Leach officially enters the race to challenge Meehan, and Pennsylvania lawmakers look to fund the spending plan.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Leach Officially Jumps in Race to Challenge Meehan: State Senator Daylin Leach made it official over the weekend, he is jumping into the race to challenge Congressman Pat Meehan.

State House Sound Bites: Still-unbalanced state budget looks to reduce Medicaid spending: Pennsylvania lawmakers haven’t yet finished the state budget, which was due Friday. They have until midnight Monday to pass one, or the unbalanced spending plan lawmakers sent to Gov. Tom Wolf’s desk last week becomes law — with or without his signature. Though little is known about how the final budget will be financed, the spending plan makes it clear that lawmakers aim to look for some savings in health care.

Statewide
StateImpact: Court to decide if nearly $400 million in state oil and gas bonuses fund conservation
Capitolwire: Constitutional amendment that could provide more property tax relief close to getting on November ballot.

Philadelphia
WHYY: Pa. state lawmaker Daylin Leach runs for Congress again
WHYY: Pennsylvania, Delaware officials tell Trump voter fraud commission to take a hike
WHYY: Former Philly DA candidate, Williams staffer both pursue interim district attorney job
Inquirer: Pa. Banking and Securities Dept. holds free July seminars on banking, anti-fraud measures for seniors
Inquirer: FBI digs deep in probe of Dougherty and union
Inquirer: Congressman wants newly sworn-in citizens to register to vote
Inquirer: Khan campaigning to be Philly’s interim DA
Philly Voice: Wolf: Local government may implement plastic bag bans
KYW: Toomey Constituents Ask Senator To Stop Barbecuing Their Healthcare
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia construction firm sues Philadelphia Housing Authority
Philly Voice: A pro-medical marijuana councilwoman wants to block Philly dispensary
Philly Voice: Sen. Pat Toomey televised town hall planned for next week

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Two Pa. Senate bills argue Sunshine for union deals, but local officials warn “chilling effect”
Bucks County Courier Times: Local sponsors support Bucks County’s gun lock campaign
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsbury renews two administrator contracts
Bucks Local News: Lancaster lawmakers support state budget plan

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Las Vegas Billionaire Behind Ads Opposing Video Gaming In Pa.
KDKA: State Lawmakers Look For Way To Balance $32 Million Budget
Tribune Review: State universities grapple with ongoing financial pressures
Tribune Review: Study of old gas wells has flaws, energy company says
Post-Gazette: After dismal 2016, shale gas drillers begin to turn a corner
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools, teachers continue to negotiate contract
WESA: Pennsylvania Is Not Alone: 11 U.S. States Haven’t Passed Their Budgets
WESA: Rural Hospitals Could Take Major Hit From New Health Care Plan

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Former Ambridge Area superintendent files lawsuit against district
Beaver County Times: Meetings focus on congressional redistricting
Altoona Mirror: Proposed bills would curb right to protest
Altoona Mirror: Vote cuts pension checks for retirees

NEPA
Times Leader: State budget: $2.8 million more for Luzerne County schools
Times Leader: Casey details effects of GOP health plan on opioid crisis
Times Leader: Luzerne County tax base growing, new report shows
Pocono Record: Court blocks audit over grants to counsel pregnant women

South Central
Patriot News: Clock ticking on $2B search to balance Pennsylvania budget
Patriot News: 3 reasons we are not a divided nation and what it means for future elections
Patriot News: Foes of Sunoco’s Mariner East II pipeline take another hit
LNP: Lancaster lawmakers support state budget plan
LNP: State budget’s $100 million more for education will bring $3.6 million to Lancaster County schools
LNP: Daylin Leach launches run for Meehan’s seat, another Democrat emerges for Smucker’s
LNP: Lancaster lawmakers support state budget plan

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: State lawmakers could look in 4 key areas to balance unfunded budget
Morning Call: Catasauqua fighting against paying Medical Academy’s missed pension obligations
Morning Call: Controversial Upper Macungie land swap issue revived
Reading Eagle: Ruscombmanor Township unveils monument honoring residents who died in war

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Gov. Wolf’s veto could lead to plastic bag fees
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council resolution urges support for new airline service

Opinion
Inquirer: Baer: Look! There’s something good in the legislature
Inquirer: Air-traffic control reform plan just creates a new bureaucracy
Inquirer: Modernization of air-traffic control system is long overdue
Inquirer: Cannibalizing casinos an example of how not to grow jobs and revenue
Inquirer: Baer: Pa.’s predictable budget process
Bucks County Courier Times: Double whammy of budget misery
Bucks County Courier Times: Spend settlement money wisely
Delco Daily Times: Another View: Why Pa. should sign on to U.S. Climate Alliance
The Times Leader: Your view: Tell legislators to support HB/SB 76
Post-Gazette: Libre’s lesson: A rescued dog galvanizes Pa.’s animal cruelty law
Post-Gazette: IRS overreach: Study shows agents’ abuse of ‘structuring’ law
Tribune Review: Pa.’s latest budget: Hold the applause
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania then, Indiana now: Bogus registrations continue
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Clean slate for minor offenses should be automatic
Patriot News: On Independence Day, we should ask ‘What does it mean to be American?’: Tony May