State Rep. Fred Keller was selected over the weekend to be the GOP nominee for the special election in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook.
PA12: Keller Secures GOP Nomination: The State Rep from Snyder County cited fiscal issues and jobs as a priority if elected to Congress.
Large Field Lines Up To Replace Marino in Williamsport: 20 plus candidates are set to meet in Williamsport tomorrow in hopes of being the GOP nominee for the 12th Congressional District.
March 1st Ups & Downs: The minimum wage debate takes center stage, the Auditor General released a report about officials accepting gifts from voting machine vendors and two public officials have backtracked from previous offensive statements.
Pennsylvania Democrats Wonder How Far Is Too Far Left in 2020: The New York Times detailed the thoughts from a number of people on what kind of Democratic presidential candidate can take back the state of Pennsylvania in 2020. Former Gov. Ed Rendell, former Rep. Ryan Costello and more are quoted in this story.
Harrisburg & DC
AP: GOP state lawmaker becomes favorite in US House election
AP: Rescuing nuclear power plants could come with conditions
AP: Wolf promotes proposal to fund high-speed internet expansion
WPSU: Republicans pick Pa. state Rep. as nominee to fill open U.S. House seat
Inquirer: Harris Wofford is remembered at Howard University, where his civil rights career began
Inquirer: Why some Pa. counties are struggling with state order to upgrade voting machines
Inquirer: REAL IDs are available in Pennsylvania, as state seeks to comply with federal security requirements
WITF: Senator Hughes wants to flood Pa. Capitol with data on poverty
WITF: Book donors want Pa. prisons to stop paying for shipping with inmate funds
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP state House candidate Scavo apologizes for anti-Muslim Facebook posts
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: It’s not just Republicans talking about cutting regulations in Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In the Coal Region, a debate over whether marijuana legalization will hurt or help opioid crisis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s what 2014 and 2018 can teach us about what’s ahead for Pa. (and Tom Wolf) in 2020 | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State Sen. Mike Regan wants tough mandatory sentences for fentanyl dealers. Opponents say it’s a ‘step back’ in the failed ‘War on Drugs’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: February revenues slightly below expectations for PA
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Money for Pittsburgh air base won’t be affected by Trump’s emergency declaration: report
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Cash assistance for disabled adults is back. One Republican says the House won’t fund it
KYW Newsradio: Pa. lawmakers wary of pending ruling on turnpike lawsuit
KYW Newsradio: Wolf’s new GI Bill aims to extend educational benefits
KYW Newsradio: Internet gaming on track for mid-year Pennsylvania launch
PLSReporter: Representative Solomon calls on Councilman Henon to resign
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – February 25, 2019
Pottstown Mercury: PA State Police confiscate $66M worth of drugs in 2018
Patriot News: Pa. cities with the highest and lowest credit scores: WalletHub 2019
Patriot News: Harris Wofford, former Pa. senator, remembered at memorial service
StateImpactPA: US Steel appeals order to lower its sulfur emissions
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Philly Council President Darrell Clarke gets first challenger since 2011
Inquirer: Report: Philly charter schools serve more affluent, advantaged students than rest of district
Inquirer: Philadelphia released undocumented man, charged with assault, despite receiving federal arrest warrant
Inquirer: Tibetans rally in Philly for independence for Tibet, then march to NYC
Inquirer: How Bryce Harper’s Phillies contract could be a hit for Philly — in wage taxes alone
Inquirer: Philly Fed president Harker predicts 0.25 percent rate hike this year and again in 2020
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s How Likely These 6 Philly-Area Politicians Are to Run in 2020
WITF: Senator Hughes wants to flood Pa. Capitol with data on poverty
Billy Penn: Mayor Kenney’s face is now a feelings chart containing 30 distinct emotions
Billy Penn: What should we ask political candidates about Philly’s poverty problem — and their solutions?
