Education Advocate Mary Gay Scanlon enters the race for the new 5th Congressional district, Biden to come to PA to campaign for Lamb, Trump says Toomey is afraid of the NRA, and call mount for Miccarelli’s resignation.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Education Advocate Enters Race for New PA-5: Education Advocate Mary Gay Scanlon announced her bid for the Democratic nominationg in the newly drawn 5th Congressional district and endorsements from Delaware county elected officials.

Biden to Campaign for Lamb in PA-18 Special Election: Former Vice-President Joe Biden will campaign for Conor Lamb next week in the final lead up to the special election for the 18th Congressional district.

Trump to Toomey: You’re Afraid of the NRA: During an exchange between President Trump and Senator Pat Toomey at a roundtable discussion on gun control, Trump criticized Toomey for being “afraid of the NRA.”

Calls Mount For Miccarelli to Resign: After allegations of sexual and physical assault against two women, lawmakers have begun calling for state Rep. Nick Miccarelli’s resignation.

Legislative Election Update
Times-Tribune: Peters to run for Cartwright’s seat
Inquirer: Philly ‘con man’ announces he’s running for state rep, gets ward leader backing | Clout

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Wagner, Ellsworth, and Mango face off in GOP debate
StateImpact: How a reporter’s #NoDAPL photo wound up in the Russia investigations
StateImpact: Author answers hot-button questions on fracking, including climate impact
City & State: Philly hospital union takes political heft to suburban races
City & State: Miccarelli allegations put renewed focus on #MeToo legislation

Philadelphia
KYW: Allentown Mayor found guilty of dozens of charges in corruption trial
WPVI: Toomey responds after Trump says he’s ‘afraid’ of NRA
WHYY: Odds improve for Toomey to expand background checks, but no slam dunk
WHYY: Bill Green for Congress?
WHYY: Jimenez resigns from Philly SRC four months before it disbands
Philly Mag: To Pay for Schools, Kenney Proposes Property, Real Estate Tax Hikes
Philly Voice: Miccarelli spokesman: What about #NotMe movement?\
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney finds resistance to tax increases for Philly schools
Inquirer: GOP gubernatorial debate becomes confrontational
Inquirer: Farah Jimenez resigns SRC seat; Gov. Wolf will not appoint a replacement
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney’s proposed tax hikes: What you need to know
Inquirer: Trump nominates Philadelphia judge Restrepo to U.S. sentencing commission

SEPA
Daily Local: Joe Biden headed to Pennsylvania for House
Daily Local: Rep. Milne to introduce legislation to expand keystone scholars program
Delco Times: Miccarelli continues to deny abuse allegations; House GOP leaders calling on him to resign
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania voters who got district map overturned added to federal case
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania GOP gubernatorial candidates push back on gun control talk
Times Herald: 100 groups around globe join push urging Wolf to shut down Mariner East 2 pipeline

Pittsburgh
WESA: GOP Gubernatorial Candidates Join First Debate
Tribune Review: Trump’s tariffs garner support from Pa. Democrat Sen. Bob Casey
Post-Gazette: GOP gubernatorial candidates face off in debate
Post-Gazette: Biden to support Conor Lamb with March 6 visit to area
Post-Gazette: GOP gubernatorial candidates face off in debate
Post-Gazette: Pa. House leaders: Rep. Miccarelli should resign over misconduct claims
Post-Gazette: More lawsuits flow against Mariner East construction
KDKA: President Trump Goes After Sen. Toomey, Saying He’s Afraid Of The NRA
KDKA: Trump: U.S. Will Impose Steel And Aluminum Tariffs Next Week
WTAE: 18th Congressional District Race: Breaking down the attack ad on Conor Lamb

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Joe Biden to campaign with Conor Lamb next week, including RMU rally
Beaver County Times: State legislators urge FCC to boost broadband for rural Pennsylvanians
Altoona Mirror: Few attend school safety session

NEPA
WBRE: Senators introduce “BlueAlert” bill
Times Leader: Allentown mayor convicted, must step down
Times Leader: Luzerne County payroll contract blasted by councilwoman
Times-Tribune: New tariff draws mixed reactions from area manufacturers

South Central
Patriot News: Pa. Rep. Nick Miccarelli pressured by House GOP leaders to resign
Patriot News: Pennsylvania removes barrier to medicines that fight cravings from heroin
Patriot News: Here’s how lawmakers think they can make schools safer
Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s GOP gubernatorial candidates tout qualities, show differences in Harrisburg debate
Patriot News: Allentown mayor guilty of selling office to donors, jury finds
Patriot News: Pa. medical marijuana update: People lined up, but now face uncertain supply
Patriot News: Pa. House members want investigation, disarming of lawmaker accused of sex assault
Patriot News: Pa. Rep. Nick Miccarelli pressured by House GOP leaders to resign
LNP: Allentown mayor convicted of selling office, found guilty of 47 of 54 charges
LNP: Congress stalls on guns as Trump’s stance scrambles debate
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf ends Medicaid pre-authorization for opioid medication
Carlisle Sentinel: Sen. Eichelberger takes aim at state Supreme Court

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: What’s next after President Trump signaled support for Pat Toomey’s gun background check bill?
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski guilty on most charges in pay-to-play trial; must leave office
Morning Call: Jury found Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski guilty across all nine schemes
Morning Call: Mayor Ed Pawlowski found guilty: What’s next for Allentown?
Morning Call: Business, community leaders say Mayor Ed Pawlowski verdict offers Allentown a ‘fresh start’
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s defense attorney says it’s too soon to talk about resigning
Morning Call: Prosecutor hopes Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski ‘decides to do the right thing’
Express Times: Allentown mayor found guilty; Ed Pawlowski sold office to donors, jury’s verdict in federal corruption trial
Reading Eagle: Want a Real ID? PennDOT offering it to some for $30 extra
Reading Eagle: GOP gubernatorial debate becomes confrontational
Reading Eagle: Congressional musical chairs: Time to step up or sit out

North by Northwest
WICU: Toomey defends himself against Trump’s accusation that he’s ‘afraid’ of NRA
Centre Daily Times: State College medical marijuana dispensary gets ready to open
Centre Daily Times: U.S. Navy awards ARL the largest research contract in Penn State history
Centre Daily Times: Penn State’s trustee ballot is set

Opinion
Inquirer: Kenney’s budget makes no-brainer connection between property taxes and better schools | Editorial
Post-Gazette: Not for sale: Dick’s makes right move on assault-style guns
Patriot News: Trump’s infrastructure plan may result in our biggest-ever gas tax hike | Opinion
Patriot News: Pa’s public schools need real reform – not just more money | Opinion
LNP: It’s daunting to report sexual assault or other abuse, so let’s cease judging women who delay coming forward
LNP: Another reminder that electing judges is bad for Pennsylvania
Morning Call: Bill White: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski lost his high-stakes gamble