July 8th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes an election bill that would have increased funding for voting machine upgrades, but ended straight-party voting. Here is the Playbook. 

July 5th Ups & Downs: The Mayor of Scranton resigns from office after entering a plea agreement on three federal charges, a state Senator in the Philly suburbs goes viral, while Gov. Tom Wolf signs legislation that change what a snow day is in the state. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC  
AP: Voting machines bill vetoed in fight over election changes
AP: Pennsylvania sets aside security dollars for private schools
AP: Pennsylvania offers aid to link homebound students to class
AP: Coke plant to keep operating pending ruling on appeal
Inquirer: John Boyd beat homelessness. Katie Muth took his story to Harrisburg and the debate it sparked went viral.
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf to veto controversial election bill, leaving Pa. without money for new voting machines
Inquirer: The system is ‘corrupt,’ ‘rigged,’ not ‘for working people’: Why 2020 Democrats sometimes sound a bit like Trump
Inquirer: Does new Pa. law ban arming teachers? Depends on whom you ask.
WITF: Wolf vetoes voting machine funding bill, leaves counties in limbo
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Wolf vetoes bill that tied voting machine funding to end of straight-ticket ballots
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With Supreme Court ruling, the fight over gerrymandering reform moves to the states
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pa. revenue for last fiscal year nearly $1 billion over projections 
StateImpactPA: PES refinery workers face difficult choices as layoffs loom
KYW Newsradio: Study: Pennsylvanians, on average, have highest student loan debt in US 
KDKA: Pa. Offers Aid To Link Home-Bound Students To Class

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Kenney admin’s new policy: Don’t text city business; don’t use personal devices
Inquirer: ‘Close the camps!’: Philly protesters back on the streets for 3rd time in a week
Inquirer: For Jewell Williams, son’s shooting ‘latest tragic example’ of Philly’s gun violence epidemic
Inquirer: In Philly, your house being ripped off isn’t always enough to get help from police and the DA
Inquirer: Sheriff’s son critically hurt in North Philly double shooting, 2nd man dead 
Inquirer: Contamination from Philadelphia refinery that exploded could pollute New Jersey groundwater. Here’s how.
Inquirer: A police commander in West Philly wants to change how cops interact with residents.
Inquirer: Trump’s Revolutionary War airports gaffe spurs Philly-related jokes. He blames the teleprompter.
Philadelphia Magazine: Modular Construction Could Be the Key to More Affordable Housing in Philly
Philadelphia Magazine: Racial Discrimination Is the Legacy South Philly Can’t Seem to Outgrow
Philadelphia Tribune: Some fines, court costs to the poor going away   
KYW Newsradio: After 11 years, Philly’s budget director leaving for big new adventure across the pond 
KYW Newsradio: Retired admiral settling in as first female director of VA Medical Center in Philly

SEPA 
Bucks County Courier Times: Voting machines bill vetoed in fight over election changes 
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Tom Wolf signs Murt bill outlawing ‘ghastly practice’
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers weigh in on state’s proposed $34.1 billion budget 
Daily Local News: June Swoon: Summer of distraction, shifting voter registration rattle Chesco GOP
Daily Local News: Rep. Sappey’s trauma-informed education signed into law
Daily Local News: Zoning proposal would impact Devon area
Bucks Local News: Governor Wolf vetoes Senate Bill 48 that would have provided counties with funding to purchase new voting machines, but would have eliminated straight-party ballot voting
Bucks Local News: Legislation signed into law by Gov. Wolf gives school districts the option of using ‘cyber snow days’
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough parks officially posted as smoke-, vape- and e-cigarette free zones
Delco Daily Times: Barrar kills bid to pack CWA board
Delco Daily Times: GOP county council candidates call for a Seniors Commission
Delco Daily Times: Collingdale honors Mayor Frank Kelly at July 4 celebrations
Delco Daily Times: Judge puts plug in sale of Chester Water Authority
Delco Daily Times: Radnor says no to more bamboo
Philadelphia Magazine: Should We Be Afraid of the Mariner East Pipeline?

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: County to hold public hearing July 30 on Clairton Coke Works settlement
Post-Gazette: ICA termination ends Pittsburgh financial oversight, difficult relationship
Post-Gazette: City joins brief in support of LGBTQ workplace cases before Supreme Court
Post-Gazette: Residents call for more regulation of Neville Island metal recycling company
Post-Gazette: Borough that disbanded police gets ‘PSP Experience’
Post-Gazette: In 1969, Pittsburgh women wanted fairer want ads — and got them!  
KDKA: County Health Department Schedules Public Hearing On US Steel Settlement
KDKA: City Joins Brief Urging Supreme Court To Protect LGBTQ Workers From Discrimination
KDKA: City Officials Looking Into Additional Safety Plans Following Post-Fireworks Shooting
KDKA: Diocese Of Pittsburgh Releases Abuse-Related Expenses, Totaling In The Millions
City Paper: City of Pittsburgh added to Supreme Court brief in support of LGBTQ rights

