The NRCC puts Dan Meuser on it “On the Radar” list for 2018, Lewis announces he raised over $116,000 since entering the race, and the state budget’s final act began and ended.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

NRCC Showcases Meuser in its “On the Radar” Program: The NRCC put former Revenue Secretary Dan Meuser on its “On the Radar” program, a program to highlight candidates.

Lewis Announces Over $116K Raised in First 2 Weeks: Republican Andrew Lewis announced today that his campaign for the 11th Congressional District has raised $116,500 since he entered the race two weeks ago.

State Budget Nearly Complete: The House and Senate have passed all of the major pieces of a completed budget, minus a gambling expansion bill that is before the House today.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: House passes final budget piece; ball moves to Wolf’s court
City & State: PA’s fight over gerrymandering will hit the silver screen
Capitolwire: PA House passes gaming expansion bill, finishing up state budget revenue plan.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Popular Pa., N.J. tax break imperiled as House budget bill advances
Inquirer: Highlights of Pennsylvania’s casino gambling expansion bill
Inquirer: Philly Police Commissioner: We’re not ICE, never will be
Inquirer: Pa. Legislature throws its support behind Trump energy plan
Inquirer: White House revisits gas-tax increase
Inquirer: Tackling racism in the Gayborhood: City updates its progress
Inquirer: Philly pension board dropping private prison stocks
Inquirer: Pa. legislature expands gambling, borrows $1.5 billion to balance budget. Will Gov. Wolf sign?
WHYY: Pa. reviews business practices to ensure diversity in contracts
WHYY: Gov. Wolf to consider bill that would weaken teacher seniority, among other school policy shifts
Philly Tribune: Wolf gets far-reaching bill to expand gambling in state

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Voters will decide which political party holds the majority in Warminster this November
Bucks County Courier Times:  Firefighting foam contamination now at 45 military bases
Bucks County Courier Times: Greenleaf bill to add judges to Bucks and Montgomery County common pleas court reaches governor’s desk
Bucks County Courier Times:  Sessions slams judges for thwarting Trump policies
Pottstown Mercury: Pottsgrove board mulls future with $1.2M surplus
Pottstown Mercury: Two first-time candidates seek East Nantmeal supervisor seat
Pottstown Mercury: Trump declares opioids a public health emergency
Pottstown Mercury: Far-reaching gambling bill passes Pennsylvania House
Delco Times: New Pa. budget features special Delco provision

Pittsburgh
KDKA: PPS Superintendent Promises Changes Following Assaults On Teachers
KDKA:  Lawmakers Push Borrowing, Gambling Bills In Budget Scramble
Tribune Review: Gov. Wolf to evaluate plan to close budget gap, expand gambling in Pennsylvania
Tribune Review: Agents with special opioid unit raid medical offices in Irwin, Hempfield
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority ends water shut offs in winter
Tribune Review:  Johnstown man who ran prostitution ring convicted of human trafficking
Post-Gazette: Ban on procedures for transgender children endangers health insurance program
Post-Gazette: County’s top doc: Opioid emergency making officials “desperate”
Post-Gazette: New administrative judge appointed in Butler County
Post-Gazette: Trump holding back some JFK files, releasing others  
Post-Gazette: District 18 special: March election generating a lot of interest

Southwest
WJAC: No tuition surcharge at Penn State, Pitt as lawmakers pass budget
WTAJ: Wolf urges new severance tax
Beaver County Times: PA Senate passes resolution targeting vehicle emissions in Beaver County
Altoona Mirror: Gambling poised for major expansion

NEPA
Times Leader:  Casey introduces Driver Fatigue Prevention Act
Times Leader: NEPA economic leaders detail extensive effort to lure Amazon’s HQ2
Times-Tribune: Cummings presents anti-reassessment position at event
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council concerned about Scranton School District’s financial crisis
Times-Tribune: Barletta renews call for term limits
Standard-Speaker: Carbon Co. commissioners seeking ways to reduce $600K budget deficit

South Central
Patriot News: With budget near the goal line, Gov. Wolf presses for tax on gas drillers
Patriot News: ‘It can be a hassle:’ Drivers divided on Pa. plan to allow gambling at truck stops
Patriot News: Hollywood Casino could be hurt by ‘satellite’ casinos, Internet gambling means new money: reaction to House bill
Patriot News: A dozen ways Pa.’s 2017-18 state budget may impact your life
Patriot News: Massive gambling expansion passes state House of Representatives
Patriot News: Trump calls opioids ‘the worst drug crisis in American history’
Patriot News: Pa. finds 544 ballots that might have been cast illegally over 18 years
LNP: Major gambling state Pennsylvania poised for big expansion
LNP: Lancaster City Council candidates to debate Nov. 2 at Crispus Attucks
LNP: Public meeting scheduled on Lancaster’s proposed lead hazard regulations
LNP: Mayoral candidates Sorace, Stewart to discuss Latino issues at forum Friday
LNP: Here’s how lawmakers from Lancaster County voted on expanding gambling in Pennsylvania
LNP: US Rep. Lloyd Smucker praises retiring Lancaster Catholic football coach during House session
WPMT: PA leaders react to President Trump’s declaration on opioids

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Officials commend president’s speech on opioid crisis
Express Times: 11 ways Pennsylvania’s gambling expansion affects the Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Penn National weighing ‘legal options’ over gaming expansion
Morning Call: WATCH: What would the Allentown mayoral candidates do to provide better fire protection?
Morning Call: Q&A: DEP Secretary Patrick McDonnell discusses Pennsylvania’s environmental future
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House joins Senate in expanding gambling
Morning Call: Candidates trade verbal blows in Northampton County executive debate

North by Northwest
Erie-Times News: Eire Community Foundation awards $1.2million to nonprofits
Erie-Times News: Pennsylvania House passes gaming bill; casino expansion possible in Erie County
Erie-Times News: Pennsylvania House passes gaming bill; casino expansion possible in Erie County
WNEP: Possible Overhaul of Gambling Laws in Pennsylvania

Opinion
Delco Times: Editorial: When all else fails, roll the dice in Pa. budget mess
Inquirer: Lazy Pa. legislators ready to bet, borrow, and spend | Editorial
Inquirer: Pa. is completely unprepared for the next recession
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Ethanol’s slow burn in the renewable fuel follies
Post-Gazette: Why you vote in retention elections
Patriot News: This is what the Trump dossier says – and what it doesn’t | Opinion
Patriot News: This is how bureaucrats in Washington are threatening your healthcare | Opinion
LNP: Bike share is a good idea, but mutual respect and safety will make it succeed