KYW Newsradio: War of words between U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain, DA Larry Krasner
KYW Newsradio: Bill before City Council would speed up building permits — for a price
KYW Newsradio: Philly affordable housing fund gets money promised in deal that prevented construction tax
SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Gene DiGirolamo running for Bucks County commissioner
Bucks County Courier Times: New Hope to modify business privilege tax ordinance, remove license language
Pottstown Mercury: Consumers’ digital libraries protected in Killion bill
Pottstown Mercury: Chesco commissioners begin series of ‘Coffee and Conversation’ evenings
Pottstown Mercury: Planners urged to support 100% renewable energy by 2050
Pottstown Mercury: Wolf budget provides little comfort for Pottstown schools
KYW Newsradio: Chester County joins lawsuit against Sunoco over Mariner East construction
Delco Daily Times: Glen Mills Schools chiefs out amid abuse scandal
Delco Daily Times: Delco Council reminds dog owners to obtain 2019 license
Daily Local News: Chesco pipeline decision draws praise, scorn
Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: County council members float ban on conversion therapy for minors
Post-Gazette: State to Allegheny Valley: Without layoffs, police merger won’t save money
Post-Gazette: Fetterman’s marijuana listening tour goes on, but hurdles remain for legalization
Post-Gazette: ‘I’m surrounded.’ A worried Beaver County neighborhood watches as new fuel pipelines crisscross.
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh United Methodists wrestle with church vote on gay marriage, clergy
Post-Gazette: Buffer zones debated for drilling near state’s dams
Post-Gazette: Trump nominates judges for U.S. District Court in the Western District of Pa.
Post-Gazette: U.S. Steel appeals county order to reduce Mon Valley air pollution
Post-Gazette: Drug deaths, including from opioids, plunge in Westmoreland County, elsewhere
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools eases consequences for students caught with pot
Tribune Review: Gun enthusiasts lukewarm on proposed background check legislation
Tribune Review: Aspinwall residents can vote on topics for police presentations
Pittsburgh Business Times: With workers still on strike after Wabtec GE Transportation merger, leaders on both sides weigh in
WESA: Councilor Darlene Harris Refuses To Report Finances To The City — Again
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Visits Waynesburg To Unveil High-Speed Internet Expansion Proposal
KDKA: KDKA-TV News Dominates On Air, And Digital In February
City Paper: Oakmont approves new ordinance to ward off fracking
The Incline: Allegheny County just became the biggest property owner in Braddock
SWPA
Beaver County Times: Sen. Bartolotta backing bipartisan bill expanding postpartum depression education, screenings
Beaver County Times: Pa. House bill would require president, governor candidates to release tax returns
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb partnering with Defense program to honor Vietnam vets
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf visits Greene County to unveil plan for statewide broadband
Observer-Reporter: Proposed bills could provide relief to school districts regarding cyber school tuition
Observer-Reporter: U.S. Steel to appeal emissions order from Allegheny County Health Department
Altoona Mirror: City eyes trades rules
Altoona Mirror: Nicktown resident runs for Cambria controller
Altoona Mirror: Paying for police
Altoona Mirror: Educators support pre-K proposal
Altoona Mirror: Area Methodist pastors decline to comment on LGBT decision
Altoona Mirror: GOP women set candidate forum
Altoona Mirror: Both sides of aisle consider rural wireless web a winner
Altoona Mirror: Marijuana tour stop canceled
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Potential bailout of nuclear industry causing stir
NEPA
The Times Leader: Toomey legislation aimed at stopping fentanyl from entering the U.S.
