Teplitz will remain in the Capitol, Barletta won’t serve in the Cabinet and Trump is coming to Hershey. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

SD-15: Teplitz Secures Job After Defeat: The outgoing State Senator will stay on with the Democratic caucus.

BREAKING: Barletta Passes on Cabinet Post: The Congressman was being considered for Secretary of Labor.

Trump to Visit Hershey on ‘Thank You’ Tour: Mike Pence will also be attending.

Williams Gets Another Challenger (VIDEO): The race for Philly DA is becoming crowded.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: State financial protection program says it’s prioritizing cybersecurity
State House Sound Bites: PA GOP: No delays expected in Trump vote certification
StateImpactPA: DEP unveils permit requirements to curb air pollution at gas sites
StateImpactPA: Energy Hub vision challenged by Rinaldi’s departure from PES
Smart Talk: Harrisburg parking, clemency from Obama, and holiday lights
WITF: State financial protection program says it’s prioritizing cybersecurity

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Medical examiner: Philly overdose surge may have killed 35 over 5 days
Inquirer: Philly adopts new limits on sales of cigarettes and tobacco
Inquirer: Your salary will soon be your secret in Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: Solar company plans expansion of Pa. workforce
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia cracking down on predatory towing
Philly Voice: No toll increase for DRPA bridges, no fare increase to ride PATCO in 2017

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County D.A. pleads for higher prosecutor salaries
Pottstown Mercury: Presidential race recount ordered in Chester County
Montgomery Media: Lansdale nonprofits disclose uses of Lansdale Borough funds
Bucks Local News: Lower Makefield Supervisors approve spending nearly $4M to preserve open space on Big Oak Road

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Ferlo calls to ‘pull the plug’ on Penguins’ arena site redevelopment
Post-Gazette: Police may add substation in Downtown Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: U.S. Steel clarifies jobs numbers tied to Trump
Post-Gazette: Survey shows transgender people face high rates of violence, economic instability
Tribune-Review: CMU spinoff makes robots that are more than toys
Tribune-Review: FirstEnergy finds buyer for Pennsylvania power plants

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Hollidaysburg plan shows $19K surplus
Altoona Mirror: Cambria County budget cuts taxes, spending
Beaver County Times: Local labor leader offended by Trump’s attack on United Steelworkers
Beaver County Times: Ambridge district judge accused of misconduct

NEPA
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre police union asks city council to investigate chief
Times Leader: Plains Township passes $9.3 million budget; holds taxes to 1.77 mills
Times-Tribune: Scranton council criticizes county plan for raising tax-appeal fee

South Central
Patriot-News: Harrisburg council vets mayor’s 2017 budget proposal amid looming deadline to exit Act 47
Patriot-News: U.S. Rep Lou Barletta withdraws from labor consideration post
Patriot-News: Repeal of Obamacare will push more than 60 million to go uninsured
York Dispatch: York County Dems express interest in running for office

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: House passes stopgap measure
Reading Eagle: Reading residents gather for forum on violence
Reading Eagle: Computer virus strikes Reading Parking Authority, officials say

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Gov Wolf pledges to improve PA’s education system better
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council examines public works budget
Centre Daily Times: Obama rushes to Trump proof the White House

Opinion
Inquirer: Religious freedom, first among our liberties, is under threat
Delco Daily Times: Delco, Chester roll the dice – & win
Patriot-News: ‘Working-class people voted for Donald Trump because they’re not working’: Philly GOP chairman
Post-Gazette: A real lifesaver: Pitt research attacks carbon monoxide poisoning
Post-Gazette: School watch: All eyes on the city schools and its elected board

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Trump picks labor secretary while Barletta remains in Congress
Keystone Crossroads: New PA audit attacks local governments use of gas as free revenue
Keystone Education Coalition: Why there needs to be a stronger focus on school districts governance