the Republican National Convention.
A campaign official described it as a battle of ideas, noting they are quadrupling down on the message ‘are you better off now than you were four years ago?’ in the counties surrounding Philadelphia.
The official said they are “feeling good” about the counties, pointing to their ground game investments, the campaign having more than two dozen offices across the state, and Bucks County where slightly more Republicans than Democrats have registered to vote.
That’s where Caroline Devenuto is volunteering, one of thousands across the state.
“Definitely feeling confident because there’s so much more visibility this election,” she said, who is volunteering as a “Trump Force 47” team captain this election.
“I’ve never gotten money from anybody in my entire life, much less from the President of the United States. So during COVID, when, like, all of us single mothers were out here scrapping for money, like, you know, trying to make ends meet, that was the I was like, you know, he sees us. He cares about us.” she said.
For each campaign, reaching women in the suburbs is a particular focus.
“Well, I’ve always supported Trump. My biggest issue, as I mentioned, was immigration. I’m a first generation American. My parents immigrated to America legally and that’s how it should be done, the way my parents came to this country,” said Vicky Wagner.
She was part of a group of women that came together to see Trump at the town hall. For some, it was their first time seeing the former president, pointing to immigration, safety, affordability and foreign affairs as top concerns.
“I know people that voted for him first and then the second election they did not in this election they’re back. Women. So hopefully, you know, we’re going to see a big change in that. I hope more women do come out,” said Colleen Rossi, noting she did consider other candidates but believes “he’s the only one that can get the job done” and plans to vote for him again.
But polling has shown a historic gender divide, with women breaking for Harris in record numbers. Her campaign believes it has grown support among them, and on the trail has heavily focused on reproductive rights.
“I’m a nurse, so you know, it might not be my choice, but even though I’m 68 years old, I still have a vote, and I can vote for my, you know, my nieces and other women I know,” said Rosemary Moller.
With a race in battlegrounds that’s sure to be close, there are still challenges. Former Democratic Congresswoman Marjorie Margolies, the first woman to represent her suburban Philadelphia district in Congress, now teaches about women in politics at the University of Pennsylvania.
“I still think that many, many, many people are more comfortable walking into the voting booth and voting for a White male. And that’s what I said when on the when I went to Congress the first year of the woman, we knew that we were pushing the rock up the hill,” Margolies said.
Now comes a push into the home stretch outside Philadelphia for each campaign, in the collar counties that could decide the presidency.
RELATED STORY | Harris’ interview with Fox News is marked by testy exchanges over immigration and more
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania’s Game-Changing Rail Freight Revamp Is Here—East Penn Railroad Leads the Charge – MyChesCo
HARRISBURG, PA — Rail freight in Pennsylvania is on the brink of transformation, with $55 million approved to fund 30 vital improvement projects. These initiatives promise to boost economic development, enhance freight mobility, and create or sustain 344 jobs across the state. Among the standout ventures, East Penn Railroad, LLC’s $455,000 project to rehabilitate eight bridges is poised to deliver significant benefits to Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties.
Strengthening Pennsylvania’s Freight Backbone
With 65 operating railroads spanning approximately 5,600 miles, Pennsylvania’s freight system is unmatched in its scale and importance. It is the backbone of the state’s economy, connecting local industries to national and global markets. The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), in collaboration with private rail operators and local businesses, has prioritized modernization through programs like the Rail Transportation Assistance Program (RTAP) and Rail Freight Assistance Program (RFAP).
“Expanding and improving Pennsylvania’s rail freight network will support family-sustaining jobs and connect Pennsylvania communities to the global economy while bolstering local economic development,” said PennDOT Secretary Mike Carroll. “These investments will create opportunities for generations of Pennsylvanians to come and will provide key mobility across the Commonwealth.”
Spotlight on East Penn Railroad
The East Penn Railroad project exemplifies the power of targeted infrastructure investment. The company will rehabilitate eight bridges across the Octoraro, Perkiomen, Lancaster Northern, and York branch lines—critical routes for businesses and industries in Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties. These bridges are essential for the safe and efficient transportation of goods, and their rehabilitation will ensure that local businesses have the reliable infrastructure they need to thrive.
The funding will address aging infrastructure that has long hampered performance and safety. Once complete, these improvements will facilitate smoother operations, reduced delays, and greater capacity for freight transport. For local communities, this means more robust economic growth driven by increased business activity and better connections to other markets.
Building a Better Freight Future
East Penn’s effort is just one of 30 projects approved for funding, each addressing specific challenges within Pennsylvania’s rail network.
Some of the other key projects include:
- CSX Transportation, Inc. ($13.1M) to rehabilitate the 25th Street Viaduct in Philadelphia, a crucial freight artery.
