PA’s jobless rate falls once again, while Sen. Casey says he believes two or five Democrats could secure the nomination and defeat Trump. Here is the Playbook.

November 16th Ups & Downs: Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation is no longer all male, the state found out it was unsuccessful in attracting Amazon’s HQ2 and another Philadelphia Democrat was charged on public corruption. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

The Committee Every Lawmaker Should Want To Serve On: The Health and Human Services Committee is a place where a policymaker can have a profound, powerful impact.

Former City Controller Alan Butkovitz Announces Bid for Philadelphia Mayor: Butkovitz is the first Democratic candidate to challenge incumbent Mayor Jim Kenney.

Different Parties, Seeking Same Office, Still Friends: Incoming second lady of Pennsylvania, Gisele Fetterman tweeted out a picture of the Fetterman’s alongside the Bartos family sharing a message that they became friends despite their political differences in this previous campaign.

CNN Tracking Pelosi Opposition: The article has a list of Democratic Congressional representatives and their stance on Rep. Nancy Pelosi becoming the Speaker of the House. Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) is the only Pennsylvanian in their article who was on the record of stating his opposition to Pelosi. The article also includes responses/non responses from incoming Reps. Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon, Chrissy Houlahan, Susan Wild and Rep. Matt Cartwright

Houlahan Announces Bid for Democratic Policy and Communications Committee co-chair: Roll Call reports that the incoming Democratic Congressional Representative is running for one of the three co-chair positions on this committee, which they deem as the “messaging arm of the caucus.”

New PA8 Map: J. Miles Coleman, Election Analyst for @DecisionDeskHQ tweeted out a map of Rep. Matt Cartwright’s (D-Lackawanna) victory in the 2018 election. Cartwright won this district by about 9%, although President Trump carried this district by 10 points in 2016.

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Pennsylvania jobless rate flat again, payrolls hit new high
AP: Election shows how gerrymandering is difficult to overcome
AP: Wolf’s 2nd term comes with evolving GOP identity in Capitol
AP: When coal was king: Nanty Glo struggles to envision change
AP: Lawsuit seeking church abuse records filed in Philadelphia
AP: Pension, gambling laws among Legislature session highlights
AP: Man again gets death sentence in disabled woman’s torture
Billy Penn: Bob Casey thinks 25 candidates have a shot on the 2020 presidential ticket — and he may be one of them
Billy Penn: The #MeToo movement fell flat in the Pennsylvania legislature
Inquirer: Think GOP’s losses in Philly suburbs are Trump’s fault? It’s more complicated.
WESA: PA Launches Long-Awaited School Assessment Site
PLSReporter: VIDEO: 3 under 3!
StateImpactPA: Wolf joins governors calling for unified, national power grid
Billy Penn: Philly’s younger, more diverse state House delegation doesn’t plan to stay quiet
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. auditor general to investigate nursing homes, citing staffing issues
KDKA: Sen. Bob Casey Holds Open Possible Run For President In 2020
Beaver County Times: Bill helping child pornography victims passes Congress   
Harrisburg Patriot News: Sports betting is finally live in Pennsylvania
Harrisburg Patriot News: Four reasons why Republicans lost so badly in the Philly ‘burbs on Election Day | Monday Morning Coffee
Morning Call: Decision by Iowa senator means no Banking Committee gavel for Pat Toomey
Morning Call: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on reaching rural voters, his goals for the next Congress, and 2020 speculation
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s economic outlook: $1 billion+ deficits

Philadelphia
AP: Philadelphia reconciles $21 million in ‘missing’ funds
Billy Penn: Philly’s younger, more diverse state House delegation doesn’t plan to stay quiet
Billy Penn: Jewish man mistakenly identified as Proud Boy attacked at right-wing rally in Philadelphia
Billy Penn: Here’s the city’s weekly progress report on its opioid crisis initiative in Kensington
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner withdraws office from statewide prosecutors group
Inquirer: 4 arrested, but calm mostly prevails at ‘We the People’ rally on Independence Mall
Inquirer: West Philly beer deli owner stunned by plea deal for gunman who shot him
Philly Voice: Sen. Bob Casey to make a trip to Philly on Monday ahead of the holidays
KYW Newsradio: Bad for free speech, good for business: Trump’s symbiotic relationship with the press  
NBC10: Chester County DA Thomas Hogan Describes Philadelphia as ‘Riddled with Violence and Lawlessness in Ripping Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner
Philadelphia Magazine: What We Know About the “We the People Rally” Planned for Saturday
Next City: What Philadelphia Could Gain from Expanding Legal Aid for Tenants

