The Tavern Association pushes for VGT legalization in new radio ads, Argall considers a run for Lieutenant Governor, and McLaughlin gets the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association endorsement.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Tavern Owners Push For VGT Legalization: The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage & Tavern Association and the York County Licensed Beverage Association started a radio ad push to include legalized video gaming terminals in Pennsylvania, instead of expanded casino gambling.

Argall Considers a Run For Lieutenant Governor: State Senator David Argall is considering a run for Lieutenant Governor next year.

McLaughlin Endorsed by Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association: Judge Maria McLaughlin was endorsed by the Pennsylvania Professional Fire Fighters Association in her bid for the Superior Court.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Shorter standardized tests coming to PA public schools
StateImpact: Pipeline protesters walk out of DEP hearing, calling it a ‘sham’
City & State: GOP shrugs off new ire over Metcalfe’s defense of white supremacist
Capitolwire: Wolf says ‘House Republicans have to get back’ to Harrisburg to finalize budget.
Capitolwire: Wolf, PDE to shorten PSSA testing window.

Philadelphia
WHYY: Allentown company founder arrested over graffiti supporting Pawlowski
WHYY: Lawmakers file memos to initiate a Pennsylvania constitutional convention
KYW: City Officials Turn To Behavioral Science To Improve Government Services
KYW: Pa. State Tests Are Getting Shorter Starting Spring 2018
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf announces plan to reduce test-taking time for Pa. students
Inquirer: Why Pa. sends too many Republicans to Washington – and why that could change
Inquirer: PA GOP cites ‘corrupt Democrats’ (of color) in Philly DA race flier
Inquirer: Former Pa. lieutenant governor to be Temple’s chief fund-raiser
Inquirer: Philly pension fund’s bet on U.S. stocks pays off, for now
Inquirer: Politicians line up against proposed Philly marijuana dispensary
Inquirer: The future of politics – and Bob Brady – in Philadelphia
Inquirer: Lou Barletta has Trump ties. But can he raise the money to take on Bob Casey?
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pa. Auditor General says pension fund could be saving more money
Philadelphia Magazine: LISTEN: Did Philly Democrats Commit Voter Fraud in the 197th District?
Philadelphia Magazine: Charlottesville Reactions: What Took Trump and Toomey So Long?

SEPA
Daily Local News: New law tightens protections for dogs in Pa.
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks, Montgomery school administrators pleased with shorter PSSA test
Bucks County Courier Times: Former Pa. Lt. Gov. James Cawley nominated to join Temple leadership
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Katharine Watson wants to close loophole that could put drug-exposed infants at risk
Bucks Local News: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf announces major changes to PSSA testing beginning this school year
Bucks Local News: State senators hold property tax reform forum Tuesday
Pottstown Mercury: Gov. Wolf: Standardized test changes to lessen test-taking time

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Thousands of protesters gather as Trump heads to his NYC home
Tribune Review: Scaramucci: If it were up to me Bannon would be gone
Tribune Review: As Trump considers Arpaio pardon, critics call out president
Tribune Review: Western Pa. educators welcome Wolf’s call for less state testing
Post-Gazette: Wolf announces reduction in classroom time for taking PSSA tests
Post-Gazette: Trump speaks on Charlottesville, calls KKK, neo-nazis and white supremacists ‘criminals and thugs’
WESA: Lawmakers File Memos to Initiate A Constitutional Convention
WESA: Still Unclear What Trump’s Opioid State of Emergency Means for States
WTAE: Mayor: Pittsburgh is ‘aware’ and ‘preparing’ for protest scheduled this weekend at Google
KDKA: State To Reduce Amount Of Time Dedicated To Mandatory PSSA Tests In Schools

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Wolf’s cut to PSSA testing draws applause from all corners
Observer-Reporter: Leaseholder protections aim of House bill
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vietnam POW to speak on overcoming strife

NEPA
The Times Leader: Leo A. Glodzik III mounts bid for early release
Standard Speaker: Mayor to propose moving $1M from pension fund
Standard Speaker: Big bill highlights concerns over special education funding
Standard Speaker: City attorney still lawyering 50 years later
Citizens Voice: Sen. Casey advocates for seniors during Wilkes-Barre stop
Times-Tribune: Wolf: Standardized test changes to lessen test-taking time

South Central
LNP: Ephrata mayor reflects on drug problem 20 years after first declaring heroin crisis: ‘It’s back … with a vengeance’
LNP: Half of audience walks out at state hearing on Atlantic Sunrise air pollution in Lancaster
LNP: A write-in in 2013, Woody Chandler is on ballot for fall Lancaster mayoral election
LNP: Lancaster city officials voice concerns, frustrations about gas pipeline crossing main water line
Patriot News: UPMC seeks to borrow hundreds of millions for health care projects across Pa., including new markets
Patriot News: Pennsylvanians near state’s 5 nuclear plants can get free potassium iodide pills next Thursday
Patriot News: Nine months after election, Lancaster activists digging in for long-term political influence
Patriot News: Former Penn State trustee criticizes Trump, draws president’s ire
Patriot News: Coming this spring: a shorter PSSA

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania fifth in nation for hate groups
Morning Call: Pennsylvania cutting student PSSA test questions, teacher prep time for exams
Reading Eagle: Prosecutors request trial delay for Reading’s former Mayor Vaughn Spencer
WFMZ: Standardized test changes to lessen test-taking time

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: City Council poised for final vote on Erie Insurance rezoning
Centre Daily Times: Pennsylvania politicians respond to Charlottesville violence
Centre Daily Times: Harris Township supervisors pledge net zero greenhouse gas emissions

Opinion
Delco Daily Times: Editorial: Disorder in the House: Pa.’s budget blues
Delco Daily Times: Letters to the Editor: Sister: Not the way to protect Pa.
Tribune Review: Riots in Charlottesville: More division or reason?
Observer-Reporter: We can’t arrest our way out of this opioid crisis
The Morning Call: Charlottesville is not continuation of an old fight, it is something new
Reading Eagle: The president must speak out forcefully against racism
Express Times: Poll: Should FERC act now to approve PennEast pipeline?
Express Times: Opposing racism means more than condemning Nazis
Inquirer: Wasting millions on failed tech upgrades hurts Philadelphians
Inquirer: The myths of the underpaid and overworked teachers in Pa. | Opinion
Post-Gazette: Banking on pot in Pennsylvania