Welcome to the new week. Trump endorses Oz. Spending in governors’ race tops $12.6M. How to reduce pain at the pump. Eliminating ballot drop boxes. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Fox Chapel | Mostly Sunny, then Showers Likely, 65
Fleetwood | Patchy Frost, Mostly Sunny, 61
Factoryville | Mostly Sunny, 62

PA Sports
76ers | d. Detroit, 118-106
Flyers | TUE at Washington
Penguins | d. Nashville, 3-2 (OT); TUE at NY Islanders
Union | d. Columbus, 1-0
Pirates | d. St. Louis, 9-4; today at St. Louis
Phillies | lost to Oakland, 4-1; tonight vs. NY Mets

News

PA Senate Race: Trump Endorses Oz for Senate: In a surprise announcement on Saturday night, former president Donald Trump gave his endorsement for Mehmet Oz in the Republican U.S. Senate primary in Pennsylvania.

• Oz: The $100 Million (Plus) Man: Celebrity heart surgeon Mehmet Oz filed a financial disclosure required of all candidates for the U.S. Senate that indicates he and his wife have assets worth somewhere between $100 and $400 million.
• Associated Press: Fetterman, Democrats confront a newly hostile Senate primary
• Associated Press: Trump endorses Oz in Pennsylvania’s Senate primary race
• National Journal: In Pennsylvania, Black voters’ concerns go beyond Fetterman gun incident
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Donald Trump just endorsed Mehmet Oz in the Pa. Senate race, potentially shaping the GOP primary
• ABC27: This Week In Pennsylvania: Malcolm Kenyatta
• Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Senate candidate stresses importance of upcoming election
• Fox News: Former President Trump endorses Dr. Oz for US Senate in Pennsylvania
• Philadelphia Gay News: Senate candidates vie for Philly support
• PennLive: U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb brings his Pa. Senate campaign to the midstate

PA Governor Race: Spending in Governor’s Race Tops $12.6M: Although overshadowed by the money being spent in the race for the U.S. Senate nominations, the candidates in the hunt for their parties’ nods for the Pennsylvania governor’s mansions have shown they can raise … and spend money, as well.

• Associated Press: GOP’s energy promises face limits in Pa. governor’s race
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s governor candidates feud over how to reduce pain at the pump 
• Philadelphia Inquirer: Pennsylvania Republican candidates for governor are spending millions as the primary nears the final stretch
• PennLive: GOP gubernatorial candidate Dave White grabs burger, votes at York area campaign stop 
• City & State PA: Dave White calls for special prosecutor to combat crime at Harrisburg stop

Ups and Downs – April 8: It might be our favorite weekend of 2022 so far. A tradition unlike any other is taking place in Augusta, Ga., while baseball is back. Wishing the Phillies and the Pirates the best of luck this season! Here are our Ups and Downs for Opening Weekend.

‘Your guide to the 2022 primary challengers’: City & State PA “compiled a list of all incumbent legislators facing challengers in the 2022 primary.”

‘With $1.7 billion in ARPA funds, $75 million could go to Pennsylvania economic development’: The Center Square reports that “in the debate over how to spend the rest of Pennsylvania’s $1.7 billion in federal ARPA funds, a partisan split has unsurprisingly emerged.”

‘Governor appeals court order blocking carbon emissions plan’: The Associated Press reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration has asked the state’s highest court to let the centerpiece of his plan to fight climate change take effect and make Pennsylvania the first major fossil fuel state to adopt a carbon pricing policy.”

‘As constitutional amendments grow and die in the Pa. Legislature, some popular ideas are shot down’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “property tax and redistricting reforms are just two of the perennial issues Pennsylvania voters have been asking their legislators to address for decades. As Republican lawmakers are faced with their own frustrations under Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and turn to amending the state constitution to get around his veto pen, these widely popular reforms have sat untouched until the end of the legislative session, where they’ll need to be reintroduced.”

‘Pa. GOP Senate leaders to try to eliminate ballot drop boxes next week’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Republican leaders in the Pennsylvania Senate will move to eliminate ballot drop boxes next week.”

‘PSERS’ legal bills jump as FBI and SEC continue probes of Pa.’s largest pension fund’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “investigations into PSERS have cost the teachers’ pension plan $4.5 million in legal and adviser bills since March 2021, state records show.”

‘Draft bills and late-night emails reveal cozy ties between Pa. state lawmaker, casino lobbyists’: Spotlight PA reports that “draft bills and late-night emails reveal cozy ties between Pa. state Sen. Tommy Tomlinson and casino lobbyists.”

‘What are skill games, and why are they at the center of a multimillion-dollar fight’: Spotlight PA reports that “skill games — which are now common in restaurants, taverns, convenience stores, and other establishments in Pennsylvania — are unique in another way, too: Unlike casino slot machines, they aren’t regulated under the state’s gambling law or subject to the same high taxes.”

