Several Democratic presidential hopefuls visited Pittsburgh over the weekend to participate in a public education forum. Here is the Playbook.
December 13th Ups & Downs: Swing District Democrats find themselves in a tricky situation, a GOP candidate for Congress attempts to throw a party with a member of the Proud Boys, and a District Attorney receives good and bad press. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.
Harrisburg & DC
Post-Gazette: Democrat presidential candidates grapple with education issues in Pittsburgh forum
Post-Gazette: Bloomberg’s deep pockets powering his message in Pa., other battleground states
Post-Gazette: ‘There’s really no comparison’: In polarized Washington, Trump impeachment vote has little precedent
AP: Panel’s proposal to end grand jury reports draws opposition
The Hill: Democrats push to flip legislative chambers in at least seven states in 2020: report
The Hill: GOP senator argues that USMCA is a ‘complete capitulation to Pelosi’
Morning Call: Here’s how Pennsylvanians on the House Judiciary panel voted on Trump impeachment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘If Trump’s abuse of power … isn’t impeachable, nothing is’: Pa’s Scanlon says as Judiciary Committee votes to impeach Trump
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Pittsburgh, 2020 Dems put the focus on public education
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Warren brings her 2020 campaign to Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The Top 10 Pa. cities — that aren’t Philly and Pittsburgh — where the 2020 Dems have to campaign | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 7 years and 180 school shootings later, anti-gun violence advocates honor Sandy Hook victims
WITF: Suit filed in Pa. court challenges widely used electronic voting machine
PLSReporter: Legislators, residents seek solutions on stormwater
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Changes to the Sales and Use Tax, concealed carry limitations and live streaming government meetings
PLSReporter: 5 bills to watch for the week of December 16
StateImpactPA: Ever hear of a nurdle? The western Pa. ethane cracker could bring this new form of pollution to the Ohio River
Wall Street Journal: Ryan, Boehner, Gingrich Team Up to Defend GOP Power in States
City Paper: Pennsylvania gets a “D-” grade for economic development transparency
Inquirer: Pa. weed facility stinks like ‘20 skunks’ and drives neighbors to flee its Poconos hamlet
Inquirer: ‘Not disposable people’: Patients on ventilators caught in the middle as nursing homes bleed money
National Journal: Third Democrat Enters Race to Challenge Kelly
National Journal: Biden Beefs Up His Digital Team
Fox News: Rep. Guy Reschenthaler says Adam Schiff should be ashamed of his handling of impeachment inquiry
Fox News: Pennsylvania veteran who lost leg in Afghanistan running for Congress against incumbent Dem
Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Movita Johnson-Harrell resigns; City election officials ask for delay in special election to replace her
KYW Newsradio: Trump attends Army-Navy Game, discusses new rule regarding academy athletes going pro
KYW Newsradio: Citywide “gun giveback” campaign takes over a dozen guns off the streets
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia provides an option to students missing school lunch over the winter break
Billy Penn: Dems in Philly are lining up to run for state office in 2020
Philadelphia Citizen: That’s a Wrap: What bills passed—and didn’t—in City Council’s final session of the year
Philadelphia Citizen: Solutions? We Heard Them
Inquirer: `Outraged’ by officer promotions, State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams urges Philly’s top cop to rescind them
Inquirer: Democratic groups are going door-to-door while their 2020 candidates are distracted by the primary
Inquirer: The final days of Pond Lehocky Stern Giordano? A war is raging within the Philly law firm.
Inquirer: Breastfeeding Philly police officers don’t have time, space, or privacy to pump, lawsuit says
Inquirer: Politics left aside at 120th Army-Navy game
Philadelphia Tribune: With Johhnson-Harrell’s exit, candidates lining up to take over vacated state Rep. seat
Philadelphia Tribune: City Council passes tax abatement reforms; Kenney expected to sign
Philadelphia Tribune: Council finally passes bag ban bill
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney quiet about police commissioner appointment as year draws to a close
Philadelphia Magazine: The One and Only “Notorious RBG” Is Coming to Philly Next Week
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pond Lehocky removes David Stern from partnership, changes name
SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Dem Reps. Scanlon, Dean explain vote for impeachment articles
Delco Daily Times: Dems, GOP clash over details of Delco budget plan
Delco Daily Times: Keffer readies transition team in Upper Darby
Delco Daily Times: Aldan OKs budget, holds line on taxes
Daily Local News: Danese to challenge Friel-Otten in 155th
Daily Local News: Houlahan takes aim at lowering prescription drug prices
Daily Local News: Chester County awarded $2M for rail freight improvement projects
Bucks Courier Times: Unrivaled team of investigative reporters to hold the powerful to account in Pa. capital
Bucks Courier Times: Warrington honors Shirley Yannich for service, transparency
Bucks Courier Times: Controversy over Neshaminy nickname lingers
WHYY Newsworks: Arrests near Mariner East pipeline just latest incident of intimidation, witnesses say
Pottstown Mercury: Exeter adopts $12M budget that holds real estate tax
Montgomery Media: Lower Salford eliminates street light, fire hydrant taxes
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: ‘This isn’t your parents’ Democratic Party’: Pending Allegheny County GOP ad hits Dems on liberal policies
Post-Gazette: Democrat presidential candidates grapple with education issues in Pittsburgh forum
Post-Gazette: Sanders rides the bus Downtown with UPMC worker, talks ‘quote unquote nonprofits’ in Uptown cafe
Post-Gazette: ‘There’s really no comparison’: In polarized Washington, Trump impeachment vote has little precedent
Post-Gazette: Council honors outgoing member
KDKA: ‘The Standard Is The Standard’ Rep. Conor Lamb Reinforces His Impeachment Vote On Facebook
KDKA: Public Education Forum Attracts Seven Democratic Presidential Candidates To Pittsburgh
KDKA: Public Education Forum In Pittsburgh A Chance For Democratic President Candidates To Share Views On Key Topics
