The DCCC names Lamb to its Frontline program, Stack’s residency is challenged, and the Ups & Downs from the week.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

DCCC Names Lamb to Frontline Program: The DCCC named newly elected Congressman Conor Lamb to its Frontline program, which is their incumbent protection program.

Stack’s Residency Challenged in Commonwealth Court: Lieutenant Governor Mike Stack’s petitions are being challenged in Commonwealth Court over whether his residency listed on his petitions is accurate.

3/16 Ups & Downs: Fallout from the special election in the 18th district special election, Lamb and Saccone trending in opposite directions again, labor unions getting credit for pushing Lamb over the line, and Toohil shows courage. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Legislative Election Update
Tribune Review: St. Francis prof to run for Congress in new 13th District
Morning Call: Democrat David Weidman ends campaign for 7th Congressional District

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Militia members, other gun rights advocates rally in Harrisburg
State House Sound Bites: Rep. Toohil’s lawyers release report finding her abuse allegations “credible”
StateImpact: Listen: Disputes over gas royalties fester throughout oil and gas states
StateImpact: Sunoco spills drilling fluid into Lebanon County creek for third time
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending March 16
City & State: Philly agency to seize dozens of Germantown Settlement properties

Philadelphia
Inquirer: How Pa.’s ‘distressed’ program helps towns, and why it’s hard to leave it
Inquirer: Pa. GOP wants probe of ‘irregularities’ in special election
Inquirer: Uncertainty, intensity in Pa. gerrymander case isn’t likely ending soon
Inquirer: Death penalty for drug traffickers part of Trump opioid plan
Inquirer: With Krasner as DA, is Philly finally ready to end cash bail?
Inquirer: List of ‘troubled’ Philadelphia police filled with inconsistencies
Inquirer: Pa. House report: Accusers of Delco Rep. Nick Miccarelli ‘credible’
Philly Mag: Joe Biden Endorses Philly-Area Congressional Candidates
WHYY: – Lamb win in Pa. suggests GOP’s historically bad tax overhaul can be repealed
WHYY: Mayor gets new batch of names for Philly school board consideration
Philly Voice: Assaults increased in cities that hosted Trump rallies, study finds

SEPA
Delco Times: Two familiar names join Dem race in the 5th
Delco Times: Candidates collect pledges of support in 5th
Bucks County Courier Times: Democrats bore Lamb’s centrism, unified on other core issues
Bucks Local News: Governor Wolf joins Auditor General DePasquale in launching School Safety Task Force
Daily Local: Costello highlights importance of public education during Public Schools Week

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: GOP asks Pennsylvania Department of State to investigate special election ‘irregularities’
Post-Gazette: Federal lawsuit challenges use of PA Turnpike tolls to pay for transit, seeks $5.8 billion refund
Post-Gazette: District 18 post-mortem: Lamb engaged a spectrum of voters; outside GOP help failed to boost Saccone
Post-Gazette: Joe Biden remembers Dan Rooney at Duquesne University
Post-Gazette: False stories crop up on voter fraud after Lamb-Saccone race
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh agencies want a $13.95 million state assist in finding a new Downtown home
Post-Gazette: Democrats face a conundrum in some midterms as the party tries to decide on liberals, moderates or both
Tribune Review: Opioid epidemic could spark HIV outbreak, health experts fear
Tribune Review: Monroeville approves 10 year, three community comprehensive plan
KDKA: Official Ballot Count Begins In 18th Congressional District Special Election

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Democrats seek balance between base’s demands, election wins
Beaver County Times: Democratic state House candidates ready to withdraw nominating petitions after challenges
Beaver County Times: Political handicappers call 17th District race a tossup
Altoona Mirror: City Council holds up repository bid
Altoona Mirror: DEP suspends pipeline drilling over spill

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County Ethics Commission voting challenged
Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Governor launches School Safety Task Force with Auditor General
Times Tribune:  Friendly Sons of St. Patrick dinner: State AG blasts ‘forces of discrimination’
Times Tribune: Task force far too limited
Citizens Voice: Area businesswoman joins paid leave push

South Central
Patriot News: Sen. Bob Casey: ‘I don’t know why the president will not say a bad word – or even a critical word – about Vladimir Putin’
Patriot News: Republicans ask for investigation of voting ‘irregularities’ in special election
Patriot News: Cumberland Valley students hold gun-control, school-safety rally
Patriot News: Democrats bore Lamb’s centrism, unified on other core issues
Patriot News: What did report on accusations against Rep. Miccarelli conclude? Attorneys offer competing views
WHP: Face the State | Laura Ellsworth, PA Gubernatorial Candidate
LNP: Political analysts: Democrats’ chances of flipping many other districts Trump won by 20 points is a long shot

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s dilemma: Reform prisons to reduce costs or keep them as economic engines?
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley businesses receive more than $5 million in state solar energy grants, loans
Reading Eagle: Gov. Wolf sets up task force in effort to improve school safety
Pocono Record: Gov. appoints Monroe’s Lauver to state seat

North by Northwest
Meadville Tribune: Bartos pitches lieutenant governor campaign in northwestern Pennsylvania
Meadville Tribune: House nears vote on bill targeting Fish and Boat chief
Centre Daily Times: How bad is the opioid crisis in your backyard?
Erie Times-News: Truck drivers sue over Pennsylvania Turnpike toll increases

Opinion
Observer-Reporter: EDITORIAL Wolf’s proposed reforms should be enacted
Inquirer: Trump plan to toss school discipline guidelines is misguided | Editorial
Inquirer: Only a well-informed Philadelphia City Council can battle the opioid crisis | Editorial
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: To win opioid fight, prevent, repair addiction’s damage to lives, families, communities
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Deferring Pa.’s Legislature reduction
Post-Gazette: Students teach on guns: Wednesday’s observances show a new resolve
Post-Gazette: Defend free inquiry: IUP must uphold all students’ rights to expression
Patriot News: Conor Lamb, new guy, ran – and won – as an old-school Democrat | Kirstin Snow
Patriot News: Conor Lamb’s 18th District win was a Pyrrhic victory | Charlie Gerow
LNP: Let the voters decide whether or not to cut the size of the state House of Representatives