The Times Leader: WB Mayor George says poorer communities bearing burden of stormwater fee, asks for federal help
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Pa. official visits Dallas High to discuss career program
The Times Leader: Luzerne County prison budget discussed amid inmate decline
The Times Leader: Congress re-authorizes important conservation package
Times-Tribune: Scranton council accepting applicants for revived ethics board
Citizens Voice: Political Scene
South Central
Patriot News: GOP picks Snyder County state rep to run in special election for Tom Marino’s seat
Patriot News: Central Pa. prosecutors lead state in charging heroin ‘dealers’ with killing their customers
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County top cash bails for March 1
Carlisle Sentinel: Forum discusses racism and social justice after Klan flyer incident in Carlisle
Lehigh Valley
AP: Pennsylvania councilman charged with stealing opioids
Express Times: Slate Belt borough program aims to fight blight
Reading Eagle: Wolf, Republicans at odds over minimum wage increase
Reading Eagle: Wolf seeks new college perk for Pa. National Guard
Reading Eagle: A good week for two GOP nominees; they’re visiting West Reading
Morning Call: Politics as Usual
Morning Call: Proposed law could save Pennsylvania school districts money, but be ‘death knell’ for cyber charters
Morning Call: Van Wirt seeks 4-year seat on Bethlehem City Council
Morning Call: North Whitehall to consider expanding eligibilty for emergency volunteer tax credit program
North by Northwest
WPSU: Republicans pick Pa. state Rep. as nominee to fill open U.S. House seat
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Governor presses for severance tax to repair levee
Erie Times-News: Erie gets $162,000 Early Intervention Program grant
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Erie Times-News: Smart-city technology eyed for Erie’s Opportunity Zones
Erie Times-News: Striking workers gain national, union attention
Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: Stop using poverty as an excuse — and take real action
Inquirer Editorial Board: Cashless stores may be good — for highlighting plight of the unbanked
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: UPMC’s irony of ironies: It’s just all part of an unconscionable plan
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Sign women up, too: Women are up to the task of full citizenship
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Job development gaps: Wolf must fix workforce programs, expand them
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Facebook does it again: Kids deserve extra protection online
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Owning our mistakes: A Wilkinsburg school director fessed up to hers
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A distant messenger: Interstellar object reminds us of space’s potential
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Don’t be stodgy, York City Council
Madeleine Dean: We can turn the corner on gun violence
John L. Micek: Pat Toomey & Brian Fitzpatrick: A tale of two Republicans
Will Bunch: Are Dems already on a runaway train toward a wreck at their 2020 convention?
Jim Simpson: Sick of potholes? Blame your elected officials who don’t care about your quality of life
Keith C. Burris: The war on tolerance
Mack Clayton Shelley II: The 3 reasons why Americans fall for politicians’ lies about statistics
David M. Shribman: The quixotic John Delaney
John L. Micek: Top Pa. Senate Dem launches anti-poverty bills. Is this the AOC effect in Harrisburg? | Friday Morning Coffee
Taryn Morrissey: Is Congress about to make child care more affordable? 5 questions answered
Tim Hartman: The Pa. Turnpike sign we wish we’d see | Editorial Cartoon
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Masking the truth about abortion
Stephen Flemming: Science and social studies shouldn’t take a backseat in elementary schools
Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan: Politicians aren’t asking the real question of the student loan crisis
Donna Torrisi, Tarik Khan, and Christine Masciarelli: Defusing tense interactions in public spaces: Health-care experts weigh in
Howard J. Peterson, MHA: Woody Allen would love the coming health care debate
P.J. Thomas: My memories of traveling around the South in the 1950s look a lot like ‘Green Book’
Joseph N. DiStefano: Who really benefits from the Kraft Heinz meltdown? It’s Warren Buffett and the Brazilians reaping all those dividends
Tezarah Wilkins: Will the city’s new street closures map keep me and my sneakers safe?
Jenice Armstrong: Another young life lost. Another family in mourning. Another sad story.
Brian O’Neill: The quest to walk Pittsburgh’s 4,600 streets
Ruth Ann Dailey: Nurturing love Pittsburghers work to protect one another
2 Responses
NYT is a great article. Fact is Dems will not win in the general if the latest progressive sensation (whoever that may be) wins the nomination. Joe Biden is the only Dem who can beat Trump because he has got Trump’s number and can press all the buttons that bug Trump. Don’t let “Fox and Friends” or Trump’s bellowing fool you–The R’s know Biden is a good opponent for Trump. If the Dems nominate a progressive sensation then Trump will win Pa and race in Nov.
Great article in the New York Times. Dems don’t seem to understand why Trump won and why they had success in 2018. They are running to the hard left. They are listening to somebody who has been in office for 57 days. Rendell understands prudence and how to win.
As someone who votes Republican, this is great news for me.