We ask what Dave Reed is thinking, President Obama pardons a former Pittsburgh Councilman and readers judge Chaka Fattah. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

What’s Dave Reed Up To?: It appears the State Rep. is getting set for a statewide race in 2018.

Reader Poll: What Should Dave Reed Do?: We ask our readers whether the House Majority Leader should seek the Governorship or a Senate seat in 2018.

Reader Poll: Fattah’s Punishment Just Right: Our readers are fine with the ten-year jail sentence.

President Obama Pardons Ex-Pittsburgh City Councilman: A former Pittsburgh official wins a pardon from the President.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: State cuts thousands of jobs in effort to mitigate budget shortfalls
State House Sound Bites: As protesters flood PA Capitol, electors vote unanimously for Trump
State House Sound Bites: Looking back on 2016: Trump’s Pennsylvania victory
State House Sound Bites: A look back at Governor Tom Wolf’s 2016
StateImpactPA: DEP to launch statewide listening tour in early 2017
StateImpactPA: Commonwealth court grants a new argument to landowners battling eminent domain in pipeline case

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Ex-Philly prosecutor suspended for revenge plot against lover
Inquirer: Under pressure to smile, Mayor Kenney reviews his rookie season
Inquirer: 2 Philly judges removed from bench for ethics violations
Inquirer: Kenney takes on trash with ‘zero waste’ goal
WHYY Newsworks: Judge rules Fattah must report to prison during appeal
WHYY Newsworks: States with background checks less likely to have gun violence in schools

SEPA
Bucks County Courier-Times: Improvements planned for towpath in New Hope
Bucks County Courier-Times: Yardley Council approves 8-mill tax increase
Delco Daily Times: How to end Pa.’s deficit? Tax the rich, experts say

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Jobless workers in PA continue to be laid off due to funding fight
Post-Gazette: PA electors gave support to Trump in midst of final recall
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council housing fund needs income source
Post-Gazette: Denzel Washington previews ‘Fences’ for Pittsburgh audience
Tribune-Review: Rising gas prices among biggest concerns for drivers

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: China continues to accuse U.S. for being its top source for synthetic drugs
Altoona Mirror: Commissioners approve tax increase
Beaver County Times: New two million dollar tax is being considered by Monaca officials

NEPA
Times Leader: Pittston Area School Board members approve Narcan policy
Times-Tribune: Citizens rally in support of Affordable Care Act
Times-Tribune: Commissioners set to pick Quandel to oversee Globe project

South Central
Patriot-News: State System of Higher Education board approves $77 million in employee pay raises
Patriot-News: Board ratifies 3-year contract with faculty at Pa. state universities
Patriot-News: Free parking day added in Harrisburg around the holidays
York Dispatch: North York councilwoman reneges on resignation promise
York Dispatch: West York’s 2017 budget cuts taxes

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Fatal crashes fall in Lehigh Valley despite rise in population
Morning Call: DEP sets public hearing on Chrin landfill expansion
Morning Call: Five things that led to the demise of Allentown’s Mayfair
Reading Eagle: Support for death penalty continues to wane
Reading Eagle: Reading’s DoubleTree to be under local ownership

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie superintendent: Frustration led to job hunt
Erie Times-News: Erie set for holiday crush on busiest mailing day of the year
Centre Daily Times: Penn State sues ex-president Spanier for breaching contract

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Forgiven: Udin earned a pardon before Obama gave him one
Post-Gazette: Unsuited for jail: Suit shows the need for alternate offender housing
Tribune Review: Why Congress needs to focus their attention on labor reform
Daily News: Rendell: Electoral College worth a little more study
Patriot-News: How a life-changing motorcycle accident prompted a W. Pa lawmaker’s retirement

Blogs
2 Political Junkies: Resistance is Refusal. Resist.
Keystone Crossroads: A 1940s documentary about housing and poverty in Philadelphia, and progress since then
Keystone State Education Coalition: PA Ed Policy Roundup Dec 20: DeVos affiliated school reform PAC has given millions to PA lawmakers