The Auditor General releases his report on the 2016 DNC Host Committee’s use of state money, criticizes the grant agreement and Rendell, refers it to the IRS, the DCCC launched a new digital ad and microsite, and despite the results on election day property taxes unlikely to change.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Auditor General Report: “No Public Funds Were Used For Any of Those November 2016 Payouts”: Auditor General Eugene DePasquale released his audit of the 2016 DNC in Philadelphia and its spending of $10 million from the Pennsylvania after Republican leaders and Governor Wolf called for an audit after it was revealed the Host Committee handed out bonuses to employees. DePasquale faulted the wording of the state grant agreement, and criticized former Gov. Ed Rendell.

DCCC and Save My Care Launch Digital Ads on GOP Tax Plan: The DCCC launched a new ad digital ad campaign targeting Congressmen Ryan Costello, Brian Fitzpatrick, and Pat Meehan over the GOP’s tax plan, and a new microsite calling for people to record videos over why they oppose the tax plan. Save My Care launched a digital video ad against Costello as part of a national ad buy.

Despite Constitutional Amendment Vote, Property Taxes Likely to Remain: Despite 54% of people voting in favor of a Constitutional Amendment allowing for local taxing authorities to exempt homeowners from paying property tax on their primary residence, the likelihood of that actually happening remains small.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers edge closer to agreement on jobless system funding
State House Sound Bites: House begins debating natural gas drilling tax
State House Sound Bites: House passes “clean” CHIP renewal, without ban on transgender coverage
StateImpact: After recent Mariner East 2 spills, DEP mulls ‘additional enforcement’
City & State: PA House poised to declare pornography a public health crisis
Capitolwire: House steers clear of transgender debate while approving CHIP renewal.
Capitolwire: PA Auditor General faults wording of $10 million 2016 DNC grant, says Rendell should have sought Host Committee approval before using surplus funds for staff payouts.

Philadelphia
Philly Mag: DePasquale: The IRS Needs to Review DNC Surplus Spending
KYW: Auditor General Rips Wording Of DNC Grant Agreement
Philly Tribune: Wolf urges passage of bills to curb, treat opioid addiction
Inquirer: Transit riders unions may be coming to Philly
Inquirer: Former Pa. election czar was fired, records show
Inquirer: Gov. Ridge’s family ‘cautiously optimistic’ for full recovery
WHYY: Democrats, health officials, oppose Republican tax plan
WHYY: Honoring the 50th anniversary of a pivotal student protest in Philadelphia
WHYY: Pa. auditor general completes review of DNC staff bonuses
WHYY: Pa. lawmakers battle sexual misconduct with bill to ban settlement secrecy

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania House OKs children’s health insurance bill without argument
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania Game Commission: 666 bears killed on first day of season
Bucks County Courier Times: Council Rock board approves early steps on Rolling Hills Elementary School renovation
Delco Times: Chester stormwater authority to take second look at fees
Delco Times: State legislators announce safety grant for U.D. schools

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Email indicates Pennsylvania election chief was forced out
Tribune Review: Prominent Philadelphia neurologist faces sex allegations in 3 states  
Tribune Review: Gov. Wolf to sign bill placing Pittsburgh’s water system under PUC oversight
Tribune Review: Aspinwall property taxes could increase to pay for more police  
KDKA: Bed Bug Prevention Method Developed In Pennsylvania Seeing Positive Results  
KDKA: Conor Lamb Selected As Democratic Nominee For Special Election To Succeed Murphy
Post-Gazette: Tom Ridge’s family ‘cautiously optimistic’ for full recovery after heart attack  
Post-Gazette: Pa. Auditor General DePasquale refers DNC Hose Committee bonus case to IRS
Post-Gazette: Former Pa. election chief was fired, records show  
Post-Gazette: State House removes controversial provision for transgender children in health insurance bill, kicks it back to the Senate
WTAE: Legislation placing PWSA under oversight of PUC heads to Gov. Wolf’s desk

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Democrats pick Marine vet, former prosecutor Conor Lamb as 18th Congressional District special election candidate
Beaver County Times: Beaver, Blackhawk, Central Valley, Midland awarded ‘Safe Schools’ grants
Altoona Mirror: Shuster hints at run for re-election
Altoona Mirror: Altoona Water Authority proposes increase in rates
WTAJ: Governor Wolf visits Appvion

NEPA
Times Leader: Labor complaints detail discipline against Wilkes-Barre police union officials
Times Leader: Luzerne County government may offer $5 million to municipalities
Times-Tribune: County Commissioners to hold special meeting, budget hearing Wednesday
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County mini-grant program slashed in proposed 2018 budget
Times-Tribune: Scranton School Board passes preliminary budget with $18.7 million hole
Standard-Speaker: State AG talks ag ordinances, drug epidemic

South Central
Patriot News: Pa. House leaders strip transgender controversy from Children’s Health Insurance Program renewal
Patriot News: Email indicates Pa. elections chief forced out, but reason still unknown
Patriot News: Funding agreement reached for Pa.’s beleaguered jobless claims services
Patriot News: Democratic convention bonuses OK under grant terms: auditor
Patriot News: York County finds only one race could have been impacted by machine glitch
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Ridge’s health continues to improve, family says
LNP: Feds propose plan to bail out nuke, coal plants, possibly including Three Mile Island
LNP: Family says they’re optimistic of Tom Ridge’s full recovery
LNP: Opioid addiction cost US $504 billion in 2015, according to White House report

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Victaulic to invest millions in Lehigh Valley with new jobs, manufacturing
Morning Call: Grand opening of new Easton police station   
Morning Call: Allentown awarded grant to hire new police officers
Morning Call: Auditor: Democratic convention bonuses OK under grant terms
Reading Eagle: CBS suspends Charlie Rose, PBS halts his show following allegations  
Reading Eagle: Mariner East 2 pipeline work in New Morgan area halted

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: AccuWeather director announces senate run
Centre Daily Times: Public event to honor Judge Kistler’s retirement
Erie Times-News: Millions to travel for Thanksgiving holiday

Opinion
Inquirer: Why ‘apartheid schools’ have become common in Philly and NJ | Editorial
Inquirer: Philadelphia takes control of schools, but state still owes pupils
Inquirer: Philly should follow Cook County’s lead in repealing beverage tax | Opinion
Inquirer: Pa. offers hints about GOP’s worries for 2018 | Opinion
Post-Gazette: Empathy was missing: The DA makes right move for victims’ advocates after Kochu and James deaths
LNP: It’s time to end the ‘bad marriage’ between the governor and lieutenant governor in Pennsylvania
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Pennsylvania local governments badly need updated system