Petitions are filed for U.S Senate and Governor races, outside money makes a splash in the PA-18 special election that a new poll shows is within the margin of error, and Biden visits Pittsburgh to campaign for Conor Lamb.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

3 Republicans File to Challenge Wolf, Wolf Only Democrat to File: Republicans Laura Ellsworth, Paul Mango, and Scott Wagner all filed petitions to be on the primary ballot to challenge Governor Tom Wolf who was the only Democrat to file for the primary.

Three Republicans File For Senate Primary, Casey Files for Re-Election: Republicans Lou Barletta, Jim Christiana, and Joe Vodvarka all filed nomination petitions for the U.S. Senate primary, while Democratic Senator Bob Casey filed for his third term in the Senate.

Outside Money Pours into PA-18 Special Election: Money from outside Pennsylvania, in the form of PACs and individual donations, has been pouring into the special election for Pennsylvania’s 18th Congressional district.

Gravis Marketing Poll: Saccone 45 Lamb 42: In the last Gravis Marketing poll ahead of the special election for the 18th Congressional district, Republican Rick Saccone holds a slight lead over Democrat Conor Lamb, but the margin is within the margin of error.

Former VP Biden campaigns for Lamb: Former Vice President Joe Biden made a couple of stops in the Pittsburgh area to campaign for Democrat Conor Lamb in the 18th Congressional district special election.

Legislative Election Update
Tribune Review: Harrison’s Erin McClelland running for Congress against Rothfus — and maybe Conor Lamb
Times Tribune: Uehlinger, former CIA officer, running in Pa.’s 9th Congressional District

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Budget hearings dredge up police funding conundrum (again)
State House Sound Bites: Pa. grapples with potential Medicaid work requirements
StateImpact: De-icing salt boosts safety during storms, but it poses a threat to fresh water
StateImpact: Yellow smoke, health complaints prompt state investigation at new gas power plant
StateImpact: PUC shuts down Mariner East 1 pipeline, citing public safety concerns raised by sinkholes
City & State: Assault-weapon ban bills to be part of House open committee meetings
Capitolwire: House Appropriations Chair Saylor calls Wolf’s state police fee proposal DOA.
Capitolwire: House GOP still unhappy Wolf vetoed Human Services Code and its welfare work requirements.

Philadelphia
KYW: Toomey: Proposed Tariffs Are ‘Big Mistake’
WHYY: ERs in Pennsylvania, Delaware report huge increases in opioid overdoses
WHYY: GOP lawmakers seek to stop Pa. education funding lawsuit at preliminary hearing
WHYY: No surge in candidates for Philly Democratic committee posts
Inquirer: Behind DA’s list of suspect cops: A controversial police discipline system
Inquirer: Philly’s trashy highways have PennDot spending half its cleanup budget on our five counties
Inquirer: Pennsylvania school-funding lawsuit seems poised to proceed
Philly Mag: Pa. Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Could Soon Sell Smokable Products

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Casey and 3 Republicans file paperwork for US Senate race
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania Republican wants to be Trump’s ‘wingman’
Bucks County Courier Times: Jeffrey Bartos, Joe Gale among those running for Pennsylvania lieutenant governor
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick honored with water “Champion” award

Pittsburgh
WPXI: Big changes coming to Pennsylvania’s sex offender registry
Post-Gazette: Thousands pay respects to slain Pennsylvania prison guard
Post-Gazette: Strassburger’s winning campaign held big advantage in volunteers, disclosures show
Post-Gazette: Kellyanne Conway to attend Allegheny County Spirit of Lincoln Dinner
Post-Gazette: Mon Valley residents urge county council to help save bus routes
Tribune Review: UPMC clears doctors to certify patients for medical marijuana
Tribune Review: Penn Hills considering tax break for volunteer firefighters
Tribune Review: Republican gubernatorial candidate Ellsworth to hold rally Thursday

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa officials return to business as state probe continues
Beaver County Times: No legislative primaries in Beaver County after petitions filed
Altoona Mirror: Somerset corrections officer honored

NEPA
Daily Item: Court hears arguments in school funding challenge
Times Leader: Study: Luzerne County has second cheapest cost of living in region
Standard-Speaker: Three state legislators have competition in general election

South Central
Patriot News: Pa. Utility Commission shuts down pipeline over sinkhole
Patriot News: Allentown mayor set to resign Thursday: report
Patriot News: Democratic state committeeman, former board member denies drug paraphernalia found in car is his
Patriot News: $6 million in gaming revenue granted to police, schools, community groups
Patriot News: Pa. panel recommends allowing smokable medical marijuana: report
LNP: Pennsylvania shuts down Sunoco pipeline over sinkhole
LNP: Pennsylvania lawmakers drafting bill to ban sale of puppy-mill pets at pet stores, flea markets

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Source: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski to resign Thursday
Morning Call: March 24 rallies in Allentown, Easton to call for stronger gun control
Morning Call: Anti-Trump wave in Pennsylvania? More Democrats than Republicans seek election to the state Legislature
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Revenue chief explains the state’s new online sales tax law
Reading Eagle: Lawsuit: Pennsylvania is failing its schoolchildren
Reading Eagle: Former Pa. agriculture secretary running for Congress

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: 5 incumbent state reps could go unopposed
Erie Times-News: 7 Erie doctors approved to certify medical marijuana patients
Centre Daily Times: Should patients in drug treatment need to go through counseling?

Opinion
Erie Times-News: Our view: Reuniting Erie County changes political calculus
Patriot News: Sex assault accusations against suburban Philly lawmaker put spotlight on #MeToo bills, report
Patriot News: Here’s another step that policymakers can take to protect injured workers from opioid addiction | Opinion
Patriot News: Pa.’s new congressional map levels the field for all voters | Opinion
Patriot News: Congess shouldn’t wait for the White House before acting on gun-control | Editorial
Patriot News: Pa. House hearings on gun bills are a start – but lawmakers actually need to pass something | Editorial
Inquirer: In Harrisburg politics, revenge is power. And sometimes policy. This hit job is about more than fishing fees. | Maria Panaritis
Inquirer: City needs to name names in police complaints or risk losing community trust | Editorial
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Transparency is a must in disposition of school threats
Post-Gazette: Delivering death: Getting tougher on opioid dealers of all kinds
LNP: It’s simply common sense to keep gun shops away from schools [opinion]