Taxes, the Patriot-News and Donald Trump. See who made this week’s list!

Eric Papenfuse. Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse embarrassed himself and let down the office this week. Papenfuse banned the city’s largest news source, PennLive, from his briefings after the Patriot-News published some investigatory stories on the Mayor. Put aside the fact that Papenfuse’s reaction suggests there may be more to the subject matter of those pieces. He has insulted the intelligence of his constituents by asserting that the Pulitzer Prize-winning paper is akin to a gossip site. If the Mayor ever wants to be considered seriously again he should rescind the ban and apologize to the city for this distraction.

Pat Toomey. The Senator is desperately trying not to be impaled by the fence he’s been forced to straddle. On the one hand, Toomey has put his neck out farther than any other Republican on guns. Yet he still wants to be seen as friendly to the pro-firearm crowd in the commonwealth (not to mention the NRA). As a result, Sen. Toomey introduced his own bill in the wake of the Orlando massacre that ultimately left no one satisfied. Furthermore, he’s followed by the ever-present specter of Donald Trump. Toomey has practically become the face of bewildered Republicans who don’t know what to do about The Donald. He’ll have to think of something because he won’t be able to take the elevator forever.

Rob Gleason. Hopeful successors are already lining up to replace the PA GOP Chairman. Gleason, however, doesn’t appear to be worried as he has the ear of the party’s presumptive presidential nominee. On Wednesday, Gleason revealed that he talks personally to Donald Trump on a semi-regular basis. Apparently he is Trump’s point man in Pennsylvania, which will make him quite powerful for these next five months.

Environmentalists. It’s been a tough stretch for the environmental community in Pennsylvania. Last month, the DEP Secretary was essentially forced out for criticizing them for not being effective enough. Now, the state legislature has recently passed two bills that would weaken Chapter 78 regulations and delay the state’s Clean Power Plan. Now Democratic legislators are worried the Governor will throw in the towel and sign those bills.  

Jim Kenney. The freshman Philadelphia Mayor accomplished his first major policy initiative this week. The city will apply a 1.5 cent per ounce tax on sugary beverages, chief among them sodas. The achievement made national headlines and makes Philly potentially a forerunner for cities throughout the country.

The tweet of the week goes to the Stanley Cup Champion Pittsburgh Penguins. Congratulations:

Coach Sullivan had one word to describe today's #StanleyCup parade: "Remarkable".https://t.co/RoBmqPs7bV

— Pittsburgh Penguins (@penguins) June 16, 2016