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Sen. Elder Vogel Jr.’s farming bill signed into law
Beaver County Times: County’s largest police organization endorses Sheriff Tony Guy
Beaver County Times: Rep. Bernstine says scholars program ‘great opportunity’ to talk public policy
Tribune Review: Westmoreland municipalities count on windfall from natural gas impact fee
Altoona Mirror: Pa. aims to close tuition fund gap
Altoona Mirror: Children screened for lead exposure
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf veto costs counties state funding for voting machines
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Williams, Stanton call for city manager’s dismissal
NEPA
Times-Tribune: Courtright likely influenced by region’s culture of corruption, experts say 
Times-Tribune: Scrantonians weigh in on how the city should select its new mayor
Times-Tribune: Addicts make excuses to use ‘one last time.’ Rally organizers say that’s a deadly compromise
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Controller’s Office releases audit report on Forty Fort airport
The Times Leader: New legislation establishing Pennsylvania Farm Bill becomes law
Citizens Voice: County council members balk at borrowing for new voting machines
Citizens Voice: County cyber attack: Database still down, but costs covered

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. cities can’t stay afloat without raising taxes. Two state Senate committees are coming to Lancaster to talk about it.
LNP | LancasterOnline: Council gears up for fire station funding, guarantee for Lancaster Square garage financing
Patriot News: Harrisburg superintendent thought district was ‘running smoothly,’: 11 findings from state audit
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf vetoes bill to help counties pay for required upgrade of voting machines 
Patriot News: Fathers’ rights? Sponsor of Pa. custody law bill stresses goal of ‘equal rights’

Lehigh Valley    
Reading Eagle: Paul Mango promoted at U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Reading Eagle: 2 Berks-area senators’ thoughts on Pennsylvania’s $34 billion budget
Reading Eagle: School taxes going up again for most property owners in Berks
Reading Eagle: Latinos now make up 23 percent of the Berks County population, new census numbers show
Reading Eagle: Political Roundup: Emily’s List targeting Pa. in push to elect pro-choice women
Morning Call: Sen. Lisa Boscola: Let’s shake up Pennsylvania elections
Morning Call: Expect more noise over Pennsylvania’s fireworks law
Morning Call: Will Pennsylvania Senate fireworks involving John Fetterman simmer down over the summer?  
Express Times: Game Commission backs Pennsylvania Sunday-hunting ‘compromise,’ as bill heads to House

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners head to DC for levee funding
Erie Times-News: Erie’s state delegation backs county, regional college partnership 
Erie Times-News: State appeals board grants Erie Coke short reprieve

Opinion  
PennLive Editorial: Pa. Senate shouting match is not how we expect our government to function 
Inquirer Editorial Board: In Indiana, Mike Pence responded to HIV too late. The clock is ticking for Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf. 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Inhumane detention of children at the border is nothing new — and it must end now 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Time for Philly to get a better handle on financial controls  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A new tune: After Amazon secrecy, Allegheny Conference urges inclusion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Invading Lake Erie: Senate must approve funds to control grass carp
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Need insulin, will travel: U.S. diabetics go to Canada for lower prices
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Bad faith, bad policy: Bethel Park tax cut is insincere and irresponsible
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Diplomacy is better: Trump-Kim dialogue beats the alternatives 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Car business could use a leader like Lee Iacocca today
Inquirer Staff: Pro/Con: E-scooters may be rolling into Pa., but are Philly streets prepared?
Andrea Custis: The Legislature’s failure to pass a minimum wage hike, while eliminating general assistance, was a gut punch to Philadelphia
John L. Micek: When you’re doing nothing, you’re really doing everything 
Tim Hartman: The *other* beneficiaries of that law that seals most criminal records | Editorial Cartoon
Mark S. Singel: Democrats recalibrate after the debates reshuffle the deck 
Will Bunch: Can Democrats grow a spine before American democracy collapses in a limp, lifeless heap? 
Keith C. Burris: Biden should face down reverse Souljah moment
Colin McNickle: Wolf administration can’t see the forest for the greens 
Simon F. Haeder: Get hit with an unexpected medical bill? You’re not alone. Here’s why that’s happening
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia’s Oil Refinery Park
David M. Shribman: Location, location, location
PJ Brennan and Jeffrey Berns: With Hahnemann’s imminent closure, what happens to physician trainees? 
Gene Therapy: Tank you very much, Mr. President
Charlie Gerow: Democratic candidates say a lot but little that resonates with middle-class voters 
Steven Pressman: The U.S. economy is booming. These three charts explain who’s benefiting from it most
Dava Guerin: In Philly, no tanks needed to celebrate July 4th 
Trudy Rubin: Despite DMZ photo op with Kim Jong Un, Trump has made no progress on eliminating Korean nukes 
Stu Bykofsky: Give credit (cards) where due: Philly artist wields them in his work 
Marc A. Scaringi: Joe Biden finds the years, and his party, have passed him by on busing, quotas 
Jenice Armstrong: Instagram’s ‘Kensington Beach’ page is shocking, but it’s raising awareness about the opioid epidemic 
Mike Newall: The Game Changers, a group of young trauma survivors, heal themselves to help others 
Esther Laury: Maternal health matters after birth. We need ‘fourth trimester’ care | Perspective
Ruth Ann Dailey: Moments of gain, loss
Michael Stephen: What’s it like to work at Hahnemann as it plans its final days? We asked eight employees.
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Mad Magazine humor passes on

One Response

  1. Ending straight party voting is one of those bogus issues loved by King Scarnati and Speaker Turzai but the reality is that it is a solution in search of a problem. One “wizard” in the Pa State House said it makes voters choose the person instead of the party. That foolish analysis assumes all voters know all candidates when they don’t vote the straight ticket. If King Scarnati and Speaker Turzai were soooo concerned about voters they’d support congressional redistricting reform but noooo they are beside themselves over whether or not Uncle Elmer and Aunt Edna are voting straight Democratic in Erie.

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

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