Rendell endorses for DNC Chair, a how to guide on surviving petition season, and Casey gets good news from Larry Sabato.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Rendell Endorses Pete Buttigieg for DNC Chair: The former Governor backs the Mayor of South Bend, Indiana. Governor Wolf and State Chair Groen have endorsed Tom Perez.

Petition Season Survival Guide: Pennsylvania’s three week-long petition season is here. PoliticsPA talked with consultants and candidates about how to survive this time of the year.

Sabato Ranks PA Senate Race Likely Democrat: Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball ratings for 2018 senate seats predict Bob Casey will keep his seat.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Unclear who would lose in Wolf’s tax credit cut proposal
State House Sound Bites: Senator Toomey holds last-minute phone town hall

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Rendell picks ‘Mayor Pete’ for Democratic national chairman
Inquirer: Soda lobbyists to Council: Repeal the tax
Inquirer: The U.S. has fallen behind in women’s representation in politics.
Inquirer: Tourism group: Sports complex in Montgomery County could bring $100M in economic impact
Inquirer: Toomey: ‘We have never once turned off our phones’
Inquirer: Clout: About those tax liens, potential DA candidate has just one answer
Inquirer: SRC approves expansion for charter to serve immigrant students
Inquirer: Updated: Councilman Oh to Mayor Kenney: Stop enforcing ‘unfair’ 11 o’clock law
Philadelphia Magazine: Toomey Just Held a Last-Minute Telephone Town Hall

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Senator Pat Toomey wants President Trump to be tough on Putin
Bucks County Courier Times: Ex-VP Joe Biden set to serve as the chair of the National Constitution Center
Delco Times: Philadelphia set to vote on Tinicum tract takeover at the airport

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Disease carried by rats found in PA
Tribune Review: Casey makes pitch to Trump for more customs officers at Pittsburgh International Airport
Tribune Review: Casey expresses ‘real concerns’ about Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch
Post-Gazette: Bob Casey not willing to commit to Supreme Court nominee Gorsuch
Post-Gazette: Governor Wolf calls out Senate bill restricting abortions

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Controversy surrounds Reade Township Municipal Authority
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Coal leaders hopeful for industry resurgence
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New coal mine will open in Somerset County, generate 70 jobs

NEPA
Times-Leader: Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey meet Supreme Court nominee
Standard Speaker: Former Luzerne County controller wants old job
Times-Tribune: Scranton councilman raises questions on sewer-sale fees
Times-Tribune: Western Pa. rep. hopes to oust Bob Casey
Times-Tribune: Local reps join Trump meeting

South Central
Patriot News: Sen. Toomey’s ‘town meeting’ does little to quell his critics
Patriot News: ‘Day without immigrants’ boycott hits Pa.
Patriot News: Toomey in town hall call: He’s ‘very concerned’ about Russia, but questions legality of Flynn leaks
Patriot News: Trump caved to far-right demands on SCOTUS pick, says Bob Casey after meeting Neil Gorsuch
Patriot News: Small towns lose sleep over state police fee: Can places like Pillow afford crime protection?
Patriot News: How they voted: Trying to change Pennsylvania’s abortion law
Lancaster Online: Pennsylvania has 40 hate groups, 1 in Lancaster County
Lancaster Online: Sen. Pat Toomey holds telephone town hall

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Candidates jump into Allentown Council race
Morning Call: Sen. Pat Toomey fields questions on policy, accessibility during telephone town hall
Reading Eagle: Pa. auditor general issues critical report on Wilson School District superintendent
Reading Eagle: Sen. Judy Schwank proposes state police fee

North by Northwest
Centre County Times: Centre County inmate says he’s qualified to run for judge

Erie Times-News: Erie’s PACA plans to grow with new businesses, more artists
Erie Times-News: Casey to visit with Erie immigration advocates, former refugees

Opinion
Lancaster Online: Politics need to be set aside to fight Pennsylvania’s opioid epidemic
Tribune Review: Carbon tax canard: Reagan wouldn’t buy it
Bucks County Courier Times: ‘Commitment to civility’
Patriot News: With Flynn’s, Puzder’s departure, Trump’s cabinet raises concerns — not confidence: Editorial
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: President Trump should want an investigation to prove he has no ties to Russia