Why Gov. Shapiro's high-wire act on environment, energy is coming to an end in Pa.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has to decide whether to side with the environmental or union labor wing of his Democratic Party.

Last week, the Commonwealth Court ruled that former Gov. Tom Wolf's unilateral decision to enter the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative was unconstitutional. The majority opinion was that entering a carbon tax-and-cap system first requires approval from the Legislature — something that's unlikely to occur in the Republican-led Senate.

"It's going to have quite an impact to be in place or not in place," said Akshaya Jha, an associate professor of economics and public policy at Carnegie Melon University in Pittsburgh.

Governor's campaign interview: A third term for Wolf? How Josh Shapiro contrasts with his opponent & current Pa. governor

On the campaign trail, Shapiro billed himself as an all-of-the-above guy in terms of energy policy. He artfully avoided direct questions about whether he's all in on his predecessor's plan for reducing the commonwealth's carbon emissions.

With fewer than 30 days to appeal the court's RGGI ruling, his time to appear neutral is quickly coming to an end.

Appealing the Commonwealth Court's decision would signal Shapiro's commitment to Wolf's policy while drawing the ire of organized labor: the boilermakers, bricklayers and other union workers who opposed RGGI for its potential effect on their careers. Utility prices could also increase under RGGI, Jha said, creating potential backlash from some voters.

While declining to appeal the ruling could keep those groups happy, it could alienate others who are more concerned about the global climate crisis or the increased health risks — asthma and COPD, for example — associated with living near fossil fuel power plants.

"It will be interesting to see where he decides to go," Jha said. "It's going to be almost impossible to appease all constituencies."

Inside the Beltway

Violence in Israel and Gaza is affecting Americans overseas, including several from Pennsylvania.

On Nov. 2, U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) said his office has already successfully submitted inquiries on behalf of 13 families from his 1st Congressional District. He reported that a Bucks County family had just safely taken the Rafah Crossing into Egypt.

"This crossing, and many more crossings that will happen in the coming days, have stemmed from intense negotiations between the U.S. Department of State and all neighboring countries in the region," Fitzpatrick posted to social media.

The congressman added that his office will continue to accept requests from U.S. citizens seeking travel assistance. Those in need were asked to call his office at 215-579-8102.

More: Israeli man who had worked at camp in Poconos died in Hamas attack on music festival

More: Wayne County Jewish summer camp director recalls 'fine young men' killed in war

And the horse race

A recent survey suggests U.S. Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) could be among the House of Representatives' more vulnerable incumbents.

In a study conducted Oct. 21-22, Public Policy Polling found Perry's approval rating is 15 points underwater among potential voters in his 10th Congressional District. The survey also found that he leads a generic Democrat by just 2 points at this time.

Public Policy Polling has an A rating from FiveThirtyEight, a widely sourced national aggregate for political trends.

Perry — an influential figure of the GOP's right flank as chair of the House Freedom Caucus — is up for re-election next year. A total of eight Democrats have already joined the primary race for the opportunity to challenge him on the ballot next November.

This article originally appeared on York Daily Record: Will PA Gov. Josh Shapiro appeal RGGI ruling by Commonweath Court?