Gun rights activists hold a rally in Harrisburg, while several demonstrators were removed from the state House after throwing money onto lawmakers in regards to protesting the state law not limiting the value of gifts elected officials can accept. Here is the Playbook.

May 3rd Ups & Downs: A state representative likens pipeline workers to Nazis, a state Senate hopeful shares a variety of offensive posts on his campaign’s social media accounts, a political consultant gets 5 years in federal prison for his role in a corruption scheme, and the campaign against a possible run from AG DePasquale has begun. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC  
AP: Most lawmakers pick traditional pension plan, not new option
AP: Gun rights activists fill state Capitol for gun rights rally
AP: Protesters chant ‘stop taking bribes’ in Pennsylvania House
AP: Legislator films himself berating woman abortion protester
AP: Pennsylvania police honor 4 who died on duty in 2018
WITF: Fear of encroaching gun control draws hundreds to Harrisburg
Patriot News: Search the database to see your Pa. lawmaker’s pension reform vote and pension choice  
Patriot News: Second Amendment rally packs Pa. state Capitol
Patriot News: Eight demonstrators removed from Pa. House gallery after showering money on lawmakers; 17 cited in all
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s what the latest voter registration numbers tell us about the state of the Commonwealth | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Conspiratorial, anti-Muslim memes populated Facebook page of state Senate candidate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Turzai lends support to gift ban after activists shower lawmakers with dollar bills, get arrested
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP-controlled state House panel advances Down syndrome abortion ban
WESA: Thanks To Redistricting, PA Democrats Are Going Into 2020 On A Level Playing Field, Party Chair Says
PLSReporter: Legislators, advocates rally for second amendment rights
PLSReporter: Sims and colleagues reintroduce legislation banning discrimination against LGBTQ members
PLSReporter: Despite testy debate, House committee clears Down syndrome abortion bill
PLSReporter: Lawmakers debate workers’ compensation bill
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 5: Harrisburg with a soupcon of Philly
PA Post: “Sextortion” bill would criminalize sexual coercion
StateImpactPA: PFAS chemicals have contaminated 17 sites in Pennsylvania, data shows

Philadelphia  
Philadelphia Magazine: Brian Sims Berates “Old White Lady” Protesting at Philly Planned Parenthood
Philadelphia Magazine: At Candidates Forum, Jannie Blackwell Accused Challenger, BBWC Activists of “Dirty Activities”
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney a no-show at Black Women’s Leadership event
WHYY Newsworks: New pro-Kenney super PAC in Philly mayor’s race
WHYY Newsworks: Protections for Philly parking industry workers advance at City Hall
WHYY Newsworks: Regional Roundup
KYW Newsradio: New payroll system produces problems for thousands of Philly city employees
Philly Voice: Muslim American Society chapter’s video of children speaking about beheadings was an ‘oversight’
PLSReporter: Sen. Williams talks mayoral campaign
Inquirer: Here’s what the primary election could mean for the future of Philly’s 10-year tax abatement
Inquirer: How do judicial elections in Philadelphia work and why do we vote for judges?
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney defends Philly voting machine selection as city controller pursues ‘full investigation’
Inquirer: Just how many people live in Philly, the U.S.? Here’s why that’s a tough question to answer.
Inquirer: As Philly officials kick off renovation of Columbus Square, native peoples protest against honoring the explorer

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Senate panel to discuss repeat DUI offenders
Inquirer: ‘We have a serious problem’: Congressional task force visits Montco, pushes for action on tainted water
Daily Local News: Lewis to Lincoln University grads: ‘Use your education to help change America’
Delco Daily Times: Democratic registration margin grows in Delco
Pittsburgh
City Paper: Conor Lamb says we must maintain nuclear power in Western Pennsylvania
KDKA: Gun Rights Activists Fill Rotunda For Second Amendment Rally
KDKA: Congressional Infrastructure Leader Visits Pittsburgh To Survey Local Needs
Post-Gazette: County Council Primary: District 6 Incumbent Democrat John Palmiere faces candidate Joseph Rudolph
Post-Gazette: Push for $2 trillion infrastructure bill comes to Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Volunteers firefighters can have free rent and free college tuition. So why are there so few in Pa.?
Post-Gazette: Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission proposes $31.7 billion in transportation projects through 2045
WESA: Thanks To Redistricting, PA Democrats Are Going Into 2020 On A Level Playing Field, Party Chair Says
StateImpactPA: EQT fined $330K for erosion violations in Allegheny County
Tribune Review: Westmoreland Bar Association survey ranks Michael Stewart II top judicial candidate
Tribune Review: O’Hara native elected president of Penn State College Democrats
PLSReporter: Allegheny County Health Department petitions to join environmental groups in suing US Steel

SWPA
Beaver County Times: Bernstine introduces bill to eliminate concealed-carry permit
Beaver County Times: No deal between county, Brighton Township
Beaver County Times: More tourists come to Beaver County
Altoona Mirror: Blair could see the end of vehicle emissions tests   
Observer-Reporter: South Strabane establishes sustainability committee

NEPA
Times-Tribune: State: Scranton School District’s recovery plan could be ‘catalyst’ for more state funding
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District’s financial recovery plan due next month
The Times Leader: Demolition to breathe life into dormant WB development plan
The Times Leader: No tax hike in Dallas thanks to refinancing, better tax collection
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre candidates talk issues at forum

South Central  
Patriot News: Second Amendment rally packs Pa. state Capitol
Patriot News: Eight demonstrators removed from Pa. House gallery after showering money on lawmakers; 17 cited in all
Patriot News: Perry County lawyer nominated by President Trump to fill vacant federal judgeship
York Dispatch: Audit: York County Recorder of Deeds improperly accounted for $2.1 million

Lehigh Valley    
Morning Call: Candidates for Bethlehem City Council respond to issues at forum
Morning Call: Easton’s Democratic mayoral candidates face off during PBS39 event at Paxinosa Elementary
Morning Call: Forks Township looks into banning plastic bags
Reading Eagle: Reading council agenda item concerns parking authority workers
Express Times: He’s got experience. She’s got passion. Both want to be Easton’s next mayor.  

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie meeting focuses on Green New Deal
Erie Times-News: Ridge highlights experience, peer rating in judge’s race

Opinion  
LNP Editorial Board: Pa. lawmakers need to act responsibly to prevent more outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Let doctors practice: Daryl Metcalfe vaccine bill would undermine health
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Bridge to cooperation: Infrastructure bill may help in more ways than one
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Courting investors: Lower fees help even the little guy get ahead
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The Max 8 scandal: Boeing and the FAA must explain their carelessness
Inquirer Editorial Board: If AG Barr has Trump’s best interests at heart, who has ours?
John Baer: Pennsylvania looks anew at electing its lieutenant governor
John L. Micek: Plenty of red meat, but no real solutions at annual Capitol gun-rights rally
Christine Flowers: Not OK: Rep. Brian Sims’ harasses rosary-praying Planned Parenthood protesters
Danene Sorace: Taking a deep dive into city’s rental properties
John L. Micek: Rep. Daryl Metcalfe: Doctors are getting ‘kickbacks’ for vaccinating kids | Monday Morning Coffee
Dick Polman: How anti-science ignorance has stoked a real public health crisis
Tony Norman: Escape our corrosive politics: Read a book
Rob Wonderling, Steven Scott Bradley, and Jennifer Rodriguez: Philadelphia’s Center City growth can and must expand to other neighborhoods