KDKA: Pro Charter School Rally Outside Public Education Forum
KDKA: Newspaper Guild Distributes Flyers About Byline Strike Outside Convention Center
KDKA: KDKA Exclusive: Butler County Attorney Charged For Smuggling Drug-Soaked Paper For Allegheny County Jail Inmates Will Fight Charges
KDKA: ‘People’s Lives Are Literally On The Line’: Deadline To Enroll In Affordable Care Act Approaches
Tribune Review: Public school funding a hot topic for Democratic candidates at Pittsburgh forum
City Paper: Ranking the things people cheered for at Pittsburgh’s presidential forum
SWPA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Joyce hosts drug czar at roundtable
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: From Bondage to Freedom | Lawmaker proposes reparations for state mistreatment of black community
Altoona Mirror: Impeachment looms
Beaver County Times: Christiana guides county GOP past Facebook controversy to tighten hold on county row offices
Beaver County Times: Attorney general announces settlement with travel websites after data breach
Beaver County Times: Democratic presidential candidates talk education reform in Pittsburgh
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg approves 2020 CDBG funds
Observer-Reporter: Canonsburg residents unhappy with County Hauling
NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council chairmanship up for grabs
The Times Leader: Legislators looking to lower prescription costs, improve health care
The Times Leader: Luzerne County election director salary questioned during budget vote
The Times Leader: More LSA applications on the way for Wilkes-Barre City Council approval
Citizens Voice: Waitkus reflects on her time on county council
Citizens Voice: Shooting prompts changes at county’s district courts
Times-Tribune: RODERICK RANDOM: Commissioners race about Joyce more than juice
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County’s cost to convert former Globe store differs depending on whom you ask
South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle approves 2020 budget: Tax rate remains the same; increase in water, sewer and trash rates
Patriot News: ‘We don’t believe in punishment’: Student-led youth court could come to Harrisburg school
Patriot News: President Trump returns to Pa. Saturday to watch Army-Navy game
LNP | LancasterOnline: How much have Lancaster County taxpayers put up to settle lawsuits in recent years?
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Sabotage at City Hall? Employees are ‘told not to work’ with incoming Reading mayor ‘or they will lose their jobs’
Reading Eagle: Mayor Wally Scott fined a second time by Reading’s Charter Board
Morning Call: Lawsuit seeks to halt reuse of Northampton County voting machines in 2020
Morning Call: Bethlehem planners delay recommendations on short-term lodging changes
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly says no to impeachment
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council rejects water lease prepayment for 2020 budget
Erie Times-News: Voices for dignity: A look at poverty in Erie
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending Dec. 13
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers’ proposals go before Congress
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Justice Department orders review of City Hall access
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City approves agreement to create stormwater authority
Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: We asked City Council members to share their priorities for the last session of 2019. Here’s how they turned out.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Recovery system that profits off misery needs rehab
Inquirer Editorial Board: Productive fall in City Hall, but plenty left to do
Inquirer Staff: What should happen to the South Philly refinery site? Community voices weigh in.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Say no to air guns: Don’t let kids shoot their eyes out
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Safety and security: Social services and security need not be mutually exclusive
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A responsibility shortage: Life skills classroom must be properly equipped
Larry Krasner: Philly DA Krasner: Gutted Pa. House probation bill is unconstitutional and harmful
John L. Micek: In 2017, 3 Pa. Supreme Court races cost nearly $3m – they were among the nation’s costliest | Friday Morning Coffee
Ray Landis: Pennsylvania is about to be hit by a gray tidal wave of aging residents. We’re not ready for them
Paul Muschick: I was wrong. Paper ballots like Lehigh County’s are the way to go
Tim Hartman: The lesser known tale of the Governor’s New Clothes | Editorial Cartoon
David Gambacorta: Jim Kenney is about to shape Philly police for years to come. Will he make the right call?
Bill Rettew: Small Talk: Politics is local
Bill O’Boyle: Beyond the Byline: Elected officials should have welcomed new Wilkes president
Keith C. Burris: Where are the guardians?
David M. Shribman: America cares about politics again
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philly’s Larry Krasner v. DC’s Donald Trump
John N. Mitchell: Allen calls Philly Urban League diversity award to Comcast ‘despicable’
Helen Ubiñas: At the heart of a Christmas party for the children of Philadelphia murder victims, a wish for an end to gun violence
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia City Council bags the bags and abates the abatement
Cathryn Miller-Wilson: Trump administration’s immigration fees would hurt immigrants in Philly and nationwide
Will Bunch: Trump’s Senate trial is rigged, but a Watergate hero has an idea for saving impeachment
Ruth Ann Dailey: Quiet voices
Michael Traugott: How to know which impeachment polls to believe – and which to skip | Analysis
Anisha Parida: To fight fake news, schools must teach media literacy
2 Responses
Oldsters are not getting the “hot button” item of 2020 for the younger voters which is student loan debt. Aging state legislators are dumbfounded at a solution and all that comes up are warmed over old ideas from the past. There has to be a complete restructuring of public higher education in terms of funding that gets away from loans–VERY far away from loans. Student loan debt is not an issue that can be passed around but has to be dealt with straight on.
Again the GOP of Pennsylvania are putting party over country.