🏇 It’s Friday. And they’re off.

PA Weather
Greensburg | Sunny, 64
Wyalusing | Partly Sunny, 61
Hellertown | Partly Sunny, chance of showers, 62

PA Sports
Pirates (20-12) | Tampa 2-3 | F-Sun vs. Toronto
Phillies (15-17) | Dodgers 6-10 | F-Sun vs. Boston
76ers (1-1) | Boston 87-121 | F vs. Boston
Union | Sat vs. NY Red Bulls

What We’re Hearing
A Data For Progress poll conducted April 26-29 shows a statistical tie among three candidates for Philadelphia mayor – Helen Gym (21%), Rebecca Rhynhart (21%) and Cherelle Parker (19%). The survey of 560 likely Democratic primary voters has a +/-4% margin of error.

Happy Birthday
Cake and candles for Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik.

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Top Story

1. Five Philly Mayoral Candidates Are In TV Ad War That’s Getting Nasty

“Five Philadelphia mayoral candidates and groups supporting them are blanketing the city’s airwaves with television advertising in the final days of the neck-and-neck race, and the messaging is getting more negative by the day.

For weeks, each of the top five contenders have been running positive commercials about themselves and their accomplishments. A couple even feature their kids.

But now, four candidates are the subject of attack ads, and cease-and-desist letters are flying.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

What Would Philadelphia’s Immigrant Communities Like To See From The Next Mayor? “Immigrant leaders and immigrant-serving organizations say there are some common priorities much of the city’s foreign-born population shares.” (WHYY)

Biden’s 2024 Re-Election Campaign Is Already Airing TV Ads In PA. “Voters in key markets — including Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — already are seeing ads on national cable channels as part of what the campaign said is a two-week, seven-figure ad buy in a handful of battleground states.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Sanders’ $17 Minimum Wage Proposal Creates Political Headaches. “Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is creating a political headache for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) by pushing hard for a vote on a bill to raise the national minimum wage to $17 an hour — a proposal Senate Democrats facing tough reelection races opposed in 2021.” (The Hill)

Harrisburg

2. Bill To Ban Safe-Use Sites In PA Moves To House. Experts Call It A ‘Punch In The Gut’ To Evidence-Based Practices

“At a supervised injection site, people who use drugs can do so under the watchful eye of medical professionals. A plethora of resources also exist on-site, including the opioid-reversal medication naloxone, clean needles and recovery resources.

Alice Bell, overdose prevention project coordinator with Prevention Point Pittsburgh, said she was frustrated with the bill’s Senate passage. Prevention Point is not a supervised consumption site but administers syringe services and other harm reduction methods, such as overdose response training and Narcan distribution, in Pittsburgh and Philadelphia.” (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)

Related

Williams Votes ‘No’ On Banning Safe Injection Sites, Says They Save Lives. ““Addiction does not have a one-size-fits-all solution,” Sen. Lindsey Williams said. “And treatment is constantly evolving. In fact, it wasn’t long ago that Narcan, needle exchanges and fentanyl test strips were illegal or barely used because people thought they were dangerous.”” (Pittsburgh Union Progress)

Energy Executives Warn Of Looming Power Shortages In PA. “At the current trajectory, PJM is not going to have sufficient power to meet the demands of consumers, and prices are likely to increase.” That dire warning came at a state Senate Environmental Resources and Energy Committee briefing.” (Broad + Liberty)

PA Attorney General Announces Payouts From TurboTax Settlement. “Pennsylvanians who were misled by TurboTax into paying for what should have been free tax filings will start getting reimbursement checks this month as a result of the legal settlement with the tax service’s owner, according to the Pennsylvania attorney general’s office.” (PennLive)

3 Welfare Fraud Bills Clear PA Senate, Head To State House. “This bill package aims to improve oversight into programs that exist for those in real need,” said Sen. Michele Brooks.” (CNHI News)

3 Welfare Fraud Bills Clear PA Senate, Head To State House. “This bill package aims to improve oversight into programs that exist for those in real need,” said Sen. Michele Brooks.” (CNHI News)

Around The Commonwealth

3. Innamorato Using Modern Political Tactics To Counter Rivals’ Advantages

“Never mind that new Pittsburgh Works Together poll that shows State Rep. Sara Innamorato suddenly leading the race for Allegheny County executive. The real sign that she’s ahead came later, when rival John Weinstein blasted out text messages calling her “divisive,” “inadequate,” and “extreme.”

