Mackenzie ends his Congressional bid, the GOP Gubernatorial candidates get heated in a debate, Pawlowski is found guilty, and the Ups & Downs from the week.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Mackenzie to End Congressional Bid: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie announced he is ending his Congressional bid after the state Supreme Court redrew Pennsylvania’s Congressional map.

GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Get Fiery in Debate: In a heated debate between the three Republican Gubernatorial candidates, Paul Mango and state Sen. Scott Wagner squared off while Laura Ellsworth stayed away from the fray.

Pawlowski Guilty in Federal Corruption Probe: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski was found guilty on 47 counts in the federal probe of him trading influence for campaign contributions. The conviction means Pawlowski will need to leave office after sentencing.

3/2 Ups & Downs: Miccarelli is accused of sexual and physical assault, Pawlowski is found guilty, Lamb gets good news from the Cook Political Report, Fitzpatrick looks like the adult in the room, and more. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Legislative Election Update
Altoona Mirror: Professor seeks Dem nod for congressional seat
Bucks County Courier Times: Democrat Meredith Buck announces run for 144th state house district

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Allegations against lawmaker raise Capitol security questions
StateImpact: EPA restores funding to news outlet covering Chesapeake Bay
StateImpact: Proposed natural gas power plant in Birdsboro gets set of permits from DEP
StateImpact: In Pa., Zinke unveils federal government’s $55M toward state’s abandoned mine cleanup efforts
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending March 2

Philadelphia
WPVI: After meeting with NRA, Trump’s views on guns seem to shift
Philly Tribune: Are taxpayers taking hit in redistricting fight?
Philly Tribune: Panel wants Wolf to be tougher on gun violence
Philly Tribune: Allentown mayor urged to resign fast after conviction
WHYY: Allegations against Delco lawmaker raise Pa. Capitol security questions
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania approves medical marijuana dispensary in King of Prussia
Inquirer: Philly Sheriff Jewell Williams’ $34K side gig: Political consultant
Inquirer: Convicted mayor encouraging supporters to write judge
Inquirer: Philadelphia Police complaints now online – with cops cloaked in anonymity
Inquirer: Study: More kids are ending up in ICUs because of opioids
Inquirer: How Pa.’s ‘terribly flawed’ charter school law drags down Philly’s schools

SEPA
Delco Times: Gov. Wolf issues waiver for drivers of utility crews restoring power
Delco Times: Local refinery workers ask for help from the White House
Pottstown Mercury: After Parkland, even idle school threats get tough response
Bucks County Courier Times: Environmental groups urge DRBC to prohibit tree clearing for PennEast pipeline

Pittsburgh
WTAE: Conor Lamb and Rick Saccone clash in WTAE debate
WESA: Saccone, Lamb Give Qualified Support For Trump Tariffs, Spar Over Ads In Second Debate
WPXI: Pennsylvania schools discuss banning backpacks
Post-Gazette: Sharp exchanges mark Saccone-Lamb debate
Post-Gazette: Local labor leaders make picks in advance of Democratic primary
Post-Gazette: Wolf moves to dismiss GOP lawsuit over voting map
Post-Gazette: More police units carrying anti-overdose drug
Post-Gazette: Real ID process begins for Pa. residents
Post-Gazette: Trump returns March 10 to a familiar venue … and with a familiar message
Tribune Review: Friendships survive political differences in 18th District race, beyond
Tribune Review: Report: DEP to hire 33 staff after EPA slammed it for escalating drinking water violations
Tribune Review: Cut in corporate tax rate, loophole fix could generate $330M
Tribune Review: White House: No exemptions from steel, aluminum tariffs

Southwest
Tribune-Democrat: Sexual harassment: ‘Shock wave’ hits state government, may prompt ‘culture change’
Altoona Mirror: Religious freedom dispute resolved
Altoona Mirror: Blair sees uptick in overdose deaths
Observer- Reporter: March 13 special election subject of local, national focus
WJAC: Lawmakers debate school safety, arming teachers

NEPA
Times Leader: Department of Revenue staff available to assist with state tax returns
Times-Tribune: Members of area Indian, Latino community hold voter outreach event, register to vote
Pocono Record: Hundreds of new state gun laws: Most expand access
Daily Item: Superintendents, Rep. Barletta say schools should be considered as critical infrastructure
Daily Item: Lawmakers worried about female staffers, interns
Standard-Speaker: Is fix for school property tax near?

South Central
WHTM: This Week in Pennsylvania: March 4
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf ends Medicaid pre-authorization for opioid medication
Patriot News: Road trip: Wolf cabinet officials visit Greenwood
Patriot News: Opioid epidemic death toll rises: How it compares with other diseases, suicides, wars
Patriot News: Pa. lawmaker accused of sexual misconduct, abusive behavior now the focus of criminal investigation

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Will Trump’s tariffs on steel, aluminum affect the price of Hershey’s Kisses, Yuengling beer?
Morning Call: In wake of school massacre, how does Pa. stack up with gun laws?
Morning Call: Juror: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s own words made it clear ‘he was obviously a part of it’
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski asks supporters to petition judge for lenient sentence
Morning Call: Allentown solicitor’s reading of charter would rule out two likely mayoral contenders
Reading Eagle: Few Reading residents paying per capita tax
Reading Eagle: The state budget cycle: Cuts, protest and restore

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How Erie’s legislators voted
Erie Times-News: County Councilman: Erie should get ‘$400,000 to $500,000’ in county land bank funds
Centre Daily Times: How Pa.’s backlog of untested rape kits ‘denies justice’ for victims
Centre Daily Times: State College medical marijuana dispensary gets ready to open

Opinion
York Dispatch: EDITORIAL: Take a stand for net neutrality, Toomey
Patriot News: Wolf, lawmakers need to step up for students with disabilities | Opinion
Patriot News: With Hope Hicks’ exit, Trump has lost a trusted adviser | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Believe it or not, I hope Hope Hicks lands on her feet | Kirstin Snow
Patriot News: This easy fix will net Pa. some much-needed revenue | Opinion
Delco Times: Editorial: Confusion’s the winner in congressional races
Inquirer: A change in the (GOP primary) weather
Inquirer: Pa. gun lobby takes aim at domestic-violence victims in the name of gun rights | Maria Panaritis
Inquirer: Why don’t we study gun violence? Because it’s against the law | Editorial
Inquirer: Terror now starts at home, no longer overseas | Tom Ridge
Inquirer: Supreme Court blocking congressional map is ‘a legal long shot’ | Opinion
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Upping the price for silence in bid for Amazon’s HQ2
Post-Gazette: Pass ‘Fix NICS’: Brush back the NRA and tighten this loophole
Post-Gazette: District 8 dilemma: Both Finn and Strassburger would serve city well
LNP: The state Capitol needs an independent office to investigate sexual misconduct complaints
Morning Call: Editorial: Ed Pawlowski can help Allentown move on by resigning