- Wheeling and Lake Erie Railway ($5.8M) to improve six bridges across Allegheny, Washington, Fayette, and Westmoreland Counties, ensuring long-term safety and reliability.
- NorthPoint Development, LLC ($3.8M) for Kinder Morgan terminal rail yard expansion in Bucks County, adding over 13,000 feet of new track to boost industrial capacity.
Each of these initiatives will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and position Pennsylvania as a leader in freight innovation.
Why It Matters
Improving freight infrastructure isn’t just a convenience—it’s an economic imperative. For businesses, reliable rail transport lowers costs, increases efficiency, and enhances competitiveness in global markets. For workers, these projects create good-paying jobs during construction and unlock new opportunities for long-term employment in logistics and adjacent industries.
East Penn Railroad’s project, in particular, underscores how smart infrastructure investment can ripple outward. By ensuring that critical bridges are safe and reliable, the company will help make Chester, Montgomery, Berks, and York Counties more competitive while bolstering the local economy.
Beyond the immediate economic benefits, these rail freight improvements also align with environmental goals. Rail transport is significantly more fuel-efficient than road freight, resulting in reduced greenhouse gas emissions. By expanding and modernizing Pennsylvania’s rail system, these projects signal a commitment to sustainable growth.
A Commitment to Progress
The Shapiro Administration and the General Assembly have demonstrated a shared commitment to infrastructure as a foundation for progress. Pennsylvania’s rail freight industry isn’t just about moving goods; it’s about creating a future where communities and businesses can flourish.
Pennsylvania’s bold leap forward on rail freight projects marks a turning point for the state. With East Penn Railroad paving the way, the Commonwealth is creating a more connected, competitive, and sustainable future for all.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.
Pennsylvania
A Pa. utility shutoff law is expiring. Here’s what you need to know
Have a question about Philly’s neighborhoods or the systems that shape them? PlanPhilly reporters want to hear from you! Ask us a question or send us a story idea you think we should cover.
A Pennsylvania law that lays out how and when utility companies can shut off customers’ electricity, gas or water expires Dec. 31.
But the state’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter months and other protections will continue uninterrupted.
“The message that we’ve been hoping that people really hear is not to panic,” said Elizabeth Marx, executive director of the Pennsylvania Utility Law Project.
Utility shutoffs are an experience many Pennsylvania households deal with. In the first 10 months of 2024, utilities in the state disconnected more than 300,000 households and reconnected fewer than three-quarters of them.
In Philadelphia, one in four low-income households spends at least 16% of its income on energy bills — an energy burden that’s considered severe. Black and Hispanic households in Philadelphia spend more of their income on energy than households overall, and national surveys have shown non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic households are disconnected from utility service at higher rates than non-Hispanic white households.
Here’s what you need to know about the sunsetting statute.
Pa.’s ban on shutoffs for low-income customers during the winter continues
Pennsylvania’s winter shutoff moratorium will continue even after the law expires, because this and other protections are duplicated in another part of state code.
Between the frigid months of December through March, public utilities in Pennsylvania are restricted from terminating low-income customers’ service for nonpayment without permission from the Public Utility Commission.
Water utilities cannot terminate heat-related service during this time period.
Gas and electric utilities cannot terminate service for households earning below $3,137 monthly for an individual or $6,500 for a family of four, based on the 2024 federal poverty guidelines.
“We understand the importance of these protections to Pennsylvanians and remain committed to balancing the needs of consumers and utilities,” said Stephen DeFrank, Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission chairman, in a statement.
There is a partial exception for city gas utilities, which can terminate service for households earning $1,882 to $3,137 monthly for an individual or $3,900 to $6,500 for a family of four, during part of the winter under certain circumstances.
If you can’t pay your utility bills in full, Marx recommends making at least some payment, because utilities consider a positive payment history when setting up payment plans.
“Paying what you can, when you can, is very important, especially even through the winter, when the winter moratorium is in place,” she said.
Pennsylvania
Ice-cold temperatures overnight, Impact Day Sunday
-
Politics1 week ago
Canadian premier threatens to cut off energy imports to US if Trump imposes tariff on country
-
Technology1 week ago
OpenAI cofounder Ilya Sutskever says the way AI is built is about to change
-
Politics1 week ago
U.S. Supreme Court will decide if oil industry may sue to block California's zero-emissions goal
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta asks the US government to block OpenAI’s switch to a for-profit
-
Business1 week ago
Freddie Freeman's World Series walk-off grand slam baseball sells at auction for $1.56 million
-
Technology1 week ago
Meta’s Instagram boss: who posted something matters more in the AI age
-
News1 week ago
East’s wintry mix could make travel dicey. And yes, that was a tornado in Calif.
-
Technology2 days ago
Google’s counteroffer to the government trying to break it up is unbundling Android apps