The new NBC/Marist poll shows Trump and the GOP with negative favorability while Wolf and Casey are favorable, Trump wants David Urban to be ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and the state’s unemployment rate holds steady in July.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

NBC/Marist Poll: Trump, GOP Underwater; Wolf, Casey Favorable: The latest NBC/Marist poll showed that both President Trump and the GOP both have negative favorability in the state, while Governor Tom Wolf and Senator Bob Casey both have positive favorability.

Trump Wants Urban for Saudi Ambassadorship: The New York Times is reporting that David Urban is President Trump’s pick to be the ambassador to Saudi Arabia.

State Unemployment Rate Holds Steady in July: The state’s unemployment rate held steady at 5.0% in July.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Watchdogs raise concerns over budget “earmarks”
State House Sound Bites: Ralliers implore House members to “do your jobs”
StateImpact: Lawmaker asks Pa. attorney general to investigate pro-pipeline emails
City & State: Scarnati: ‘This isn’t governing; this is an embarrassment’
Capitolwire: Scarnati describes stark budget choice.
Capitolwire: Senate lawmaker seeks to create tax incentive for manufacturing companies.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Report: Soda tax decreased sales in Philly, boosted sales beyond border
Inquirer: Want city-owned land? It might already be reserved for someone else
Inquirer: Pa. Senate leader: Freeze spending now
Inquirer: Reports: At least 33 hurt in SEPTA train crash at 69th St.
Philadelphia Magazine: Maybe the Solution to the Frank Rizzo Statue Problem Is a Frank Rizzo Museum
WHYY: 42 injured in SEPTA crash at 69th St.
Billy Penn: Which Philly-area college campus is the safest? Here’s what the numbers say

SEPA
Daily Local: Chester County Commissioner Cozzone to announce run for Pennsylvania Lt. Gov.
Bucks County Courier Times: New Hope quarry back in action, as DEP rescinds short-lived mining ban
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County signs $212,000 contract with Doylestown firm for bridge design in Solebury, Bensalem

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Democrat Mike Crossey Announces Congressional Run Against Tim Murphy
KDKA: Local Leaders Calling For Action On Hate Crime Legislation
Post-Gazette: Charlottesville effect: Rep Frankel wants Pa.’s hate crime laws expanded
Post-Gazette: Former teacher, Allegheny County council member to try to unseat Tim Murphy
Post-Gazette: Wildlife center: 3rd bald eagle dies of lead poisoning in Pa.
WESA: Two Bills Could Change What Pennsylvania Classifies As A Hate Crime
WESA: Department Of Human Services Gets A New Secretary, But Its Future Is Still Uncertain
WESA: Pennsylvania Running Out Of Options For Cash To Pay Bills
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania must start freezing spending, top senator says
Tribune Review:  State Democrats call for expansion of hate-crimes law
Tribune Review: Trump administration halts study of mountaintop coal mining’s health effects
The Incline: State Democrats call for the expansion of hate crime laws in Pennsylvania after Charlottesville’s deadly clashes

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pennsylvania running out of options for cash to pay bills
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmaker wants better response to drug-exposed babies
Altoona Mirror: Housing authority may be close to scattered site success
Altoona Mirror: Judge weighs future of AASD privilege tax

NEPA
Times Leader: County council to consider resolution opposing White Haven Center closing
Times Leader: Blaze at residence owned by Wilkes-Barre official intentionally set, fire chief says
Times-Tribune: Scranton appeals ruling that did not immediately dismiss tax lawsuit
Times-Tribune: Carbondale council appoints wife of deceased council member to finish term

South Central
Patriot News: House GOP making progress on counter-proposal to Senate’s tax-and-borrowing revenue package
Patriot News: ‘We must have tax reform’: Rep. Scott Perry pushes for tax reform
Patriot News: Lancaster senator’s bill could impose response costs on protesters convicted of crimes
Patriot News: Cumberland County chief clerk resigns
Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse signs anti-hate compact following Charlottesville
Patriot News: Trump credited for opening of another coal mine in Pa.
LNP: Majority in 3 key states, including Pa., ’embarrassed’ by Trump, polls say
LNP: Congressman Smucker to meet with LNP Editorial Board on Thursday

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Gov. Tom Wolf visits West Reading
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania’s 2 senators weigh in after Trump speech on Afghanistan
Reading Eagle: Reading officials confident about city’s financial future
Reading Eagle: Pottstown School Board delays action on pay hikes for administrators
Morning Call: Poll: 1 in 3 Pennsylvanians approve of President Trump’s job performance
Morning Call: Allentown businesses snap up city grants for surveillance cameras

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Pennsylvania must start freezing spending, top senator says
Centre Daily Times: Borough Council adopts amendment to Zoning Ordinance on wireless cell monopoles, antenna
Erie Times-News: No talks yet between GE and union
Erie Times-News: 53 days without a complete state budget

Opinion
Inquirer: After speech, Afghanistan is Trump’s war now | Trudy Rubin
Inquirer: Pa. State Rep. McCarter: Time for President Trump to resign
Inquirer: Harrisburg overspends, and punishes Pa. taxpayers with new tax increases
Bucks County Courier Times: Rapid descent into repression
Tribune Review: Fighting fascism: Let free speech ring
Tribune Review: Pipeline reversal a win for Pa.
Post-Gazette: Russia remains: In the background, the election inquiry continues
Patriot News: U.S. policy is making Iran more dangerous, not less. That needs to change | Editorial
LNP: Horse and buggies ought to be licensed, like other vehicles on Pennsylvania roads