Lehigh County Republican Party

08/18/2026

Shapiro’s Data Center Flip-Flop

Governor Josh Shapiro is now presenting himself as the governor willing to put the brakes on Pennsylvania’s data-center boom. But his own record tells a different story.

In 2025, the Shapiro Administration promoted Pennsylvania’s Fast Track permitting system as a way to accelerate major economic-development and infrastructure projects. In June 2025, Shapiro himself said the system was a major reason Pennsylvania secured Amazon’s planned $20 billion investment in data centers, stating that the fast-track process gave Amazon confidence its projects would be built on time. (Pennsylvania.gov (https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2025-press-releases/shapiro-admin-cuts-wait-times-for-permits--helping-pa-win--20-bi?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

His administration also launched the SPEED permitting initiative in June 2025 to further streamline and accelerate certain environmental permits for economic-development projects. (Pennsylvania.gov (https://www.pa.gov/agencies/dep/newsroom/2025-06-24-shapiro-administration-launches-new-initiative-to-speed-up-dep-permits-speed?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

Now, on August 18, 2026, Shapiro has reversed course. His new executive order removes AI data centers from Pennsylvania’s Fast Track permitting program and imposes new requirements involving energy costs, water usage, environmental standards and local community approval. (Pennsylvania.gov (https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2026-press-releases/governor-shapiro-signs-executive-order-on-data-center-developmen?utm_source=chatgpt.com))

That’s a pretty significant change in direction.

In 2025, Shapiro was touting expedited permitting and welcoming billions of dollars in data-center investment. In 2026, he’s removing data centers from the very fast-track system he promoted and imposing new restrictions.

Pennsylvanians are entitled to ask: What changed—the policy, or the politics?

https://www.pa.gov/governor/newsroom/2024-press-releases/executive-order-creating-the-pa-permit-fast-track-program

https://www.pa.gov/services/dep/speed

08/16/2026

08/16/2026

Remembering Jim Martin

Today, we mourn the passing of Jim Martin, the longest-serving District Attorney in the history of Lehigh County.

Jim dedicated decades of his life to public service, the pursuit of justice, and the people of Lehigh County. His commitment to his community and his profession leaves behind a lasting legacy that will be remembered for years to come.

Our deepest thoughts and prayers are with Jim’s family, friends, and the many colleagues who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside him throughout his distinguished career.

On behalf of the Lehigh County Republican Committee, we extend our sincere condolences to everyone who is grieving this tremendous loss.

May Jim Martin rest in peace, and may his legacy of service to Lehigh County never be forgotten. 🇺🇸

https://www.mcall.com/2026/08/15/jim-martin-longtime-lehigh-county-da-dies/

08/14/2026

Nick Miller has millions of reasons he enjoys being $tate $enator.

Big profits from real estate deals.
Costly taxpayer funded per diems.

And huge campaign contributions from data center special interests.

While families and seniors in the Lehigh Valley struggle to pay their bills, Nick Miller lives the high life.

Nick Miller has no business talking about affordability as he’s literally selling out his his constituents….

$tay tuned to learn more.

08/13/2026

Garrity vs. Shapiro

Know the facts…..

08/12/2026

Friendly reminder: Bob Brooks stole from his family, was ordered by a judge to pay it back, never did, and then tried to defraud them a 2nd time.

Keep this creep out of Congress.

Learn more: https://lehighvalleyramblings.blogspot.com/2026/08/fraud-case-against-pa-07-congressional.html

Pay back the over $160,000 you stole from your family, Bob.

08/03/2026

The Lehigh County Democratic Committee has the difficult task of presenting their candidates as “moderates” this election cycle.

Does their record tell a different story?

Lehigh County Democrats want voters to believe they’re moderates.

But consider the record of two prominent elected Democrats who have been endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA):

* Josh Siegel: Proposed a $100 million county-owned housing initiative.
(Source: Lehigh Valley Public Media, “$100M housing plan will be Lehigh County Executive-elect Josh Siegel’s top priority.”)
* Mark Pinsley: Proposed a progressive wealth tax.
(Source: WFMZ, “Lehigh County commissioners to consider proposed wealth tax.”)

My view is this.

These are not moderate policy positions.

I believe they reflect ideas more commonly associated with democratic socialism and represent a significant departure from the policies that have traditionally guided Lehigh County.

The Lehigh County Democratic Committee may try to distance itself from these policy positions, but it cannot distance itself from its candidates’ public records.

The record is public. The voters will decide.

This November, vote for leaders who will protect taxpayers, support public safety, and promote Pennsylvanian values.

SOURCES:

https://www.lehighvalleypublicmedia.org/news/local/100m-housing-plan-will-be-lehigh-county-executive-elect-josh-siegels-top-priority/

https://www.wfmz.com/news/area/lehighvalley/lehigh-county/allentown-area/lehigh-county-commissioners-to-consider-proposed-wealth-tax/article_dcfcd4d0-b239-456b-8fe3-e6447b4e71b4.html

07/29/2026

Congratulate our New LCRC Officers & Support our LCRC Golf Tournament - https://mailchi.mp/2c13a14b3e63/the-lcrc-and-leadership-institute-present-11042264