The state Republican Party is facing problems including lack of funds and staff heading into the important midterms this year, for Lieutenant Governor candidate Aryanna Berringer launched a new PAC, and Eric Ding launches his first ad in the PA-10 Democratic primary.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

PA GOP Short Staffed & Under Funded: Report: The Pennsylvania Republican Party finished 2017 with just $15,000 on hand and has faced understaffing issues since last year, but could be facing more problems going forward.

Former LG Candidate Launches PAC to Support Progressive Candidates: Former Lieutenant Governor candidate Aryanna Berringer launched a new PAC aiming to support progressive candidates.

Ding Launches First Ad in PA-10 Primary: Democratic Congressional candidate launched his first TV ad in the 10th Congressional district primary introducing himself to voters and highlighting his career as a scientist.

Legislative Election Update
Delco Times: Super PACs line up behind Lazer, Lunkenheimer campaigns
Morning Call: Candidates in the 7th Dstrict talk about the Middle East

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Group pushes for controversial changes to PA custody law
State House Sound Bites: Report urges consolidation, other drastic measures to fix PASSHE
StateImpact: Sunoco says PUC asked for expanded work to ‘stabilize’ ground at Chester County pipeline site
Capitolwire: PA Senate floor action recap for Tuesday, April 24, 2018.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: In GOP gubernatorial debate, Wolf becomes a topic of discussion
Inquirer: In first public duties, new Philly school board gets an earful from community
Inquirer: Study: State-run universities must be merged, converted to remain viable
Inquirer: City: House of Correction might have inmates beyond 2020
Philly Mag: Report: Philly Drug Overdose Deaths Jumped to New Record in 2017
WHYY: Delaware Valley-area GOP reps rate high in bipartisanship survey
WHYY: Justice reforms move incrementally through Pennsylvania’s Senate
WHYY: Pa., Del. rely on tuition for 75 percent of public university funding

SEPA
Daily Local: Pipeline drilling halted in Middletown
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania leads nation in teacher strikes, but statewide strike unlikely
Bucks County Courier Times: GOP governor hopefuls clash in TV debate over TV attack ads
Delco Times: Mariner East 2 pipeline drilling halted in Middletown

Pittsburgh
WTAE: Pennsylvania gets more federal aid to fight opioid crisis
WESA: Republicans To Join TV Debate With 3 Weeks Left In Primary
WESA: Justice Reforms Are Moving Incrementally Through The State Senate
WESA: House GOP Grapples With How To Handle Non-Disclosure Agreements In Reforming Misconduct Rules
Post-Gazette: GOP gubernatorial candidates attack Gov. Wolf during debate
Post-Gazette: Local federal court nominee has support of Casey, Toomey
Post-Gazette: State System 2.0: Report calls for radical changes including university mergers, more state-related campuses
Tribune Review: Candidate Saccone visits Lower Burrell counseling facility
Tribune Review: Seton Hill holds 14th Congressional District debate

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Overdose deaths declining, but challenges remain
Beaver County Times: Lamb to host town hall in Moon, open campaign office in Monaca
Altoona Mirror: Case of missing Centre County DA
WTAJ: Local Republicans respond to Republican gubernatorial debate

NEPA
Times Leader: More than 14,000 property owners receiving tax-delinquency notices
Times Leader: A new Leader: TL celebrates move to renovated Market Street site
Standard-Speaker: City to increase some permit costs by $5
Standard-Speaker: Candidates share platforms at 9th District forum

South Central
Patriot News: Bill allows automated cameras on school bus’ stop arms to detect vehicles that fail to stop
Patriot News: GOP guv hopeful Mango hits ‘greedy’ Scott Wagner over trash bills, ethics fine
Patriot News: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announces $26M grant to fight opioids
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf was at last night’s Sixers game. Who paid for his ticket?
Patriot News: ‘I’ll run my campaign, senator, you can run your campaign’: GOP guv candidates clash in TV debate
Patriot News: Fox 43 will be sold to a new owner: here’s why (and what other Pa. stations will be affected)
Patriot News: Could Shippensburg U become a branch of Penn State or Pitt? That’s an option in new study
WHTM: Bill to probe pregnancy-related deaths clears Senate
Carlisle Sentinel: GOP governor hopefuls clash in TV debate over TV attack ads
WITF: Pennsylvania gets more federal aid to fight opioid crisis
LNP: Scott Wagner, Laura Ellsworth and Paul Mango debated Wednesday evening in Lancaster County
LNP: Mango, Wagner stand by ads, Ellsworth criticizes negativity in GOP gubernatorial debate

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania files suit to block release of financial perks offered to Amazon
Morning Call: Politics of opioids roiling state Capitol
Reading Eagle: Fentanyl driving opioid crisis in Berks, nearby counties
Reading Eagle: Official expects drug deaths to rise in Pa. for next two years
WFMZ: Pa. DHS secretary sees ‘KEYS’ to success on RACC’s campus

North by Northwest
Titusville Herald: Township supervisors seek state fix for volunteer crisis
WJET: Republican Candidates Go Head-to-Head at GOP Gubernatorial Debate
Erie Times-News: Speeders take heed: Legislators might change radar rules

Opinion
York Daily Record: York community leaders: Gov. Tom Wolf has been good for York County and Pa.
Observer-Reporter: EDITORIAL Wolf’s commonsense rule to close ‘gun show loophole’ should be debated
Inquirer: Daryl Metcalfe’s hateful comments prove he needs to step down | Opinion
Tribune Review: Awareness vital in war on drug abuse
Post-Gazette: Despair in the air: Air marshals program is in serious need of reform
Patriot News: Does Lou Barletta really think Trump has drained the swamp? | John L. Micek
Patriot News: Risk assessment of Mariner East 2 Pipeline is redundant, costly | Opinion
Patriot News: The Trump administration is committed to fighting opioid abuse | Matthew Baker
LNP: Loss of explosives from pipeline site inexplicable [editorial]