Mango launches his first ads of the gubernatorial cycle, the state government is accused of violating Pennsylvania’s Constitution, Andrew Lewis continues to consider a run in the 11th, and the ups & downs from the week that was.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Mango Launches First TV Ads of Campaign: Paul Mango’s Gubernatorial campaign launched its first two television ads of the election highlighting Mango’s service and comparing his plans for the economy with Governor Wolf’s.

State Government Accused of Violating State’s Balanced Budget Requirement: Three Pennsylvanians, a lobbyist, a businessman, and a lawmaker filed a lawsuit in Commonwealth Court to compel the state government to uphold the constitutional requirement for a balanced budget.

Lewis Gets Closer to a Bid in PA-11: Businessman Andrew Lewis is getting closer to making an announcement on whether he will run for the 11th Congressional district.

9/15 Ups & Downs: Pennsylvania remembers Rep. Dan McNeill, Freed gets nominated for U.S. Attorney, House Republicans show their ability to whip votes, Democrats in the 15th start to see an opportunity, Simmons has an up and down week, and semantics become the topic of discussion. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Judicial Election Update
Superior Court candidate Judge Maria McLaughlin announced her endorsement from the Pennsylvania State Fraternal Order of Police, and the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association.  
“I am humbled & honored to have received these endorsements from the men and women of Law Enforcement in our great State. Our Law Enforcement Officers put their lives on the line each day as they leave their homes and families, in order to keep our Commonwealth a safe place for us to live, work and raise a family. The fact that they have put their faith in me is an honor that I do not accept lightly,” McLaughlin said.  

Commonwealth Court candidate Judge Christine Fizzano Cannon announced her endorsement from the Pennsylvania Fraternal Order of Police.  
“My grandfather served as a police officer and a local police chief, so I have a personal understanding of the dangers our men and women in law enforcement face on a daily basis. I also know the sacrifices they make to provide the citizens of the Pennsylvania a safe place to live, work, and raise a family.  It means a great deal to me to have the endorsement and support of our law enforcement community,” Fizzano Cannon said.  

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: PA delays payments as general fund balance nears zero
State House Sound Bites: Episode 23: In which everyone blames everyone else
StateImpact: Consol halts mining while waiting for new stream plan response
City & State: Philly City Council fall agenda: housing, parking, PPD accountability
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending September 15
Capitolwire: PA to delay Medicaid, PSERS payments this month.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: For Amazon prize, it’s an East-West fight in Pa.
Inquirer: How will Philly pay for its new police contract?
Inquirer: Lawsuit alleges sex scandal in Pennsylvania coroner’s office
Inquirer: With budget impasse, Gov. Wolf delays more than $1B in Medicaid payments
Inquirer: Is itinerant candidate Lindy Li sizing up Brady’s district?
KYW: US Sen. Toomey: ‘I Doubt DACA Will Be Tied To Tax Reform’
Philadelphia Tribune: Wolf defers $1.7B in state payouts as coffer runs dry
Philly Mag: In Philly, Independents and Third-Party Voters Now Outnumber Republicans
WHYY: Sen. Pat Toomey a key player in Trump tax overhaul effort
WHYY: Collective bargaining bills would apply public records, meetings laws to contract negotiations

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Methacton School District contract negotiations at an impasse
Bucks County Courier Times: Home repossessions continue in Bucks, Montgomery counties
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County attorneys speak on future of environmental rights in Pennsylvania
Delco Times: Pipeline brings grief to Delco development
Delco Times: Meehan offers support to job seekers at Ridley High job fair

Pittsburgh
WESA: Auditor General: Marijuana Could Solve PA’s Budget Crisis
Tribune Review: Crisis escalates: Pennsylvania delays $1.7B in payments amid budget stalemate
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania’s ugly budget fight gets personal and regional
Post-Gazette: Wolf says budget impasse forcing him to withhold nearly $1.2 billion in Medicaid payments

Southwest
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Aaron Bernstine’s tweet on St. Louis protestors sparks online outrage
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Efforts ongoing to bring cellphone service to Hyndman
Altoona Mirror: Prison to get temporary warden

NEPA
Times Leader: State focused on finding jobs for disabled
Times Leader: More missed property added to Luzerne County tax rolls
Times-Tribune: Residents of cities bear burden as tax bases shrink
Standard-Speaker: Insurance inquiry tests patience of mayor, council

South Central
WHTM: Gov. Wolf delays $1.7B in payments as budget stalemate drags on
Patriot News: Pa.’s budget stalemate causes payment delays but no urgency visible at Capitol to address it
Patriot News: ‘I will not stop under any conditions’ – Pa’s lawmaker’s tweet about St. Louis protesters gets him into hot water
Patriot News: Hillcrest abortion clinic closes its doors for good
LNP: Hundreds of health care workers rally outside Smucker’s office
LNP: Community heroin discussion will be held in Ephrata on Sept. 21
LNP: Controversial Atlantic Sunrise pipeline gets green light from feds to start digging

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Northampton County district attorney considers run for Congress
Express-Times: Will longtime district attorney run for Congress?
Morning Call: In cash crush, Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf postpones more than $1 billion in medical and pension payments
Morning Call: Pennsylvania senator’s medical marijuana moonlighting role

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Trustees delay discussion on Barron’s salary
Centre Daily Times: Barron trying to prevent Penn State tuition increase
Erie Times-News: 80 days without a complete state budget
Erie Times-News: Erie County government sees $3 million savings with radio project

Opinion
Patriot News: Sessions shouldn’t trample on states’ efforts to reform for-profit policing | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Jeff Sessions’ fondness for civil forfeiture is a constitutional blind spot | Tony May
Patriot News: If the Lottery won’t investigate frequent winners, the Auditor General, Attorney General need to do it for them | Editorial
Patriot News: Here’s why Americans need real tax reform | Bill Shuster
Inquirer: Yo, Harrisburg, snap out of it!
Inquirer: How Sanders and the GOP are both trying to kill Obamacare | Editorial
Inquirer: Harvey and Irma sent a clear message about climate change | Editorial
Inquirer: Let court decide if Pa. officials broke the law with an unbalanced budget
Daily Local: Editorial: State’s budget games go down to wire
Times-Tribune: Agency high on secrecy
Delco Times: Editorial: It’s budget business as usual in Harrisburg
Bucks County Courier Times: Another View: Responding to the Equifax breach
Tribune Review: The visa option: Moving deportations forward
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh prime: Leading indicators that will impress Amazon
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Report a rallying cry for change