Sen. Leach steps down from his role as Judiciary Chair, while Gov. Wolf is set to deliver his budget address today. Here is the Playbook.

Leach Steps Down As Judiciary Chair: In a statement, the Democratic state Senator stated he made the decision to “avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest.” Leach was recently accused of a sexual misconduct from 1991 with a 17 year-old. He has denied these claims.

Rothman Named New HRCC Chair: Speaker Turzai says that Rothman is a problem-solving conservative and is confident he will help them maintain their majority in the House.

James Announces Bid For PA Superior Court: The Allegheny County criminal trial and appellate lawyer is the second Democrat to enter the race.

Harrisburg & DC
AP: 5 things to watch for in Pennsylvania governor’s budget plan
AP: Push resumes to recognize official Pennsylvania amphibian
Inquirer: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf to unveil budget with familiar call for a tax on natural gas drillers, but with a twist
Inquirer: Pa. Sen. Daylin Leach withdraws from leadership role on Judiciary Committee
Inquirer: Hershey School’s law firm was arguing two cases before a federal judge — and then hired his son
Pa Post: In budget address, how ambitious will Gov. Tom Wolf be?
WITF: People With Serious Mental Illnesses Are Waiting Months, Up To ‘A Year Or More’ To Get Treatment
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers set expectations ahead of President Trump’s State of the Union address  
Morning Call: Who are Pennsylvania lawmakers bringing to the State of the Union address?  
Morning Call: How will the VA’s new rule on private health care work?    
PLSReporter: Senate advances bill expanding pension forfeiture requirement
PLSReporter: Attorney General Josh Shapiro announces criminal charges against the PWSA
PLSReporter: Wheatley proposes legalizing adult use cannabis
PLSReporter: Freshman Focus: Rep. Joe Hohenstein
Daily Local News: Killion calls for boost to state’s film and TV industry
StateImpactPA: 20 Pa. counties, including several near Clairton Coke Works, on code orange air quality alert
StateImpactPA: N.J. DEP says feds didn’t consider several health risks before approving PFAs substitutes

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Why Johnny Doc’s indictment is a problem for all Philly unions
Inquirer: Philadelphia is considering banning cashless stores. Now’s your chance to be heard
Inquirer: In Philly, most armed robbers remain beyond the long arm of the law
Philadelphia Magazine: Johnny Doc’s People Told Us to Reach Out to His “Friends” for “Fairness.” So We Did.  
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s Why Jamie Gauthier Thinks She Can Defeat Longtime Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell
WHYY Newsworks: With Kensington’s encampments gone, work to end opioid-related homelessness is just beginning
Billy Penn: Who’s got power, the mayor or City Council? This free voter education class has answers
KYW Newsradio: City Council to vote on bill regulating pharma marketing
Philadelphia Business Journal: The map to making Philadelphia a ‘smart city’ is here

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Sen. Leach steps down as minority chair of Judiciary Committee
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon urging defense secretary not to implement trans ban
Daily Local News: Killion calls for boost to state’s film and TV industry
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers introduce pediatric cancer bills
Daily Local News: Dinniman tells students free press crucial to America’s freedom
Pottstown Mercury: Fair Districts PA holding anti-gerrymandering forums in Montco

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Gun for Bill Peduto on Twitter, and he’ll fire back — but should he?
WESA: PWSA Board Votes To Terminate Cooperation Agreement With The City
WESA: Who Gets A Break On Property Taxes And Why?
WESA: Southwestern Pennsylvania Counties On Code Orange Air Quality Alert
KDKA: Penn Hills Woman To Hear State Of The Union Up Close After Special Invitation
KDKA: Beaver Co. Transit Riders Oppose Proposed Service Cuts To Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Business Times: Southwestern Pennsylvania leads the state when it comes to new shale gas wells drilled
Tribune Review: Tree of Life congregant, wounded officer invited to State of the Union    
Tribune Review: Hempfield consultant announces GOP bid for Westmoreland County commissioner     

SWPA
Altoona Mirror: Topper named to 5 committees in House
Altoona Mirror: City native running for mayor
Altoona Mirror: Deputy eyeing sheriff position
Altoona Mirror: Deer culling to be delayed
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Voices against clergy sex abuse plan visit to Vatican
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Bernstine introduces bill on disclosing terms in publicly funded construction projects  
Beaver County Times: Shell to build innovation center at Potter Township cracker plant site

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Voter registration deadline is Monday for 114th District special election
Times-Tribune: Amid lack of transparency, resident calls for new Scranton school director to resign  
The Times Leader: UPDATED: Luzerne County DA Salavantis seeking third term
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre seeks Community Survey input
Citizens Voice: State game commission buys 99 acres in county
Citizens Voice: Merit-based raises for county non-unionized workers explained
South Central   
Carlisle Sentinel: First stops on ‘listening tour’ for marijuana legalization to be in Perry, Dauphin counties
Carlisle Sentinel: Rental ordinance on Carlisle council’s workshop agenda for Wednesday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pennsylvania legislators make their move to save Three Mile Island and another nuke plant from closing
LNP | LancasterOnline: Manor Township to discuss proposed marijuana decriminalization ordinance Tuesday
York Dispatch: Wm. Lee Smallwood, York City’s first African-American city council president, dies at 73
York Dispatch: Keuerleber seeks fourth term as York County sheriff
York Daily Record: York College of Pennsylvania faces scrutiny for photoshopped billboard, college responds
Patriot News: York County sheriff announces re-election bid  
Patriot News: Lawmakers who commit crimes would lose pensions under bill approved by Pa. Senate   

Lehigh Valley   
Reading Eagle: State of the Union guests reflect issues of interest
Reading Eagle: Reading leaders planning for city’s future
Reading Eagle: Boyertown council asked to consider formation of historic district
Reading Eagle: Reading’s Kyley Scott handled nearly 12,000 nontraffic citations in 2017 — 3 times more than any other district judge in Pa.
Reading Eagle: Reading Council to appoint District 6 representative
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley’s first medical marijuana dispensary to open second location in Dorneyville  
Morning Call: Mark Jobes appointed to panel overseeing Bethlehem’s tax incentive district  

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State lawmaker eyes U.S. House seat
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City opens bids to work on Brandon Park improvements
Erie Times-News: Report: Inclusion necessary in downtown Erie improvement plan
Erie Times-News: State Senate committee to consider Sunday hunting at Tuesday hearing

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Where will they turn?: Don’t cut cash program for poorest of the poor
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Respect state parks: A new reports cites urgent need for improvements
Charlie Dent: Pennsylvania needs paper ballots to secure our elections
John Baer: Why not build the wall (with other people’s money)?
Joseph N. DiStefano: Philadelphia Mayor Kenney, business leaders talk past Johnny Doc’s indictment
Michael J. Iafrate and Jeannie Kirkhope: West Virginia Catholics want to ‘follow the truth wherever it leads,’ including to Philadelphia
Abraham Gutman: Being an immigrant is hard. 21 Savage is a reminder that being a black immigrant is even harder.
Diana Nelson Jones: Walkabout: Do we have the fortitude to end our violent ways?
Keith C. Burris: Sherrod Brown’s long-shot quest
Rev. Sandra L. Strauss and Sister Mary Scullion: Pa.’s most vulnerable requires the continuation of the General Assistance program
John L. Micek: Kamala Harris wins Pa. progressives’ straw poll | Monday Morning Coffee