Li withdraws, Zappala wins Philly Dems and Sestak releases a new TV ad. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

PA-6: Li Drops Out, Parrish to Be Dem Nominee: The political newcomer’s short, strange electoral journey has come to an end.

Zappala Wins Endorsement Of Philly Democrats: The Allegheny County District Attorney received the formal backing of the city’s Democratic Committee.

Cruz Thrives, Kasich Falters at Conservative Gathering: A tale of two receptions at the annual PA Leadership Conference.

PA-Sen: Sestak Features Daughter in New TV Ad (VIDEO): His daughter’s illness inspired the ex-Admiral to run for public office.

CBS/YouGov Poll: Trump 47% Cruz 29% Kasich 22%: A new survey shows the Republican front-runner with a clear lead in Pennsylvania.

Morganelli Touts Experience in Latest Ad (VIDEO): The Northampton County DA uses the popular television show “Law & Order” to promote himself.

PA-8: Sierra Club Endorses Santarsiero: The environmental group is taking sides in the Democratic primary.

PA-9: NRLC Endorses Shuster in GOP Primary: Incumbent Bill Shuster finds support from the National Right to Life Committee.

Legislative Elections Update

HD-164: Democratic candidate and Councilwoman Sekela Coles received the endorsement of Planned Parenthood and the Delaware County chapter of the Southeast Pennsylvania National Organization of Women.

“Southeast Pennsylvania NOW is happy to have a strong candidate running position of State Representative in the 164th District to represent Delaware County,” said Southeast Pennsylvania NOW PAC Chair Helen Ratner.

“I am proud to have the endorsement of two of the most prominent women’s organizations, Planned Parenthood and Southeast PA NOW,” Coles responded. “It is time that the 164th District has a State Representative that consistently and unequivocally stands up for women’s rights. I am proud that these two organizations agree I am that candidate in the 164th District.”

The 164th district is part of Delaware County.

HD-202: Democratic candidate Jared Solomon won the unanimous support of the 35th, 54th, and 62nd Democratic Wards.

“The City Democratic Party’s endorsement of Jared Solomon’s candidacy for State Representative is not your typical endorsement,” City Controller Alan Butkovitz said. “This is the first time since 1978 that The City Democratic Party has not endorsed Mark Cohen in an election. They decided that it was time to give someone else a chance to address the most serious issues the 202nd district faces – crime, infrastructure, and poverty – and I couldn’t agree more. We need a strong leader who will fight to bring resources from the state to our community. I’m confident that voters will agree on April 26th that it is time to give Jared a shot.”

“It is an honor to receive the endorsement of the Democratic Party and so many well respected leaders in Philadelphia,” Solomon responded. “I am excited to work as a representative for my community in Harrisburg.”

The 202nd district is part of Northeast Philadelphia.

Statewide
WITF: GOP moves fast to vote on abortion restrictions
PLSReporter: Capitol Quick Hits
PLSReporter: VIDEO: PSBA discusses impact of the budget impasse and pushes for on-time 2016-17 budget
PLSReporter: FY 2016-2017 budget discussions in infancy, House GOP leaders say
Capitolwire: Wolf Year-One Review, Part 1 – The budget impasse and PA’s new era of gridlock

Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: To narrow ‘homework gap,’ FCC approves subsidy to help needy students access internet
WHYY Newsworks: Uniting against deadly violence, Philly groups move to stem rising homicide rate
KYW Newsradio: Wolf Promotes “Government that Works” Reform Plan During Visit to Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: Microsoft Innovation Center will generate DNC special programming
Philadelphia Business Journal: Urban areas win as Supreme Court rejects challenge to basing legislative districts on total population
Inquirer: Feds: Chenault-Fattah recording could expose her to ‘criminal liability’
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court hands Phila. School District huge setback
Inquirer: Suit: Kane aide quickly went from ally to outcast
Inquirer: Oops…About that ‘Trump effect’
CapitolInq: McGinty, allies attack Sestak over Social Security
The Big Tent: Clinton, Sanders stump in Phila. This week

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania lawmaker looking to regulate recovery houses
Bucks County Courier Times: Governor makes case for minimum wage hike on visit to Newtown Township
Bucks County Courier Times: Congressmen press EPA on chemical exposure

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Hillary Clinton to speak at Carnegie Mellon University
Tribune Review: Trib Survey: Here’s how most of Pennsylvania’s candidates for delegates would vote
Post-Gazette: McCandless may change public comment rules
Post-Gazette: State House committee OKs bill tightening abortion restrictions
Post-Gazette: Senate Republicans raise concerns about Gov. Wolf’s commission to review judicial nominees
Post-Gazette: Human error to blame for inflated number of party switchers in Pa.
Early Returns: Seniors group backs McGinty, draws bead on Sestak
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Peduto signs on to support Clean Power Plan
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Pennsylvania’s rig count drops by one  
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Pennsylvania residents face higher rate of state tax audits

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Beaver County sees large influx of Democrats into Republican party
Beaver County Times: Dennis Nichols says he has experience to best represent 15th Legislative District
Observer Reporter: Banner program underway in Charleroi
Altoona Mirror: Leaders asked to support 9/11 trail
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: McGinty, other democrats attack Toomey on pay gap
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Johnstown mayor: City council meetings cancelled

NEPA
Times-Tribune: NEPA senators seek to fast track foreclosure
Citizens Voice: Bartal promoted to command of Pennsylvania State Police Troop Patrol
News Item: Abortion bill to be discussed in Pa. House Committee
Wayne Independent: Locals honored by council
Standard Speaker: Court upholds ruling against county in Montage insurance dispute

South Central
York Daily Record: How do Pa. GOP delegates pick a candidate?
York Dispatch: House committee sends abortion bill to floor for vote
Patriot News: Baby boomer tax breaks and lead testing for children, schools: There Ought to be a Law
Patriot News: The crass political opportunism behind the Pa. House bill that limits abortion
Patriot News: School officials remind lawmakers of the consequences of the late state budget
Patriot News: Child welfare system at a ‘breaking point and will soon be in crisis,’ caseworker says

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: State corrects mistake on voters changing parties
WFMZ: Pennsylvania US Sen. Bob Casey calls for passage of water legislation
Morning Call: State school board group threatens state with lawsuit over construction money
Morning Call: Kathleen Kane faces another employee’s whistle-blower lawsuit

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Official: Erie transit dispute could jeopardize millions in funding
Centre Daily Times: Bill to limit Pennsylvania abortions voted out of committee
Centre Daily Times: Mistake ballooned Pennsylvania voter party switching by 86k

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Sweet tax: Philly’s levy on sugary drinks would help children
Post-Gazette: Pittsburghers can be thankful for their climate
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Voters can choose to extend judges’ terms
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: This election year crucial for voters
Pocono Record: Trump’s winging it, we should all be scared
York Daily Record: 5 reasons for prez candidates to visit York
Inquirer: Wolf veto may give him more leverage
Pottstown Mercury: Rep. Joe Pitts: Should workers be forced to subsidize political machines?

Blogs
Keystone State Education Coalition: 80% of Low Income Fourth Graders Do Not Read Proficiently
Third And State: #NAMETHECUTS
Lu Lac Political Letter: King Gone @ 48 Years
2 Political Junkies: It’s Baseball Season!