We’ve got a second poll this month showing Gov. Wolf and Sen. Casey with comfortable leads over their Republican challengers. Good morning, politicos, here’s the Playbook:
New polling shows Dems leading across Pa.
New polling supports data from two weeks ago showing a wide lead for Democrats at the top of the ticket across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Statewide
Inquirer: Pa. federal judge Thomas Hardiman likely to be considered for U.S. Supreme Court
Capitolwire: SCOTUS union dues ruling will cause some changes for PA.
Capitolwire: Bonus depreciation allowance to make PA markets competitive again.
Capitolwire: Gaming Board builds regulatory framework for sports betting.
Capitolwire: SCOTUS sales tax ruling to have ‘modest’ effect on PA revenue.
Washington Post: Ronald Reagan blessed Harley-Davidson brand in York, Pa. Can it ride out Trump’s tweet storm?
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers’ bid to yank JUA money continues, with a twist
State House Sound Bites: Tired of ‘timid’ responses, anti-gerrymandering group occupies Wolf’s office
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pa. proposal would boost overtime for half a million workers
Inquirer: Justice Kennedy’s retirement jolts midterm elections
WHYY: Pennsylvania’s population quickly becoming older, slowly more diverse
WHYY: Kenney visits Northeast Philly, chats with immigrant entrepreneurs
KYW: Local labor leaders launch protest against Supreme Court unions decision
KYW: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick urges for immigration reform after visiting Texas detention center
KYW: DA takes a stand in support of undocumented domestic violence victims
Philly Mag: Toomey Is Pushing Back Against Trump — on Trade, at Least
SEPA
Daily Local: Supreme Court decision on unions gets mixed reaction in Pa.
Delco Daily Times: How new Pa. budget boosts education funding
Bucks County Courier Times: Wolf to sign bill closing loophole that let opioid-dependent newborns fall through federal safety net
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Current: Chelsa Wagner: It’s time to deal with Pittsburgh’s ‘deep, ugly, insidious’ racial disparities
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Local, state officials react to Supreme Court decision on union fees
Post-Gazette: In historic decision, Supreme Court rules mandatory union dues violate free speech
Post-Gazette: Latest medical marijuana dispensary opens in Strip District
Post-Gazette: Toomey bucking White House over trade policy, supporting bipartisan effort
KDKA: Post-Gazette to drop two days of printing starting next month
Tribune Review: ACLU suit alleges ‘cruel and inhumane conditions’ at Fayette County Prison
WESA: DA Spokesman: Local TV Stations ‘Failed’ Community With Inaccurate Antwon Rose Reporting
Southwest
Tribune-Democrat: General Assembly’s summer break begins with anger over unfinished work
Beaver County Times: Supreme Court decision seen as major blow to labor unions
Beaver County Times: Monaca to use solar power at Community Day
Observer-Reporter: Judge issues temporary injunction, halts sewer rate hike in Canonsburg-Houston area
Observer-Reporter: Monessen Council vacancy in hands of
NEPA
Times-Tribune: Region’s unemployment plummets in May
Times-Tribune: Chrin buys third Pa. home in new 8th district
Times Leader: Pennsylvania senate approves anti-credit card skimming bill
South Central
Central Penn Business Journal: Wolf to sign ‘clean slate’ bill into law
LNP: Will Lancaster County farmers be banned from spreading manure in winter?
LNP: Lancaster County commissioner proposes county-run, post-prison program, a setback for for-profit Geo Group
YDR: Harley-Davidson decision to shift jobs to Europe could put the brakes on York-area workers
Patriot News: Activists set up camp in Pa. governor’s office demanding action on redistricting reform
Patriot News: Top House Republican calls for tuition freeze at state universities
WITF: State gradually laying out structure for legal sports betting
Lehigh Valley
Express-Times: These 18 industries are seeing the biggest employment losses in Pa.
Morning Call: Easton and Northampton County create consortium to fund low-income housing
Morning Call: Former Whitehall mayor Ed Hozza elected Democratic chairman as members applaud their ‘decorum’
Reading Eagle: Berks unions react to ‘disappointing’ U.S. Supreme Court decision
Reading Eagle: Berks County Harley-Davidson dealer, fans upset by trade dispute
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: What DA Parks Miller’s lawyer sees as fair punishment and who’s really to blame
Erie Times-News: Union ruling met with dismay, praise in Erie
Opinion
Erie Times-News: Harrisburg hits its deadline for a change
Tribune-Democrat: State budget urgency: only in an election year?
Post-Gazette: Research region: Amazing work is done here outside tech and meds
Standard Speaker: Politics kill reform push
Patriot News: An irresponsible Pa. House GOP leaves reform in the lurch
York Dispatch: Pennsylvania budget deal mildly encouraging, but there are reasons for concern
Times-Tribune: ‘Poison pills’ even sicker
Altoona Mirror: Gov’t has too much cash stashed
One Response
The thing with polls is that if the pollster wants credibility they have to be accurate. Partisan polls during a campaign that are released to the public, ie, Scott Wagner saying he is down by 7 points are questionable. This Fall 2018 campaign is a rare beast with an energized base far beyond any previous happening with Trump and the new Supreme Court choice stoking the fire. So, a good poll will need to take into consideration an expanded Dem voting base this cycle. A pattern is developing with the numbers starting to be baked in–Wolf and Casey way out in front and Wagner and Barletta badly trailing. The Supreme Court vacancy only energizes an already energized base for the Dems as they are learning the hard way that votes count and elections most certainly do have consequences.