The Governors back merit selection for judges, we interview Santarsiero and Scarnati endorses Kasich. Also, make sure to enter our Super Tuesday pool! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Montco Commissioner Endorses Trump For President: Donald Trump receives the support of Republican Montgomery County Commissioner, Joe Gale.

Govs Back Merit Selection Amendment: PA’s former and present leaders are worried about the ever-growing political influence of money.

PA-8: Steve Santarsiero is Selling Experience and Vision: We talk with State Rep. and Democratic Congressional candidate in PA-8 Steve Santarsiero.

Scarnati Endorses Kasich for President: The State Senate is supporting the Ohio Governor’s Presidential campaign.

2016 PoliticsPA Super Tuesday Pool: Cosponsored by PoliticsPA & The Law Offices of Adam Bonin, enter for your chance at eternal glory. Winners announced here next week.

PA-9: Shuster Releases First Ad Of 2016 (VIDEO): Congressman Bill Shuster will be airing a new campaign commercial that emphasizes his conservative beliefs.

PA-2: Philly FOP Endorses Evans: The State Rep. is continuing to gain momentum.

PA-Sen: O’Malley Endorses Fetterman: The Maryland Governor and former presidential candidate is backing the Braddock Mayor.

Legislative Elections Update

SD-5: State Rep. Kevin Boyle received the endorsements of the Philly City Council Majority Leader Bobby Henon and Philly Controller Alan Butkovitz.

“Since heading to Harrisburg in 2010, Kevin Boyle has made the needs of his constituents and improving the quality of life in Northeast Philadelphia his top priority,” said Councilman Bobby Henon. “He has been a tireless advocate for keeping our communities safe, standing up for working families by fighting to raise the minimum wage and protecting workers rights. He is the right person to represent us in the state Senate, and I look forward to continuing to work together to move Northeast Philadelphia forward.”

“I am proud to have the support of Councilman Bobby Henon and Controller Alan Butkovitz, who are both dedicated public servants and are doing great work in Northeast Philadelphia and across our city,” responded Rep. Boyle. “From our time working together in City Hall and Harrisburg, I have tremendous respect for their commitment to the communities we all represent and look forward to working together as Northeast Philadelphia’s next state Senator.”

The 5th district consists of Northeast Philadelphia and a small piece of southeastern Montgomery County.

HD-41: Lancaster Township Democratic Committeeman Nick Selch will announce his candidacy on Wednesday.

The 41st district is located in Lancaster County.

HD-202: The Philadelphia Fraternal Order of Police are supporting Jared Solomon’s challenge of Mark Cohen in the Democratic primary.

“Jared Solomon has earned the endorsement of FOP Lodge 5 because of his commitment to safety in his community. He works in his neighborhood through his community group to make his neighborhood safer,” said FOP Lodge 5 President John McNesby. “Jared is tough on crime and supports local law enforcement. Jared will be a strong voice for us in Harrisburg and that is why he has our full support.”

“It is truly an honor to have the support of the fine men and women of the Philadelphia FOP Lodge 5,” Solomon replied. “I think it is a testament to my record of finding sensible solutions to the safety concerns of our neighbors. When crime recently spiked around the Max Myers Playground, I worked with residents and the police to organize a private security patrol which resulted in a noticeable reduction in crime in that area, at no cost to the taxpayer. Parents in this district should not have to worry about their children when they are using our playgrounds and recreation centers.”

The 202nd district is part of Northeastern Philadelphia.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: State Touts Hotline to Prevent Bullying
Capitolwire: PA’s prison inmate population is declining, but corrections costs are still rising
PLSReporter: Proposed office designed to attract and retain new Pennsylvanians comes under Republican scrutiny
StateImpactPA: DEP wants upgrades: ‘We do not have Wi-Fi’
StateImpactPA: Inside the fight to frack Penn Township

Philadelphia
Inquirer: A Senate race waiting to happen
Inquirer: Kenney releases transition team reports
Inquirer: Kenney: Soda tax for $400M in projects
Inquirer: 5 ways Kenney would spend soda tax funds
The Big Tent: O’Malley backs Fetterman for PA U.S. Senate seat
WHYY Newsworks: Soda war resumes in Philadelphia

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Municipalities to receive $445M in liquid fuels payments
Bucks County Courier Times: Cosby wants preliminary hearing delayed, prosecutors balk
Delco Daily Times: Garnet Valley approves $27M in bonds for projects
Montgomery Media: Cheltenham Township revises floodplain ordinance
Daily Local News: Coatesville VA holds second ‘stand down’ event

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Up For Reelection, Senator Toomey Confronts Issues Like Supreme Court
WESA: ACLU Says State Flag Desecration Laws Are Unconstitutional
WESA: City Officials Say Penn Plaza Evictions Set Standards For Future Development
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania lawmaker Gerely charged with gambling, corruption
Post-Gazette: Special prosecutor hired by Kane says criminal charges unlikely in porn email scandal
Post-Gazette: PennDOT wants to transfer Pa. police funding out of transportation budget

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State must readdress recycling act
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Attorney general to hold press conference in Blair County, likely linked to Baker abuse case
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Department of Human Services transitioning 50 jobs to area
Altoona Mirror: City Council delays decision on vacant lots
Altoona Mirror: Blair County commissioners briefs

NEPA
Times Leader: Area officials: Threat of school closing may be only way to ed state budget battle
Standard Speaker: Council vs. mayor: Hires removed from agenda
Standard Speaker: Politicians, citizens hope to become Pa. delegates
Standard Speaker: Convention delegate list

South Central
Patriot-News: U.S. Rep. Marino becomes first House member from Pennsylvania to endorse Trump
Patriot-News: No criminal charges expected in Porngate scandal: report
Patriot-News: Kathleen Kane: Thousands spent on investigation into offensive emails so far
York Daily Record: Former Gov. O’Malley endorses Fetterman for Senate
York Dispatch: Yorkers feel the Bern, stump for Trump
LancasterOnline: Philly mayor seeks so-called soda tax; couldn’t happen in Lancaster

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks County lawmaker’s idea to study drug treatment endorsed
Reading Eagle: Republican hopeful bows out of race for Reading-based House seat
Reading Eagle: Berks County Housing Authority board welcomes solicitor
WFMZ: Daniel Boone school support staff workers authorize strike

North by Northwest
Go Erie: Erie teachers authorize strike, if necessary
Go Erie: Erie School District increasingly stands apart in LECOM tax fight
Centre Daily Times: Bellefonte Water Authority sets date to end fluoridation

Opinion
Inquirer: Philly businesses should back Kenney on Pre-K funding
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. misses the boat in primary races
Altoona Mirror: Schools, services need to pressure Harrisburg
Post-Gazette: A healthy idea: New rules for SNAP are a welcome improvement
Post-Gazette: Where old TVs go: Pennsylvania must fix its electronics recycling act
Patriot-News: Asher Potts case underlines need for an adult conversation about immigration reform
Patriot-News: Watch John Oliver take down Donald Trump, the ‘back mole’ of American politics

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: No, We’re Not Underfunding Public Schools
2 Political Junkies: John Oliver – Last Night (Wherein He Deconstructs Donald Trump)
Keystone Crossroads: 2015’s overdose toll in Pennsylvania likely to top 2014’s
Citified: Kenney: Soda Tax Could Raise $400 Million for Pre-K, Parks, Jobs