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1/25 PoliticsPA Playbook

Bartos won the Southeast Caucus straw poll, Meehan said he viewed his staffer as a “soul mate” but never sexually harassed her, Houlahan ends 2017 with $950k on hand, and Democrat Austin Davis wins the special election to replace former state Rep. Marc Gergely.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

GOP Caucus Meeting Straw Poll Results: Lieutenant Governor: Jeff Bartos won the Southeast Caucus straw poll over the weekend, marking his fourth win in the four straw polls held so far.  

Report: Meehan Viewed Staffer as “Soul Mate”: Congressman Pat Meehan said that he had a deep “affection” for the former staffer who is currently accusing him of sexual harassment, and told her that he viewed her as “a soul mate.”

Houlahan Ends 2017 With $950k on Hand: Democrat Chrissy Houlahan starts 2018 with $950,000 on hand after raising $1.2 million in 2017 in her bid to challenge Congressman Ryan Costello.

Davis Wins Special Election to Replace Gergely: Democrat Austin Davis won the special election in the 35th House district to replace resigned state Rep. Marc Gergely.

Legislative Election Update
PA-16: Democracy for America announced it is endorsing Jess King’s bid to challenge Congressman Lloyd Smucker.  “Jess King (PA-16), with her extensive experience in economic development in both Pittsburgh and Lancaster, PA, will be the kind of tested champion our country needs for Medicare for All, debt-free college, and criminal justice reform,” Democracy for America Chair Jim Dean said.  
PA-15: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie’s Congressional campaign announced the endorsements of Republican State Committee members Mary Barket and Peg Ferraro, Northampton County Republican Committee member Dottie Niklos, Judith Ladonis, and Linda Stubits.  “Ryan understands that all issues are women’s issues. He will get things done without ever compromising on his principles,” Barket said.
Bucks County Courier Times: Scott Wallace makes congressional run official
Reading Eagle: Chester County man facing Costello in GOP primary
City & State: State Rep. Davis to challenge state Sen. Tomlinson
WHYY: Like father, like son? MontCo attorney to run for retiring dad’s Pa. Senate seat

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Concerns over conflicts of interest arise over move to redraw Pa. maps
State House Sound Bites: Trump administration rolls out Farm Bill vision in Pa.
StateImpact: Delaware County Council looks into risk assessment of Mariner East 2 pipeline

Philadelphia
Inquirer: SEPTA to vote on route for proposed King of Prussia rail
Inquirer: Overheard at Philly polling place: No GOP votes ‘on my machine!’
Inquirer: Could Council block Kenney’s proposed safe-injection sites?
Philly Mag: Rep. Patrick Meehan Says Sexual Harassment Accuser Left Him “Hurt”
Philly Mag: City Controller Rebecca Rhynhart Sued by Staffer She Fired
WHYY: Listen to U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan explain his sexual harassment case
WHYY: Philly controller reviewing city payouts to settle sexual harassment claims
WHYY: Pa. Supreme Court decision to redraw congressional map adds possibly ‘chaotic’ twist in Western Pa. race

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Meehan aide will cooperate with ethics probe
Pottstown Mercury: Medical marijuana dispensary to open next month in Chester County
Bucks County Courier Times: Owners of Parx Casino win bid for mini-casino license in Westmoreland County
Delco Times: County Council meeting features marathon discussion on taping of meetings

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Top Pa. Republicans give Pat Meehan benefit of the doubt
Post-Gazette: Court filing seeks to remove Republican from City Council special election ballot
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s Amazon bid should be public, state records office says
Post-Gazette: Mini-casino coming to Westmoreland County
Post-Gazette: Some state Supreme Court justices are off to Florida while lawmakers wait for majority opinion
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania recognized for strengthening animal protection laws
Tribune Review: Philadelphia-based casino operator ‘thrilled’ to bring mini casino to Westmoreland County
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh gets delinquent bill shut-off warning from its own water authority
Tribune Review: Ex-Gov. Tom Corbett: Parallels exist between Jerry Sandusky, Larry Nassar scandals

Southwest
WJAC: Pennsylvania ranks most improved for animal protection laws
Beaver County Times: GOP politicians blast court for throwing out Pennsylvania’s congressional districts map
Beaver County Times: Commissioner Egley opposes ‘ban the box’ initiative
Herald-Standard: 9th District candidates weigh in on court ruling congressional boundaries unconstitutional

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Cummings mulling lawsuit over Facebook post
Standard-Speaker: Savings seen with no-cost bus garage
Standard-Speaker: Hazleton mayor thanks those who kept city hall open

South Central
WITF: Governor Wolf backs court’s move to strike down Pa. congressional map
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. Daylin Leach absent from mandatory sexual harassment training
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s big budget gamble is paying off so far with high bids for two mini-casinos
Patriot News: PennLive and CBS 21 to host debate of GOP governor candidates
Patriot News: Activist to burn Confederate, Nazi flag in Harrisburg
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s next casino will be in Westmoreland County
LNP: Animal welfare legislation, including Libre’s Law, strengthens Pennsylvania’s standings on national lists
LNP: 911 center dispatches increase for 9th consecutive year in 2017; EMS overdose calls jump 35 percent [data]
LNP: How will the Lancaster-based 16th district lines, candidates be affected when congressional district map is thrown out, redrawn?

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: 3rd medical marijuana dispensary approved for Pennsylvania
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania improves in rankings based on animal protection laws
Morning Call: It’s Day 4 of Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s trial. Here’s what happened so far this week.
Morning Call: Mayor’s lawyer grills aide who wore wire in City Hall corruption case
Morning Call: Council member proposes changes to Allentown charter
Morning Call: Confused about the Pennsylvania congressional map ruling? Here’s a primer

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: US agriculture secretary visits Penn State
Erie Times-News: Erie councilwoman wants hearing on McBride Viaduct
Erie Times-News: Millcreek outlines comprehensive plan

Opinion
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Uncertainties abound after Pa. Supreme Court’s gerrymander ruling
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Amazon NDAs bolster outrageous ‘cone of silence’
Post-Gazette: Enforcing the law: AG Shapiro is right to support landowners’ case
Inquirer: Rep. Pat Meehan’s puppy love account strains credulity | Maria Panaritis
Inquirer: Philadelphia safe injection sites: The right move to save lives now | Editorial
Inquirer: Court starts drawing the line at rigged elections | Editorial
Patriot News: Please attend this important discussion about what’s next for #MeToo

2 Responses

  1. Ryan Mackenzie was great when he spoke at tonight’s Berks County event. He is right on the economy and immigration!

  2. Mackenzie is looking good in Northampton and Lehigh. It’s an impressive group of Republican women that just declared for him. Peg Ferraro, in particular, is a local leader whose opinion matters.

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