Ahead of tough 2022, progressive PAC pitches infrastructure, Biden budget to Pa. | Friday Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star

Good Friday Morning, Fellow Seekers.

When Democrats in the U.S. House run for re-election in 2022, theyll be taking the time-honored approach of any party looking to preserve (and maybe even expand) their majority: Theyll be selling voters on what they did, and theyll be trying to convince them they can do more of it.

And as Congressional Dems pitch actual successes with theAmerican Rescue Plan, and anticipated successes on infrastructure, and the rest ofPresident Joe Bidensdomestic agenda, theyll be getting help from a small army of supporters. EnterFor Our Future PA, the Keystone State branch of a labor-backed, progressive political action committee forged in the heat of the 2016 campaign season, thats playing a key role in making that pitch to both the Democratic base and to persuadable voters ahead of the 2022 midterms.

The organizations Pennsylvania statedirector,Ashley McBride(pictured above left), took a few minutes this week to chat with theCapital-StaraboutFor Our Futuresmission, its outreach to communities of color, and the races and pols its targeting in 2022.

The conversation below has been lightly edited for content and clarity.

Q: Thanks for taking the time to chat. For those who dont know, what is For Our Future, and what is its mission?

Ashley McBride:We were birthed in 2016, labor came together at that time, to really build something that has a lasting impact. Often organizations drop in right before an election, they build relationships, and then they leave. We wanted to build something that was lasting, just not descend on a community andleave. Weve been around since 2016, and weve grown since each of those years. We really wanted to start a conversation with voters about what they care about most, and then connect the voters with the candidates that they care about.

Q: What does that look like?

McBride:In our work, we do a combination of issue advocacy and electoral work In 2020, we made over 1.6 millioncalls, knocked on more than 700,000 doors, and we did it in a little over five weeks. We have always knocked on doors. But in light of COVID, we wanted to make sure staff and voters were safe. So we did it in late September, and in the 5 1/2 weeks leading upto the election, we knocked on over 700,000doors.

We talk to communities across the state. And we make sure were intentional about our conversations with communities of color. They were key to helpingJoe Bidenwin this election.

We didwork in the7thand8th[Congressional]Districts, which are places where we are excited to continue our work. Were waiting to see what happens with redistricting. We do a huge concentration of work in the southeast and the collar counties, as well ascentral Pennsylvania.

Q: You mentioned redistricting a moment ago. Anything youre keeping a particular eye on there?

McBride:We are watching in great anticipation. There have been a lot of conversations about what is happening in W.Pa, with[U.S. Rep. Conor] Lambs[17th District] seat. And with him running for the U.S. Senate, we have played out several scenarios. Were going to have conversations with the voters weve built relationships with since 2016. And if [the map] looks different, we will talk about different candidates or different issues. It could open opportunities in areas we have not been in before.

Q: You mentioned the role that Black voters played in delivering Pennsylvania for Joe Biden. Hispanic voters also are a growing voting bloc. Can you talk about the kinds of conversations you have with them? Are they different?

McBride:One of the things Im proudest of, when we run a direct electoral program,were grateful to partner with organizations who are trusted messengers in those communities. So weve done work with [the immigrants rights groups]CASAandMakethe Road. We are intentional in making sure that were not excluding communities of color.

But a lot of the time in this work, people talk about persuasion, and it has taken on a specific identity. We have to talk to all voters across the commonwealth. The conversations are not different. Folks are having a conversation about wanting a job that has a living wage, or have healthcare that is affordable and accessible, or a quality education for their children so they can be competitive.

Were not being transactional, and were not just talking to someone so we can check off a candidate on a ballot Theres no denying the impactthatCOVID has had, but especially how it has impacted communities of color. Sometimes theres a feeling of being forgotten Im on the phone every day with Pennsylvanians who are working 2-3 jobs just to make ends meet.

Andits not that people dont want to go back to work. They want work that respects their humanity, they want jobs where they have a living wage.

Q: To bring the conversation full-circle, youve just launched somedigital spots in key statesto tout the importance of the bipartisan infrastructure plan. Whats the key to the messaging there?

McBride: Weve partnered with [the pro-Bidennonprofit]Building Back Togetherto really make sure that we are lifting up this administrations commitment to making it right for people across Pennsylvania.

When we talk about infrastructure, we can talk about roads and bridges. But it is about investing in people and their lives. The digital buy is to make sure that message is going far and wide across the commonwealth. Oftentimes, we talk to people, and they voted, and they dont know why. We want to make sure they know that their voice makes a difference, and that they are educated on whats going on in Washington D.C.

