Marine veteran and lawyer Ron DiNicola explores a run for Congress, Lazer announces a run for the new 5th district, Baker leaves his state House seat for a Trump administration posting, and VoteVets launches an ad buy in the special election in the 18th.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Marine Veteran Considers Run for New PA-16: Marine Veteran Ron DiNicola formed an exploratory committee to explore a bid for the newly drawn 16th Congressional district.

Lazer to Run in New PA-5: Former Philadelphia deputy mayor for labor Richard Lazer will run for Congress in the new 5th Congressional district.

Baker Leaves State House for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Posting: State Rep. Matt Baker quietly left the state House to become the regional director of the Office of Intergovernmental and External Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services office in Philadelphia.

VoteVets Launches $350k TV in PA-18 Election: VoteVets is launching a new TV ad that will run through March 13th, the day of the special election, in support of Democratic candidate Conor Lamb.

Legislative Election Update
City & State: Milton Street runs for 181st PA House District as Rep. Thomas retires
City & State: 12 Dems declared in Delco’s 5th Congressional District; more on deck

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers gear up for yet another property tax fight
State House Sound Bites: Nuances of PA redistricting pit Thornburgh against Thornburgh
StateImpact: Fatal gas leak at Pittsburgh-area power plant draws OSHA fines
StateImpact: Listen: here’s why some strike it rich in the gas patch and others strike out

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Pa. GOP governor candidates debate taxes, jobs, and bathrooms in Philly
Inquirer: Under court order, District Attorney Krasner releases list of tainted police
Inquirer: Here are the 29 Philly cops on the DA’s ‘Do Not Call’ list
Inquirer: Pa. GOP governor candidates debate taxes, jobs, and bathrooms in Philly
KYW: Barletta: Establish Schools As Critical Infrastructure For Safety
WHYY: Pa. gubernatorial hopefuls Mango, Wagner gently mix it up; Ellsworth avoids mild fray
WHYY: Pennsylvania sees higher revenues after approving mini casinos
WCAU: Three Republicans Seeking Nomination in Pennsylvania Governor’s Race Differ on Schools
WCAU: GOP Candidates Face Off in Pa. Gubernatorial Debate

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County declares disaster emergency
Pottstown Mercury: National Multiple Sclerosis Society honors Rep. Ryan Costello
Bucks County Courier Times: Program funding secured for Lower Bucks homeless and those in need
Bucks County Courier Times: Penndel council poised to hire police chief in-house
Delco Times: She said, he said: Miccarelli, accuser trade charges

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Eastern Pennsylvania hunkers down for more severe weather
Tribune Review: Governor responds to acid spill after train strikes truck in Washington County
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh medical marijuana dispensary to reopen, but without any product
Tribune Review: Erika Strassburger victorious in Pittsburgh District 8 council seat election
Tribune Review: ‘There’s no stopping’ Lamb’s campaign for Congress, Biden tells crowd
Tribune Review: Confident Saccone banks on votes for his experience in Dist. 18 race
Post-Gazette: East End picks Strassburger to succeed Gilman on council
Post-Gazette: Mon Valley residents urge county council to help save bus routes
Post-Gazette: Biden stumps for Conor Lamb today; Trump arrives Saturday for Rick Saccone rally

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Joe Biden stumps for Conor Lamb, appeals to middle-class values at Robert Morris
Beaver County Times: Riverside School District converting security guard into school police officer, arming him
Beaver County Times: Jim Christiana files nominating petition for U.S. Senate Republican primary
Altoona Mirror: City’s Blight Task Force to present findings, plan

NEPA
Times Leader: Dallas Township supervisors approve bond to purchase former child care headquarters
Times-Tribune: Brother vs. brother in 112th District race
Times-Tribune: Teachers defend jobs at Scranton School Board meeting

South Central
WITF: Republicans debate again in race for Pa. governor
WITF: Republicans’ gubernatorial debate exposes big differences in school policy
Carlisle Sentinel: Toomey, senators want alerts when gun buyers fail background checks
Carlisle Sentinel: PennDOT to impose travel bans on certain vehicles on highways Wednesday due to storm
York Daily Record: Nor’easter: Pa. Gov. Wolf declares state of emergency ahead of winter storm Quinn
York Daily Record: Who will be on the ballot for the May 15 primary?
LNP: Wolf says new map should be used for congressional elections
Patriot News: Ban issued on empty trailers, large vehicles, during Winter Storm Quinn
Patriot News: Crowded field seeks Pa. Lieutenant Governor post with incumbent Mike Stack on his own
Patriot News: Storm closes Capitol Complex, other state government offices Wednesday
Patriot News: Crowded field seeks Pa. Lieutenant Governor post with incumbent Mike Stack on his own
Patriot News: How much have Harrisburg’s finances improved? Report coming soon to pave way out of recovery
Patriot News: Here’s who is running for state Senate, House seats
Patriot News: Three Republicans file for right to challenge U.S. Sen. Robert Casey; he seeks third term
Patriot News: Dauphin County investigators interview woman accusing state lawmaker of sexual assault

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: New gun safety legislation unveiled by handful of Senators
Reading Eagle: Republicans’ debate exposes big differences in school policy
Reading Eagle: Commissioners defend Berks Area Agency on Aging on guardianship
Morning Call: Friday hearing for Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski canceled
Morning Call: Anti-Trump wave in Pennsylvania? More Democrats than Republicans seek election to the state Legislature

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Residents call on county to return to paper ballots
Erie Times-News: City of Erie hosts public hearings on CDBG plan
Erie Times-News: Erie lawyer DiNicola seeks signatures for congressional run
Centre Daily Times: College Township receives state funds to make this intersection safer

Opinion
Patriot News: Don’t believe these 5 bad arguments for gutting civil service protections | Opinion
Patriot News: ‘Raise the minimum wage?’ That’s a good soundbite. But Pa. can – and should – do better | Opinion
Patriot News: Here’s why Trump’s tariffs could be bad news for Pennsylvania | Analysis
Inquirer: Pa. politics is in a freaky bomb-cyclone moment | John Baer
Inquirer: Why City Council shouldn’t have the power to interfere with bike lanes and traffic safety | Editorial
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Easing the REAL ID rush
Tribune Review: Trib editorial: Don’t let Philly soda-tax lesson go flat
Post-Gazette: Steel gets a champion: Trump keeps his word to protect key U.S. industry