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April 13th Playbook

Pennsylvania officials announced that all adults in the state will be eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday. Here is the Playbook. 

Street Launches U.S. Senate Exploratory Committee: State Sen. Sharif Street’s exploratory committee features Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia), former Congressman Bob Brady, state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny), state Sens. Vincent Hughes (D-Philadelphia), John Kane (D-Chester), John Sabatina (D-Philadelphia), Tina Tartaglione (D-Philadelphia), Anthony Hardy Williams (D-Philadelphia) and more.

Cutler Quarantining After Exposure to COVID-19: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that House Speaker Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) is quarantining at home due to exposure to a confirmed case of COVID-19.

State Senate Will Look To Extend Remote Participation Rules: PennLive reports that the state Senate is “expected to consider extending its temporary rules allowing for senators to participate remotely during the COVID-19 emergency when they return to session next week.”

Politico: Dems kick off a tricky nationwide sales job on Biden’s Covid aid plan: Politico reports on Reps. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester), and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) promoting President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief package. 

Inquirer Reports on Philly’s DA Race: The Philadelphia Inquirer writes that “Philly DA Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega enter election homestretch as gun violence surges.”

O’Connell Talks To Allentown Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ray O’Connell talked to the Allentown Morning Call’s Andrew Wagaman about his reelection bid during a Q&A. On Tuesday, Wagaman will be interviewing Matt Tuerk at 11 a.m. in the weeklong Q&A with the Allentown mayoral candidates. 

Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates To Discuss City’s Pressing Issues At Today’s Debate: WESA and the Pittsburgh Black Media Federation will host a debate with Pittsburgh’s Mayoral Candidates, WESA reports. 

Santarsiero Bill Would Increase Mail-In Ballot Drop Boxes, Give Counties More Time To Count Votes: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) introduced two bills that could “give voters more access to mail-in ballot drop boxes across the state and counties more time to prepare those ballots for the final Election Day tally.” 

More Than 600,000 in PA Have Registered for Mail-In Ballots for May Primary: KDKA reports that the Pennsylvania Department of State says that more than 587,000 voters have already applied for mail-in ballots, while more than 18,000 have applied for absentee ballots for the upcoming May primary. 

PA Infrastructure Gets C-Minus from White House Report: KDKA reports that Pennsylvania received a C-minus grade on an infrastructure report from the White House.  

Domb Introduces Bills To Cut Philly’s Taxes: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia City Councilmember Allan Domb introduced three bills to “overhaul the city’s business tax code.”

Allegheny County Council will again take up creation of independent police review board: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that the Allegheny County Council Committee on Public Safety will meet on Wednesday to “continue talks regarding the creation of a countywide Independent Police Review Board.”

Bethlehem Unveils Climate Action Plan That Calls for Net-Zero Carbon Emissions By 2040: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Bethlehem officials released a climate action plan that “proposes creating an Office of Sustainability at City Hall, and aims to achieve citywide use of renewable energy by 2030 and net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.”

PA AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale Talks to 1210 WPHT About Amazon’s Counter-Union Efforts: Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Rick Bloomingdale talked to 1210 WPHT’s Dom Giordano about Amazon.  

Objections Raised To Luzerne County GOP Endorsing Council Candidates: The Citizens Voice reports that the Luzerne County Republican Committee has endorsed six of nine candidates for county council, although there are just five council seats on the ballot and “at least two of the three people left out are not happy.”

Two from West Pittston seek GOP nod for Luzerne County Council: The Citizens Voice reports that Kevin Lescavage and Brian Thornton, former West Pittston borough councilman, are seeking the GOP nomination for Luzerne County Council in the May primary.  

Jeff Hollenbach announces candidacy for Perkasie mayor: Montgomery Media reports that Jeff Hollenbach, a lifelong Perkasie-resident, former high school math teacher, and Pennridge football coach, “will seek write-in votes on both Republican and Democratic ballots” for the upcoming May primary. 

