The latest Franklin & Marshall poll, Costello’s fourth quarter fundraising report and Zappala wins the endorsement of western PA police. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

PA-Sen: F&M Poll: Sestak 17% McGinty 13% Fetterman 6%: The Senate Democratic primary is up for grabs.

F&M Poll: PA on the Wrong Track: PA voters are looking for serious reform.

F&M Poll: Hillary, Trump Lead Respective Fields: The Keystone State is leaning towards a matchup between Clinton and The Donald in November.

Harper Poll: A Look at PA’s Electoral Climate: Half of Pennsylvanians think the state is “on the wrong track”.

Harper Poll: Threats, Censorship, and Coastlines: Opinions differ widely on issues of domestic threats, media censorship, and coastline protection in the latest Harper Poll.

PA-6: Q4: Costello Raises $210K, Has $860K COH: The Republican freshman brought in more than $1.1 million last year.

Zappala Wins Support of Western PA Police: The Western Pennsylvania Police Chiefs’ Association is endorsing Zappala in the Democratic primary for Attorney General.

PA-9: Shuster Endorsed By Freedom Caucus Founding Member: Mark Meadows, a founding member of the conservative House group, is backing Shuster.

Morganelli Pledges to Clean House in AG’s Office: The Democratic candidate pledged to fire Kane’s special prosecutor.

Legislative Elections Update

SD-9: Chester Mayor and State Rep. Thaddeus Kirkland announced that he is supporting Marty Molloy in the April 26th special election.

“Marty Molloy is a family man with tremendous character and vision and that is why I am proud to endorse his campaign,” Kirkland said. “Marty has dedicated his life to educating and working with the less fortunate and I know that he will always fight for the City of Chester and all the people of the 9th Senatorial District. In my campaigns, I always like to say ‘It takes teamwork to make the dream work’ and nobody knows that better than Marty. I am confident that he will work with Republicans, Independents, and Democrats alike to fight the partisan gridlock in Harrisburg, fully fund our public schools, and make us all proud.”

“It is truly an honor to have the trust confidence, and endorsement of Representative Kirkland. He is a true leader who knows how to get things done and I will work hard every day for all the people of Delaware and Chester Counties to honor his support,” Molloy responded. “I believe the people of Pennsylvania deserve better than they are currently getting from their elected leaders and that is why I am running – to show up each and every day to roll up my sleeves and get to work helping my community. That is what I have always done and that is why I want to serve.”

The 9th district includes parts of Chester and Delaware Counties.

SD-31: Retiring GOP incumbent State Sen. Pat Vance is endorsing former NFL player Jon Ritchie’s campaign to succeed her.

The 31st district consists of parts of Cumberland and York Counties.  

HD-12: Gordon Marburger is once again challenging Daryl Metcalfe in the Republican primary.

The 12th district is located in Butler County.

HD-156: West Chester Mayor Carolyn Comitta is running against State Rep. Dan Truitt this November.

The 156th district is is located in Chester County.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Poll shows steady disdain for PA government
StateImpactPA: House Republicans to revive gas royalties bill
StateImpactPA: Gas royalties from state forest land drop sharply
StateImpactPA: PUC gives Philadelphia utility green light on raising fee to replace leaky gas mains

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: Small businesses push to get bigger share of federal R&D spending
Philadelphia Business Journal: Why a cigarette tax hike would be good for Pennsylvania and for Business
Philadelphia Business Journal: DNC Committee wants ‘open communication’ with Philly restaurants
CapitolInq: Sanders rips Clinton for Philly fundraiser
CapitolInq: Seven takes on the presidential race from PA, NJ perspectives
Inquirer: Controversial bill to regulate music venues to be amended

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chester County Democratic Committee endorses Mike Parrish over Lindy Li
Daily Local News: No state budget forces WCASD to call for large tax increase
Daily Local News: Pennsylvania Senate OKs bill to reduce house, but not itself

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Marburger will challenge Metcalfe again House seat
Post-Gazette: Cal U student to seek nomination in 49th
Post-Gazette: Undecideds a force in Dem Senate polls
Tribune Review: Board OKs $14.2M for affordable housing
Tribune Review: Kane centers chief vows to look into claim that staff shortage during snowstorm affected care
Tribune Review: Western Pa. judges one step from filling vacancies on federal court

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners announce hiring freeze for all county offices until 2016 budget is revised
Beaver County Times: Back new EPA authorization bill, U.S. Sen. Bob Casey says Flint crisis is a “wake-up call for the country”
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi schools preliminary budget contains tax increase

NEPA
Citizens Voice: City’s motion to dismiss suit challenging ‘one-strike’ ordinance denied
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre city Council: It would be ‘advantageous’ for mayor to attend meetings
Times Leader:Luzerne County officials scramble to fill election board vacancies before upcoming primary

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Medical professionals exempt in child-abuse law loophole
Carlisle Sentinel: Economic forecast predicts slow growth for Cumberland County
Carlisle Sentinel: Commissioners acknowledge county workers for commitment during budget impasse
Patriot-News: Snow cleanup slams city budgets in Central Pa.
Patriot-News: Carlisle-area attorney installed as new bar association president
Patriot-News: 61,620 Obamacare signups in midstate — last chance is Sunday
Lancaster Intelligencer: Task Force to attack heroin across Lancaster County
Lancaster Intelligencer: County Democrats don’t endorse congressional candidate, introduce six state House challengers
York Daily Record: Did Central York grad make Trump quit debate?
York Dispatch: Pa. Senate bill proposes fines for snow on trucks
York Dispatch: York Progressives look to grow

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: State Auditor General to see if Bethlehem charter school violated state bidding laws
Morning Call: Ex-Allentown official’s law license suspended following plea in City Hall case
Capitol Ideas: In Senate race, Pa. Dems mull choices, Toomey raises cash for fall
WFMZ: On the eve of the state of the city, Allentown under cloud
Express Times: Fewer duties for Easton economic development director
Express Times: $15M in the hole, Bethlehem seeks Ok to exceed tax cap

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Forum focuses on changes to education law
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Divided panel favors removal vote for AG Kane
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Republicans to hold Lincoln Day dinner Feb. 6
Erie Times-News: Judicial nomination for Erie’s Baxter heads to Senate
Erie Times-News: Roae seeks re-election to state House

Opinion
Daily News: Williams: I treat everyone equally
Inquirer: A clear lesson in Flint’s cloudy water
Carlisle Sentinel: Reagan: It’s all about the negativity
Patriot-News: For Act 2, Gov. Wolf is readying a ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ budget
Lancaster Intelligencer: The Fox News-Donald Trump feud: Full of sound and fury, signifying disrespect of the presidential primary process
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Advisory panel is correct next step for Montoursville
Erie Times-News: Diversity worth pursuing at Erie County Courthouse
Reading Eagle: St. Lawrence should begin merger talks with Exeter
Morning Call: Allentown homeless controversy part of deeper conflict
Post-Gazette: Hold up: The Senate deserves a vote on the FDA nominee
Post-Gazette: Fair settlement: Mentally ill defendants should not sit in limbo

Blogs
Citified: 6 Times City Council Tried to Screw with Our Fun
Keystone State Education Coalition: What kind of impact could the Waltons have on kids if they spent a billion on early reading instead of charters?
Above Average Jane: Shapiro’s campaign is frosty