‘Pennsylvania Republicans seek to levy illegal immigrants’ remittances to fund property tax relief’: Fox News reports that “a group of Pennsylvania Republican lawmakers put forward a bill that would place a levy on international remittances made by illegal immigrants and divert the revenue to the commonwealth’s property tax and rent relief fund.”

‘Former stripper, now Democrat PA-03 candidate, supports black reparations’: PHL17 reports that “Hunt spoke to the Philadelphia Democratic Committee on Saturday, knowing they wouldn’t endorse her.”

‘Five Petition Circulators Say They Didn’t Forge Signatures On Election Documents’: Levittown Now reports that “five Republicans who circulated former candidate Dasha Pruett’s nominating petitions have come forward affirming they did not place forged signatures on them.”

‘After Hours: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Steve Irwin’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “After Hours host Natalie Bencivenga interviews Steve Irwin, an attorney from Squirrel Hill who is running for Congress in the newly configured District 12.”

‘Pennsylvania senators split on confirming Jackson to Supreme Court’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “calling Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson an “inspiration for future generations,” U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr., a Democrat, voted in favor of confirming her to the Supreme Court of the United States on Thursday. U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, a Republican, opposed Jackson, questioning “her inability to define her own judicial philosophy.””

‘Pa. Republicans reconsider Pitt funding over fetal tissue research, college voucher program’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “as lawmakers determine Pennsylvania’s 2022-23 budget, some Republicans are reconsidering their support for the University of Pittsburgh’s state funding.”

‘Toomey, Casey introduce bill to honor Purple Heart recipients’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Sen. Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, and Sen. Bob Casey, D-Scranton, have introduced legislation to honor recipients of the Purple Heart Medal by requiring the Department of Defense to include the names of certain Purple Heart recipients on its military awards website.”

‘Senator Casey visits Shenandoah, touts $350,000 grant for planned innovation center’: WFMZ reports that “U.S. Senator Bob Casey visited the future site of the Center for Education, Business, and Arts (CEBA) Friday morning, along with other state and local leaders, to celebrate a $350,000 federal grant for the project.”’

Legislative Election Updates

‘Republican state House candidate Tony Moreno kicked off primary ballot in 20th District’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Moreno, a former Pittsburgh police officer who ran unsuccessfully for mayor as a Democrat and then as a Republican in 2021, has now been kicked off the May primary election ballot in his attempt to secure a state House seat in the 20th District, which includes northern Pittsburgh neighborhoods, Bellevue, Avalon, Ross and West View.”

‘Washington Township supervisor is running for state Senate seat’: The Reading Eagle reports that “David Moyer is seeking the Republican nomination for the 24th Senate District.”

‘Objection to Centre County Republican appearing on ballot is withdrawn’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “the objection to a Republican who had petitioned to get his name on the ballot in Centre County for the 2022 general primary election was withdrawn Friday.”

