Dean Browning enters the crowded primary field for the 15th Congressional District, Meuser ends the year with $471k on hand, two publically consider bids for the newly open 9th Congressional district while two jump in the race.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Browning Enters Race for PA-15: Republican businessman Dean Browning announced his bid to replace retiring Congressman Charlie Dent in the 15th Congressional District.

Meuser Ends Year with $471k On Hand: Republican Dan Meuser announced he ended 2017 with $471,000 on hand in his bid to replace Congressman Lou Barletta in the 11th Congressional District.

Alloway and DelGrosso Consider runs for Shuster’s Seat: State Senator Rich Alloway and businessman Michael DelGrosso are both reportedly considering bids to replace retiring Congressman Bill Shuster.

Two Enter Race to Replace Shuster: Days after Congressman Bill Shuster announced he would not seek re-election this year, Art Halverson and Benjamin Dayton Hornberger announced they are entering the race.

Legislative Election Update
Patriot News: Rep. Will Tallman will not seek re-election, saying ‘it’s time to turn over the torch’

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Diversity-themed butter sculpture unveiled at the PA Farm Show
State House Sound Bites: Pa. will likely be “ground zero” in November congressional elections
StateImpact: With coal consumption down, production ticks up from some Appalachian mines
StateImpact: Trump proposes oil and gas drilling off the Atlantic coast
StateImpact: Who will pay for Trump’s plan to save coal?
City & State: PA Sen. Folmer: Protect medical marijuana patients’ gun rights

Philadelphia
KYW: Pennsylvania Gives Approval To First Medical Marijuana Dispensary
Inquirer: Yet another Trump effect? People are giving up social media for New Year’s
Inquirer: Trump’s effort to stop publication of scathing book is a break in precedent
Inquirer: ‘Dangerous conditions’ to curtail SEPTA Regional Rail on Friday
Philly Mag: Allan Domb’s New Year’s Resolutions to Recover Millions for Philly
WHYY: ‘Safe-injection site’ more likely for Philly, but big hurdles to clear
WHYY: Grand jury calls for independent investigations of Pa. State Police officer-involved shootings
WHYY: Diversity-themed butter sculpture unveiled at the Pa. Farm Show
Billy Penn: Snow duty: Philly jurors still had to show up in the storm

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania all-clear for first medical pot dispensary
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania Turnpike tolls going up Sunday
Bucks County Courier Times: Winter storm cancels events, closes government offices, businesses in Bucks, Montgomery counties
Delco Times: Local officials turn up heat to ensure safety of pipeline process

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vows to protect medical marijuana from federal government
Tribune Review: 4 Republican candidates for governor air their views
Tribune Review: 4 West Mine in Greene County to close in March; 370 workers affected
Tribune Review: First Pennsylvania dispensary authorized to sell medical marijuana
KDKA: Attorney General’s Action Raises Questions About State’s Medical Marijuana Program
Post-Gazette: 4 GOP candidates for governor work to distinguish themselves
Post-Gazette: This year’s races for state legislative seats and governor’s offices may have outsized importance for the coming decade
Post-Gazette: First female municipal engineer in Allegheny County retires
WPXI: Republicans, Democrats plan aggressive campaigns in Western Pa. special election

Southwest
WJAC: Pennsylvania officials blast Sessions for rescinding Obama-era marijuana policy
Beaver County Times: Gov. Wolf, auditor general rip Sessions’ move targeting legal marijuana
Altoona Mirror: Gov. candidates make their cases

NEPA
Times Leader: Politico: Pennsylvania’s Senate race should draw national attention
Times Leader: Pa. officials slam feds’ move on marijuana
Times Leader: Luzerne County deciding which non-union employees will receive raises
Times-Tribune: 70 NEPA municipalities opt out of mini-casinos

South Central
WGAL: Jeff Sessions ‘spitting in the face’ of Americans who support pot, Auditor General says
WHTM: Wolf vows to protect medical marijuana program
WHTM: Where does Pa. get money to settle sexual harassment claims?
York Daily Record: Pennsylvania governor vows to protect medical marijuana from federal ‘overreach’
Patriot News: Interim Fire Commissioner named by Gov. Tom Wolf
Patriot News: Supporters of Pa.’s medical cannabis program fired up by feds’ latest ‘backwards attacks’
Patriot News: Animal rights activists plan protest at 2018 Pa. Farm Show
Patriot News: While feds say states can’t legalize marijuana anymore, Pa. will leave medical pot alone
Patriot News: Pa.’s Right to Know Law being used and not a burden for most government agencies, survey shows
York Dispatch: Court hearing set in York City Mayor Helfrich’s eligibility case
York Dispatch: 4 GOP candidates for governor work to distinguish themselves
LNP: Lancaster GOP incumbents seek party endorsement for re-election campaigns

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pretrial debate: Should jurors hear Ed Pawlowski’s record as mayor?
Morning Call: Lehigh County bench welcomes newest member, Judge Melissa Pavlack
Morning Call: Republican super PACs surge into Pennsylvania special election
Reading Eagle: Pa. business group urges improved school funding

North by Northwest
Clearfield Progress: Wolf: State will protect medical marijuana patients from any federal overreach
Daily Item: Gun rights of medical marijuana patients called into question
Erie Times-News: County councilman pushes to restore GECAC funding
Erie Times-News: Erie School Board prepares to vote on ambitious strategic plan

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Fighting the opioid crisis
Post-Gazette: Unhealthy for all: A shameful delay on lead standards by EPA
York Daily Record: Let’s cut excessive Pa. regulation (column)
Inquirer: Trump’s voter fraud commission is dead but Voter ID claims live on | Editorial
Inquirer: A new approach to redistricting in Pennsylvania and beyond | Opinion
Daily News: In the heart of Anti-Trump Country, voters still pine for an America better than its president | Will Bunch
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: End indefensible ‘Schedule I’ status to resolve medical marijuana-gun rights conflict
Patriot News: With high profile Congressional retirements, Pa. loses clout on Capitol Hill, but Republicans might lose seats | Analysis
LNP: There’s a price to pay for indifference to sexual harassment