Text messages show Voit was “fully on board” with Bartos’ LG run before announcing his bid for the seat, the PA GOP announced its new Executive Director, the latest Politically Uncorrected column, Bartos reports $849k on hand, and the state Senate’s head of security steps down amid sexual harassment claims.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Text Messages: Voit “Fully On Board” With Bartos LG Run Before Entering Race: In a text message conversation between Lieutenant Governor candidate Jeff Bartos and Otto Voit from December 1st, Voit said he was “fully on board” with Bartos’ bid for Lieutenant Governor. Voit entered the race for Lieutenant Governor on December 28th.

PA GOP Hires New Executive Director: The PA GOP hired Mike Stoll as its new Executive Director after Rob Brooks left the party to return to his previous job with Hallowell & Branstetter.

Politically Uncorrected: Should The GOP Worry in Pennsylvania’s March Special Election: Should the Republican party worry about the March special election in the heavily Republican advantaged district that is rated as “likely Republican” by most election handicappers? Maybe.

Bartos Reports $849k at Year End for LG Bid: Republican Lieutenant Governor candidate Jeff Bartos, who is running as a ticket with state Senator Scott Wagner, reportedly finished 2017 with $849,000 on hand.

State Senate Security Head Latest Resignation Tied to Sexual Harassment Claims: The head of security for Pennsylvania’s state Senate resigned in light of reports he sexually harassed two subordinates.

Legislative Election Update
CD-11: Democratic candidate Denny Wolf was endorsed by the National Farmers Union in his bid for the seat.  “It’s an exceptional thing for the NFU PAC to make a primary endorsement, but Denny Wolff is an exceptional candidate.  I’ve known Denny for many years in his capacity as the state Secretary of Agriculture,” National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson said.  
Lebanon Daily News: Russ Diamond seeking third term in Harrisburg

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Pa. will likely be “ground zero” in November congressional elections
State House Sound Bites: Fearing financial “crisis,” auditor will review PA Turnpike Commission
StateImpact: Power grid bracing for ‘bomb cyclone,’ bitter cold
StateImpact: DEP suspends all construction on Mariner East 2 pipeline
StateImpact: Federal repeal of fracking regulations affects relatively small amount of Pa. land
Capitolwire: More than 1,000 municipalities opt out from hosting mini-casinos as final list awaited.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: With high-profile retirements, Pa. to lose experience, clout in Congress
Inquirer: Farewell, SRC: A Philadelphia school board primer
Inquirer: DEP halts construction of Sunoco’s $2.5B Mariner East 2 pipeline
WHYY: Democrats rise to take on Republican Rep. Fitzpatrick in Bucks County
WHYY: Pennsylvania revenue collection in flux due to new federal tax law
Philly Voice: New Philly D.A. Larry Krasner: Let’s swap jails for schools
Philly Voice: Grand jury hits Pennsylvania State Police on probes of fatal shootings

SEPA
Daily Local: Pennsylvania DEP shuts down construction on Sunoco gas pipeline
Pottstown Mercury: Women rule the day at Chester County swearing-in ceremony
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield accepting supervisor applications as former board member moves to county office

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Peduto lays out vision for Pittsburgh’s future in inauguration speech
Tribune Review: 4 Republicans running for Pennsylvania governor to participate in TV forum Thursday
Tribune Review: Lower Burrell Mayor Rich Callender withdraws from race for 54th state House seat
Tribune Review: Aspinwall council members sworn in, elect new leadership
Tribune Review: Two Monroeville residents seek vacant council seat
Tribune Review: McCandless launches probe into councilman’s confrontation with teens
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Sworn In For 2nd Term With Grand Plans For Future
Post-Gazette: Bruce Kraus secures third term as Pittsburgh City Council president
Post-Gazette: Peduto begins second term with eye on city’s long-term growth
Pittsburgh Business Times: Greene County coal mine to close with 370 jobs lost
Pittsburgh Business Times: Inauguration day: Here’s what Pittsburgh business leaders want to see in mayor’s second term

Southwest
WJAC: Guns or medicine? Wolf says feds should fix law that makes people choose
Beaver County Times: Bernstine bill would limit life insurance payouts of terrorists
Beaver County Times: Auditor general to probe Turnpike Commission for second time in two years
Altoona Mirror: Handful of municipalities in Blair fold on mini-casino

NEPA
Pike County Courier: GOP reps want to whittle down Pennsylvania’s safety net
Times Leader: Griffith criticizes election response
Times Leader: Federal firearms law takes aim at PA medical marijuana users
Standard-Speaker: City council shakes off cold to borrow $1.5M from pension account

South Central
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s minimum wage is now lower than 32 states and 20 cities
Patriot News: Thousands laid off in 2017 at companies throughout Pa.
Patriot News: DEP stops construction on Mariner East 2 pipeline after multiple violations
Patriot News: It’s a new year and a new pay rate for many state government employees
LNP: Danene Sorace sworn in as Lancaster’s new mayor, pledges to work for ‘every neighborhood’
LNP: Lancaster County jobless rate stays at 3.6% in Nov., 2nd best in PA

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pawlowski due in court for pretrial hearing
Morning Call: Bethlehem councilman picked for city business administrator
Reading Eagle: Federally compliant driver’s license in Pa. to cost twice as much as regular card

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Nestle Waters considering Centre County for $50 million manufacturing facility
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council gives preliminary OK to marijuana decriminalization ordinance
Erie Times-News: Erie unemployment climbs to 5.4 percent

Opinion
Inquirer: Pa. legislators should save domestic abuse victims by disarming abusers | Editorial
Inquirer: As Trump attacks Bannon, women Democrats in Philly suburbs take office after delicious revenge wins against the GOP | Maria Panaritis
Tribune Review: Trib Thursday wrap editorial: Harassment’s other cost
Post-Gazette: Sanity on security: Why does the state Senate need a security team, too?
Patriot News: The Trump administration is pushing for a change that could derail the Census | Editorial
LNP: Reflecting on the Mayor Rick Gray era in the City of Lancaster