NRCC points to Costello’s race as a national bellwether, Hafer pleads guilty, and the Ups & Downs from the week that was.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

NRCC Chair: Costello’s Race a Bellwether: NRCC Chairman Steve Stivers called Congressman Ryan Costello’s race a bellwether for if Republicans will hold the House or if Democrats can win it back.

Hafer to Plead Guilty to Lying to the FBI: Former State Treasurer Barbara Hafer will plead guilty to lying to the FBI during their investigation into pay to play in Pennsylvania state government

6/9 Ups & Downs: Peduto and Wagner get the national spotlight, pension reform moves forward, and millennials come out to vote. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

Pa. Dems Committee Meeting Preview: The Pennsylvania Democratic Party will gather in Harrisburg for its annual Keystone Dinner and summer meeting.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Episode 10: Did we fix the pension system?
StateImpact: Could the future bring subsidized air conditioning to Pa.?
Capitolwire: State commission looks to circumvent General Assembly to expand LGBTQ protections.

Philadelphia
KYW: ‘Fairness’ Debated As Lawmakers Examine Proposed State Police ‘Municipal Fee’
KYW: State Representative Holds Town Hall Meeting On Gun Violence
Philly Voice: And the Top 10 write-in votes from the May primary in Philly were…
Inquirer: Student: ‘Why does color of the students’ skin matter how much money we get for our school?’
WHYY: Philly could reap higher profits on land sales with a little extra work, councilman says
WHYY: Fiscal officers: Pa.’s so low on cash, it could have to borrow from outside lenders
Philadelphia Magazine: City Council Moves to Create Committee on Gun Violence
Philadelphia Business Journal: Council seeking significant changes to legislation structuring Rebuild

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pa. hate crimes bill toughens penalties for attacks on disabled people
Bucks County Courier Times: Ex-Pennsylvania treasurer Barbara Hafer to plead guilty to lying to FBI
Daily Local News: Dinniman calls for public hearing on Pennsylvania-American Water Company rate hike
Daily Local News: Leach gets ‘encouraging’ feedback about run for Congress
Daily Local News: Voters cast ballots in school board races around Chester County
Daily Local News: Funding approved for traffic safety in Chester County
Bucks Local News: Governors of Chesapeake Bay cleanup states, including Pennsylvania, push for continued funding

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Political ads supporting Trump pop up on TV, Route 22
Post-Gazette: Financial pressures on Pa.’s state university system could force an historic restructuring
Post-Gazette: Philadelphia legislators look to divert casino funds

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ex-treasurer Barbara Hafer pleads guilty to lying to FBI
Beaver County Times: Despite differences, issues in Beaver County sheriff’s office are similar to other counties
Beaver County Times: Attorney general, DEP secretary threaten legal action if EPA cuts emission standards
Altoona Mirror: Senate approves state rail study
Altoona Mirror: Lawmakers approve public pension plan bill
Altoona Mirror: Cambria approves budget for agencies
Observer-Reporter: Gambling bill should be given greater scrutiny
Observer-Reporter: Judicial Conduct Board seeks refusal to dismiss case against District Judge Mark Wilson
Observer-Reporter: State gambling expansion awaits Senate action

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County close to implementing blight reduction plan
Times-Tribune: Dickson City moving toward Main Street improvements
Times-Tribune: Abington Heights tax collection issue with county resolved

South Central
Patriot News: Five things that made Barbara Hafer prominent in Pa. politics
Patriot News: Taxpayers shouldn’t be forgotten in expanded gaming bill: Lisa Boscola
Patriot News: First director of Pa. Office of Open Records, public affairs firm co-founder open law firm
Carlisle Sentinel: South Middleton board to vote on budgeting stadium project
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Governors of Chesapeake Bay cleanup states, including Pennsylvania, push for continued funding
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Pa. Dems, GOP both split on gambling expansion vote

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Politics as Usual: Hahn gambles alone with slots bill
Morning Call: Bucks Co. official attends WH infrastructure summit
Morning Call: Gov. Tom Wolf ‘treading softly’ between criticizing Trump’s Paris accord decision and supporting energy jobs
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty deadline fast approaching
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania’s tax amnesty deadline fast approaching
Reading Eagle: Week in Review: A former state treasurer pleads guilty

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City Council takes the first step for charter commission
Williamsport Sun Gazette: State Legislature needs to recall the words of Micah
Erie Times-News: Erie’s annual book sale has plot, and leadership, twist
Erie Times-News: Gambling bill creates uncertainty for Erie County, Gaming Revenue Authority

Opinion
Patriot News: Who do you trust? The Donald or the G-Man?: Tony May
Patriot News: London attacks were a reminder – Twitter is Trump’s pulpit and trap: Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Release the un-redacted PornGate report, Attorney General Shapiro: Editorial
Inquirer: New pension plan for PA is a good start, but it’s only that: a start
Inquirer: Pension reform strikes right balance on benefits, predictability
Inquirer: Philly should be ashamed of seedy flop houses frequented by opioid addicts
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Pa.’s pension time bomb still ticking
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Pa. ready to roll dice on more gambling
Delco Daily Times: Jodine Mayberry: Why we need a severance tax on natural gas
Observer-Reporter: Pittsburgh is not Paris
Observer-Reporter: Gambling bill should be given greater scrutiny
Altoona Mirror: Colleagues can learn a lesson from McGinnis
Tribune Review: Bogus voters: Virginia’s pitiful example
Post-Gazette: Unhealthy state: Fixing health care is the GOP’s job now