More headaches for Shuster, Toomey’s seat becomes a “toss-up” and Clinton speaks to the AFL-CIO. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!
PA-9: Shuster’s Personal Life Takes Center Stage Again: Yet another Politico article is causing the Congressman headaches.
PA-Sen: Sabato Shifts Toomey’s Seat to “Toss-Up”: The political prognosticators are moving Sen. Toomey’s seat from “Lean Republican” to “Toss-Up”.
PA-Sen: Fetterman Attacks Fracking in New Ad (VIDEO): The Democratic Senate candidate is going after the controversial technique, as well as rival Katie McGinty.
Clinton Addresses Union Members At AFL-CIO Convention: The Democratic presidential candidate discussed trade and attacked Sanders as well as the Republican candidates.
PA-Gov: Quinnipiac Poll: Wolf’s Approval Plummets to 35%: The budget battle took its toll on the Governor.
Quinnipiac Poll: Obama’s Approval Improves, Garland Gets Strong Numbers: The President’s approval is slightly up, plus there is considerable approval for Judge Garland.
PA-Sen: Quinnipiac Poll: Toomey 47% Sestak 39%, Toomey 47% McGinty 38%: A look at some potential Senate general election match-ups.
Quinnipiac Poll: 47% Believe Kane Should Resign: Despite abandoning her re-election efforts, the AG’s numbers are still awful.
PA-2: Evans Picks Up Endorsement, Debuts New Ad (VIDEO): The Congressman talks about his commitment to women’s healthcare.
PA-8: SEIU Endorses Santarsiero: The PA SEIU is backing the State Rep. in the Congressional Democratic primary.
Legislative Elections Update
SD-5: Incumbent Democratic State Sen. John Sabatina was endorsed by AFSCME District Council 47.
“Senator John Sabatina has always been a fighter for the middle class, better wages and better jobs. We’re proud support him for re-election,” said AFSCME 47 President Fred Wright. “The 5th Senatorial District will have a champion in their corner for the next 4 years.”
“I’m proud that AFSCME 47 endorsed my re-election,” State Sen. Sabatina responded. “Their endorsement is further proof that I have consistently been the champion for middle class Pennsylvanians.”
The 5th district represents Northeast Philadelphia.
HD-172: City Councilman Brian O’Neill endorsed Republican candidate Jim Pio.
“I sincerely respect candidates that truly represent their constituents and make decisions based upon principle,” O’Neill stated. “That is why I am endorsing Jim Pio. We need people like Jim representing Northeast Philadelphia in Harrisburg.”
“This endorsement is truly personal for me. Brian O’Neill has been a household name in my community and home for as long as I can remember,” Pio responded. “He is the definition of a public servant and his presence in City Council has been a blessing for the Northeast. I have always admired Councilman O’Neill’s devotion to his constituents, and I am incredibly honored to have received his endorsement.”
The 172nd district includes parts of Northeast Philadelphia and and a small piece of southern Montgomery County.
