Four GOP state representatives call Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s marijuana listening tour a sham, while Sen. Bob Casey makes the case for PA to host a Democratic presidential primary debate. Here is the Playbook.
MAPS: Casey and Wolf Voters Show PA Shifts: Sen. Bob Casey and Gov. Tom Wolf both won by comfortable margins in 2018, while the traditional party strongholds begin to more noticeably shift.
GOP Reps Allege Fix is in on Fetterman Marijuana Listening Tour: The four state representatives who make up the Franklin County GOP delegation call the tour a sham and a cover to push an agenda of legalizing drugs. Fetterman has said it’s a chance to hear from people all over the state on the topic.
Harrisburg & DC
AP: Casey lobbies for Democratic primary debate in Pennsylvania
AP: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate, payrolls set new records
Patriot News: Pa. Capitol to be lit in orange and green to honor victims of Sri Lanka bombings
Patriot News: Ex-VP Joe Biden could make Pa. stops right after announcing presidential bid: Reports
Patriot News: Pa. is spending millions on election security, but the effort has its critics
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As legal pot efforts take hold across the country, opponents organize in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Auditor general calls on Harrisburg School District to act with ‘greater degree of transparency’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: This map reveals how much you need to earn to buy a house — and Pittsburgh is a steal | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: It’s the last day to register to vote before Pennsylvania’s May 21 primary
WITF: A new internet sales tax proves more lucrative than expected for Pa.
WESA: How To Close The Gender Wage Gap? Lawmakers Look To Family Leave
Inquirer: As Supreme Court decides to hear LGBT discrimination cases, which workers are protected in Pa.?
PLSReporter: Republicans bluntly critical of Fetterman’s marijuana listening tour
PLSReporter: Briggs bill to ban foam takeout containers
PLSReporter: Freshman Focus: Rep. Todd Polinchock
Post-Gazette: Bob Casey lobbies for Democratic presidential primary debate in Pa.
Post-Gazette: Turnpike nixes idea of a joint contract for tunnel upgrades to avoid borrowing more money
Post-Gazette: Underground wastewater pipelines can be a big, unregulated business in Pennsylvania
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania utility regulator speaks out against state Senate’s nuclear bailout bill
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania’s unemployment rate is at a record low
Citizens Voice: Speed cameras coming to Pennsylvania
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Magazine: Will Rebecca Rhynhart Derail the City’s New Voting Machines?
Inquirer: ‘Why should I vote for you?’ Council candidates make their pitch
Inquirer: Back Bernie Sanders, city-owned bank, bike lanes? Council candidates ponder groups’ questionnaires
Inquirer: Joe Biden campaign launch back in flux, potentially delayed
Inquirer: Look up the 2019 primary candidates in your district
KYW Newsradio: Court rules Catholic Social Services must abide by non-discrimination law
KYW Newsradio: Temple unveils plan to combat climate change
WHYY Newsworks: Regional Roundup – 04/22/19
SEPA
KYW Newsradio: Mariner East 1 pipeline goes back into service
Pottstown Mercury: Pipeline forum will be attended by Chesco commissioner candidates
Pottstown Mercury: Chesco commissioners OK $3.8 million in open space preservation grant awards
Pottstown Mercury: Climate March and EcoFest come to Pottstown Saturday
Bucks County Courier Times: DEP halts mining at New Hope Quarry
Pittsburgh
KDKA: Report: Joe Biden To Hold Pittsburgh Rally After Announcing Candidacy
KDKA: Candidate For Pa. Game Commission Board Sought
Tribune Review: 8 Pittsburgh council candidates miss deadline for filing financial reports
Tribune Review: PA Senate committee to hold hearing in Pittsburgh on methane emissions
Tribune Review: Murrysville voters want judge to split two voting precincts to reduce lengthy Election Day lines
Post-Gazette: Kane challenges Gross on Pittsburgh’s District 7 primary ballot
Post-Gazette: City officials, residents disagree on transportation service from Hazelwood to Oakland
Pittsburgh Business Times: Local rep sponsors public hearing to address brewery ‘taproom tax’
City Paper: What would a $15 minimum wage mean for Pittsburgh workers?
