Bartos announces he will not support McConnell if he is elected, Denlinger considers a bid for LG, and the ups and downs from the week.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Senate Hopeful Bartos Won’t Back McConnell: In a Breitbart op-ed, U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Bartos announced he would not support McConnell for Republican Leader if elected.

Denlinger Considers an LG Bid: Former state Representative Gordon Denlinger is considering a bid for Lieutenant Governor next year, planning on a final decision in mid-December.

10/20 Ups & Downs: Natalia Rudiak shows strength to the nation, Casey has another big fundraising quarter, Marino withdraws from a Presidential appointment for the second time, and a record setting fine is ordered for a PAC. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Episode 28: We all hate it. Let’s vote for it.
City & State: Board of Ethics dissolves PAC linked to former Philly DA candidate
City & State: Winners and Losers for the Week ending October 20

Philadelphia
Inquirer: With Pa. budget unbalanced, power struggle in Capitol – and maybe in court
Inquirer: Ivanka Trump to visit Bucks County on Monday
Inquirer: The top IRS agent in Philly charged with sexual assault
Inquirer: How not to run for public office in Philadelphia: A lesson | Chris Brennan
Inquirer: Protesters return to Philly streets amid police convention
Philly Tribune: Judge Woodruff ready to blaze another trail
Philly Mag: The 100 Most Influential People in Philadelphia
WHYY: At law enforcement conference in Philly, Sessions tells street criminals: ‘we are coming after you’
WHYY: Former Philly DA Seth Williams faces sentencing this week

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Wolf speaks at local NAACP banquet
Bucks County Courier Times: $30 million Union Square in New Hope up for grabs
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes bill to impose work requirements for Medicaid
Pottstown Mercury: Protesters blast Costello for sponsoring pharmaceutical bill
Pottstown Mercury: Phoenixville council candidates explore issues during forum
Pottstown Mercury: Ex-Montgomery County DA Bruce Castor Jr. to sue Cosby accuser
Daily Local: National Federation of Independent Business executive sees cause to fight for small business
Daily Local: Barrar discusses options for Emergency Responder Communications System

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Rep. Murphy’s South Hills Office Cleared Out With Resignation Going Into Effect
Post-Gazette: Four candidates seeking two seats on Commonwealth Court
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh ships its bid — 2 inches thick — to Amazon
Post-Gazette: System redesign: The state universities need more than funding
Post-Gazette: Former presidents call for unity at hurricane aid concert
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania unemployment falls to 4.8 percent as labor force shrinks
Post-Gazette: Wolf vetoes bill to impose work requirements for Medicaid
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf: More Narcan for overdoses, but then harassment
Tribune Review: Trump urges House GOP to move quickly on budget, tax cuts
Tribune Review: Study: Victim’s race factor in imposing death sentences in Pa.
Tribune Review: Trump urges House GOP to move quickly on budget, tax cuts
Tribune Review: Gov. Wolf won’t disclose incentives offered to Amazon in Pittsburgh, Philly bids
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh park rangers to carry Narcan as state promises $5M to responders

Southwest
WTAJ: First Responders to get more Naloxone kits
Beaver County Times: Ellwood City Area School District accused of refusing to negotiate contract
Beaver County Times: Commissioner helps raise money for children’s charity
Altoona Mirror: AASD project’s math debated
Altoona Mirror: School board’s revenue not covering expenses

NEPA
Times Leader: Gun fire spurs review of Dallas Township’s backyard gun range ordinance
Times Leader: Proposed lawsuit settlement on Luzerne County Council agenda
Times-Tribune: Scranton mayoral hopefuls focus on progress
Times-Tribune: Four candidates vie for three seats on Scranton City Council

South Central
WPMT: Gov. Wolf announces 60,000 additional Naloxone kits available for first responders statewide
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf vetoes bill to impose work requirements for Medicaid
Patriot News: Ivanka Trump to tout President Trump’s tax cut plan in Pennsylvania today
Patriot News: Police ID six pipeline protesters arrested at construction site
Patriot News: Pa. Senate committee proposes ban on trans-related health care for children on CHIP
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s budget fight will come with its own price tag
Patriot News: Sexual harassment inside the Pa. Capitol? It exists and ‘needs to stop,’ lobbyist says
Patriot News: PLCB hires experts to help carry out Wolf’s plan for cash infusion
LNP: Does Lancaster want Amazon as a neighbor? Local officials discuss pros, cons of luring retail giant to Pennsylvania
LNP: Pennsylvania projects get $5.8 million in grants for work to protect Chesapeake Bay

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf vetoes bill to impose work requirements for Medicaid
Morning Call: Ivanka Trump to headline tax reform event today in Bucks County
Morning Call: Could Allentown business-owner Nat Hyman avoid conflict of interest as mayor?
Reading Eagle: Fracking opponent speaks to Berks League of Women Voters
Reading Eagle: Costello questions security standards of vendors
Reading Eagle: Absentee ballot deadline approaches

North by Northwest
Erie-Times news: Candidates: County executive must play active role in opioid epidemic  
Erie-Times news: Waiting and waiting: Who will make first move on health care reform?  
WJET: Dahlkemper endorsed by over 30 people in office

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Pitch perfect: Pittsburgh is giving Amazon its best shot
Post-Gazette: How the PLCB enacts stealth taxes on Pennsylvanians with price markups
Inquirer: It’s time for a Pa. constitutional convention – seriously
Inquirer: Homeless center is Philly’s humane response to a human crisis | Editorial
Bucks County Courier Times: Editorial: Trump’s quiet campaign to undermine background checks
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: An end to EPA’s ‘sue & settle’
Patriot News: Here’s a prime argument for Amazon to come to Pennsylvania | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Is Harrisburg ready for Amazon HQ2? Not yet, not now | Kirstin Snow
Patriot News: Don’t forget about this very important ballot question on Election Day | Opinion
LNP: Trump’s tax reform plan must be tweaked for the good of nonprofits in Lancaster County and across the nation