The Post-Gazette considers a Trump endorsement, Allegheny Dems back McGinty and we preview the Democrat’s state committee meeting. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Report: Post-Gazette Considering Trump Endorsement: The paper would be one of the first in the country to back the GOP front-runner.

PA-Sen: Allegheny County Dems Endorse McGinty: Stephen Zappala and Joe Torsella also won the backing of the Pittsburgh Dems.

PA Dems 2016 State Committee Winter Meeting Preview: The Democratic State Committee is set to hold their annual winter meeting in Hershey.

Politically Uncorrected: The GOP’s Painful Dilemma: The GOP needs some “unforeseen circumstances” if, as many now believe, electoral disaster in 2016 is to be averted.

PSEA Endorses Shapiro: The prominent teacher’s union is backing the Montco Commissioner’s Attorney General campaign.

Zappala Wins Support of Philly and Pittsburgh Firefighters: Local 1 and 22 of the IAFF endorses AG candidate Stephen Zappala.

2016 PoliticsPA Super Tuesday Pool Results: See who made the top 10.

Legislative Elections Update

HD-92: York County Commissioner Chris Reilly today endorsed Anthony Pugliese for the Republican nomination in this open contest.

“Anthony Pugliese is one of the few men I’ve known who served in Harrisburg without becoming part of its culture,” Reilly said. “Anthony is a cost cutter, a tax fighter, and played an important role in bringing an end to the $70 million boondoggle called WAMS. “Anthony is a competent, commonsense conservative who shares our values and who understands that spending is not an answer to a shortage of money. I know that the residents of my county will benefit from his knowledge, experience, and his willingness to fight for the people of York and Cumberland Counties.”

The 92nd district includes parts of Cumberland and York Counties.

Statewide
PLSReporter: Amid Gergely legal troubles, Rep. Galloway takes over as Democratic chair of House Labor and Industry Committee
StateImpactPA: Former Chesapeake Energy CEO dies in crash, one day after indictment
StateImpactPA: Maple syrup trees cut to make way for the Constitution Pipeline
Capitolwire: State-relateds, calling for end to budget dispute, push for state aid
Capitolwire: Familiar problems continue to plague PA’s state-owned universities

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Judge Lerner excited about move to Kenney administration
Inquirer: Second judge indicted in Municipal Court Scandal
Inquirer: Kenney to seek money for police body cameras
Inquirer: Pennsylvania Treasury will OK prison funds above law’s limit
Inquirer: Some Pa. GOP leaders warming up to Trump
WHYY Newsworks: Suburban Congressional primary challenger gets GOP committee nod
WHYY Newsworks: Criminal violations unlikely in Pa. “porngate” scandal
Philadelphia Business Journal: 2016 DNC host committee hands merchandise work off to Philly firm

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Limerick board approves traffic signal design agreement
Bucks County Courier Times: State representatives call on Navy to fund health study related to contaminated water
Delco Daily Times: Trump Card? Delco GOP pledges loyalty to nominee
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council hears proposal by Glazier Center to build Jewish mikvah

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh attorney plays key role in Gergely grand jury presentment
Pittsburgh Business Times: State approves $2M loan toward renovation of former coke plant
Post-Gazette: Environmental groups look for greater distance between wells and people
Post-Gazette: Peduto says city looking at ways to enforce marijuana decriminalization
KDKA: Pennsylvania Lawmaker Pleads Not Guilty In Gambling

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Some voters taking indirect route to precincts
Beaver County Times: Attorney general to appealwiretapping case
Beaver County Times: Sen. Casey backs amendment proving $600M to fight heroin crisis
Beaver County Times: About 128 Beaver County employees could be offered a buyout
Beaver County Times: Center, Potter townships to vote on boundary line issue

NEPA
Times Leader: Hazleton councilman questions administration regarding policy, finances
Standard Speaker: Public pressures mayor, council to work together
Times-Tribune: Dunmore councilman Sal Verrastro, 51, dies
Times-Tribune: Kelly: Time for Jessup to get a second opinion
Times-Tribune: Ireland’s ambassador to U.N. visits Scranton

South Central
York Dispatch: Sen. Casey pushes for more anti-heroin funding
Patriot-News: No deliberation, no foul: Harrisburg school officials hear information on tax abatement, composting proposals
Patriot-News: Watch Camp Hill’s Jeffrey Lord lose it on CNN over Trump and the Klan
Patriot-News: ‘I wish I knew then what I know now,’ says AG Kathleen Kane: Report
Patriot-News: Nonprofit that controls $13 million in public money fights to keep closed-door meetings
LancasterOnline: Smucker campaign alleges potentially illegal tactics in congressional race

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Ex-Reading City Council president reports to prison
Reading Eagle: Wolf wants $200 million for prison costs; GOP balks
Morning Call: Allentown approves $533,000 for contractor snow removal
Morning Call: Airport board approves deal for FedEx

North by Northwest
Go Erie: Wentling announces candidacy for 2nd state House term
Centre Daily Times: Maya Angelou’s name on a post office? These Republicans said no
Centre Daily Times: Debate rematch: Donald Trump vs Megyn Kelly

Opinion
Standard Speaker: Fee hikes make Pa. dependent on garbage
Daily News: Yo, Mayor Kenney tax diet soda too
Daily News: Dump Trump? Too late
Bucks County Courier Times: Government acts, consumer loses
Patriot-News: Are Pa. primaries still relevant after Super Tuesday?
York Dispatch: Analysis: Can Senate GOP hold majority with Trump?
Post-Gazette: Gergely must go: Facing criminal charges, the legislator must resign
Post-Gazette: March to November: Super Tuesday’s results help to clarify the picture

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: We’re #1! Pa. Leads Nation in Corporate Welfare
Citified: Wait, Were Officials Trying to Limit Public Access to Kenney’s Budget Address?
Citified: Kenney Wants to Equip Cops With 800 Body Cameras
Keystone Crossroads: ‘You’re being recorded’: Body cameras may be coming soon to a city near you