Regional Spotlight: Southeast and Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Pennsylvania police departments battling hiring crisis for new officers
Daily Local News: Pelosi appoints Houlahan to committee for America COMPETES Act
Inquirer: Mayoral fadeaway: The strange final chapter of Jim Kenney’s administration
Inquirer: Kenyatta Johnson trial: Day-by-day updates for federal bribery case
Billy Penn: John Dougherty and Bobby Henon still haven’t been sentenced, months after a jury found them guilty
Inquirer: What the 1950 Census says about the Bidens of Scranton, Pa.
Billy Penn: Workers are prepping City Hall for in-person Council session, but lawmakers are still holding off on a return
Billy Penn: Impossible to track and sensitive to inflation: Philly ends talks about CityCoin cryptocurrency
Philly Voice: City Council urges city, state leaders to declare state of emergency in Kensington
Morning Call: Many broke the law by dropping off multiple ballots in 2021 election, but no one will be prosecuted, Lehigh DA says
Morning Call: In his first State of the City address, Bethlehem mayor says city is entering ‘next great era’
Morning Call: Should Allentown council members explain why they’re abstaining from a vote? Council could take that up.
Morning Call: Allentown teachers have a new contract that boosts starting salary to more than $52,000
Morning Call: Racists distributed vile propaganda. Lehigh Valley responds, ‘This is not what we want.’
Morning Call: The Medicaid benefits for many, including in the Lehigh Valley, could end sometime this year
Morning Call: How Lehigh Valley-area lawmakers voted last week
Morning Call: Where do cases stand for Lehigh Valley area suspects of Capitol insurrection?
Inquirer: Councilmembers want Mayor Jim Kenney to be more aggressive in spending Philly’s federal pandemic relief
Inquirer: 70% of Philadelphians believe public safety is the most important issue facing the city, poll finds
Philadelphia Citizen: How To Vote in the 2022 PA Primary 
KYW Newsradio: Shop Rite-Universal Companies relationship spotlighted in Kenyatta Johnson trial
KYW Newsradio: Will a mask mandate return to Philadelphia? The city is preparing for it
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia school district offering expanded summer programs again for all students
KYW Newsradio: Commission lifts residency requirement for Philly police, correctional officer applicants
KYW Newsradio: Philly leaders, advocates get public involved in Sexual Assault Awareness Month
WHYY: Philly Fed president calls inflation ‘the 10% elephant in the room’
Philadelphia Tribune: Local observers say vote shows Jackson’s perseverance
Daily Local News: Salary hike for Chester County employees not expected to trigger a tax increase
Daily Local News: Agriculture Secretary Redding holds industry roundtable at To-Jo Mushrooms
Daily Local News: Independent review clears Kennett Township manager of ethics violations
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County retakes control of operations at George W. Hill Correctional Facility
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County Health Department officially opens with full slate of programming
City & State PA: New Pew poll shows 30% increase in Philly residents concerned about crime
Reading Eagle: Reading hopes to keep state-appointed financial coordinator after leaving Act 47 
Reading Eagle: Pa. education secretary visits Reading schools to promote environmental education and school funding increases
Reading Eagle: Former councilman appointed to Reading District 1 seat 
Reading Eagle: Pandemic expanded access to local government
Express Times: Bethlehem State of the City preaches diversity, asks how pandemic relief funds should be spent 
Express Times: Northampton County Juvenile Center faces staffing crisis, could be forced to shut down
WFMZ: Northampton County’s McClure wants to spend $15M, go ‘all in’ to save Gracedale
WFMZ: Lehigh Valley legislators advocating for bill they say could curb elder abuse
WFMZ: Mayor: Homeless encampment in Easton dismantled after several warnings about litter, concerns about unhealthy environment
WFMZ: Berks community leaders react to Ketanji Brown Jackson’s Supreme Court confirmation
WFMZ: 3 months into his term as Bethlehem mayor, J. William Reynolds aims to look at city’s needs through the eyes of its residents
WFMZ: Local attorney speaks out on what Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court means for her
WFMZ: Local officials continue to warn about deadly batch of drugs in our area
Levittown Now: $6.67 Million In Federal Funds Headed To Bucks County 
Levittown Now: County Starts Producing Podcast For Residents
Delaware Valley Journal: Bucks County Races Shaping Up
Bucks County Courier Times: How PA law made it easy for schools to avoid reporting abuse allegations
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks OKs 10.75% raises over 4 years for 400 county employees
Montgomery Media: Elections continue dominating Montgomery County public comment
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County elections board reorganizes, relocates polling places ahead of primary
Bucks Local News: Legislation proposed by Bucks County students to make Hershey’s Kiss state’s official candy advances in the senate
Inquirer: Slade McLaughlin, a ‘larger-than-life’ high-profile trial attorney, dies at 65
Inquirer: More Afghan evacuees in Philly now finding homes, even as resettlement collides with the housing crisis
Express Times: Lehigh Valley resident who entered Pelosi’s office in Capitol riot sentenced 90 days in prison

Opinion  
Mike Regan: 90% of Pennsylvanians agree: Let’s make marijuana legal
David Thornburgh: High Stakes in Pennsylvania’s Primary Races
Salena Zito: Pennsylvania’s dramatic shift rightward is a warning sign for both parties about overreach
Salena Zito: Lieu­tenant gov­er­nor can­di­dates show fu­ture of con­ser­va­tism
Ray E. Landis: Pa.’s 2022 GOP U.S Senate primary could define future of Social Security, Medicare 
John L. Micek: Poll: McCormick, Barletta lead GOP primary pack; but many still undecided | Friday Morning Coffee
LeAnne Harvey: Putting limits and a price on carbon is a fair way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Paul Muschick: Hershey’s Kisses could become Pennsylvania’s official state candy. Why not Bethlehem’s Peeps?
Carl Hisiro: Republicans are spreading misinformation on inflation and energy policies
Mike Krancer: Is Philly Really Ready To Go Carbon-Free? 
PennLive Editorial Board: Racism lifts its ugly head again in the treatment of Ketanji Brown Jackson 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Conor Lamb should disavow his super PAC’s deceptive ad 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Teenage mental health crisis points to tech overload
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Millions of Americans are going bankrupt caring for loved ones, and they need help
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Anglers must do their part and heed warnings, guidance about invasive species 
Express-Times Opinion Staff: What’s so ‘unfair’ about transgender girls playing sports with other girls? | Turkeys & Trophies
Arden Tewksbury: Will Readington Dairy farmers be left behind?
Deb Pierson: Tech investments bring new value and opportunity to Central Pennsylvania 
Dolly Prabhu: Pa. legislators advanced SB913 in spite of opposition from “virtually all of the major decarceral grassroots orgs in the state”
Brandon McGinley: When the gunshots are real
Quinn O’Callaghan: Ideas We Should Steal: Fully Paid Teacher Sabbaticals
John Cole: The Pa. Legislature’s Hershey’s Kiss-Off | Editorial Cartoon
John Nagl: In Ukraine, a month that has shaken the world 
Larry Platt: The C Word
Samuel George: Americans are more united than we think, but too often united in pain
Ruth Ann Dailey: Looking for hope and finding music