The attacks aren’t surprising, and may or may not be compelling. What may be more surprising is that it took so long for some to take Innamorato seriously.” (WESA)

Related

Ups and Downs. Our look at the week that was at the Capitol and around the Commonwealth. (PoliticsPA)

Lehigh Valley Election Guide. “As the municipal primary election is approaching, we have gathered our coverage right here in one convenient spot as a way to help voters make an informed choice on Election Day.” (LehighValleyNews.com)

• Procrastinators’ Guide To Philly Primary Election. (Billy Penn)
• Erie County Voters’ Guide (Erie Times-News)
• Berks County: Who’s Running For Office? (PoliticsPA)
• Luzerne County: Who’s Running For Office? (PoliticsPA)

Bilal Backtracks On Claim That Her Primary Opponent Funded Criticism Of Her Office. “It was a brazen claim offered without evidence. And it wasn’t true.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

AG Withdraws Criminal Charges Against Greene Commissioner, County Solicitor. “The criminal charges filed last month against Greene County Commissioner Mike Belding and the county’s solicitor have been dropped in connection with how the elections board handled the ballot order selection process for the upcoming primary election.” (Observer-Reporter)

Uniontown Treasurer Accused Of Stealing More Than $112K From Area Churches. “Uniontown’s city treasurer has been charged with allegedly stealing over $122,000 from a religious association, following similar charges filed against her last year.” (Observer-Reporter)

• Uniontown Treasurer Antoinette Hodge Facing New Charges For Allegedly Stealing $112K. (CBS Pittsburgh)

Hazleton Is Distressed No More. “Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) Secretary Rick Siger on Thursday approved Hazleton City’s exit from Act 47, ending the city’s status as a financially distressed municipality after nearly six years.” (Times Leader)

• Newly Named DCED Secretary Makes Hazleton’s Exit From Act 47 Status Official. (Standard-Speaker)

Incorrect, Undated Mail-In Ballots Won’t Be Counted In Westmoreland County. “The county’s elections board on Thursday voted to segregate and set aside returned mail ballots that are undated or include an incorrect date returned by Election Day.” (Tribune-Review)

Editorial

4. What They’re Saying

A glance around the Keystone State at editorials and opinions.

Editorial

• Open Up Primaries To Give All Voters A Voice. (Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Philadelphia Voters Should Be Wary of Politician With Pie In The Sky Plans. (Philadelphia Tribune)
• Consolidating School Districts Can Work. (Daily Item)

Opinion

• Wave Of Transgender Health Care Bans Has Roots In Past Debates. (Leigh Giangreco)
• We Need A Party For People Who Don’t Fit In – Which Is Most Of Us. (Adriana E. Ramirez)
• The PA Legislature Should Ban Discrimination Against LGBTQ+ People. (David J. Urban)
• How The Next Mayor Can Capitalize On Our City’s Best. (Debra Weiner)
• The Plumber’s Perspective On Gov. Shapiro’s Budget. (Sen. John Kane)
• Delivering A People-Driven, Future-Focused Platform For PA. (Rep. Bryan Cutler)
• Judicial Reform Is About Accountability, Not Retribution. (Lori Falce)

1 Thing

5. Derby Day For PA

Pennsylvania will be represented at the Kentucky Derby tomorrow.

What’s happening: Angel of Empire, raised at Blackstone Farm in Pine Grove, will be among the 20 contenders during “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports” on Saturday.

The horse is a pandemic baby — foaled in April 2020.

Odds: At 8-1, the Keystone State horse wasn’t favored to win the race as of yesterday but isn’t last, either, per Vegas Insider. (Axios Philadelphia)

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