Biden Nominates Kenneth Polite To Serve As Assistant Attorney General for Criminal Division, Department of Justice: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that President Joe Biden nominated Philadelphia-based Morgan Lewis & Bockius partner Kenneth Polite to serve as assistant attorney general for the U.S. Justice Department’s criminal division. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania: All adults eligible for vaccine on Tuesday
AP: Man accused of leaving impeachment manager vulgar voicemails 
Patriot News: Pa. Senate will look to extend remote participation rules
Patriot News: Pa. House Speaker quarantining at home after being exposed to confirmed case of COVID-19
Patriot News: Pa. makes all adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday
Patriot News: Pennsylvania has more new COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations than a week ago
Patriot News: Mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinic heads for minority neighborhoods in Pa.
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (4/12/2021): Where does Pa. stand?
Patriot News: 50 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19, positive test rate rises slightly
USA Today: Despite efforts to limit mail-in voting, PA voters flock to them ahead of primaries
York Daily Record: Pennsylvanians 16 and older eligible for COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday. Here’s how it will work
York Daily Record: Two Pennsylvania men surrender to FBI for involvement in U.S. Capitol insurrection
Lebanon Daily News: Pennsylvania pivot to online gambling amid bleak pandemic raises addiction concerns
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House Speaker Cutler quarantining after exposure to COVID-19
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: All Pennsylvanians eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning April 13
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Health Dept., advocates launch statewide vaccination tour to reach underserved communities
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s what your tax dollar buys you in every state. How does Pa. stack up? | The Numbers Racket
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure
LNP | LancasterOnline: 5 northeastern PA counties had state’s highest rates of new COVID-19 cases in the past week 
WESA: Pa. Residents Asked To Apply To Redraw State’s Political Districts, Serve As Tie Breaker
WESA: Once ‘Haphazard,’ State System For Allocating Vaccine Evolves As Shot Availability Widens
WLVR: DHS Warns Many Could Go Hungry If PA Limits Disaster Declarations
Inquirer: Pennsylvania to open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to everyone 16 and up Tuesday, speeding up its timeline
Post-Gazette: Pa.’s roads, bridges spotlighted as Biden administration gives state a C- for infrastructure
Bucks County Courier Times: Meet CATE, Pennsylvania’s mobile outreach to provide COVID vaccines to everyone
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania rolling out mobile vaccine clinic for hard-to-reach communities
KYW Newsradio: Legislation to help nonprofits raise money during pandemic passes Pa. House 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s the percentage of population the state wants to see vaccinated
Pittsburgh Business Times: All Pennsylvania adults to be eligible for vaccine Tuesday
Politico: Dems kick off a tricky nationwide sales job on Biden’s Covid aid plan
Fox News: Pennsylvania approves 2-week deer hunting season, bans rifles from turkey hunts
KDKA: Pennsylvania’s Infrastructure Gets C-Minus From White House Report
KDKA: More Than 600,000 Pennsylvanians Have Registered For Mail-In Ballots For May 18 Primary
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Death by a thousand cuts’: Rural Pa. residents lament more cuts to local hospitals during pandemic
PLSReporter: Vaccines will open up to all Pennsylvanians on Tuesday, Wolf says
PLSReporter: Pa. House Speaker Cutler quarantining after COVID-19 exposure
PLSReporter: White House releases state infrastructure fact sheets, highlights poor conditions in Pa.  

