April 15th Playbook

Several labor organizations and progressive groups have teamed up for an organizing effort in Pennsylvania for the 2020 presidential election. Here is the Playbook. 

Labor Organizations and Progressive Groups Team Up For Organizing Effort in PA: Organizing Together 2020, which has selected six battleground states for their effort to defeat President Donald Trump, is expected to spend at least $2 million in Pennsylvania, according to a source familiar with the group’s thinking.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Mail-in, absentee ballot applications surge for June primary
Spotlight PA: Pa. keeps hospitals’ coronavirus emergency plans secret as health systems seek huge sums in tax relief, other financial help
Patriot News: Pa. House sends its plan for reactivating the state’s economy to Senate for consideration
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf talks about reopening businesses, a primary by mail and the Pa. budget crunch
Patriot News: Pa. doesn’t have racial data on most coronavirus cases, health secretary says
Patriot News: Pa. treasurer says ventilator makers withholding repair manuals, hindering efforts to keep them working
Patriot News: Real estate shutdown in Pa. wreaks havoc: Some face two mortgages, others have no home
Patriot News: Coronavirus curve ‘has been flattened significantly’ in Pa., Health Department secretary says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 25,345 confirmed cases in 67 counties
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Setting up clash with Wolf, Pa. House moves to loosen business shutdowns
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With businesses struggling, Wolf admin. temporarily waives sales tax prepayments
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With vote to reopen Pa. looming, Pa. Health Secretary Levine again urges caution 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s child abuse hotline is now run out of employees’ homes, but receiving far fewer tips than normal
Philadelphia Magazine: Meet Rachel Levine, the Health Secretary Leading the Coronavirus Battle in Pennsylvania 
Philadelphia Magazine: Coronavirus Is Legitimizing Pennsylvania’s Marijuana Industry
WHYY Newsworks: Health Experts Caution PA Lawmakers Against Easing COVID-19 Rules Too Fast
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: First person to die of COVID-19 in PA prisons was fighting for innocence  
Post-Gazette: Casey, 32 other senators call for $300 million in domestic violence funding
PLSReporter: Officials across state ramp up call for June 2 primary to occur via mail as experts note few partisan benefits to the practice
PLSReporter: Despite Democratic objections, House moves forward with bill to ease business restrictions 
Fox News: Rep. Keller on bill to reopen Pennsylvania businesses
Fox News: Ohio cracks down on Pennsylvanians crossing state line to buy liquor
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf reserves judgment on General Assembly’s reopening bills
StateImpactPA: DEP reaches agreement with Range Resources over Washington County air violations 
StateImpactPA: Carbon emissions are falling, but still not enough, scientists say 
StateImpactPA: Could sea level rise elevate the reputation of an invasive reed?
Inquirer: Feds expect 80 million stimulus checks to arrive by Wednesday; Gov. Wolf says there’s no time frame for reaching a ‘new normal’ 
Inquirer: Trump at odds with governors of N.J., Pa., and other states over when to reopen America 
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania, New Jersey governors reiterate need for regional approach to reopen economy
The Central Voice: Silver linings in the future?
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Sen. Bob Casey Jr. to hold tele-town hall
Billy Penn: Get your benefits: How to navigate PA’s overloaded unemployment system  
The Hill: Picking black woman as running mate could boost Biden in battleground states: poll
Beaver County Times: Casey calls for GI Bill for health-care workers fighting coronavirus pandemic
Politico: Poll: Black VP pick could boost Biden
CNN: Trump rages at criticism while governors craft their own plans to reopen the economy

