Brady’s strategist reportedly set to be indicted, Seth Williams is sentenced to five years in prison, Dr. G. Terry Madonna and Dr. Michael Young discuss Pennsylvania’s judicial elections, and Wolf sets the date for the special election for PA-18.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Brady Strategist Smukler Reportedly to be Indicted: Ken Smukler, Congressman Bob Brady’s longtime political strategist, is to be indicted on charges related to payments between Brady’s 2012 campaign to a challenger to get them out of the race, according to the Inquirer.

Williams Sentenced to 5 years: Former Philadelphia District Attorney Seth Williams was sentenced to 5 years in prison on corruption charges.

Politically Uncorrected: Pennsylvania’s Great Game of Judicial Roulette: For too long Pennsylvania’s judicial selection process has allowed the search for the perfect to be the enemy of the good. The system we have now is neither perfect nor even “good enough.” It’s just plain bad.

Wolf Sets Date for Special Election to Replace Murphy: Governor Tom Wolf announced the special election to replace former Congressman Tim Murphy will be held on March 13th, 2018.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Some progress toward budget resolution, but hang-ups persist
State House Sound Bites: Once again, lawmakers push to expand hate crime protections
StateImpact: Future in Limbo for Coal Ash Site
Capitolwire: Additional steps taken to finish state budget.
Capitolwire: Senate continues work on revised gambling bill.
Capitolwire: Senate Education committee goof voids vote seeking to expand school choice.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Irate judge gives ex-Philly DA Seth Williams 5-year sentence in bribery, corruption case
Inquirer: 2 top Brady aides charged in probe of payoff to 2012 primary rival
Inquirer: Pa. ranks nearly last in nation for well-being of its Latino, black kids, report says
Inquirer: Who is Ken Smukler, Bob Brady’s right-hand political man?
Philly Mag: Seth Williams Sentenced to Five Years in Prison
WHYY: Moody’s economic report: Pennsylvania not ready for next recession
WHYY: Former Philly DA Seth Williams sentenced to 5 years in prison
WHYY: Two Brady associates charged in probe of paying off political rival’s campaign debts

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania prosecutors see positive in death penalty study
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield police receive $10K for K-9s
Bucks County Courier Times: Candidates for district judge for Northampton, Upper Southampton speak out
Pottstown Mercury: Four seek two seats on Skippack Board of Supervisors
Pottstown Mercury: Congressman Costello touts moderate voting record: ‘I’m a reasonable Republican’

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Airport CEO Updates Progress On Plans For New Terminal At Pittsburgh International
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Sets Special Election To Fill Remainder Of Rep. Murphy’s Term
KDKA:  Senate Eyes House Budget Plan That’s Short Of What It Wanted
Tribune Review: Education savings accounts: ‘dangerous scheme’ or ‘critical lifeline’?
Tribune Review:  State lawmakers optimist a budget deal is within reach
Tribune Review: Clinton campaign, DNC paid for research that led to Russia dossier  
Tribune Review: Absentee ballot request deadline set for Oct. 31
Post-Gazette: Legislature passes bill to help homeowners replace lead water lines
Post-Gazette: Like many candidates, interim justice Sallie Mundy targets her messages
Post-Gazette: Geokinetics sues Monroeville in federal court over seismic testing

Southwest
WJAC: CVS Health’s workforce development program to help people with disabilities get jobs
Beaver County Times: Supporters, opponents voice opinions about proposed coal, nuclear bailout
Altoona Mirror: Committee passes CPR bill
Altoona Mirror: Ebensburg gets $9M for wastewater project
Altoona Mirror: Altoona magisterial district judge candidates face off

NEPA
WNEP: Newswatch 16 Investigates: Looking for a State Representative
Times Leader: Report: W-B General has ‘higher than expected’ mortality in four areas
Times Leader: Luzerne County officials debate merits of new central court in budget sessions
Times-Tribune: State audit finds Scranton School District gave questionable payouts, health insurance
Times-Tribune: DEP stops in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre during assessment tour

South Central
Patriot News: Retiring Trump critic is ‘a friend of immeasurable decency,’ U.S. Sen Pat Toomey says
Patriot News: Controversial school choice legislation narrowly wins Senate committee approval
Patriot News: Pennsylvania House passes fiscal code, keeping progress toward state budget closure on track
Patriot News: Measuring the quality — and cost — of care at Pa. hospitals
Patriot News: Eagles players go to work on pushing Pa. lawmakers to pass a ‘clean slate’ law
WHTM: LGBT community fights back against CHIP amendment
LNP: Candidates pledge responsive government, equitable development at Lancaster mayoral forum
LNP: Manheim Township school board candidates quarrel over middle school, transparency at forum
LNP: Gasoline prices in Lancaster County decline for 6th straight week

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: State Senate ponders House budget plan that’s short of what it wanted
Reading Eagle: Berks County Bar Association poll finds support for retaining Rowley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Senate votes to sell Allentown State Hospital
Morning Call: State’s new, $350 million high tech prison unveiled
Morning Call: School ‘voucher’ bill fails to make it out of Senate committee by one vote

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: PSU signs letter to Congress in support of Dreamers
Centre Daily Times: Proposed Centre Region budget calls for small increase in municipal contributions
Erie-Times News: State Legislature Oks recurring funding for Erie schools
Erie-Times News: Drug trafficker pleads guilty in Mexico-to-Erie operation
WJET: PA Congressman steps down after scandal
WJET: House passes bill – $14 million yearly for Erie’s Public Schools

Opinion
Erie Times-News: Our view: State should revisit vaping tax
Inquirer: Millions spent on Philly anti-violence programs – but how? | Helen Ubiñas
Inquirer: Why Philly needs publicly financed political campaigns | Editorial
Inquirer: Sens. Scott Wagner (R.) and Tony Williams (D.) talk Philly unions and race
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Big bid for Amazon, big secret for taxpayers
Patriot News: Keystone Status: It’s game on in Pennsylvania for the 2018 mid-terms
Patriot News: A severance tax that’s not worth the price | Opinion
Patriot News: As judges, we need to ensure equality for everyone | Opinion
Patriot News: For Pa’s appellate judges, there is no ‘off-year’ election | Opinion
LNP: It’s time to think about moderation when it comes to technology