A new reader poll, Wolf officially kicks off his re-election, and meet Judge Paula Patrick. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!
Reader Poll: Should Pa. Legalize Recreational Marijuana?: As more states legalize recreational marijuana, we put the question to our readers, should Pennsylvania join them?
Reader Poll: Majority want to Change Reapportionment: A wide majority of our readers want to change the way Pennsylvania redraws its state Senate and House districts.
Pa-Gov: Wolf: ‘I am running for re-election in 2018’: Governor Tom Wolf says the magic words, and his 2018 election begins.
Superior Court Candidate: Paula Patrick: Philadelphia Judge Paula Patrick is running on for one of the four open seats on the Superior Court.
Statewide
Capitolwire: Wolf’s minimum wage and merger proposals, Medicaid expansion focus of House-DHS budget hearing.
State House Sound Bites: Stakeholders, lawmakers conflicted over merits of iGaming
State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers raise concerns that agency mergers will hurt healthcare
Philadelphia
Inquirer: Seven Democrats file in primary election for District Attorney
Inquirer: After long urging repeal, Philly-area GOP cautious on Obamacare roll back plan
Inquirer: Baer: Of Trump, Obama, Toomey, Casey, and D.C.’s great sucking sound
Inquirer: Commentary: Severance tax is Pa.’s share of shale boom
Inquirer: Back in court, ‘Chip’ Fattah seeks to overturn his conviction
Inquirer: Ross names three new deputy commissioners
Philadelphia Magazine: Wolf: Legalizing Marijuana Won’t Help State Budget Deficit
Philadelphia Magazine: New GOP Health Care Plan Would Kick Lotto Winners Off Medicaid
Philadelphia Magazine: Arrests Made, One Officer Injured in Center City Teen Flash Mob
WHYY Newsworks: New DA candidate jumps into crowded Philly field
WHYY Newsworks: City Council panel moves bill to evaluate tax incentives in Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Protest, music, ‘economic solidarity’ planned for International Women’s Day in Philly
WHYY Newsworks: In Philly DA’s race early, Khan promises progressive agenda
WHYY Newsworks: Nominating petitions: ‘Last bastion of democracy’ or simply a slog?
6ABC: NEW APP CHANGING WAY LOCALS GIVE TO HOMELESS
Billy Penn: This lawmaker will vote ‘no’ on letting PA licenses work as ID at airports
Billy Penn: What turned US Sen. Bob Casey into an aggressive progressive all of a sudden?
KYW Newsradio: ‘Tuesdays With Toomey’ Protesters Follow Senator To His New Office In Old City
KYW Newsradio: South Philly High Shows Off Community School Concept For Mayor Kenney
Philadelphia Business Journal: Charles Koch Foundation gives $2.2M to Penn Law
Philadelphia Business Journal: Judge refuses to toss Pa. Convention Center Authority suit against carpenters union
Philadelphia Business Journal: Seeing red, UberBlack drivers seek to unionize
Philly Voice: Conservative sheriff: Former Philly Police Commissioner Ramsey ‘was a disaster’
Philly Voice: Wolf: Legalizing marijuana not the answer to balance Pa.’s budget
SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Lower Pottsgrove board commends police officer for service
Bucks County Courier Times: Bristol Township residents express frustration, anger with Delaware River Bridge repair project
Bucks County Courier Times: Video: Protesters rally against the new replacements of the ACA
Bucks County Courier Times: Tinicum formally opposes PennEast Pipeline
Bucks County Courier Times: GOP health care reform receives backlash at Bucks County congressman’s office
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks area water watchers concerned about Trump’s review of EPA rule
Bucks Local News: ESTABLISHING A VISION: County planners announce special meeting in Morrisville to discuss downtown
Daily Local News: Hundreds applaud as Kennett Square adopts sweeping new anti-discrimination law
Daily Local News: West Chester chamber names chairman
Daily Local News: Chester County Sheriff’s Office orchestrates wild night
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Allegheny County bans indoor vaping in public places
Tribune Review: It’s official: It’s a 3-candidate race for Pittsburgh mayor
Tribune Review: First Energy to spend $235M on infrastructure
Tribune Review: Deadline passes for Westmoreland County elections
Tribune Review: Obamacare replacement bill faces resistance in Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: International Women’s Day to bring assembly, march to Downtown
Post-Gazette: Councilwoman Harris files petitions to join Pittsburgh mayoral race
Early Returns: New address, but a familiar Tuesday protest for Toomey
KDKA: House Republican Health Plan Draws Protests In Pittsburgh
KDKA: 2 Local Congressmen Face Off On Republican Health Plan
KDKA: Early Reaction To House GOP Health Care Plan Signifies Start Of Intense Political Fight
WTAE: Pittsburgh reacts to new health care plan
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Officials vow to market Lawrence County for cracker plant stimulus
Beaver County Times: Casey leads charge against House GOP health-care plan as Republicans digest the details
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State officials blast Obamacare replacement
NEPA
Bradford Era: Toomey, Casey react to new travel ban
Citizens Voice: Activists again pay visit to Toomey’s Scranton office
Standard-Speaker: Luzerne council seats will be open
Times-Tribune: Scranton recovery coordinator takes comments on 3-year exit from Act 47
Times-Tribune: Toomey’s antagonizers won’t stop
Times-Tribune: Primary ballot has plenty of contested races
South Central
Patriot News: Giant, Sheetz and others win big at statewide liquor license auction
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf on Obamacare repeal, immigration: ‘The federal government should get its act together’
Carlisle Sentinel: VA secretary urges extension of troubled Choice program
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Wolf says any gambling expansion, whatever it is, must mean new revenue
Morning Call: Concerns raised over Obamacare replacement proposal; plan targets Medicaid expansion in Pa.
Reading Eagle: Obamacare rewrite leaves many in Berks seeking answers (VIDEO)
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Conservative backlash threatens to sink new GOP health bill
Centre Daily Times: To pay for the border wall, Trump might slash budgets for the Coast Guard and TSA
Erie Times-News: Erie area reacts to Trump’s revised travel ban
Opinion
Patriot News: Our editorial board meeting with Gov. Tom Wolf: Recap
Patriot News: In budget fight, Wolf and lawmakers need to give counties a fair shake: Douglas Hill
Tribune Review: Legislature & REAL ID: Fix state-created dilemma
Bucks County Courier Times: ‘Mind-boggling’ pension crisis
Standard-Speaker: Close-minded on tax loophole
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Kenney may regret giving in to Council to kick-start Rebuild
Daily News: DN editorial: Council has a pension-reform plan – if only we could see it
Post-Gazette: No blood from a stone: State Senate Dems refuse to pay cyber-ransom