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Meet Comcast-NBC’s newest lobbyist in Washington: former U.S. Rep. Bob Brady
Inquirer: As more first responders get the coronavirus, Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration faces calls for greater transparency 
Inquirer: Philly teachers are being asked to donate their stimulus checks to the needy, including some colleagues 
Inquirer: Philly reports first inmate death from coronavirus in its jails 
Inquirer: A Philly judge has denied every inmate’s bid to get out of jail amid the coronavirus. Defense lawyers are trying to cut her out of the process. 
Inquirer: Bernard ‘C.B.’ Kimmins, Philadelphia teacher and anti-crime activist, dies at 76
Inquirer: Stimulus payments are starting to arrive. If you can afford it, here’s how to use that money to help Philly. 
Billy Penn: Right to a speedy trial? Constitutional concerns flare as Philly courts extend shutdown 
Billy Penn: Philly opens second quarantine site for first responders with coronavirus 
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more
Billy Penn: Sixers co-owner starts massive ‘All-In’ coronavirus fundraising challenge
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: First person to die of COVID-19 in PA prisons was fighting for innocence 
WHYY Newsworks: Despite risk, Philly facility housing seniors will take COVID patients from hospitals 
Philadelphia Tribune: DA, Chief Defender praise state prison release program, urge governor to go further
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Coronavirus News: Drexel Hit With Student Class-Action Suit Demanding Tuition Refunds
Philly Voice: Philly provides racial breakdown of COVID-19 cases, reports first inmate death
Philadelphia Business Journal: Greater Philadelphia’s housing market was setting records, then the coronavirus hit 
KYW Newsradio: Police union has spent $100K — and counting — on PPE for officers
KYW Newsradio: First Philadelphia inmate dies from COVID-19

SEPA
Daily Local News: Tuesday Update: Number of new positive coronavirus cases not as high, but state still increases to 25,345
Daily Local News: Glen Mills care site being relocated to East Stroudsburg
Daily Local News: State House advances measure for businesses to reopen in Pennsylvania
Pottstown Mercury: Montco partners with analytics provider to track coronavirus in nursing homes 
Delco Daily Times: Wolf issues declaration of fiscal emergency for Chester
Delco Daily Times: GEO reverses course on COVID pay for prison workers
Delco Daily Times: Fitz hospital staff, first responders salute fallen paramedic
Inquirer: Montco may have reached coronavirus peak but has no plans for reopening; airlines reach $25 billion aid deal with feds
Inquirer: As one Philly-area nursing home endures 50 COVID-19 cases, leaders turn to data-driven solutions
KYW Newsradio: Delco paramedic, 33, dies from COVID-19
KYW Newsradio: Montco’s coronavirus testing site to start using self-swab kits
Montgomery Media: Montco coronavirus death toll climbs to 109; majority of deaths in nursing homes
Montgomery Media: DeLissio to discuss Earth Day on 50th anniversary
Bucks Local News: APRIL 13 UPDATE: New COVID-19 cases continue to flatten in Bucks County; death toll rises to 41
Bucks Courier Times: Delaware Valley University to house Doylestown Health employees through COVID-19 crisis
Bucks Courier Times: #MontCoStrong T-shirt fundraiser launched to help county coronavirus response

Pittsburgh 
Pittsburgh Business Times: City of Pittsburgh finalizes $52 million bond for funding of 2020 capital projects
Pittsburgh Business Times: County Executive Fitzgerald calls for June primary to be mail-in ballot only
Post-Gazette: Region has nine new deaths; Levine praises Allegheny’s efforts
Post-Gazette: Extra unemployment checks on the way for workers displaced by pandemic, Rep. Doyle says
Post-Gazette: Councilwomen want empty lots converted to urban farms to make food more readily available 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh International Airport gets $36 million in federal aid to help offset COVID-19 losses
City Paper: Pittsburgh Black elected officials encourage mail-in voting and advocate for further state coronavirus aid
WESA: Coroners, State Health Officials At Odds Over Who Counts COVID-19 Deaths
WESA: Some Black-Owned Businesses Are Worried About How They Will Survive The Pandemic
WESA: ‘Safety Is A Top Priority’: How Port Authority Grapples With Coronavirus
WESA: Federal Inmates Left Behind Amid Releases From Allegheny County Jail
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 3 More Coronavirus-Related Deaths, Cases County-Wide Grows To 893
KDKA: ‘This Entire Process Has Been Unacceptable From The Start’: State Rep. Says Legislature Is Working To Get More Help Managing Unemployment Claims
KDKA: ‘It’s Not Time’: Pittsburghers Apprehensive About Economy Reopening Too Soon
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh International Airport To Receive $36 Million In Relief Package
KDKA: Allegheny Health Network Opens Coronavirus Testing Sites In Braddock, North Side
KDKA: Local Business Gets Creative To Offer Wine, Liquor And Beer Delivery During Coronavirus Pandemic
Pittsburgh Current: A Jail Of Two Timelines: The Two Sides Of COVID-19 In The Allegheny County Jail
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 3 more coronavirus deaths, 17 new cases 
Tribune Review: Signs of encouragement appear in windows across Western Pa. 

