The candidates have been selected for Pennsylvania’s 37th state Senate special election. Here is the Playbook.
January 25th Ups & Downs: Pennsylvania’s Senior Senator decides not to make a run for the White House, a number of special elections are shaping up, and a statewide listening tour for marijuana legalization is announced. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.
Toomey To Speak at PA GOP Lincoln Day Dinner: The PA GOP promoted the upcoming dinner via press release.
Leach Accused of 1991 Sexual Misconduct: Senate Democrats are investigating the allegation; Leach says he will file a defamation lawsuit.
McCaffery Announces Bid For PA Superior Court: The Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Judge has served in his current position for the past 6 years.
Krueger Named New HDCC Chair: She served as the HDCC’s Finance Co-Chair last session.
Harrisburg & DC
AP: Pennsylvania lawmaker urged to resign over sex assault claim
AP: Judge who led grand jury abuse reports ‘would be huge’
Inquirer: Top Pa. Senate Democrats knew of allegation against Sen. Daylin Leach months before launching investigation
Inquirer: Hundreds of Pennsylvania jobs on the line as bailout deadline looms for struggling nuclear plants
WESA: Gov, Others Call For Resignations As Two State Lawmakers Are Accused Of Assault
Harrisburg Patriot News: Who are the Democrats running for president in 2020?
Harrisburg Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf calls on two legislators accused of sexual misconduct to resign
Harrisburg Patriot News: House GOP leaders call on Rep. Brian Ellis to resign after sexual assault allegation
Harrisburg Patriot News: Woman claims she was drugged before Pa. lawmaker sexually assaulted her: Victim advocate
Harrisburg Patriot News: A new day may be dawning at Pa. Capitol when it comes to allegations of sexual misconduct
Philly Voice: State Rep. wants Pennsylvania to embrace automatic voter registration
StateImpactPA: Federal government shutdown slows process for construction permits in Pa.
StateImpactPA: To help deal with Chester County sinkhole, Sunoco removes product from 44 miles of pipeline
Philadelphia Magazine: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman Wants to Talk to You About Weed
KYW Newsradio: Navy vet offers free sex reassignment surgeries for transgender troops
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – January 21, 2018
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!
Philadelphia
Inquirer: For second time, a Democratic candidate bows out of race to fill seat of convicted Philly lawmaker
Inquirer: City officials resolve case of ‘missing’ $33 million
Inquirer: Philly DA’s Office appeals judge’s ruling on Mumia Abu-Jamal
Inquirer: Councilwoman Helen Gym introduces resolution to support the #MuteRKelly movement
Inquirer: At Philadelphia airport, TSA workers and officials rallied for end to shutdown
Inquirer: Philly FOP boss blasts DA Larry Krasner on Tucker Carlson’s Fox News show
Inquirer: At least half of Philly’s recycling goes straight to an incinerator
Inquirer: Philadelphia says goodbye to its iconic 30th Street Station flipboard
Philadelphia Magazine: Sheriff Jewell Williams Locks in Crucial “Camel Prom Mom” Endorsement
Philadelphia Magazine: 23 Questions With Amber Hikes, Director of Philly’s Office of LGBT Affairs
PLSReporter: Philadelphia City Council returns to Session
WHYY Newsworks: Councilwoman wants to set up $50 million loan fund for federal employees in Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Labor beats real estate industry in fire damper fight
Billy Penn: Philly schools slashed student counselors, so this campaign is trying to bring them back
Billy Penn: Philly cops still abandon drivers on side of the road, in violation of ‘Live Stop’ policy
Billy Penn: You can apply to serve on these advisory commissions to Mayor Kenney
KYW Newsradio: City council considers calling more charter schools to serve as polling places
KYW Newsradio: Independence Mall, Liberty Bell reopen as government shutdown ends
KYW Newsradio: Too many people missing out on important tax refund, officials say
Sixty-Six Wards: What does it take to win a City Council at-large race? Here’s a deep dive into the big upsets of elections past
PlanPhilly: Philadelphia Land Bank reform introduced as fix for troubled sales process
Fox29: One-on-one exclusive interview with labor leader Johnny Doc
Philly Weekly: Philly courts’ epic fail: Judges and attorneys defend city judicial system after new ‘hellhole’ designation
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks state senators assigned commitees
Bucks County Courier Times: League of Women Voters to hold forum as debate gears up over redistriciting
Pottstown Mercury: Former prosecutor announces run for Chesco D.A.