Statewide
WITF: Wolf orders LGBTQ protections for state workers, contractors
StateImpactPA: Mariner East 2 update: Chainsaws return, along with a tree-sitter
PLSReporter: VIDEO: Fish and Boat Commission supports different funding plan for licenses
Capitolwire: For Gov. Wolf, the ‘honeymoon’ is over; Toomey tops McGinty, Sestak
Capitolwire: Wolf Year-One Review, Part 4- The ill-fated compromise, a glimpse of things to come
Capitolwire: Collective bargaining cost analysis bill heads to Wolf
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Sources: Former Virginia fire chief to head Philly department
Inquirer: Buzz on Zika: Montco officials see threat
Inquirer: Wolf signs orders expanding LGBT rights
CapitolInq: Latest poll: Toomey leads Sestak, McGinty by equal margins
Philadelphia Business Journal: Export-Import Bank back in business, but not for big deals: Q&A with Chairman Fred Hochberg
WHYY Newsworks: Amtrak ordered to retrain workers following deadly crash outside Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Protesters in Mt. Airy interrupt former president’s stump speech for Hillary Clinton
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: 2 senior positions in Montgomery County filled
Pottstown Mercury: Zika virus concern: Montco prepares for mosquito season
Bucks County Courier Times: Aviation act named after Lower Makefield 9/11 victim passes Senate
Bucks County Courier Times: Clinton beats Sanders at Warminster Mock Caucus
Daily Local News: Bills would allow local police in Pennsylvania to nab speeders with radar
Delco Daily Times: ‘They shot the wrong guy’: Community mourns 20-year-old cut down in a hail of bullets
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Authority to appoint private lawyers given back to Allegheny County lawyers
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania a microcosm for Hillary’s struggles nationally
Tribune Review: Congressmen want locks report finalized
Post-Gazette: Committee hearing highlights recommendations for opioid case
Post-Gazette: Bill to limit abortions in Pennsylvania survives delay vote
Early Returns: Wolf: Retribution claim ‘fairly ridiculous’
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Pittsburgh near bottom in terms of growth of women owned businesses in US
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Beaver County prepares for Shell cracker
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Gibbons appointed chairman House tourism committee
Beaver County Times: FirstEnergy to spend 48 million to expand substation in Lawrence County
Observer Reporter: New Eagle debate among candidates
Altoona Mirror: Trump, Clinton lead latest Pa. poll
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Rothfus opposes proposed financial adviser regulations
NEPA
Times Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioner Notarianni complains of being excluded
Citizens Voice: Uncommitted GOP delegates will play key role
News Item: Economic development effort renewed in county
Wayne Independent: Skinners Falls bridge to reopen
Standard Speaker: Council rejects rec board
South Central
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf calls lawmakers’ claims of retaliation “fairly ridiculous’
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf calls lawmakers’ claims of retaliation “fairly ridiculous”
Patriot News: People in Pennsylvania try to buy 97 guns every hour
Patriot News: what does Katie McGinty stand for? A conversation with the U.S. Senate candidate
Carlisle Sentinel: Is Wolf punishing Democrats over budget battle?
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. House approves industrial hemp bill
Lehigh Valley
Capitol Ideas: Wolf’s poll numbers sink a la Corbett
Capitol Ideas: Toomey leads top Democrats in matchups
Morning Call: Bethlehem officials not happy with 911 report on consolidation
Express Times: Morganelli’s campaign for AG hits fundraising goal
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Presidential hopefuls to open State College offices
Erie Times-News: County Council considers capital improvement projects
Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania governor bars LGBT discrimination in contracts
Erie Times-News: Behrand site of Bill Clinton’s campaign stop for Hillary on Friday
Opinion
Inquirer: Attytood: Bernie vows a divisive platform fight at Philly confab
Inquirer: One last fix for Phila.Traffic Court
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney: Citizens missing out on earned income tax credit
Pottstown Mercury: Geyer: Shoes start to fall in Panama Papers scandal
Bucks County Courier Times: Turnpike vows to watch weather
Bucks Local News: Eller: Governor Wolf’s proposed 2016-17 budget aims to close Pennsylvania’s 160 brick-and-mortar charter schools
Tribune Review: Voter fraud: It’s real
Tribune Review: The facts beyond the words
Post-Gazette: Voting right: An 8-0 Supreme Court upholds voting principle
Post-Gazette: Global thickening: What’s behind the worldwide rise behind obesity
Observer Reporter: Pennsylvania voters could enjoy some clout
Patriot News: Trump’s bad border wall idea, $15/hr wage is the wrong goal for wage warriors
Blogs
Citified: The Latino Vote Series- Join Us for a Different Kind of Conversation
Citified: Suit: Philly’s Voter Rolls Are Abnormally- and Suspiciously- Large
Keystone Crossroads: Municipal leaders pushing for use of radar for local cops
Keystone State Education Coalition: Controversy continues over Gov. Wolf’s school funding distribution
Lu Lac Political Letter: Why Sanders Is Flawed