State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten comments likening pipeline workers to nazis draws criticism. The candidates for the upcoming special election in the PA-12 debated last night. Here is the Playbook.

PAGOP Targets DePasquale After PA10 Trial Balloon: The state party hopes to use the Auditor General’s publicity against him.

PA17: Lamb Raises $200K In Q1: The Democrat entered the month of April with close to $320,000 cash on hand.

Harrisburg & DC  
AP: Lawmaker’s ‘Nazi’ remark over pipeline fight draws criticism
AP: US Steel plows $1B into western Pennsylvania operations
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: House candidates debate issues
StateImpactPA: In Pa., an echo of the fracking boom: Prosecutors eye potential ‘environmental crimes.’ Here’s a closer look
Morning Call: Brian Fitzpatrick votes with Democrats on climate change resolution
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘There’s a water crisis in Pennsylvania’: Environmental advocates call for clean water funding
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A program that keeps people with addiction out of prison is ‘extremely underused.’ A Senate bill could change that
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Bucking Trump, Pa. U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick votes with Dems on bill supporting Paris climate accords
Inquirer: Could Pa. Supreme Court ruling in Philly man’ s DUI affect hundreds of criminal cases?
WESA: Republicans Move To Pick Judges By Region, But Clash On Details
WESA: PA Lawmaker Criticized After Likening Pipeline Workers To Nazis
PLSReporter: Rep. Rabb to re-introduce clean energy transition legislation
PLSReporter: Democrats preparing new ‘Fair Share Tax Plan’ that would reform personal income tax  
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!

Philadelphia  
Philly Clout: Independent spending for Philly mayor’s race crossing the $1 million mark … while changing few minds
WHYY Newsworks: Williams first to hit the radio waves in Philly mayor’s race
Inquirer: Philly city commissioners race 2019: Meet the 13 Democrats — 13! — who want to run elections
Inquirer: Dark money under spotlight as campaign finance law changes right before Philly primary
Inquirer: Philly’s new payroll system is sending out thousands of inaccurate paychecks and no one knows why
Inquirer: ‘Philadelphia Badlands’ label on Google Maps latest controversy over neighborhood names
Philadelphia Tribune: ‘Stop and frisk’ to remain in Philly police arsenal, Ross tells Council
KYW Newsradio: Philly clears rape kit backlog, works to ID suspects
Billy Penn: Why your Philly Airbnb might be in danger of collapsing
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Has Finally Cleared Its Backlog of Untested Rape Evidence

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: State Rep. Danielle Friel Otten feels heat over ‘Nazi’ comment in pipeline debate
Daily Local News: Houlahan helps House to pass first climate bill in a decade
Bucks Local News: To thunderous applause, Falls Township Supervisors deny preliminary land development plans for Elcon
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown Police hold community forum on recent shootings

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Graduate student union organizers file unfair labor charges against Pitt
Tribune Review: Delmont has 2 candidates for 3 open council seats in primary election
Tribune Review: Candidates needed for Irwin, North Irwin and Manor councils
StateImpactPA: U.S. Steel: $1B in upgrades to plants near Pittsburgh will help with air pollution, efficiency
StateImpactPA: Allegheny County, site of a major polluter, grapples with meeting air quality standards
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh City Controller releases Comprehensive Annual Financial Report
Post-Gazette: Reform advocates: Citizens panel should draw political lines
Post-Gazette: Union claims unfair labor practice by University of Pittsburgh in election effort    
KDKA: ‘You Probably Don’t Like Trump, Do You?’: Woman Claims Officer Who Called Her A ‘Bleeding Heart Liberal’ Arrested Her Because Of Her Political Views
KDKA: Pittsburgh Defense Attorney Questions Son’s Punishment For Fight With Student Who Allegedly Used Racial Slur
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s what U.S. Steel has in mind for its two new local facilities

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Cook contacts auditor general seeking review of local share procedures
Beaver County Times: CCBC’s Shell Center for Process Technology Education ‘really a good thing,’ says Gov. Wolf  
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Bernstine says his bill will repeal law that’s a ‘legislative time bomb’  
Beaver County Times: DA to commissioners: Don’t cut my staff  
Beaver County Times: Report: Four Beaver County police departments have backlogged rape kits  

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County Commissioners pass resolution opposing privatization of ride-share programs
Times-Tribune: DePasquale moves up Old Forge School District audit over concerns of dysfunction
Times-Tribune: Candidates for 12th Congressional District seat debate tonight
The Times Leader: Luzerne County needs election day poll workers, director said
Citizens Voice: Polling site changes set for primary

South Central  
Patriot News: ‘There is no need for judges to be activists:’ Candidates for Cumberland County judge face off in undisagreeable debate
Patriot News: County commissioner’s use of government vehicle questioned by election opponent
Patriot News: Harrisburg rolls out data-focused smart technologies to improve city services
Carlisle Sentinel: Commissioners’ forums highlight growth issues
York Dispatch: York City contracts Nace to plug economic development hole

Lehigh Valley    
Morning Call: Allentown mayoral candidate Q&A: Can you avoid another tax hike?
Morning Call: Senate approves judicial nominee with Lehigh Valley ties for federal court vacancy
Morning Call: More Allentown mayoral, City Council candidate events scheduled
Morning Call: Allentown NIZ diverted record amount of subsidies to developers in 2018, while returning less money to state coffers
Reading Eagle: The PA crisis in senior care and its funding is intensifying, Berks officials told

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: House candidates debate issues
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Large political signs may violate city law
Erie Times-News: Ohio’s Ryan makes presidential pitch to Erie Democrats
Erie Times-News: Opportunity Zones to be touted at ‘Erie Homecoming’ event

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Turzai’s tempest: House quickly moves on speaker’s pet bill
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Venezuelan spring: A troubled nation must seize freedom now
Inquirer Editorial Board: People shouldn’t be in jail because they can’t afford bail
Inquirer Editorial Board: Hungry, homeless and in college
Inquirer Staff: Radicalizing the vote: 10 ideas that just might save democracy
Philadelphia Magazine Editors: Anthony Williams for Mayor
Greg Vitali: Gov. Wolf’s methane proposal falls short
Chris Ross: Pa. lawmakers should consider this Senate alternative to a nuke bailout
Maria Panaritis: Pa. lawmaker’s ‘nazis’ tweet about Sunoco pipeline workers sparks fury, and rightly so   
John L. Micek: Is this the next fight over abortion rights in Pennsylvania? | Thursday Morning Coffee
Will Bunch: From Council Rock to Congress: Philly-born Ro Khanna is saving U.S. foreign policy from itself
Inga Saffron: From potholes to preservation, how has Mayor Kenney lived up to his original campaign promises?
Dan Guers: This Pa. House bill would make building inspections less reliable and more expensive
Jenice Armstrong: She’s black, female, Muslim, covered — and licensed to carry
Deborah Diamond: The disconnect between graduates who can’t find jobs and employers eager for young, diverse talent
Christine Flowers: Biden’s Charlottesville ad might actually help Trump
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Whose state is most anti-Semitic of them all?
Dom Giordano: Assaults on Kate Smith and her statue are a case of political correction run amok
Stu Bykofsky: Car crash: Don’t count on 911 for speedy help
Ashley Hahn: Jane’s Walk helps Philadelphians find our place in this city