SEPA
Inquirer: Think GOP’s losses in Philly suburbs are Trump’s fault? It’s more complicated.
Harrisburg Patriot News: Four reasons why Republicans lost so badly in the Philly ‘burbs on Election Day | Monday Morning Coffee
Bucks Local News: Newtown Supervisors again vote to deny controversial housing development at Buck Road and the Bypass
Daily Local News: Commissioners schedule hearing on Landscapes3
Delco Daily Times: Jailhouse Blues: Council still waiting on report as clock ticks down on prison deal
Delco Daily Times: Sources: Reilly eyes state GOP post, could step down as Delco Republican leader
Montgomery Media: Springfield proposes tax increase, local services tax
Bucks County Courier Times: Tomlinson declared winner in 6th Senate District
Bucks County Courier Times: School Lane rechartering process not going smoothly
Bucks County Courier Times: Warminster postpones draft budget meeting for Nov. 27
Pottstown Mercury: West Chester man will be helping out in Florida recount
Pottstown Mercury: Community members voice pipeline concerns
NBC10: Chester County DA Thomas Hogan Describes Philadelphia as ‘Riddled with Violence and Lawlessness in Ripping Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Officer Michael Rosfeld’s Attorney Wants Out-Of-Town Jury To Hear Antwon Rose Shooting Trial
KDKA: Sen. Bob Casey Holds Open Possible Run For President In 2020  
Pittsburgh Business Times: Where Pittsburgh wanted Amazon to go
Post-Gazette: Crafters create Jewish hearts for Pittsburgh and more than 40 volunteers hang them in the city  
Tribune Review: Shaler officials do not anticipate 2019 tax hike
Tribune Review: Shaler Board of Commissioners seek to fill vacancy
Tribune Review: Protect PT will host fracking information session in Murrysville
SWPA
Beaver County Times: Bill helping child pornography victims passes Congress
Observer-Reporter: Municipalities discuss creation of fire district
Observer-Reporter: Westmoreland commissioners open some positions to out-of-county workers
Observer-Reporter: Rostraver officials propose balanced budget with no tax increase for 2019
Observer-Reporter: North Franklin manager resigns
Altoona Mirror: A board divided
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County holds line on taxes        

NEPA
Standard Speaker: Butler Twp. now has new manager
Citizens Voice: Chamber apologizes for speaker’s partisan speech
The Times Leader: Luzerne County election office was a “human punching bag” in recent election, official says
Times-Tribune: No increase in property taxes in Scranton mayor’s proposed 2019 budget
Times-Tribune: Scranton native to take oath as Alaska governor above arctic circle

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: How they voted: A closer look at the race between U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and George Scott
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg wants to remove 2 traffic lanes on State Street, add protected bike lanes after series of deaths
Harrisburg Patriot News: Four reasons why Republicans lost so badly in the Philly ‘burbs on Election Day | Monday Morning Coffee
Harrisburg Patriot News: Interested in getting a medical marijuana card? Harrisburg event offers how-to help
York Daily Record: Interactive map: See how York County voted in the 2018 Pa. governor race
York Dispatch: Rep. Hill-Evans named secretary of Pa. Legislative Black Caucus
York Dispatch: York County woman joins ACLU lawsuit over Pa. absentee ballot deadlines
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster City Council OKs revisions to food cart, rental ordinances    
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County DA joins countywide effort to keep truant students in school
LNP | LancasterOnline: Rep. Bryan Cutler is bringing his Solanco roots to the highest level of state politics
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘I’d do it again’: Jess King, Lancaster Stands Up discuss next steps after unsuccessful bid for Congress

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Susan Wild wins special congressional election to finish Charlie Dent’s term
Morning Call: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey on reaching rural voters, his goals for the next Congress, and 2020 speculation
Morning Call: Decision by Iowa senator means no Banking Committee gavel for Pat Toomey
Morning Call: Allentown budget calls for full-time emergency management job
Morning Call: Allentown Cadets hit hard financially by sexual misconduct scandal
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council, police, DA will address rash of violence
Reading Eagle: Berks congressional freshmen get schooled on new job
Reading Eagle: Reading gets new deputy police chief

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie-area parks to share $862,000 in state grants
Erie Times-News: Sidewalks to be built along Caughey Road
Erie Times-News: Erie-area groups share $806,000 in gaming grants
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: School officials seek more education funding
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport Mayor’s budget plan cuts cops, others
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Clinton County may see more bus stops
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County pension increase to be considered

Opinion
Inquirer Editorial Board: Here’s how Philly could invest the $1.1 billion it offered Amazon
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Amazon lessons: City, county abrogated their duty to taxpayers
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Empowering victims: Pennsylvania should pass a law for rape kit tracking
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The Florida fiasco: Every vote must count
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Move it: Even a little exercise can have a big impact
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Put him on a leash: Dog testing by government is wrong
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Visas for sale: Wealthy foreigners have a special path to the U.S.
Keith C. Burris: From the backbench, a champion?
David M. Shribman: Is this a 1972 moment, or 1841, or …?
Ruth Ann Dailey: Jeff Bezos, the tech tease
Floyd Abrams: Money in politics might seem distasteful, but the First Amendment protects it
Jeff Clements: America needs a 28th Amendment for more liberty, more representation and better government
Christine Flowers: Longing for the comforts of home while searching for Thanksgiving in France
Ernest Owens: White Allies, the “We the People Rally” Is Your Time to Put Up or Shut Up
Trudy Rubin: The view from China: Will Trump and Xi avoid a new Cold War?
Will Bunch: Why the blood of a 1955 Mississippi murder drenches today’s U.S. Senate race
Bill White: Why Lehigh County’s budget process needs to change