We have the list of the 2017 PA Society events this weekend in New York City, and Lancaster County Commissioner Craig Lehman announced his bid for Lieutenant Governor next year.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

The Full 2017 PA Society List of Events: It’s that time of year, politicos: Pennsylvania Society! Here’s a rundown of all the events at the weekend-long marathon of receptions and cocktails.

Lancaster County Commissioner Enters Race to Challenge Stack: Lancaster County Commissioner Craig Lehman announced he is entering the race for Lieutenant Governor, adding another candidate to the growing list of candidates challenging Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack.

Legislative Election Update
Post-Gazette: Walsh formally kicks off campaign in three-way Dem race to challenge Vulakovich
SD-40: Stroudsburg Borough Mayor Tarah Probst announced her bid for the seat.  ““I have served as mayor for two years and look forward to serving as mayor for another 4 years. I have worked diligently to bring many positive changes to our town and to our region, and I have decided to run for higher office in order to do more for the citizens of our region,” she said.  
SD-34: Ezra Nanes announced his bid for the seat. “As a leader within AccuWeather, it’s my responsibility to grow the business. I help some of the most recognizable names in television and digital media compete and succeed in a very challenging environment.  I want to put those skills to work for this district. We need more family sustaining jobs so our good people and small towns can thrive. If elected, I promise the voters I will work every day to bring more and better jobs to the 34th district,” he said.  

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Judge halts state’s attempt to take funds from insurer
StateImpact: Lawmaker: Natural gas lobby too influential in severance tax debate

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Federal jury finds Main Line payday lender Hallinan guilty of racketeering conspiracy
Inquirer: Philly lawyer who counseled Trump returns to Cozen O’Connor
Inquirer: It’s budget season: Will your local taxes increase in 2018?
Inquirer: Busy day likely for start of Pa. deer hunting season
WHYY: The poverty penalty: Should states suspen driver’s license for court scofflaws?  
WHYY:  Parents, not the mayor, must ensure high-quality education for Philly students
WHYY:  Grad students in Philly, Newark plan to join nationwide walkout to protest GOP tax plan
KYW: Toomey: GOP Tax Plan Provides Relief For Middle-Income, Low-Income Families

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Protesters chastise Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s vote for GOP tax bill
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks DA alum Michelle Henry honored for public service
Bucks County Courier Times: Local nonprofits hopeful for help this #GivingTuesday
Pottstown Mercury: Deer season opens in Pennsylvania
Times Herald: Former Rohm & Haas Spring House facility in Lower Gwynedd gets state funding for redevelopment
Delco Times: U.D. school board weighs tax break for Drexelbrook Hotel

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh to add surveillance cameras and expand gunshot detection system
Tribune Review: Brentwood mayor starts monthly meetings with police
Tribune Review: Latrobe City eyes crackdown on owners of ‘disorderly’ properties
Post-Gazette: More than 500 Pa. retirees collect $100,000 or more in pensions
Post-Gazette: Lawrence County eagerly airs its mini-casino ambitions

Southwest
Beaver County Times: South Beaver Twp. man charged with DUI in Chippewa Twp. crash
Beaver County Times: Despite dip, county officials fear spike in overdoses this winter
Altoona Mirror: Blair preliminary budget includes tax hike
Altoona Mirror: Game Commission official discusses status of hunting

NEPA
Times Leader: Freed sworn in as new U.S. Attorney for Middle District of PA
Times-Tribune: County counts, dismisses absentee ballots
Standard-Speaker: Banks Twp. holds the line on taxes, fees
Standard-Speaker: Luzerne to vote on ways to use windfall

South Central
York Dispatch: York County commissioners certify unchallenged election results
Patriot News: Camp Hill police chief charged with DUI, careless driving
Patriot News: Protesters gather to oppose GOP tax plan, calling it ‘simply not fair’
Patriot News: ‘More than a dream come true’: David Freed sworn in as new U.S. attorney
LNP: Victims of sexual violence and intimidation in Pennsylvania increasingly turning to new protective orders
LNP: Lancaster General Hospital is now producing most of its own power

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Relatives thank Gillen for work on cemetery bill
Reading Eagle: Reading ready to welcome a mini-casino
Reading Eagle: Justin Simmons drops bid for 15th Congessional District
Reading Eagle: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie receives endorsements
Morning Call: Mayor Pawlowski, codefendants due in federal court today
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House leaders tout, then ignore, bill to cut its size

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Schember examines garbage, sewer fund transfers in Erie budget
Erie-Times News: Franken says he ‘let a lot of people down’ with his behavior  
Centre County Times: Former Penn State student sues university for more than $75,000

Opinion
Daily Local: Editorial: Pa. legislators suffering from gas (tax) pain
Erie Times-News: Our view: State officials being rewarded for poor work
Inquirer: La Colombe founder: What every CEO knows but won’t tell you about the proposed tax bill | Opinion
Inquirer: Pa.’s dubious distinction: No. 1 in college debt per student
Inquirer: GOP must offer solutions and a path forward – not just shout and be angry | Commentary
Inquirer: Why the Republicans’ magical tax plan needs to disappear | Editorial
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Legislature’s ‘self-Santa’ raise disconnects pay, performance
Post-Gazette: The people’s business: Lawmakers cannot get free pass on harassment
Patriot News: Suburban Philly lawmaker calls for #MeToo bill for Pa | Monday Morning Coffee
Patriot News: These are the three steps Congress can take to fix net neutrality – without legislating | Opinion