Pottstown Mercury: In 3-2 vote, Upper Pottsgrove waives fees for new sewer hookups
Delco Daily Times: PUC sets investigation into shut-down Mariner East 1 pipeline
Delco Daily Times: DCCC, Cabrini receive governor’s ‘It’s on Us’ grant
Delco Daily Times: Pol seeks probe of Sunoco, PUC in pipeline flap
Delco Daily Times: Ex-Upper Darby clerk admits pocketing $216,000 in tax payments
Bucks Local News: Denise Bowman announces candidacy for Bucks County Court of Common Pleas
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: In Pa’s 37th senate district, Dems recommend Pam Iovino, GOP nominates D. Raja
Post-Gazette: Advocates urge the public to embrace the merits of cannabis
Post-Gazette: Local Republican and Democratic parties face questions ahead of state Senate nominee votes
Post-Gazette: ‘We need more mayors like Peduto,’ says David Hogg at D.C. gun violence panel
Post-Gazette: Mattress Factory names Hayley Haldeman as interim executive director
Post-Gazette: Ex-Allegheny County Jail captain cites age, race, gender discrimination in lawsuit
Tribune Review: State representative from Pittsburgh holds forum on legalizing marijuana
Tribune Review: Upper Burrell asks court to order voting redistricting
Tribune Review: Harrison judge slams commissioners for not reaching deal with police chief
Tribune Review: Butler County state rep. accused of drugging woman, sexually assaulting her
Tribune Review: Hampton ends 2018 better than expected financially
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh City Council holds heated public hearing over gun control
KDKA: Mayor Peduto Talks Gun Legislation At Mayor’s Conference Panel In Washington DC
SWPA
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. Lamb returns to Veterans’ Affairs Committee, appointed chairman of Congressional Steel Caucus
Beaver County Times: Ellwood City hospital workers paid remainder of wages
Beaver County Times: FirstEnergy unlikely to sell power plants
Observer-Reporter: Washington County agencies take step toward severing hiring process from civil service
Observer-Reporter: Monessen council fires back at mayor
Observer-Reporter: Fiscal office: 2018 impact fees hit record high
Altoona Mirror: Blair funds to tackle blight
Altoona Mirror: Representatives bracing for Round 2 of wall fight
Altoona Mirror: Childers-Potts looks to retain DA seat
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘A loss for all of us’: Somerset County Commissioner John P. Vatavuk dies
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Area tax experts prep for rate adjustments
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Under the Radar: Bill would allow cops to stop drivers of snow-covered vehicles
NEPA
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County officials reviewing government banking proposals
Times-Tribune: Former mayor Connors suspends his pride for celebrity roast fundraiser
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s longtime economic development director retiring
Times-Tribune: Wildest dreams: How Mike Dunleavy went from Scranton kid to governor of Alaska
Citizens Voice: Gilbert to seek second term on W-B council
The Times Leader: Luzerne County accepting applications for blighted property database
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Children and Youth fiscal discrepancies discussed
The Times Leader: Baker urges delay of proposed rule change in medical liability cases
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Shapiro touts benefits of new Safe2Say reporting system
The Times Leader: WB’s $1.7M deficit for 2018 could decrease as more revenue is received
South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Republican State Committee member runs for state Senate
Harrisburg Patriot News: Retired Army colonel throws hat in ring for state Senate
Harrisburg Patriot News: Cumberland County Judge Christylee Peck announces run for Pa. Superior Court
Carlisle Sentinel: Lessons in Politics: Cumberland County Commissioners talk community with Junior Leadership students
Carlisle Sentinel: Perry targeted by Democratic ads in early salvo of 2020 campaign
York Dispatch: Rep. Lloyd Smucker statement on end of shutdown
LNP | LancasterOnline: Most of Lancaster County’s state legislators oppose legalizing marijuana
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Committees taking shape in Pennsylvania Capitol
Reading Eagle: Congress members representing Berks react to government reopening
Express Times: Easton Area class size debate will shape budget, teachers’ contract decisions
Express Times: Faced with family issue, Northampton County Council candidate won’t run after all
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers react to President Trump on plan to temporarily reopen federal government
Morning Call: Allentown school director: $100,000 for communications director is ‘excessive’
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: CityGrows hires Erie County Councilman Foust
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst students lead push for nonpartisan redistricting
Erie Times-News: County ranks deficient bridges eligible for vehicle registration revenue
Erie Times-News: Anti-abortion advocates set to march, rally in Erie
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County retirement board votes ‘yes’ on pension increase
Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pennsylvania’s failure to oversee cyber charter schools has wide consequences
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia’s finally going after straw gun buyers. It’s about time.
Inquirer Staff: After two decades of school choice in Philly, experts share their suggestions for revising charter-school law
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Forward progress: Pa. is doing more for residents with disabilities
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Getting Big Tech in line: Europe’s data protection law is a good model
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Nicolas Maduro is out: Peacefully (mostly) and constitutionally
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Clarion’s river of the year: Mother Nature and man team up
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: What is CBS smoking?: Medical marijuana Super Bowl ad should run
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Futile and dangerous
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Focusing on the basics: Pittsburgh needs cleaner air and water
Former Gov. Tom Ridge: Americans deserve secure borders and a productive economy
Brian O’Neill: Coordination and cooperation bring a healthy solution to Green Tree
Keith C. Burris: Primed for outrage
David M. Shribman: A new culture of the deal
Christine Flowers: Andrew Cuomo rejects the fundamental values of his faith by signing New York abortion law
Charles Ellison: Education should be the key issue in Philly’s 2019 elections
David Lapp and Kate Shaw: The state of school choice in Philly: 22 years after the first charter, what have we learned?
George Parry: Hasty Covington reporting shows anti-Catholic sentiment
John Baer: We ended (for now) the government shutdown, let’s end (for good) the State of the Union Address