A state Rep. is stepping down this summer, and the vice president returned to Pennsylvania to back another Republican campaign. And ICYMI, last week’s Ups & Downs, and Wagner’s continued push for a rigorous debate schedule. Good morning, politicos, here’s the Playbook!
Evankovich to Step Down in August
State Rep. Eli Evankovich announced Monday afternoon plans to step down at the end of the summer to take a position with a manufacturing firm.
Pence Returns to Pa. for Rothfus
Less than a week after he appeared in Philadelphia to give the nod to gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner, Vice President Mike Pence returned to the commonwealth to stump for another Republican.
We’ve weighed in on both gubernatorial candidates and have an update on two Pittsburgh journalists. See who had a good week, and who did not, in this Friday’s Ups & Downs!
Wagner Continues Pushing Debate Schedule
While he’s not at the 67 debates he wants, Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner said he’s working on it. He announced today he has accepted debates at 11 venues, and he will attend regardless of whether Gov. Tom Wolf does.
Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Justices elaborate on decision to stay clergy abuse report
Capitolwire: Plenty of disappointment to go around in the state Capitol following the apparent last session day until the fall.
Capitolwire: Scaled-down fiscal code includes school safety funding transfer, big money for PA’s Community HealthChoices program.
Capitolwire: Budget bills not the only things sent to the governor’s desk on Friday.
StateImpact PA: Republican congressman: Pruitt should quit after trying to block PFAS study
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Lou Barletta rolls with Trump, as president shifts policy at border
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s death penalty needs a radical rethinking, long-awaited report finds
Inquirer: In Philly, Sen. Casey demands Trump administration produce plan to reunite separated families
Inquirer: Is separating children from their parents un-American? Not at all, historians say
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court explains why it blocked release of clergy sex-abuse report, citing challenges from ‘many’ people
WHYY: New video: GOP gubernatorial hopeful loves West Philly
KYW: Brian Fitzpatrick calls for resignation of EPA director following dangerous water report
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bill to protect NJ-PA tax pact advances in NJ
Bucks County Courier Times: Boyle, Fitzpatrick criticize EPA head Scott Pruitt on chemicals,
Delco Daily Times: Wolf signs ‘Stoneleigh’ bill into law, will protect against eminent domain seizures
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Transit group launching new campaign to back ‘realistic, achievable solutions’
Post-Gazette: Could a grand jury find sexual abuse among non-Catholic organizations? Religious leaders say yes
Post-Gazette: State Rep. Eli Evankovich announces summer resignation
Tribune Review: Westmoreland transit authority may jump on Uber-style rides
WESA: In Year Of Budget Firsts, Plan Passes On Time And Wolf Signs It
WESA: PWSA Wants To Raise Rates, But First Needs State Approval
Pittsburgh Business Times: DEP wants more information from Shell on ethane pipeline
Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Fireworks business booming
Tribune-Democrat: Pennsylvania grapples with increase in elder abuse
Beaver County Times: DEP finds ‘deficiencies’ in Shell Pipeline’s permit application
NEPA
Standard-Speaker: CAN DO outgoing chair: investments paying off
Daily Item: Support for the president grows in his base
Daily Item: Hazleton voters: Only actions in office matter
Times Leader: Time to Toke: Recreational marijuana battle pits advocates against law, government
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County settles one of two prison sex abuse lawsuits
South Central
Patriot News: Mayor to declare fiscal crisis in Harrisburg: ‘City now faces a looming financial catastrophe’
Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse takes two tracks on Act 47 strategy
Patriot News: Pa. House exits, leaving for fall decisions on several key bills
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf lauds Brian Sims’ part in news organization’s Pride Month project
Carlisle Sentinel: Bill could impact CV’s eminent domain case for McCormick Farm
YDR: Remembering Cornelia Wolf: Private funeral set for Gov. Tom Wolf’s mom
Public Opinion: Hispanics fuel Franklin County population growth
LNP: Group of concerned Hempfield residents sues school district over cell towers
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Harley-Davidson, stung by tariffs, shifts some production overseas
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House bows out on bill to cut its size
Morning Call: Lou Barletta: Images of crying children led to his reversal on Trump’s ‘zero-tolerance’ border policy
Express-Times: Six things to know about NTSB report on gas blast that killed UGI worker
Express-Times: Phillipsburg’s GOP congressman seeks to force Trump to reunite separated immigrant families
Reading Eagle: Civil vs. criminal is the question for Reading Parking Authority
North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Women eye House seats across 12th district
Erie Times-News: Erie County policy tells officers to call 911
Centre Daily Times: Pittsburgh shooting spurs State College demonstration
Centre Daily Times: Hawley campaign paid attorneys to screen Mizzou emails for public release
Opinion
Tribune Review: Lend your feedback to the Pa. School Safety Task Force
Tribune-Democrat: Victims deserve release of dioceses reports without further delay
Inquirer: Op-ed: Don’t make assumptions when it comes to Pa.’s redistricting fight
Delco Daily Times: The problem of rising property taxes is not going away
Observer-Reporter: It’s well past time to raise minimum wage
Patriot News: Op-ed: What rises from the ashes of Pa’s failed prison project? | Opinion
Reading Eagle: Houses of worship should be welcomed but regulated
One Response
Actually, there has been a breaking news story Scott Wagner now demands 134 debates since there has been a clamoring for an additional debate in each county because the regularly scheduled debate may not fit into a county resident’s schedule. Some have even suggested 131 debates because of the need to be certain each county resident has been given a chance to attend a debate. ***In case you are “humor challenged” this is called only kidding***