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🎧 Sounds like: "I Ran (So Far Away)," by A Flock Of Seagulls.

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Today’s newsletter is 989 words — a 4-minute read.

Automated license plate readers like Flock have quickly become political fodder for a swing House district in Allegheny County.

Why it matters: Democrats hold a tiny one-seat majority in the state House, and the balance could come down to how candidates in District 44 connect most with voters on trending issues like Flock cameras.

Context: Democrat Hadley Haas, of Glen Osborne, is challenging Republican state Rep. Valerie Gaydos, of Sewickley, in state House District 44. It covers western Allegheny County suburbs that straddle the Ohio River, like Coraopolis, Moon, and Sewickley.

• Gaydos defeated Haas by 7 percentage points in 2024, and President Trump won the district by about 4 points.
• It's one of Dems' top targets to flip this cycle.

What they're saying: Haas told Axios that Flock and other automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that operate similarly should be banned. She doesn't think all ALPRs should be banned but is concerned with the number of cameras locally and brands that share data without transparency.

• "Most voters are uneasy about them and don't want them. They don't like that they have been popping up with little transparency and handing over data to Big Tech with very little oversight."

Gaydos said decisions on banning ALPRs should largely be left up to municipalities and not taken up too hastily by the state. She is open to regulation, but notes some communities have embraced the technology while others are against it.

• "I am not opposed to a ban or anything else, but we have the responsibility to hear from the public."

State of play: 52% of Americans have an unfavorable view of Flock, compared to 23% who see the cameras favorably, according to a recent Data for Progress poll.

Friction point: Haas says Gaydos has a history of siding with Big Tech, citing her vote against House Bill 1834, which sought to ban electric companies from raising costs due to energy demand from data centers.

• "We have seen my opponent has voted with Big Tech, and I don't think she will have our interests this time around."
• Gaydos says she voted for several data center regulation bills, including measures to install an 180-day pause on development, repeal their tax breaks and limit their noise.
• She said Haas is trying to jump on every issue. "I am taking this seriously. We need to make sure we are doing what the public wants, and not just be reactionary to social media."

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Fresh off an upset win in Butler County, state Rep. Brandon Dukes (D-Cranberry) will soon introduce a bill banning Flock and most other automated license plate readers in Pennsylvania.

Why it matters: Flock cameras and other ALPRs are facing several other bans and restriction proposals in the state Legislature, and Dukes' is one of the strictest.

Context: Gov. Josh Shapiro told Axios he wants Flock banned in Pennsylvania, but wants to find a middle ground with lawmakers to regulate other ALPRs.

Zoom in: Dukes said all ALPRs, including Flock cameras, should be banned in the state.

• His bill exempts license plate readers that collect tolls on the state toll roads.

Zoom out: Dukes' bill will be introduced with state Democratic Reps. Joe McAndrew (Penn Hills), Jessica Benham (South Side), and Malcolm Kenyatta (Philadelphia), who all co-sponsored a memo supporting it.

What they're saying: "When it comes to people's privacy, that is something I take seriously," Dukes told Axios. "It's something I wanted to take action on as soon as I got to Harrisburg."

• He said he's open to amendments as long as they are within reason and reflect privacy rights.

By the numbers: Pennsylvania has 3,776 ALPRs as of Friday, according to Finding Flock, a crowd-sourced data tool.

What's next

🏈 Pitt Panthers legend and football Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald kicked off the university's $3 billion "Proving Possible" fundraising effort on Friday. Over $1.4 billion has already been raised. (University of Pittsburgh)

⚾️ The Pirates secured their first winning season since 2018. They finished at 82-80. They still missed the playoffs for the 11th consecutive year, but we'll take the moral victory. (SI)

🚖 Tesla's golden "cybercabs" are testing on Pittsburgh streets, according to PennDOT. The vehicles are autonomous taxis, but drivers are fully operating them here. (TribLive)

Pittsburghers call carbonated soft drinks "pop," according to our reader poll.

The results: 61% say pop and 36% say soda.

• A few people said Coke (a popular use in the South).

The fine print: Over 160 people voted in our poll and dozens commented on Instagram.

What they're saying: "I interviewed a linguistics prof at Pitt and pop was more prevalent/regional with soda mostly being from transplants," said Meg S.

Axios Social Club is bringing readers together for dinner in Lawrenceville on Tuesday, Oct. 6.

Why it matters: Your city is full of interesting people you haven't met yet. We're making it easier to change that.

How it works: Take a quick quiz, reserve your seat and we'll match you with five fellow locals for dinner at a restaurant we hand-picked.

• Come solo or bring a friend.
• Your restaurant and dinner crew stay a surprise until event day.
• After dinner, all the tables meet up at a surprise afterparty.

Zoom in: Axios Pittsburgh reporter Ryan Deto will be at the afterparty to mingle.

If you go: Dinner starts at 6:30pm. Tickets are $15.99 per person, with food and drinks purchased separately.

Save your seat at Axios Social Club.

⛰️ Chrissy is soaking up every last bit of mountain air.

🗣️ Ryan discussed all things Flock on this episode of City Cast Pittsburgh.

Thanks to Chloe Gonzales for editing this newsletter.