The new Morning Call/Muhlenberg polls,the Clinton team touts their ground game and PA-16 becomes a “Red to Blue” seat. Plus, last week’s Ups & Downs! Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

9/23 Ups & Downs: Polls, ads and…a smile? See who made this week’s list!

Morning Call/Muhlenberg Poll: Clinton 44% Trump 41%: Clinton’s lead shrinks by two-thirds in just a week.

PA-Sen: Morning Call/Muhlenberg Poll: Toomey 41% McGinty 40%: Toomey regains the advantage.

Clinton Campaign Touts Ground Game in PA: The Democratic nominee has built an impressive infrastructure in the Keystone State.

PA-16: DCCC Puts Race on “Red to Blue” List: The Democrats are making a big push in this open seat.

CeaseFirePA Announces Endorsements: CeaseFirePA releases recommendations in races for the state legislature.

PA-Sen: PA Dems Accuse Toomey of Flip-Flopping (VIDEO): The Democrats seek to use the Senator’s opposition to the CFPB against him.

PA-Sen: Toomey Portrays Himself as Independent in New TV Ad (VIDEO): The incumbent paints his opponent as corrupt and partisan.

Clinton Uses Trump’s Comments Against Him in New TV Ad (VIDEO): The commercial concerns the GOP nominee’s remarks about women.

PA-8: Gabby Giffords’ Group Endorses Santarsiero: The gun safety organization is backing the Democratic nominee.

Sunday Show Preview: September 25, 2016: We take a look at the Sunday morning political talk shows that will air throughout the state.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Election officials, Wolf administration express concerns about some of the election code changes proposed by House bills
Capitolwire: PASSHE faculty union sets Oct. 19 as strike date
State House Sound Bites: Wednesday September 28th session on opioid abuse will take place
StateImpactPA: ‘Erin Brockovich chemical’ found in PA water systems, study says
City and State: Teachers union pushes for improved assessments for teachers
PLS Reporter: General DePasquale speaks in regards to PA charter schools
PLS Reporter: Pittsburgh launches transparency portal

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Federal judge questions Fattah’s push for a new trial
Inquirer: Pope’s visit to Philly, a year later: Effects are personal
Inquirer: Gabrielle Giffords tells Toomey to either pull down or change his ad featuring her endorsement
Inquirer: President Obama vetoes 9/11 victims bill
Inquirer: On South Street, just about everything was welcome – but cars
WHYY Newsworks: CDC commits to study PFCs in Bucks, Montco but funding source murky
WHYY Newsworks: McCain endorses Toomey  

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Rafferty holds opioid forum with Delco D.A.
Bucks County Courier-Times: New CARE Act designed to help caregivers
Bucks County Courier-Times: Need for paid home caregivers on the rise

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Innocence Project opens Pittsburgh office
Post-Gazette: State System faculty union says it will strike Oct. 19
Post-Gazette: New AG says proposed sex abuse law wasn’t unconstitutional
Pittsburgh Business Times: Report examines energy boom’s impact in Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Business Times: No tax increase in $539.4 million budget Pittsburgh mayor submits to ICA
WESA: Can Pennsylvania nonprofits and volunteers with clipboards increase voter turnout in the election?

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Rossi blames Christiana for ignoring weak charter school law
Altoona Mirror: Dems protest poll-watching plan
Tribune-Democrat: In Johnstown stop, Chelsea Clinton touts her mother’s experience, focus on small communities

NEPA
Times Leader: Luzerne County Council member interaction with workers and manager debated
Times-Tribune: Another employee sues former AG Kane
Times-Tribune: Two local men named to state board

South Central
Patriot-News: One More Legislative Push Before the Big, Post-Election Pause
Patriot-News: Republican VP candidate Mike Pence to visit York County for rally
Patriot-News: If the state universities’ faculty members go on strike, then what?
Carlisle Sentinel: Voter Registration event scheduled in Carlisle
York Daily Record: Local Sandusky prosecutor breaks her silence
York Daily Record: Anna Dill Gamble, York advocate for world peace
Lancaster Online: Here’s where you can see Smucker, Hartman, and House debate
Lancaster Online: The Latest: Clinton meets with Israeli prime minister

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Can sin taxes prop up Pa.’s budget?
Reading Eagle: Coffee With a Cop event a success at Reading restaurant
WFMZ: Voters will decide if judges should step down at 70 or 75

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: House votes to pass Special Needs Fairness and Medicaid Improvement Act
Centre Daily Times: Pa. auditor general calls for charter school reforms
Sun Gazette: Pending bill sparks debate over organ donations
Erie Times News: Erie City Councilman: let’s not give up on settling EMTA dispute

Opinion
Inquirer: The Philadelphia Parking Authority should fire Vincent Fenerty for sexual harassment
Inquirer: Penn State celebration of Joe Paterno shows the university still doesn’t get it
Daily News: Much more than ‘puppy love’
Patriot-News: Ich bin ein Berliner? Not hardly: The Saturday News Photo
Patriot-News: Don’t mind long hours and no pay? Harrisburg needs you
Post-Gazette: Pa. is not going after retirement accounts
Post-Gazette: Dun the parents: Don’t punish kids for unpaid school lunch bills
Post-Gazette: Taking their shots: Mylan’s CEO gets earful in Congress. Now what?

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Kenney dismisses PA bill targeting cities for ploy to support Trump
Keystone State Education Coalition: DePasquale calls for charter school reform on September 23rd
Commonwealth Foundation: Wolf loses in court over union agenda
PA Budget and Policy Center: PA debate over school funding lawsuits continues to the Supreme Court
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Trump closes in on Keystone state
Above Average Jane: Women’s health up for debate