The Ups & Downs from the week, lawmakers file memos for a constitutional convention, and Argall considers a run for Lieutenant Governor.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

8/11 Ups & Downs: Meehan builds a strong war chest, loan agencies eye future budget stalemates, Torsella gets his name around the state, and rainy day funds are close to rainy hour funds. See who made this week’s Ups & Downs!

State House Sound Bites: Lawmakers file memos to initiate a constitutional convention: Two lawmakers are looking to introduce legislation that would force Pennsylvania to reevaluate its constitution. The process is known as a constitutional convention. Such initiatives crop up every few years in the legislature–typically after some form of public outcry. This effort was largely prompted by the commonwealth’s stalled budget.

Standard-Speaker: Argall may run for lieutenant governor: In June, state Sen. David G. Argall, R-29, Rush Twp., proposed a constitutional amendment to change the way the lieutenant governor is selected. Now he’s considering running for the post in 2018.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Still unclear what Trump’s opioid state of emergency means for states
StateImpact: PennEast urges new FERC quorum to quickly approve pipeline
City & State: Winners and Losers for the week ending August 11
Capitolwire: House GOP leaders oppose components of Senate tax bill, revenue negotiations continue.

Philadelphia
WHYY: Pa. Auditor General: pension fund could be saving more money
WHYY: Tomlinson ready for uphill race as GOP controller candidate in Philly
WHYY: Pa. GOP still discussing budget, but no concrete plans
Inquirer: How a Philly restaurant owner landed a top State Department job
Inquirer: Philly School District settles last case from $7.5 million no-bid camera contract
Philadelphia Magazine: The Democrats’ Battle Plan for the Philly ’Burbs
Philly Voice: Suburban Philly congressman to host traditional town hall

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick schedules first live town hall Aug. 22 in Bensalem
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsylvania gaming regulators support Parx owner in Philadelphia casino application
Pottstown Mercury: $650M bond issue OK’d for Reading Health System to help fund acquisition of 5 area hospitals
West Chester Daily Local: Elected officals seek Sunoco’s assistance for training
West Chester Daily Local: 6th District candidates report combined $1 million war chests

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: House conservatives hope to revive Obamacare repeal vote
Tribune Review: Rights leaders ask Trump to fire ‘alt-right’ hero Bannon
Tribune Review: GOP may not have votes for more spending cuts
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania politicians react to violence in Charlottesville
Tribune Review: Hempfield, Murrysville have opposite views on paying for police protection
Post-Gazette: Hundreds gather at vigil in Pittsburgh to denounce white nationalist rallies in Charlottesville
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania’s lawmakers look to streamline replacement of lead utility service lines
Pittsburgh Business Journal: Regulatory barriers starting to come down
WESA: Auditor General: Pension Fund Could Be Saving More Money
WTAE: Pittsburgh holds peaceful rally against hate in Market Square
KDKA: White House Scrambles To Explain Trump’s Response To Clashes
KDKA: Demonstrators, Politicians React To Va. White Nationalist Rally

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Citizens worried, but Seoul mum on Trump’s North Korea threat
Altoona Mirror: Altoona joins drug discount program
Altoona Mirror: Tax breaks in limbo amid funding fight
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Former ambassador to India will speak at Founders’ Day and be inducted into Cambria County Military Hall of Fame
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers may be close to saying time is right to tax drilling

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Rallies, marches, vigils held across state to condemn racism
Times Leader: Local rally attendees respond to violence at supremacist march in Virginia
Times Leader: River Common fountain water bill questioned

South Central
Patriot News: It’s official: PinnacleHealth and UPMC intend to merge
Patriot News: Lawmakers facing corruption charges see hope in court ruling
Patriot News: Pa. politicians react to outbreak of violence in Charlottesville, Va.
LNP: Hundreds gather at Penn Square vigil following violence in Charlottesville
LNP: Campaign aims to raise $100,000 for Lancaster Barracks, a temporary home for offenders in Veterans Court
LNP: 7 Lancaster County farms preserved by state
LNP: Lancaster County educators welcome standardized test reforms proposed under Pennsylvania’s ESSA plan

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Politics as Usual
Morning Call: Hundreds rally in Allentown in response to Virginia violence
Reading Eagle: Political pressure cooker stems violence, experts say
Reading Eagle: Trump criticized for not explicitly rebuking white supremacists
WFMZ: Trip gives Smucker firsthand look at US-Israel relationship
Express Times: Candlelight vigil planned in tribute of Virginia deaths

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Town hall to focus on lobbying state for greater municipality control in State College
Centre Daily Times: Thompson meets with constituents in local forum
Erie Times-News: Gathering rallies against hatred in Erie
Erie Times-News: GE, union have different views of efficiency

Opinion
Patriot News: Poll numbers sagging? Might as well start World War III | Tony May
Patriot News: North Korea Standoff: The big stick sometimes gets the attention of even the most irrational. | Charlie Gerow
Patriot News: Trump’s declaration of national emergency in opioid crisis could be his best legacy: Editorial
Patriot News: Finishing the job on the Ex-Im Bank will support Pennsylvania Jobs | Opinion
Tribune Review: Russia slaps U.S.; Trump won’t slap back
Altoona Mirror: Legislature should start legislating
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Tax hike, spending cuts need consideration
Express Times: Pa. needs to get its revenue act together | Editorial
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Disorder in the House: Pa.’s budget blues
The Times Leader: Auditor General: Pa. retirement system needs to cut investment fees
Times-Tribune: Legislature short on coins
Citizens Voice: Fix underlying problems first
Citizens Voice: Lawmakers on vacation, from what?
Standard Speaker: Long-term, not one-time, revenue fix
Pocono Record: Letter: Tax elimination is dead
Pocono Record: Letter: You wouldn’t ask taxpayers to fund a private golf club membership
Daily News: Trump’s shameful moral void on Charlottesville leaves America without a leader
Inquirer & Daily News: Rendell, Nutter and Street tried to clean up Philly – now it’s Mayor Kenney’s turn | Editorial
Inquirer: Trump can’t help boasting, even if it means war with North Korea
Post-Gazette: Eye on the fees: State pension funds are getting better management