It is really making sure that people are aware of the statewide campaign and to stand with the administration to build back better. This is not something that is out of reach or impossible to do. We really can do this.

Were also doing negative accountability campaigns And we are applying this pressure to elected officials who have refused to do right by our people.[U.S. Sen. Pat] ToomeyandCongressman[Scott] Perry,they dont just represent the 1 percent, they represent everyone. And were making sure their priorities align with real Pennsylvanians.

Our Stuff.

TheU.S. Census Bureaudropped its long-awaited population and demographic data on Thursday.Cassie Millerhas your four, key takeawayson the data, which will be used to redraw the Keystone States Congressional and legislative maps.

With $370 million in federal COVID-19 relief money burning a hole in his pocket,Gov. Tom Wolfis lookingto use the money to incentivize vaccine skepticsto finally get the jab,Stephen Carusoreports.

The unions representing state workers in Pennsylvania have faced a choice in dealing withGov. Tom Wolfsnew policy ordering tens of thousands of state employees to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly tests:To bargain, or to sue?Carusohas the details there, too.

The stateHealth Departmentsays Pennsylvania nursing homes need to get 80 percent of their staff vaccinated or increase testing,Marley Parishreports.

In our mad, polarized, COVID surge summer, its easy to get overwhelmed by the tidal waves of bad news. But,the only way out is through, I write in a new column.

On our Commentary Page this morning, columnistTrish Zornio, of our sibling siteColorado Newsline, asks an impertinent, but utterly necessary question:Should the unvaccinated be denied health care?And aHoly Cross Collegescholar explains how Native studentsfought back against abuse andassimilation at Carlisles Indian boarding school.

En la Estrella-Capital,los empleados del hospital estatal y de la prisindeben vacunarse o someterse a pruebas semanales de COVID segn la nueva poltica. Y el Condado Tiogapide al Senador Mastriano que detenga el caos innecesariode la investigacin forense.

Elsewhere.

Some Pennsylvania state universityfaculty say they think politics are at play in the schoolsrefusal to impose a vaccine mandate, theInquirerreports.

Allegheny Countys population grew by 2.2. percentin the new round of Census data, thePost-Gazettereports.

PennLiverounds upthe latest in new housing development constructionaround the region (paywall).

Protesters have lined up in opposition toPennMedicines vaccine mandate,LancasterOnlinereports (paywall).

The Lehigh Valleys burgeoning Hispanic populationhelped drive the regions growth, theMorning Callreports, crunching new Census data.

Luzerne Countys three-largest citiesalso have seen growth since 2010, theCitizens Voicereports, also diving into Census data.

Advocates are declaring a partial victory now thatYork County Prison no longer has any ICE detainees,WHYY-FMreports.

City & State PAruns down this weekswinners & losers in state politics.

Pennsylvanias soon-to-be vacant U.S. Senate seat againtops CNNs list of those most likely to flip in 2022(viaPoliticsPA).

Heres your #Pennsylvania Instagram of the Day:

What Goes OnThe desk is clear. Enjoy the silence.

What Goes On (Nakedly Political Edition)Philadelphia City Councilmember Mark Squillaholds his annual Summer Down the Shore fundraiser atKeenans PubinNorth Wildwood, N.J., at 7 p.m. tonight. Admission runs from a mere $30 for boogie boarders, to $5,000 for yacht level donors.

WolfWatchGov. Tom Wolfhas no public schedule today.

You Say Its Your Birthday Dept.Best wishes go out this morning to former all-around-spokesguy,Chuck Ardo, who celebrates today. Best wishes go out in advance toVirginia Daniely Lucyat thePa. Dept. of Banking & Securities, who celebrates on Saturday. Congratulations, all around.

Heavy RotationHeres the utterly charming and soulfulYou Make My Life a Better Place,by the unjustly overlookedMamas Gun, which includes members of U.K. soul singerLisa Stansfieldstouring band.

Fridays Gratuitous Baseball LinkYes, it was a gimmick, but that makes it no less charming: TheChicago White Sox(whose legendaryShoeless Joe Jacksonfigured prominently in the original film)topped the New York Yankees 9-8in Thursday nightsField of Dreamsgame in Iowa. They built it. They came. And theyre doing it again next season.

And now youre up to date.

Link:

Ahead of tough 2022, progressive PAC pitches infrastructure, Biden budget to Pa. | Friday Coffee - Pennsylvania Capital-Star