An aide to a former rival says Congressman Brady’s campaign paid opponent to drop out of the race, the latest Politically Uncorrected column, and our new reader poll, who is to blame for the budget stalemate.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Aide Says Brady Campaign Paid Primary Challenger to Drop Out: A political aide to senior Municipal Court Judge Jimmie Moore plead guilty to her role in scheme to pay off campaign debts to get Moore out of a primary challenge to Congressman Bob Brady.

Politically Uncorrected: The Impeachment Referendum: President Trump’s approval ratings are decreasing, and the percentage of Americans in favor of impeachment is growing. Could 2018 be a referendum on that issue?

Reader Poll: Who Is to Blame For the Budget Stalemate?: The state budget continues to lack a revenue plan to balance the spending plan that was passed in June, and we want to know who is to blame for the stalemate.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Senate launches new revenue proposal, heavier on the taxes
State House Sound Bites: Closing online sales loopholes could net PA revenue
StateImpact: New database shows pollutants in most public water systems
Capitolwire: Senate positions 2017-18 budget revenue package for final vote Thursday.
Capitolwire: Senate advances Fiscal, Human Services, Administrative and School Code bills.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Lawyers for Brady, rival rebut claims of illegal campaign payoff
Inquirer: Pa. Senate considering tax on natural gas drillers to balance budget
Inquirer: Lawyer: Brady rival broke no laws in alleged payment scheme
Inquirer: Trump’s transgender military ban hit by Philly-area officials, veterans
Inquirer: Lawyer: Brady rival broke no laws in alleged payment scheme
Inquirer: Pa. Senate considering tax on natural gas drillers to balance the state budget
Philadelphia Magazine: Toomey Praises Sessions Despite Trump’s criticism
WHYY Newsworks: Highlighting environmental risks, critics of Philadelphia pipeline say ‘we can’t drink gas’
WHYY Newsworks: Sessions again moves to cut funds for sanctuary cities like Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: GOP wants Comcast CEO Brian Roberts to testify to Congress on net neutrality

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Trump says transgender people should be banned from the military
Delco Daily Times: Under mounting fire, Sunoco stands by safety of its pipeline
Delco Daily Times: Allentown mayor, ex-Reading mayor, charged with corruption
Delco Daily Times: Trump assails GOP senator who opposed health care bill

Pittsburgh
WESA: Feds: Philly Congressman Paid $90K In Campaign Funds To Get Rival Out Of Race
WESA: State Senators To Pick Up Where They Left Off On Budget
Tribune Review: Pew report shows feds fund nearly third of PA budget
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania Senate mulling severance tax on drilling
Tribune Review: Feds: Mayor, ex-mayor in 2 Pennsylvania cities sold favors
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania treasurer wants to establish retirement options for workers who have none
Post-Gazette: Pa. Senate considering tax on natural gas drillers to balance the state budget
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s tech employment grew 12 percent in the last two years, but is that sustainable?
Post-Gazette: Bill Peduto: Transgender service members wear the uniform ‘for all Americans’
Post-Gazette: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski, ex-Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer indicted on federal corruption charges for selling favors
Post-Gazette: AG Sessions, under Trump attack, gets support from Pat Toomey

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioner Sandie Egley supports probe into YDC sale in Lawrence County
Beaver County Times: Fair Districts PA hosting gerrymandering presentation in Beaver
WJAC: Pennsylvania Senate seeks way to fund state budget
Altoona Mirror: DCNR launching new study for state parks

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County Council debates telephone attendance at meetings
Times Leader: State AG Shapiro talks opioid abuse, illegal guns and police training
Times Leader: Hanover Area accepts early retirement for superintendent
Times-Tribune: Drug disposal pouches to aid in opioid epidemic fight
Times-Tribune: Allentown’s alleged pay-for-play scheme has ties to region
Standard-Speaker: Toohil: State should keep White Haven Center open

South Central
Patriot News: Natural gas takes a starring role in Pa. Senate’s tax plan
Patriot News: Hindu leader calls for closing schools on his religion’s most popular holiday
Patriot News: Tax hikes may be coming to Pa.: ‘We have avoided this day for a long time’
Patriot News: Pa. Senate books funds from gambling expansion, but postpones vote on details
Patriot News: Senate tax package will cause utility bills, online purchases, fireworks to cost more
Patriot News: Natural gas takes a starring role in Pa. Senate’s tax plan
Patriot News: Drones pose security threat at the nation’s prisons and what Pa. officials want to do about it
Patriot News: Pa. launches medical marijuana physicians registry
LNP: After Lancaster city casino plan failed a decade ago, talks could revive again with state budget option
LNP: Tuktuk Lancaster gets support from Mayor Gray, other city officials, in PUC appeal
LNP: The Latest: Senate committee approves new taxes
LNP: Doctors can now sign up to participate in Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana program

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Former Reading mayor charged in pay-to-play scheme
WFMZ: Allentown Mayor Pawlowski: ‘I have done nothing wrong’
WFMZ: After mayor charged, what’s next for Allentown?
Reading Eagle: Former Reading Mayor Vaughn Spencer indicted on bribery charges
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council members react to Vaughn Spencer’s indictment
Reading Eagle: Reading School Board members mostly mum on indictment of former president
Reading Eagle: Allentown mayor indicted in corruption investigation
Express Times: Allentown mayor’s indictment creates schism among Democrats
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski put City Hall up for sale to highest bidders, prosecutor says
Morning Call: Defiant Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski vows to fight charges
Morning Call: READ: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s full statement on indictment
Morning Call: Ahead of Allentown news conference, business as usual for Mayor Pawlowski
Morning Call: Former Reading mayor, councilman’s wife charged in corruption case connected to Allentown

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: GOP health care bill advances
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Trump cranks up heat on Sessions, says ‘time will tell’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Trump ex-campaign chairman talks with Senate investigators
Erie Times-News: Senate rejects proposal for ‘Obamacare’ repeal
Centre Daily Times: Local leaders react to low Pa. business ranking

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Heat on Harrisburg: Keep pressure on to solve revenue side of budget
Post-Gazette: Ground rules: Make clearer guidelines for local use of impact fees
Altoona Mirror: Accurate records are vital
Morning Call: Now that Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski has been indicted, should he resign?
Morning Call: Bill White: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski indictment is long-awaited chapter
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Corruption in local government cannot be tolerated
Express Times: Dent should drop crusade to ban online gambling | Guest column
WHYY Newsworks: Is paying your opponent to get out of the race legal?
Daily Local News: York: Democrats’ fundraising hangover
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Rand Paul a man for all seasons on health care
Daily News: America’s democracy doomsday clock just hit 11:58
Inquirer: Worldview: Attacks on Sessions raise the question: What is Trump afraid of?
Inquirer: Brady campaign bribery allegation smells like Philly’s political class
Patriot News: No budget? No pay – seriously: Editorial
Patriot News: We need a severance tax? Let me count the ways that’s a bad idea: Stephen Mohr