We’ve got Friday’s Ups & Downs and input from both campaigns on Congressman Mike Kelly’s three-debate proposal for this fall. And ICYMI, we looked at how some local news organizations are handling criticism from the left in their coverage.
Don’t forget to check back later for an updated Congressional Vulnerability Rankings report from contributor Louis Jacobson. Good morning and happy Monday, politicos, here’s the Playbook:
Kelly asks DiNicola for three debates
Republican Congressman Mike Kelly has offered up three debates to challenger Ron DiNicola this October. The Kelly campaign said it’s all about reaching voters, but the DiNicola campaign said the move is a sign that Kelly is worried about his seat.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney is riding high this week, while Lou Barletta missteps on the Trump-Eagles fight. Plus, a Pennsylvania columnist comes out on top. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!
Local News Seems to be Punching Left
While many journalists can expect to have disagreements with their editors, the recent and more heavy-handed influence from above has some wondering whether liberal voices are being driven out of even traditionally left-of-center outlets.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Wagner aims to ride lawnmower into voters’ hearts
City & State: Ousted PA Dem chair fires off letter trashing critics
Capitolwire: Rep. Mark Rozzi: Child sex abuse is not just a Catholic problem.
StateImpact:Wolf administration, two years after climate pledge: ‘no specific timeline’ on methane regulations
StateImpact: As PUC decision nears, Mariner East foes rally to call for total shutdown
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Report: Ex-Pennsylvania Rep. Curt Weldon facing scrutiny for ties to Russia – again
Philly Mag: Report: Philly’s Immigrant Population Has Boomed Since 2000
WHYY: Documents shed light on decision to add census citizenship question
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Local lawmaker calls on PUC to post pipeline public comments online
Delco Times: More bang for your buck: New Pa. fireworks law ignites sales, adds safety concerns
Daily Local: 300 protesters call for end to Sunoco pipelines
Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. Helen Tai opening Wrightstown service office
Bucks County Courier Times: Philly police get new trespass rules after Starbucks arrests
Pittsburgh
WPXI: Dozens gather outside Pittsburgh Post-Gazette to support long-time cartoonist Rob Rogers
Post-Gazette: New Pa. bill would require civics test — but students wouldn’t have to pass it
Post-Gazette: Eileen Kelly ousts Nancy Patton Mills as head of Allegheny County Democratic Committee
Post-Gazette: Toomey, Casey back Trump choice for U.S. marshal for Western Pa.
Post-Gazette: Wolf in Pittsburgh announces $180 million remedy for road repairs
Southwest
Herald-Standard: Low voter turnout not unusual
Herald-Standard: Westmoreland County pays $10,000 to settle another lawsuit involving sheriff
Beaver County Times: Women take center stage in local legislative races
Beaver County Times: Initial battle in Lamb-Rothfus tussle is over PAC money
Altoona Mirror: Records detail Higgins’ plea deal
Altoona Mirror: Casey joins local airport fight
Altoona Mirror: Senate passes legislation helping opioid addicts
NEPA
Times Leader: Cartwright calls for urgent action to replenish Black Lung Trust Fund
Times Leader: Toomey-led legislation would require congressional approval of tariffs
Pocono Record: Anti-human trafficking bill advances to Senate
South Central
WITF: Lawmakers look to move Election Day
WITF: A.B.A.T.E. stays active in Harrisburg
WITF: Wagner aims to ride lawnmower into voters’ hearts
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s taxing politics of early childhood education
Morning Call: In Berks County visit about Farm Bill, Sen. Bob Casey hears concerns about foreign tariffs
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: AG’s review of mayor lingers without answers
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Court rules in favor of families against natural gas company
Centre Daily Times: Where’s the diversity among elected officials in Centre County?
WICU: Erie County Democratic Party Elects New Chairman
Meadville Tribune: Staab seeks county’s Democratic Party chairmanship
Meadville Tribune: Fight over gun control expected to intensify at Capitol in coming weeks
Opinion
Erie Times-News: Deliver state budget on time for a change
The Daily News: Rendell: A letter to the president
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney’s promise to end stop-and-frisk in Philly got arrested
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. budget season has calmer climate this year
Tribune-Democrat: Shaun Dougherty | Join fight to end statutes of limitations in Pa.
Times-Tribune: Don’t expect true reforms
Citizens’ Voice: Don’t waste chance to fix Pa. districts
2 Responses
Nancy Patton Mills, what arrogance! You are what’s wrong with our party! Nobody outside of our committee knows who the hell you are… your speaking skills from what little I’ve seen you do are awful and wouldn’t motivate a drowning man with a life raft. You fully EXPECT that you will be the next State Chair because you are the chosen one? We CHOSE not to re-elect you because we are FED UP! It has made me ill for the last several years watching you show up at events acting like the second coming has just entered the room just merely by showing up. We finally received a viable opponent to elect in Eileen Kelly which is why you lost, NOT because you are running for State Chair! I can only hope State Committee sees through your bullshit and that you are not what our party needs right now. You have NEVER been your own person and have been OWNED by Tom Wolf and Rich Fitzgerald. That style of politics may have worked in the 1940’s but sure as hell doesn’t work that way anymore. I can’t even believe as you stood there on Saturday while wearing your sunglasses and clearly seeing that you were going to lose chose to leave your own election? Talk about a poor loser in denial. Mrs. true blue that has been attending Democratic events since she was a little girl in all her free time….blah, blah, blah. Trying to change a process that has been done here in Allegheny County for decades 10 days prior to your own election and causing intimidation among the Democratic Committee smacks of 1940’s style politics and validated why this rule was put in place to begin with. While I do agree that this rule should be changed in the future but not used to benefit one entity for personal gain.
I hope that State Committee rejects you just as we did in Allegheny County and other members step up and run for Chair. If Governor Wolf is supporting you I have to wonder if his intention is to permanently fracture our party? If you weren’t good for your hometown in Allegheny, how the hell can you be good for the State?
No Mills fan but it was sad to see those western pa “ leaders” leave her hang out to dry. They all signed a letter of support that they mailed to the committee out there but when it was clear she was going down they left her stand there all day alone.
Fitz and his profiles in courage leadership team, lol. Nancy, you call these creeps your friends ?