Shuster’s campaign released an internal poll showing him with a large lead in the wake of Halverson releasing a poll showing a close race, and Caltagirone says he will not resign amid sexual harassment allegations.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Shuster Poll: Shuster 57, Halverson 17: An internal poll released by Congressman Bill Shuster’s campaign has him leading his 2014 and 2016 challenger art Halverson by a 40 point margin.

Caltagirone Says He Will Not Resign: State Rep. Tom Caltagirone announced he will not resign his seat after it was revealed House House Democrats paid $250k to settle a sexual harassment claim against him.

Legislative Election Update

CD-16: Jess King’s Congressional campaign announced the endorsements of Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, former State Rep. and 2014 PA-16 Congressional Candidate Tom Houghton, Lancaster City Councilman-elect Ismail Smith-Wade-El, newly appointed Lancaster City Councilman Chris Ballentine, School District of Lancaster School Board members Dr. David Parry and Mara McGrann, and Millersville Borough Councilwoman-elect Dianne Bates.  “I know Jess, and I know she’s not a career politician. She’s committed her life to building an economy that works for all of us, not just the powerful and well-connected,” Peduto said.  

HD-118: Anthony Bartoli announced his candidacy for the 118th state House district.  “I’m running for State Representative because I believe ‘party lines’ have prohibited progress in Harrisburg and all across the Commonwealth. While partisanship rages on, our families continue to face challenges that our leaders should be addressing but aren’t,” Bartoli said.  

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Calls for change mount after harassment allegations against state lawmakers
StateImpact: Pennsylvania Attorney General’s lawsuit over royalty payments advances
StateImpact: FERC, saying ‘much has changed’, will review natural gas pipeline policy
City & State: House Republican cadre forms ‘Common Sense Caucus’

Philadelphia
KYW: Center City Law Firm Partner Trump Pick To Become US Attorney In Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pennsylvania Board of Education chairman resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf calls for ban on taxpayer-funded settlements in harassment cases
Inquirer: Feds: Judge reigned over Lower Southampton through bribery, extortion, sway with township board
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf calls for ban on taxpayer-funded settlements in harassment cases
Inquirer: Senate approves stopgap measure, evading shutdown
Inquirer: Chairman of Pennsylvania Board of Education pursued us sexually as teens, women say
WHYY: 2018: Trouble for Congressman Brady?
WHYY: New raft of data sets stage for debate over school property tax elimination in Pa.
Philly Voice: Study ranks Philly among most dangerous U.S. cities for cyclists

SEPA
Daily Local: Groups put pressure on Wolf to halt Mariner East 2 construction
Times Herald: Pennsylvania education official resigns amid sex accusations
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania’s insurance signups dip slightly at nearly 400K
Bucks County Courier Times: Las Vegas company to acquire Valley Forge casino for $280 million

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Wolf seeks prohibition on taxpayer funds being used to settle sexual harassment claims
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Board of Education chairman resigns amid sexual misconduct allegations
Post-Gazette: States that adopted expanded Medicaid had increased early cancer diagnoses among patients, study finds
Tribune Review: Affordable Care Act signups steady despite changes  
Tribune Review: Wolf puts $7.1M toward improving Western Pennsylvania struggling neighborhoods
Tribune Review: Pa. Board of Education chair accused of sexual relationships with teens
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh area exports 24 percent higher in third quarter
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania coal production slows, stays above 2016 levels
KDKA:  Congress Clears Temporary Spending Bill To Avert Shutdown  
KDKA: Region Could Lose $60 Million In Charitable Donations Due To GOP Tax Bill, Say Local Charities

Southwest
Beaver County Times: State tax credits to support blight reduction in Aliquippia
Beaver County Times: State watchdog: End taxpayer payouts in sex-misconduct cases
Beaver County Times: Christiana hits the road to win over party leaders, conservative groups
Altoona Mirror: Trump, GOP achieve tax win
Altoona Mirror: Wolf orders changes to insurance for harassment

NEPA
Times-Tribune: State to give Scranton School District an additional $2 million
Times-Tribune: AG’s office can continue with suit against natural gas companies
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre residents want gambling grants to be used for city projects
Standard-Speaker: Pa. school board chairman resigns amid sex claims

South Central
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf hears from grandparents who raise grandchildren after losing children to opioids
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf hears from grandparents who raise grandchildren after losing children to opioids
Patriot News: Tax calculator: Find out if the Trump tax plan will make you pay more or less
Patriot News: Pa. state official took teen to nude beach: report
Patriot News: Borough council VP charged with DUI after crash
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf and first lady visit midstate school
Patriot News: The year of the deal in Pa.? After a busy 2017, mergers and acquisitions unlikely to slow in 2018
Patriot News: Child welfare system is failing kids with mental health issues, advocate claims in lawsuit
Patriot News: Aborted plan to borrow from future liquor revenue came with a five-figure price tag
Carlisle Sentinel: Pennsylvania education official resigns amid sex accusations
LNP: December overdose death toll rises to 16, Lancaster County tops national increase from last year
LNP: Mayor Rick Gray bids farewell, City Council passes 2018 budget

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf on Caltagirone: ‘I still think he should resign’
WFMZ: Politics divided over individual mandate elimination
WFMZ: Long-term funding for children’s health insurance in limbo
Morning Call: U.S. House passes bills to prop up CHIP through March; aid Valley schools with displaced students
Morning Call: Tamaqua school board president resigns from state board amid allegations he pursued sex with teens
Morning Call: Tamaqua school board president resigns from state board amid allegations he pursued sex with teens
Reading Eagle: State education official resigns amid sex allegations

North by Northwest
Erie Times News: Santa visits with kids at UPMC Hamot
WJET: Toomey, Casey Applaud Nomination of Three Candidates to U.S. District Courts of Pennsylvania
Bradford Era: Local politicians react to tax code overhaul

Opinion
Delco Times: Editorial: A day of #MeToo reckoning arrives in Harrisburg
Inquirer: Why should taxpayers foot the bill for harassment claims? | Editorial
Inquirer: 2017, a fascinating year spent in good company | Michael Smerconish
Inquirer: Addiction counselors want colleges and others to do more in fighting opioid crisis
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: The tax-reform package will be Americans’ call
Post-Gazette: An ax to taxes: The GOP has to prove its promises of prosperity
Patriot News: The EPA’s new ozone standards are gag-worthy for Pa. | Opinion
Reading Eagle: Editorial: GOP tax plan a good deal for most Americans