Bartos defends Wagner, Simmons considers a primary challenge to Dent, Barletta officially announces his Senate bid, the Pa. Dems launch digital ads welcoming him to the race, and our readers think Wolf should freeze state spending.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Bartos Defends Wagner on Soros Comments: U.S. Senate candidate Jeff Bartos is defending Gubernatorial candidate Scott Wagner’s comments on calling George Soros a “Hungarian Jew.”

Simmons Considers Primary Challenge of Dent: State Representative Justin Simmons is considering a primary challenge of Congressman Charlie Dent.

Pa. Dems Launch Digital Ads Welcoming Barletta to Senate Race: The Pennsylvania Democratic Party is launching Facebook and Twitter ads welcoming Congressman Lou Barletta to the Senate Race.

Barletta Officially Enters the Senate Race: Congressman Lou Barletta made it official this morning, he is jumping in the race to challenge Senator Bob Casey next year.

Reader Poll: Wolf Should Freeze Spending Until the Budget is Passed:  majority of our readers think that Governor Tom Wolf should freeze spending until the budget is passed.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Hearing features calls for jobless program funding, but few specifics
State House Sound Bites: Tension rises between House GOP and Wolf; general fund teeters near zero
StateImpact: Trump’s EPA cuts threaten water quality in Delaware River Basin, report says
StateImpact: Harvey causing gasoline price increases in Pennsylvania
City & State: Wolf offers stern warning as House GOP works on consensus revenue plan
Capitolwire: House panel weighs UC system rebuilding effort.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Urged to run by Trump, Rep Barletta Challenges Senator Casey
Inquirer: Italian Market stuck in the middle with Frank Rizzo mural
Inquirer: EPA cuts could hobble Delaware River’s cleanup, report says
Inquirer: Antifa, black-clad and often violent, is strong in Philly
Inquirer: In Barletta’s open seat, a mid-term referendum on Trump brews
Philly Voice: Lou Barletta, early Trump supporter announces US senate run against Bob Casey
Philly Voice: On race and place, Philadelphia must play by the rules
WHYY: Bill would increase transparency of water system privatization in Pennsylvania
WHYY: Pa.’s state liquor stores are hiking prices

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: State Rep. John Galloway asks for leadership from governor on unemployment fix
Bucks County Courier Times: GOP candidate for mayor says George Soros rant not racist
Bucks County Courier Times: Health care town hall to focus on proposed insurance rates for 2018
Delco Times: Middletown picks new firm to study pipeline safety issues

Pittsburgh
WPXI: Sen. Toomey comments on disaster funding debate
WPXI: Toomey talks protests, PWSA, healthcare
Post-Gazette: Testimony: Unemployed Pa. workers still stuck in long waits for state benefits
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania reverses proposed cuts to heating aid for poor
Post-Gazette: DEP and Range Resources settle appeal over Marcellus well gas leaks
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf warns of ‘dire’ consequences if budget not balanced soon
Tribune Review: UPMC operating income falls as revenues climb by $1 billion
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council votes — this time in public — to hire clerk
Pittsburgh Business Times: Study: Massive ethane storage facility needed in Appalachia
KDKA: Pa. Treasurer Says Borrowing To Pay Bills Must End

Southwest
WTAJ: Local police react to the use of military gear
Beaver County Times: Ellwood City Police introduce safe drug disposal box
Beaver County Times: Bernstine to offer satellite office hours in New Brighton, Beaver Falls
Altoona Mirror: Judge hearing last tax appeals

NEPA
Times Leader: Barletta already under fire from Democrats
Times-Leader: Experts: Casey-Barletta race would be a wild political ride
Times-Tribune: 6 express interest in Barletta seat
Standard-Speaker: Profs, politicians react to the announcement
WNEP: Who Will Replace Lou Barletta?

South Central
Patriot News: More state budget work, no solutions yet, at Pennsylvania Capitol
Patriot News: Harrisburg approves police riot gear — with strings attached
Patriot News: U.S. Rep. Barletta taking on incumbent Sen. Bob Casey
LNP: $18M Buchanan Elementary School project halted by School District of Lancaster, city officials
LNP: 2 state agencies investigate Mariner East 2 pipeline spill that killed trout in Lebanon County

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania dips into highway money to pay for schools, troopers
Morning Call: Council: how well are Bethlehem’s tax incentives working?
Morning Call: Pro-Trump groups plan Allentown rally against Charlie Dent
Reading Eagle: Reading council tables vote on ordinance to decriminalize marijuana

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Graduate student unionization gains support at Penn State
Centre Daily Times: Jill Biden to speak at Penn State
Erie Times-News: 61 days without a complete state budget
Erie Times-News: Bizzarro updates new state animal protection law

Opinion
Tribune Review: ‘Fishing expeditions’ rebuked
Post-Gazette: Tortured water: PWSA is the city’s No. 1 problem to fix
Patriot News: It’s time to decide the future of Pa’s state-owned universities | Opinion
Patriot News: Charlie Dent is making a losing bet with his online gaming ban | Opinion
Reading Eagle: Editorial: Spate of traffic fatalities demands public’s attention
Daily News: The day the ‘enemies of the American people’ helped save America | Will Bunch
Inquirer: What Philly’s police commission needs to do to become relevant
Inquirer: Barletta says ‘yes’ to Senate bid, history says ‘meh’
Bucks County Courier Times: Reducing standardized test-taking time is good for students and learning