Kane Hires Castor, Trump needs PA to win and we ask whether Hillary or Bernie will prevail in the Democratic primary. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

BREAKING: Kane Hires Castor as Solicitor General: The Attorney General created the position for the former Montgomery County District Attorney.

Pennsylvania Key to Trump’s Electoral Hopes: The GOP sees a path to victory through the Rust Belt.

Reader Poll: Will Hillary or Bernie Win the PA Dem Primary?: We ask which Democratic Presidential candidate will prevail on April 26th.

Reader Poll: Trump Will Hurt Republican Candidates: Our readers believe The Donald will harm the hopes of the rest of the GOP ticket.

PA-Sen: Fetterman’s New Ad Highlights Heroin Epidemic (VIDEO): The Senate candidate laments the effects drugs have had on towns like his own.

Sanders to Campaign in Pittsburgh: The Presidential candidate is coming to the Keystone State.

PA-9: Shuster Touts Record on Spending in New TV Ad (VIDEO): The Congressman continues to burnish his conservative credentials.

Legislative Elections Update

SD-9: The Pennsylvania State Education Association announced its endorsement of Marty Molloy today.

“With Marty’s background, you might assume that this endorsement was a shoe-in. But we are a bipartisan organization and carefully considered each candidate’s strengths, weaknesses, and their capacity to work to improve education for all children across the state. In the end, we were all united in deciding that Marty was the clear choice to best represent the 9th district in Harrisburg and continue our fight to fully fund education across the state,” said Mark Cottom, PSEA PACE Director, Southeast Region. “Marty Molloy is an energetic, compassionate, experienced educator, with an incredible depth of knowledge on the issues about which we care so deeply, and we are proud to unite behind him in his run for State Senator.”

“I couldn’t be happier, or more proud of this endorsement. Being a teacher is more than a full-time job – it’s a commitment to doing whatever it takes to make sure young people succeed, both in the classroom and in life –  and the members of PSEA know this better than anyone,” said Molloy, 39 of Wallingford, the Director of Vocation at YouthBuild, a school that helps at-risk young adults earn high school diplomas and prepare for careers. “People, perhaps teachers and students most of all, are rightly tired of lip service from career politicians. At home, my wife and I teach our kids to do what they say they will do and follow through on their responsibilities. As state Senator, teachers, students, and families will always be able to count on me to keep my word and keep fighting for those that need it most.”

The 9th district consists of parts of Chester and Delaware Counties.

HD-158: Perry Bentley will be running a write-in campaign in a last-ditch attempt to keep the GOP seat from Democratic candidate Susan Rzucidlo.

The 158th district is part of Chester County.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Kane Creates New Role for Former Montco DA
State House Sound Bites: Lawmaker Lets the Lead Out on Wolf Administration
StateImpactPA: Drilling slowdown to leave regulators with $2.9 million deficit

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Montco judge nixes Kane’s request to dismiss criminal case
Inquirer: Council raises soda tax questions
Inquirer: Philadelphia City Council committee wants to tackle youth gun violence
Heard in the Hall: Taxi, Uber Black drivers threaten to boycott Democratic National Convention
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. explores tapping Medicaid for housing as step toward controlling health costs
WHYY Newsworks: Dems in Pa. attorney general race battle over criminal justice issues affecting black community
WHYY Newsworks: Presidential hopefuls charge into Pennsylvania
Philadelphia Business Journal: Former Mayor Nutter adds another gig working for Obama election guru
Philadelphia Business Journal: Evans launches first TV ad to unseat Fattah

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Berks County seeks $2.5M in federal disaster funds for January blizzard
Bucks County Courier Times: Opinions differ on safety of drinking water in parts of Bucks, Montgomery counties
Delco Daily Times: Abortion opponents challenge Harrisburg ordinance
Daily Local News: Hazing legislation makes progress

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: High court gives unions a victory
Post-Gazette: Sanders to visit Pittsburgh on Thursday morning
Post-Gazette: At least 180,000 join GOP as Pennsylvania primary nears
Post-Gazette: VP Joe Biden to speak at Pitt next week as part of ‘It’s On Us’
WESA: City Finance Oversight Board Appoints New Members
WESA: Primary Election Is Taking Shape In Pennsylvania

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Republican Aaron Bernstine says 10th Legislative District needs a champion
Beaver County Times: Rossi stresses Democratic roots in 15th Legislative District primary
Observer-Reporter: Selection for statewide grand jury held in Washington Co.
Observer-Reporter: Bartolotta to host coffee chat
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf: Reforms ‘important for democracy’; outlines ‘Government That Works’ plan to increase transparency, ‘trust’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: School officials: Budget passage sigh of relief, and warming of possible repeat next time

NEPA
Times Leader: W-B Area unveils state review of district finances
Times Leader: Area state legislators meet at Luzerne County Courthouse to discuss funding and other concerns
Times Leader: PA’s aging housing stock poses bigger lead threat than public water systems, officials say
Times Leader: In 2016, the Pennsylvania primary will mean something – finally
Citizens Voice: County swamped by voter registration on deadline

South Central
Patriot-News: Judge denies AG Kathleen Kane’s motion for recusal of all Montgomery County judges
Patriot-News: AG Kathleen Kane’s new No. 2 comes with a bevy of questions
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania American Water: ‘We closely monitor and test the water quality’
Patriot-News: Sen. Scott Wagner wants Senate GOP to do more than hold on to the seats it has
Patriot-News: As Wolf’s fiscal code veto takes full effect, Republicans spoil for a fight
Carlisle Sentinel: Education secretary: There is always concern another budget impasse may be in the offing
Carlisle Sentinel: New option allows Carlisle residents to pay parking tickets online

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Bethlehem: Lead tests at Northeast Middle School falls below EPA standards
Morning Call: Airport Authority extends its charter, but will counties agree?
Morning Call: News panel insists it serves the public
Reading Eagle: Black Lives Matter co-founder speaks at packed Kutztown University event
Reading Eagle: U.S. Senate candidate John Fetterman talks to the Reading Eagle

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: PSU students organize vigil against violence
Centre Daily Times: AG Kane taps Centre County DA’s attorney for new role
Erie Times-News: Campaigning is tough work for Erie area candidates

Opinion
Daily News: Gentrification not a panacea when it comes to longtime residents
Inquirer: Tax crooked officials, not soda
Inquirer: A lot is missing from Pa. budget
Post-Gazette: Test for Toomey: Do your job, or voters will elect a senator who will
Post-Gazette: Secret defense: Kane should deliver her trial argument in public
Times Leader: Improve coordination between Luzerne County and state leaders on these issues
Patriot-News: How to watch the CNN Republican Town Hall tonight that Donald Trump might skip

Blogs
LuLac Political Letter: Scott Walker Endorses Cruz
Keystone Crossroads: How a Philadelphia doctor changed the way we think about lead poisoning
2 Politial Junkies: More Worries For Pat Toomey (Who’s Still Not Doing His Job)
Citified: Wait, How Many Public School Students Are Truant?