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia loses $300M in revenue during one year of COVID-19
KYW Newsradio: Safe Routes Philly program teaches students rules of walking, biking to school
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials offer ‘Help for the Hurdles’ to homeless
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania counties open up new round of rental assistance
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega enter election homestretch as gun violence surges 
WHYY Newsworks: Z is for zero: Philly to teach Vision Zero traffic safety curriculum in city schools 
WHYY Newsworks: Most Pa. residents eligible for COVID-19 vaccine Tuesday; State to launch mobile unit
Philadelphia Business Journal: Biden taps local Morgan Lewis partner to lead Justice Department’s criminal division
Billy Penn: FAQ: Your guide to getting a COVID-19 vaccine in Philadelphia

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Delaware County man accused of harassing Rep. Dean with lewd voicemail messages
Montgomery Media: Jeff Hollenbach announces candidacy for Perkasie mayor
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rates remain elevated in SE Pa. counties
Inquirer: Trump supporter charged with harassment after threatening phone calls to Rep. Madeleine Dean
Inquirer: Peco gas project arouses angry opposition in a quiet Delco suburb
Delco Daily Times: Schools will offer COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible students
Bucks County Courier Times: DA: Delaware County man left vulgar, threatening messages against Rep. Madeleine Dean 
KYW Newsradio: Man leaves ‘vulgar,’ threatening voicemails at congresswoman’s Montco office, police say
Philly Voice: Delco man allegedly left lewd voicemails for Rep. Madeleine Dean, police say
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan vows to eradicate spotted lanternfly in Pennsylvania
Daily Local News: Chester County districts getting $50M in COVID funding; will help to fully reopen schools
Broad and Liberty: Delco’s fiscal watchdog pushes back against pay raise and bonus proposals
Bucks Local News: Bucks County announces Prescription Drug Take Back Day
Bucks Local News: Senator Santarsiero To Host Shredding Event & Food Drive on April 24th

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: Coalition backing Ed Gainey for mayor launching campaign today
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council will again take up creation of independent police review board
Post-Gazette: Biden’s $100 billion rural broadband plan bets on success of FCC initiatives
Post-Gazette: Would a later last call help Pittsburgh-area bars? Not likely, some say
Post-Gazette: Pa. announces all adults will be eligible for COVID-19 vaccine starting Tuesday
KDKA: Pittsburgh To Invest $16M In Street Resurfacing Program This Year
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Moves Up Vaccine Eligibility Timeline, Pa. Will Open Into Phase 2 On April 13
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 717 New Cases, Pushing Countywide Total Over 90K
City Paper: Some Black Pittsburgh leaders disagree that Black people are only leaving city by choice
City Paper: Allegheny County Health Department starts providing Mon Valley poor air quality alerts
Pittsburgh Business Times: Rich Fitzgerald updates county on vaccination efforts, return to workplaces

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Two Pennsylvania men surrender to FBI for involvement in U.S. Capitol insurrection
Observer-Reporter: Pennsylvania opens COVID-19 vaccines to all adults
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State to open COVID vaccine appointments to all adults on Tuesday
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: One in 3 residents have at least one COVID-19 shot in Cambria County
Tribune Review: $12.9M rental, utility assistance program opens for Westmoreland applicants
Altoona Mirror: Colleges not requiring vaccines
Altoona Mirror: Caldwell runs for Freedom auditor
Altoona Mirror: Supervisor Henry eyes another term
Altoona Mirror: Kelley seeking to retain council seat

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Objections raised to county GOP endorsing council candidates
Citizens Voice: Two from West Pittston seek GOP nod for county council
Citizens Voice: Political scene 4/12/21
Citizens Voice: Council to vote on proposed visitors bureau move to train station
Citizens Voice: Swoyersville woman pleads not guilty to Capitol insurrection charges
Citizens Voice: Questions and answers: COVID-19 vaccination record cards
Citizens Voice: 52 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Monday
The Times Leader: 52 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday
Times-Tribune: Swoyersville woman pleads not guilty to Capitol insurrection charges
Times-Tribune: Everyone 16 and older can sign up for COVID-19 vaccines starting Tuesday 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler quarantining due to COVID-19 exposure
LNP | LancasterOnline: Ephrata man wanted by FBI in Capitol attack investigation not yet arrested
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County man on FBI most wanted list in Capitol attack, footage shows
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 56 cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County in Monday’s two-day report
York Dispatch: Wolf: All Pa. adults eligible for COVID-19 vaccine beginning Tuesday

