Murphy changes course and announces his resignation less than 24 hours after he announced he would not seek re-election, two state Senators jump in the race to replace him, Bloom raises $110k, and AAN thanks two Pa. Congressmen for supporting tax reform.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Ward Announces for Congress in PA-18: State Senator Kim Ward announced that she will be running for Congress to replace resigning Congressman Tim Murphy.

Murphy Resigns From Congress: Congressman Tim Murphy, who announced yesterday he would not be running for re-election, resigned from Congress effective October 21st.

Center-Right Group Launches Ads Thanking Two Pa. Congressmen: The American Action Network, a right leaning group, launched ads thanking Congressmen Ryan Costello and Brian Fitzpatrick for pushing for tax reform.

Bloom Announces $110k Fundraising Haul: State Rep. Stephen Bloom’s Congressional campaign announced it raised $110,000 since he entered the race on September 18th.

Reschenthaler Jumps into Race to Replace Murphy: State Senator Guy Reschenthaler announced he will be entering the race to replace retiring Congressman Tim Murphy.

Legislative Election Update
City & State: State Sen. Kim Ward announces run as Congressman Murphy bows out

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: GOP bid for Medicaid work requirements unlikely to withstand veto
State House Sound Bites: House assigns blame as budget talks crash; Wolf draws “line in the sand”
StateImpact: Pipeline blasting sprayed Lebanon County home with debris, and may have spread legacy pollution

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Calling out Trump, sprinting around Pa., Josh Shapiro seeks to make a name as AG
Inquirer: Gun safety groups now oppose Pat Toomey’s landmark background check bill, urge stronger measure
Inquirer: Pa. attorney general files suit against student-loan company
Inquirer: No budget deal? No problem. ‘I can do this indefinitely,’ Wolf says
Inquirer: Pa. to fund opioid overdose antidote for first responders
WHYY: Eying expansion, Philly charter school creates incubator for start-ups
WHYY: Pa. offering $5 M worth of naloxone to first responders
WHYY: Claiming predatory practices, Pa. attorney general sues student loan servicer Navient
WHYY: Property tax-deferral plan for poor Philly homeowners advances to mayor
Philly Voice: The Supreme Court and gerrymandering: what it means for Pennsylvania
Philly Voice: Philly-area politicians sponsor Senate legislation to outlaw ‘bump stocks’ used in Las Vegas massacre

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County Commissioners react to Las Vegas mass shooting
Pottstown Mercury: Collapse of Pennsylvania budget talks leaves higher ed aid in limbo
Bucks County Courier Times: Congress should pull trigger on restricting certain types of weapons
Bucks County Courier Times: Brian Fitzpatrick floats cybersecurity loans for small businesses
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County moves three polling places for November election
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Bob Casey supports ban on gun widget used in Las Vegas shooting
Bucks County Courier Times: Gun violence prevention topic at town hall in Bucks County

Pittsburgh
Post Gazette: Tim Murphy staff silent concerning the Pennsylvania Republican’s whereabouts
Post Gazette: With DACA deadline here, now comes the waiting
Post Gazette: Gov. Wolf will veto controversial Medicaid work requirement bill
Post Gazette: House passes $4.1 trillion budget in key step for upcoming tax debate
Post-Gazette: Lawmakers out of ideas on how to fund state budget
Tribune Review: GOP Rep. Tim Murphy resigning after reports of affair, Ryan announces
Tribune Review: Pa. attorney general Josh Shapiro sues student loan company
Tribune Review: Collapse of Pennsylvania budget talks leaves higher ed aid in limbo
WESA: Translator Volunteers Her Skills To Help Immigrants Adjust To Life In Pittsburgh
KDKA:  Rep. Tim Murphy To Resign From Congress Amid Affair Scandal
KDKA: Republican Lawmakers Considering Run For Murphy’s Congressional Seat

Southwest
WJAC: State representatives introduces bill to ban bump stocks
WJAC: Ryan: GOP Rep. Murphy resigning after reports of affair
WJAC: Aqua Pennsylvania announces $1.4M replacement project at Treasure Lake
WJAC: Pennsylvania attorney general sues student loan company
WJAC: First responders can apply for naloxone kits under new program
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. TIm Murphy resigns amid scandal, GOP state legislator to run for his seat
Beaver County Times: State to provide $5 million in opiod reversal drug to first responders
Altoona Mirror: Wolf says he’ll borrow to patch deficit

NEPA
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre council approves outside review of police force
Times Leader: AG Shapiro sues student lender with office in Hanover Township
Times-Tribune: Scranton resident sues over sewer sale proceeds

South Central
WHTM: Pa. House sends ‘right to try’ bill to governor’s desk
York Dispatch: House GOP: Wolf breaking law by stalling educational tax credits
WPMT: Gov. Wolf makes effort to close state’s budget gap
Patriot News: Pa. court asked to delay gerrymandering case as U.S. Supreme Court hears similar issue
Patriot News: Pa. congressman to resign this month
Patriot News: NRA, increasing number of lawmakers support bump stock regulations or bans
Patriot News: Hundreds of pipeline jobs open in Pa.
Patriot News: How teacher friendly is Pennsylvania?
Patriot News: The state budget debate, explained in 1:53, with cartoons | Analysis
LNP: Pennsylvania proposes $50 fee for medical marijuana patient & caregiver IDs
LNP: Report: 80 percent of at-risk Lancaster County children miss out on high-quality pre-k programs

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: House passes $4.1 trillion in budget in key step for upcoming tax debate
Morning Call: GOP Rep. Murphy resigning after reports of affair, abortion request
Reading Eagle: ‘I have a purpose,’ Pulse shooting survivor says at Penn State Berks
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania’s running out of time to implement real ID

North by Northwest
Bradford Era: State funding plan still in limbo
Meadville Tribune: Frustrated by House inaction, Wolf moves to balance books
Centre Daily Times: Penn State urges House members to break state budget impasse
Erie Times-News: Auditor general cites opioid crisis in Erie visit

Opinion
Delco Times: Editorial: No end in sight to Harrisburg budget follies
Erie Times-News: Our view: Wolf takes the reins in budget fight
Inquirer: Controller targets sidewalk café pavement pirates | Stu Bykofsky
Inquirer: How fracking-friendly legislators are running PA into the ground | Editorial
WHYY: Op-ed: Ending gerrymandering is fundamental, but Harrisburg doesn’t want to hear it
Bucks County Courier Times: Court should tell lawmakers, ‘Do your job!’
Tribune Review: Trump & Cuba: Now hear this
Post-Gazette: Murphy’s lesson: The congressman had no choice but to resign
LNP: Here’s hoping the Supreme Court will put an end to partisan gerrymandering of legislative districts