A clean campaign pledge for Republican candidates in the 11h Congressional district gets two signatories, and Wolf calls on Metcalfe to be demoted from committee chair, while Metcalfe doubles down on his comments.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Clean Campaign Pledge in PA-11 Gets Two Signatories: 11th Congressional candidate Dan Meuser proposed a “clean campaign pledge” for him and his fellow Republican opponents to sign onto to “not speak ill of any other Republican.” So far, only former RNC delegate Andrew Shecktor has joined the pledge.

Wolf Calls for Metcalfe’s Demotion, Metcalfe Refuses and Doubles Down on Comments: After state Rep. Daryl Metcalfe’s controversial comments during a State Government Committee meeting, Governor Tom Wolf called for Metcalfe to lose his committee chairmanship. Metcalfe has stated he will not step down, and doubled down on his statements.

Legislative Election Update
Beaver County Times: Beaver Councilman Alex Andres is first Democrat to enter 15th Legislative District race

Statewide
StateImpact: Ethics complaint filed against Wolf aide who’s married to gas industry lobbyist
StateImpact: Severance tax could be close, but it doesn’t mean what it used to
State House Sound Bites: Severance tax could be close, but it doesn’t mean what it used to
State House Sound Bites: PA’s credit is stable for now, but that might not last
City & State: Costello, Dent, Fitzpatrick and Meehan targeted by anti-tax bill ads
City & State: Democrats look to win PA-18 with a (sort of) pro-life candidate

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pa. Gov. Wolf calls on legislators to tighten pension rules
Inquirer: Grad students say GOP provision will tax them out of school
Inquirer: Petition demands Philly move faster to improve safety for cyclists
KYW: Rep. Metcalfe: Democrats Are Trying To Turn The Perpetrator Into The Victim
WHYY: Compelling closing arguments bring federal trial over Pa. gerrymandering to an end
WHYY: Why this Philly women’s advocate is taking on 10-term congressman and power broker Bob Brady
WHYY: Ads target Philly-area federal lawmakers on taxes, health care
WHYY: PPA, Fenerty blasted in state audit accusing agency of cheating Philly schools
Philly Mag: Pa. Auditor: Poor PPA Management Cost Philly Schools $78 Million

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown budget knot remains tied at 18% tax hike
Delco Times: Delco unveils $650M budget with no tax increase
Daily Local: Protesters to Costello: Vote against tax bill

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Praises Franken Resignation, Sidesteps Whether Trump Should Resign
KDKA: Pittsburgh Child Health Advocates Call On Lawmakers To Fund CHIP
Post-Gazette: Key Republicans — including Sen. Pat Toomey — are opposing efforts to reduce corporate tax cut
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf touts the choices under new long-term care initiative
Post-Gazette: Kevin Acklin, chief of staff to mayor, is leaving
Post-Gazette: City councilwoman makes new Facebook account after criticism
Post-Gazette: State approves rate hikes for Pennsylvania American Water customers
Post-Gazette: Democrats hit Saccone over ‘presumption of innocence’ remark in Roy Moore discussion
Tribune Review: Towns across Pennsylvania opt out of hosting mini casinos
Tribune Review: Mayor Bill Peduto’s Chief of Staff Kevin Acklin announces resignation
Tribune Review: Mayor turns public comment on Penn Hills budget into debate
Tribune Review: Environmental group calls for delay on Plum fracking vote

Southwest
Daily American: Mini-casino could come to Cambria County
Beaver County Times: Coal, nuclear plants undergo preventative maintenance for winter
Altoona Mirror: Antis Township spends $100,000 for land
Altoona Mirror: Cambria seeking ethics probe

NEPA
Times Leader: Convicted state lawmaker Mellow gets pension restored
Times Leader: Luzerne County Council to address home-rule study question
Times Leader: Barletta: Concealed carry makes law-abiding Americans safer
Times-Tribune: Majority of Lackawanna County Commissioners defend decision not to fund pension in 2018

South Central
WHTM: Wolf: Pensions for convicted officials a ‘betrayal of the public’s trust’
LNP: House Speaker Mike Turzai: Lawmakers in rift over touching ‘need to get rid of their animosities’
LNP: Former Warwick superintendent John George drops out of congressional race
Carlisle Sentinel: GOP lawmaker’s ‘I don’t like men’ comment stirs protest
WPMT: Pa. cracks down on income tax cheats
Patriot News: 80 years after hemp was outlawed, Pa. eyes major expansion
Patriot News: Pa. Capitol tree lighting taking place on Friday
Patriot News: Crackdown on Pennsylvania’s tax cheats, scammers producing millions in savings

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks County isn’t likely to add $15 fee to tackle blight
Reading Eagle: Lenhartsville council keeps tax rate steady
Morning Call: 54 witnesses could be called to testify against Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski
Morning Call: Who are the potential witnesses who could be called to testify against Ed Pawlowski?

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Harris Township proposed 2018 budget includes tax cut
Centre Daily Times: No change in taxes proposed for Patton Township in 2018
Erie Times-News: PennDOT lifts speed limit restriction on I-90, I-86 in Erie County

Opinion
Inquirer: Children’s health is being sacrificed on the altar of politics | Editorial
Inquirer: PPA audit shows the cost of predators in power | Mike Newall
Inquirer: Let’s lower the barriers for young people with disabilities | Sen. Bob Casey
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Time to break the ‘circle of life’ for public workers’ unions
Post-Gazette: Pensions and perps: Widen forfeiture for state workers turned criminal
Patriot News: Under Gov. Wolf, Pa. is primed for business | Opinion
LNP: Scaling back standardized testing is a good thing for Pennsylvania’s students