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Bill allowing child sex abuse survivors to file lawsuits as adults once again faces uncertain future in Pa. Senate
Reading Eagle: COVID has led to you paying more for groceries and that likely won’t change in 2021
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds 215 new COVID cases over two-day period
Reading Eagle: All Pa. adults eligible Tuesday to schedule COVID vaccine, Gov. Tom Wolf says
WFMZ: Meuser at US-Mexico border: ‘We need Congress to act’
WFMZ: Bethlehem issues climate plan in bid to reduce warming, promote justice
WFMZ: Northampton County councilor seeks reelection
WFMZ: DA: Man harassed US Rep. Dean with series of voicemails
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Wolf announces Phase 2 but open eligibility will require more vaccine doses; 3,088 new cases as counts rise | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/12/21)
Express Times: Pa. COVID vaccine: All adults eligible starting Tuesday as Pennsylvania accelerates into Phase 2. How to schedule an appointment in the Lehigh Valley.
Morning Call: Replay Q&A with Ray O’Connell as we meet with the Allentown mayoral candidates this week
Morning Call: Bethlehem unveils climate action plan that calls for net-zero carbon emissions by 2040
Morning Call: Marty Nothstein drops appeal of dismissal in lawsuit against USA Cycling 
Morning Call: All Pennsylvania adults can schedule COVID-19 vaccinations starting Tuesday as appointments open up in the Lehigh Valley

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie to house refugee children held at the border
Erie Times-News: Biden COVID relief plan to impact Erie’s poor kids
Erie Times-News: Longtime Times-News columnist Pat Howard dies
Post-Gazette: ‘There is just not service’: COVID-19 pandemic spurs internet expansion efforts in rural Pennsylvania
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Clean Streams Fund proposed for water cleanup
Centre Daily Times: April 12 update: Pa. again accelerates COVID-19 vaccine program; Centre adds 102 cases

Opinion  
Doug Mastriano: Mandatory vaccine passports do not belong in the birthplace of freedom
Scott Perry and Chip Roy: US Chamber enters hostile takeover by crony capitalists
Ryan P. Aument, Camera Bartolotta, Kristin Phillips-Hill, and Judy Ward: Small businesses must be a top priority amid COVID recovery
Erika Strassburger: Biden’s Pittsburgh visit shows the path to shared prosperity in the Ohio River Valley
Paul Muschick: Why Pennsylvania should not force counties to create health departments 
ML Wernecke: Pa. Senate education leaders need to give local taxpayers a break on cyber-charter costs
PEMA Director D. Randy Padfield: Flexible disaster emergency declarations are a crucial part of response and recovery process
Yoram Bauman and Will Delavan: RGGI is not Pennsylvania’s best option to cut carbon 
Anton Vincent: As a large company’s president, I support RGGI to make Pa.’s businesses greener 
Shannon Coleman: Carlos Vega Is The Wrong D.A. For Philly 
Salena Zito: The day Lake Conemaugh destroyed Johnstown 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Biden administration is taking gun violence seriously, but Harrisburg is not off the hook
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh’s goal to plant more trees must include a plan for ongoing maintenance
Todd Newcomer: Do we really need to merge six of our state system college campuses? 
Emily Kreps: Sports helped me learn how to overcome challenges; don’t take that away from women
Paul Muschick: If you start getting more robocalls and text messages, here’s why 
Maury Burgwin: American steel is key to Biden’s ‘Build Back Better’ agenda
John L. Micek: ‘We are the victims’: Pa. House, Senate bills would ban gay, trans-panic defense
Lisa Haver: Unjustly silencing critics is backward move from Philly school board 
Ryan Sprankle: Skill games provide health insurance to my workers
Dick Polman: So now Republicans are trying to cancel Coke and Major League Baseball 
Inga Saffron: An architecture critic unravels Philadelphia’s untold history through its buildings | Book review

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