The ad wars begin in earnest in PA-Gov and elections analysts move two PA incumbents toward more vulnerable territory. Good morning politicos, here is the Playbook.
Wagner Launches First General Election Ad: The “Straight-talkin’, trash-haulin’ businessman for Governor” releases his first 30 second TV ad for the general election.
PA16: Cook Moves Race to Lean Republican: The election analyst moved the seat from Likely Republican to Lean Republican.
PA8: Elections Analyst Says Race now Leans Democratic: Inside Elections moved PA-8 from Likely Democratic to Leans Democratic.
Harrisburg & DC
NY Times: For Midterms, Supreme Court Political Drama Plays to Its Audience (Interviews PA-7 candidates and Rep. Leanne Krueger-Braneky).
Capitolwire: PA has new law to create central database for life insurance policies
State Impact: Federal appeals court dismisses pipeline case that charged FERC with bias
AP: About 2,500 inmates transferring to new Pennsylvania prison
AP: Wolf promotes job skills development funded by state budget
AP: City seeks mayor’s removal over water cannon remarks
WITF: Pa. GOP compiling lists of Democrats who support party Socialists
WITF: Tough sell for collective bargaining-boosting bills, but unions see hope
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: City Controller turns audit focus on PPA
Inquirer: SCI Phoenix, Pennsylvania’s costliest prison, finally opens
Inquirer: SEPTA’s new Regional Rail locomotive makes debut
Inquirer: Homeowners may hate them, however property taxes aren’t going anywhere … but up
Inquirer: Center City water main break aftermath: A few buildings still lack power, months of work ahead
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court justices got nearly $180K in donations from law firms in clergy abuse case, records show
Inquirer: Can Philadelphia school officials be trusted with millions in state money to clean up lead paint?
Inquirer: Philly’s controller to audit PPA’s parking enforcement
Inquirer: H.R. McMaster book scheduled for 2020
Inquirer: Senate calls for more say on tariffs in bipartisan vote
WHYY: Congressman Norcross calls for immigration deal in wake of visit to displaced minors
Philly Voice: Kellyanne Conway draws ire for #ThaiCaveRescue tweet
SEPA
Daily Local: Two protestors arrested at pipeline construction site in Middletown
Bucks County Courier Times: Price hikes, termination fees spark hike in consumer complaints about trash haulers
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Southampton supervisors urged to dig deeper into zoning, building department
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown groups fight drugs, violence in borough
Montgomery Media: North Wales council names consultant temporary head of police department
Pittsburgh
WESA: Peduto Says Amazon Competition A ‘Poker Game’ And City Shouldn’t Have To Reveal Its Cards
WESA: Allegheny County Council To Seek Public Input On Potential Police Review Board
WESA: Twice A Supreme Court Runner-Up, PA’s Thomas Hardiman Is Back At Work
Pittsburgh Business Times: City working with Boss in innovative energy savings initiative
Pittsburgh Business Times: Exelon bids $140M for FirstEnergy Solutions retail contracts
Pittsburgh Business Times: West Mifflin superintendent sues school board over unpaid leave, claims political retaliation
Post-Gazette: Wolf vows to appeal FEMA denial of disaster aid for Western Pa.
Post-Gazette: Clinton, Sanders to headline teachers convention in Pittsburgh
SWPA
Altoona Mirror: Former DA disbarred
Altoona Mirror: Council voices support for parks
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay bill would streamline university governing
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal plans openings at district offices
Observer-Reporter: FBI in Pittsburgh recruiting diversity among agents
Observer-Reporter: City facade program to disburse $45K, drop matching funds requirement
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Aaron Bernstine reaches out to municipalities on job growth
Beaver County Times: County faces tough budget decisions for 2019
Beaver County Times: County official critical of detective bureau costs
NEPA
Standard-Speaker: Wolf announces local teacher in the workplace grants
Standard-Speaker: New state law bans skimming devices
Standard-Speaker: Casey campaign reports $9.8M cash
Citizens’ Voice: Sanders Returns To Pennsylvania To Stump For Fetterman
The Times-Tribune: Pence To Headline Barletta Fundraiser For US Senate Campaign
Times Leader: Rating change in Cartwright-Chrin race may indicate race is tightening
South Central
Lancaster Online: Stun gun incident prompts residents to call for changes at City Council meeting
Lancaster Online: In rejecting for-profit Geo’s bid, Lancaster County commissioners consider a county position to fight recidivism
York Daily Record: Red or blue? These 6 Pa. counties will offer a test for Casey, Barletta in Senate race
The Sentinel: State: Care facility failed to report sexual assaults of residents in Hampden Township
PennLive: Property owners accuse Pa. of discrimination in State Archives condemnation
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks County activists divided on Brett Kavanaugh
The Morning Call: Lehigh County officials search for fixes to pay-to-play law
The Morning Call: Filings to block Pennsylvania grand jury report into sex abuse give glimpse of priests’ concerns
WFMZ: Brown water in Reading safe to drink, RAWA officials say
North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Commissioners give preview of 2019 budget considerations
Sun-Gazette: City reassigns grant; intends to seek larger sum
Sun-Gazette: Township looks for grants for pollution-cutting project
Opinions
Inquirer Editorial: We’re smoking mad that Harrisburg won’t let Philly govern
Observer-Reporter: Pipeline infrastructure should be supported
Citizens’ Voice Opinion: Increase public scrutiny and accountability
Lancaster Online Letter to the Editor: Why the gas price disparity?
Lancaster Online Letter to the Editor: Rising property taxes hit seniors hard
Express-Times Letter: Election reform: Let voters ‘rate’ candidates
Reading Eagle Letter: Facts don’t support cartoon about ICE
Sun-Gazette Letters: Unfair
The Lu Lac Political Letter: A PENNSYLVANIA PARADOX
Commonwealth Foundation: Should Taxpayers Underwrite Union Work?
Trudy Rubin: Trump does Putin’s dirty work at NATO summit
Jenice Armstrong: Instagram’s No Gun Zone is out to make Philly’s mean streets safer
Ronnie Polaneczky: Four Cameroonian teens are ‘almost inconsolable’ after being denied access to Philly basketball camp
Jerry Shenk: Democrats’ High Court histrionics
Rep. Thomas Murt: Expand the firearm task force
Delco Daily Times Editorial: ‘Mama Bears’ deliver message against pipeline
One Response
Cartwright seat has not had a Republican since 1982 and, for sure, Cartwright will be well prepared for this battle. Once you go “up” with media you stay with the ads and this will be a spend-a-thon with Chrin’s wealth but with Stormy Daniels in the news daily, toddlers getting taken from their moms and the border and spread out all over the country with no real energy to reunite families, with the Trump circus in full bloom–Paul Manafort, Michael Cohen, and on and on–it’s hard to cut through that static for any candidate. Cartwright will win.