See who had a good week, and who did not, in last week’s Ups & Downs. And ICYMI, Wagner continues his push toward a 67-debate schedule. Good morning, politicos, here’s the Playbook:
We’ve weighed in on both gubernatorial candidates and have an update on two Pittsburgh journalists. See who had a good week, and who did not, in this Friday’s Ups & Downs!
And ICYMI:
Wagner Continues Pushing Debate Schedule
While he’s not at the 67 debates he wants, Republican gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner said he’s working on it. He announced today he has accepted debates at 11 venues, and he will attend regardless of whether Gov. Tom Wolf does.
Statewide
Capitolwire: POINT OF ORDER: The budget’s done early, but don’t expect the same next year.
Capitolwire: New school safety program, funding for it, signed into law.
Capitolwire: Scaled-down fiscal code includes school safety funding transfer, big money for PA’s Community HealthChoices program.
Capitolwire: The budget is done.
State House Sound Bites: Redistricting overhaul crumbles under hundreds of amendments
StateImpact PA: Rachel Carson Trail near Pittsburgh has a new feature: A fracking well
StateImpact PA: 30 years of data show how much the U.S. has warmed. Now the race is on to adapt
StateImpact PA: Pennsylvania’s gas impact fees rise to $209 million this year
StateImpact PA: Toxic chemical study EPA is accused of blocking just came out. It calls for stricter drinking-water limits
Philadelphia
Inquirer: In high-tax Upper Darby, school bills going up again. The district has plenty of company.
Inquirer: He gave a $125K gift to Jefferson, expecting it would help get a marijuana growing license. Was it pay-to-play?
Inquirer: ‘Who’s buying sex in Center City on lunch break?’ Bill takes aim at sex trafficking at massage parlors
WHYY: Do soda taxes help or hurt the poor?
WHYY: New video: GOP gubernatorial hopeful loves West Philly
Philly Mag: Allan Domb for Mayor!
Philly Mag: The Best Thing That Happened This Week: The Cersei-ing of Mike Pence
KYW: Berks Co. detention center makes headlines after Trump’s latest executive order
SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Protesters call for Sen. Daylin Leach to resign over misconduct allegations
Bucks County Courier Times: Challenger slams Fitzpatrick “inaction” on immigration
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. Senate leader proposes open primary voting
Pittsburgh
WESA: Pence Stumps For Rothfus, Skewers Lamb, In Closely Watched 17th District
City Paper: Pittsburgh rally for police-shooting victim Antwon Rose begs people to get politically involved
Pittsburgh Business Times: With Pittsburgh drenched, flood clean-up businesses are booming
Pittsburgh Business Times: +Personalities of Pittsburgh: Rod Doss with the New Pittsburgh Courier
Post-Gazette: Mike Pence stumps in Moon to support Keith Rothfus
Post-Gazette: Pa. Legislature passes bill that would seal records for low-level crimes after good behavior
Post-Gazette: State Rep. Wheatley delivers emotional speech on House floor about Antwon Rose, Jimmy Wopo
Post-Gazette: Wolf seeks federal disaster assistance as a result of storm damage, landslides
Post-Gazette: Pa. House votes to reinstate exams for severely injured workers
Post-Gazette: Migrant kids at Holy Family may not be reunited with families for years
Post-Gazette: Ex-Gov. Rendell announces ‘Citizenship Challenge’ for elementary kids
Tribune Review: Summer Lee on attending Antwon Rose protests: ‘We need to be able to speak for ourselves’
Tribune Review: Greensburg immigration rally held to ‘Stop Separating Families’
Southwest
Beaver County Times: Vice President Mike Pence campaigns in Moon Twp. for Rothfus’ re-election
Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania Senate leader proposes open primary voting
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa mayor appointed to Advisory Commission on African American Affairs
Altoona Mirror: Firms want to grow marijuana in Bedford
Altoona Mirror: School funding frustrates leaders
Tribune Democrat: Pulse of the Voters: Johnstown-area residents back president, say they support truth, character
NEPA
Daily Item: Senators cheer spending plan as bipartisan compromise
Daily Item: Young Republicans applaud his progress in N. Korea
Standard Speaker: Flow of fill into city mine hole can hasten, or hinder, progress
South Central
Patriot News: What will Pa.’s $32.7 billion budget buy?
Patriot News: Marcellus natural gas production continues to increase due to improved technology
Patriot News: Bill would require court approval to take conserved land, like farm CV wants for school
LNP: Bill to cut the size of the 203-member Pennsylvania House awaits final vote
York Dispatch: ‘Grandview Five’ women filing federal, state complaints against Dover Twp. golf club
YDR: Families of those killed by repeat DUI drivers demand strict laws
WITF: Opioid treatment scams/Overdose hospital admissions
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Confronting the opioid crisis: Neither sprint nor marathon, ‘it’s both’
Morning Call: Republican lawmakers file new lawsuit over Pennsylvania’s new congressional map
Morning Call: Batter up, Pennsylvania lawmakers
Morning Call: Grand jury secrecy hides reason for Supreme Court order barring release of priest sex abuse report
Reading Eagle: What you need to know about the residential center holding immigrant families in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Trump order renews focus on immigrant families detained in center near Reading, PA
Reading Eagle: Trump tariffs create uncertainty in Bucks and beyond
North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Natural gas impact fee coming to county
Centre Daily TimeS: Where is Centre County’s most ‘livable’ community? Here’s how they stack up
Erie Times-News: Erie School District strikes precedent-setting tax deal
Erie Times-News: Updated Erie County policy tells officers to call 911
Opinion
Times Leader: Op-ed: Time for Pennsylvania to take long look at legalizing pot
Express-Times: In Harrisburg, last call to end gerrymandering
Altoona Mirror: State’s fiscal picture shows ray of sunshine
Inquirer: Op-ed: Legislators are pushing Pennsylvania backward on opioids
Patriot News: Op-ed: That speedy Pa. budget? Thank Trump’s booming economy
Post-Gazette: Tony Norman: The mission to provoke and prod continues
Post-Gazette: Sales tax parity: Supreme Court wisely nixes online retailer benefit
Sun-Gazette: State budget increase in school safety warranted if focus is correct
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One Response
The story last week about the Pittsburgh political cartoonist being silenced with his firing reminded me of the absolutely essential need of a free press. Energized debates freely given are the life blood of our democracy and when we silence opposition we all lose because it is a black eye for democracy. I think Scott Wagner is one of the worst candidates for Governor in years on any side and, in fact, is very far from quality Republican candidates for Governor like Tom Ridge, Bill Scranton (the Father) and Bill Scranton III. Yet, others may feel differently but whatever the case the free flowing energized discussions are pivotal to freedom. The silencing of the press in any way is not good for democracy.