American Action Network launched ads thanking five southeast Republicans for their votes on tax reform, and the conservative group American Principles Project began running ads targeting state Sen, Scott Wagner for his support of SB 974.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

American Action Network Launches Ads Thanking Southeast Republicans for Supporting Tax Reform: The conservative group American Action Network launched a new round of ads through its its Middle-Class Growth Initiative thanking Congressmen for supporting the tax reform bill, including four in Pennsylvania.

Conservative Group Targets Wagner in Radio Ad: The conservative group American Principles Project launched a new radio ad and website targeting Gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner over Senate Bill 974.

Legislative Election Update
HD-134: Lower Macungie Township Commissioner Ron Beitler announced his bid for the Republican nomination in the 134th state House district that is being vacated by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie.  “By now, it’s no secret that Harrisburg is a mess. What has been a well-kept secret is that the problems can be fixed by honesty, integrity, and common sense,” Beitler said.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Committee shuffle could make difference for school choice bill
State House Sound Bites: Abortion restriction, budget reform among final legislative pushes of 2017
City & State: Lawmakers push for bills that would curb sexual harassment and assault
Capitolwire: House advances budget process bills.
Capitolwire: House positions restrictive abortion bill for final vote.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Head of Chester County environmental firm caught illegal storing hazardous waste in company basement 
Inquirer: Pa.’s map is so gerrymandered that random computer maps are fairer, expert says
Inquirer: For a better Pennsylvania: Part 5- institutional reforms  
Inquirer: Trump’s pick for US highway chief withdraws from process
WHYY: Rohingya refugees resettled in Philadelphia find freedom that was worth the journey
WHYY: NAACP officials will ask Gov. Carney to stop plans to decrease Rodney Square bus service
WHYY: Wolf vows to veto Pa. measure restricting abortion rights
Philly Tribune: Several hurt when bomb strapped to man explodes in NY subway  
KYW: Gov. Wolf Promises To Veto State Abortion Bill

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Regional traffic study will get underway on Jan.24
Pottstown Mercury:  PennDOT completes bicycle lanes on highway in Pottstown
Delco Times:  Gov. Wolf supports opposition to anti-abortion bull in Conshohocken  
Bucks County Courier Times: Expert sees partisanship in Pennsylvania congressional maps
Bucks County Courier Times: State lawmakers lobby for Bucks ban on video gaming terminals

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: State Senate approves funding for CHIP
Post-Gazette: U.S. diplomat with Pittsburgh ties quits, suggests Tillerson follow her out the door
Post-Gazette: Auditor general: Duquesne school district’s personal loans to employees may be ethics violation
Post-Gazette: Will congressional districts ever be drawn fairly?
Post-Gazette: Ex-state legislator Marc Gergely sentenced to 18 months house arrest stemming from gambling probe
Post-Gazette: Auditor general: Duquesne school district’s personal loans to employees may be ethics violation
Tribune Review: Veterans groups urged to apply for share of $800K in Pennsylvania funding
Tribune Review: With AHN’s expansion, hospital competition heats up in Westmoreland County
Tribune Review: Plum OKs fracking in rural, industrial zones
Tribune Review: Former Rep. Marc Gergely sentenced to probation in video gambling ring case
Tribune Review: City of Greensburg takes to Twitter

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Tracking the opioid crisis a challenge
Beaver County Times: Districts receive state grants for school police
Altoona Mirror: Judge dismisses reassessment lawsuit

NEPA
Times Leader: Plymouth council move ahead with plan to close fire station
Times-Tribune: Haggerty’s excused absences could be nearing an end
Times-Tribune: Cuts loom as budget deadline nears for Scranton School District
Standard-Speaker: City may sue makers of opioids

South Central
Patriot News: Senate votes to reauthorize CHIP without changes to transgender service coverage
Patriot News: Unemployment compensation funding fix bill on track for Senate vote this week
Patriot News: Panel pans Pennsylvania’s education roadmap as not strong enough in key areas
Patriot News: Report: 13 Republican Congressmen from Pennsylvania exceeds 1,000 simulations
Patriot News: We’re No. 5! Wait, never mind … Pa. is the fifth-worst run state in the country, new report finds
LNP: Expert sees partisanship in Pennsylvania congressional maps
LNP: Struggling to afford mental health care? This Lancaster County program wants to help

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Spring Township holds line on property taxes but hikes fees
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council hears cell tower pitch
Morning Call: Who spent the most per vote on the Allentown mayoral race? It wasn’t Ed Pawlowski.

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Judge Kistler set to retire; expects to return as senior judge
Centre Daily Times: If you go to jail, should Pennsylvania pay for retirement?
Erie Times-News: Expert sees partisanship in Pennsylvania congressional maps

Opinion
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf’s bonus ban is a good start for more meaningful reforms | Editorial
Inquirer: Restaurant licensing bill protects store owners and neighborhoods | Councilwoman Cindy Bass
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: All that is gambling doesn’t glitter
Tribune Review: Trib Tuesday take editorial: The graying of Westmoreland County
Post-Gazette: Make it a race: It’s healthy for entrenched pols to get challenged
Patriot News: Here’s why Uber supports this Pa. criminal justice reform effort | Shari Shapiro
Patriot News: Here’s an easy one: Fix Pa.’s weak pension forfeiture law | Editorial
LNP: Proceed with caution when reducing the future number of nursing home patients