PLSReporter: City of Pittsburgh grapples with food insecurity
SWPA
Beaver County Times: Sen. Casey discusses skyrocketing costs of child care during local visit
Beaver County Times: Beaver County may decide on sheriff’s K-9 this week
Altoona Mirror: Parking, licensing top council list
NEPA
Citizens Voice: Police union rescinds support for W-B mayor
Times-Tribune: At rally and meeting, Scranton school officials demand more state funding
Times-Tribune: State representative announces plans for spring cleanup event
Times-Tribune: Campaign Notes
The Times Leader: Fraternal Order of Police rescinds George endorsement
South Central
Patriot News: Auditor General threatens new action if Harrisburg School District continues to refuse access to state auditors
Patriot News: Controversial pick for Harrisburg School District solicitor owes business tax to city, schools: court document
Patriot News: Pa. Capitol to be lit in orange and green to honor victims of Sri Lanka bombings
Patriot News: Friends of Midtown to host Harrisburg council, school board debates in May
Patriot News: Harrisburg School Board, in special meeting, rehires James Ellison as in-house solicitor
Patriot News: Pot company’s claims lead to a state inquiry over medical marijuana licensing rules
York Dispatch: Commissioner candidates weigh in on proposed stormwater authority
LNP | LancasterOnline: Term-limit bill would set 12-year cap, allow return after 2 years away
LNP | LancasterOnline: ACLU urges Elanco to reverse course on controversial bathroom, locker room policy
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wrightsville council meeting in York County erupts into fireworks in first 5 minutes
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: By one vote, Northampton County Council puts off buying voting machines, citing cost concerns
Morning Call: Allentown developer who asked “Who do I need to grease today?” now being sentenced
Morning Call: The Morning Call Podcast: Tamaqua’s controversial armed teacher policy reinstated
Reading Eagle: The Rundown: Spanish-language Reading mayoral forum planned
Reading Eagle: Reading council looking for permanent managing director
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Federal government should do more to bring broadband to rural areas, say regional leaders
Erie Times-News:Could Ohio project lead to offshore wind turbines near Erie?
Opinion
LNP Editorial Board: Term-limits bill may be a long shot in the Pennsylvania Capitol, but it merits serious consideration
Inquirer Editorial Board: Have faith: Vaccination works
Inquirer Editorial Board: Primary School: Why does Philadelphia elect some of the offices on the ballot?
Inquirer Editorial Board: Kate Smith’s racist song is ancient. But so are the wounds it reopened
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Legislating by lobbyist: Report calls out state rep for pushing “model’ bills
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Due process for priests: Fairness has been sacrificed for appearances
Donna Cooper: A call to judicial candidates: Help prevent the next Glen Mills crisis
John L. Micek: Can cannabis research save Pa’s struggling, post-industrial towns? | Monday Morning Coffee
John Baer: My journalistic seven-year itch
Will Bunch: Saving journalism’s soul in the Age of Trump
Solomon Jones: Will Jim Kenney follow the Flyers lead?
Tony Norman: From Louisiana to Notre Dame to Sri Lanka — the Fires Next Time.
Haneen Khreis: Mapping the U.S. counties where traffic air pollution hurts children the most
Why both the Flyers and their anti-PC haters are right (and wrong) in the Kate Smith saga
Brian Hickey: Kate Smith might not have been a racist, but that song (even if parody) sure can be interpreted as such
Inquirer Staff: Earth Day 2019: Environmental distress and calls to action from editorial cartoonists
Inquirer Readers: Kate Smith a casualty like Joe Paterno, Frank Rizzo
Signe Wilkinson: Cartoon: Philly goes to potholes
Michael Hinson, Mel Wells and David Tomlinson: City Council candidates should focus on fixing homelessness
Amanda Bergson-Shilcock: The unnecessary headache of traveling with SEPTA Key