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Levine says coronavirus curve ‘has been flattened significantly’  
Beaver County Times: Local airports to get funding from coronavirus relief legislation
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers feud over state’s virus response
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State reports 1,146 new COVID-19 cases, fewest since April 1; no new positive tests in region
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Legislatures propose plan for health care workers 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown airport gets $5 million for COVID-19 downturn 
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 daily deaths more than triple in 24 hours in Pennsylvania 
Observer-Reporter: Donora COVID-19 death was heartbreaking, borough’s mayor said
Tribune Review: 15 coronavirus-related deaths reported in Westmoreland County
Altoona Mirror: Wolf warns against becoming complacent 
Altoona Mirror: Dairy farmers take hit, dump milk 
Altoona Mirror: City holds ‘illumination ovation’

NEPA
The Times Leader: Yudichak, Maddon, Pujols join together for COVID-19 PSAs
The Times Leader: Luzerne County COVID-19 deaths at 26; 77 new cases confirmed 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s mercantile tax payment deadline extended 
Times-Tribune: As coronavirus cases continue to rise, state House backs bill to reopen businesses 
Times-Tribune: County coroner: Coronavirus cases locally, statewide likely underreported 
Times-Tribune: Doctors warn about lifting social-distancing restrictions too early
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners to hold virtual meeting Wednesday
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
Citizens Voice: Mayor declares emergency after storm blows through W-B
Citizens Voice: COVID-19 testing site likely at arena
Citizens Voice: 5 more dead, 77 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County
Citizens Voice: Study: Social distancing increasing across NEPA

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. House sends its plan for reactivating the state’s economy to Senate for consideration
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf talks about reopening businesses, a primary by mail and the Pa. budget crunch
Patriot News: Amazon is hiring another 75,000 people and some of those new jobs will be available in the Harrisburg-Carlisle region
Patriot News: Harrisburg School Board member on ventilator with COVID-19
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County hiring COVID-19 adviser; mayor says some still not social distancing
LNP | LancasterOnline: Tuesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 25,345 cases; Lancaster County up to 865 
York Dispatch: York County has 40 new COVID-19 cases, statewide trend seems to dip
York Dispatch: York City Council to resume meetings virtually
York Dispatch: York City resumes street sweeping, but don’t worry about tickets for now
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle chamber to host virtual town hall on CARES Act loans
Carlisle Sentinel: State provides updates on unemployment efforts in Pa., with new payouts and website for gig workers
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County
York Daily Record: Coronavirus update: Pa. passes 25,000 cases with 2,300 hospitalized; mail-in ballots up

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Bills supported by Reading lawmaker to address blight and help homeless advance to Senate
Reading Eagle: State shows Berks County coronavirus cases up by 97; deaths surge as well
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials detail safety measures at Berks Heim after resident tests positive for coronavirus
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Statewide cases increase by 1,146 on Tuesday to 25,345; 60 more deaths reported statewide
Morning Call: No handshakes, door-knocking or debates have Pennsylvania candidates finding new ways to campaign
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus business battle: House votes to can Gov. Wolf’s closure system, replace with federal guidance
Express Times: ‘Strong possibility’ COVID-19 hate crime victims are staying silent, Pa. state police say
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Cases pass 25K as death toll spikes again; Lehigh Valley nears 50 dead | COVID-19 cases by county (4/14/20)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Rep. Mike Kelly 30 pounds lighter after COVID-19 bout
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Tuesday, April 14
Erie Times-News: Erie moves forward with plan for free public Wi-Fi
Erie Times-News: FCC awards $2.6 million for broadband expansion in rural Erie County
Erie Times-News: Erie airport to receive $18.5 million stimulus
Erie Times-News: City receives EPA grant to control storm water runoff
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: ‘We need to get back to work’ — county commissioners weigh in on COVID-19
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Airport to receive $17.9 million in relief funding
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City talks virus’ impact on finances, new police officer
Centre Daily Times: Coronavirus updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on April 14
Centre Daily Times: Centre County government jobs to be affected due to COVID-19 

Opinion  
Bob Casey: America will need a new GI bill to help frontline workers in the coronavirus pandemic 
Bryan Cutler: When pandemic ends, will state face another crisis?
Morgan Cephas, Margo Davidson, Summer Lee, and Joanna McClinton: COVID-19 in Pa.: During This pandemic, we must address Pa.’s Black maternal health crisis
Inquirer Editorial Board: During coronavirus pandemic, governors’ leadership is critical  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reopening America
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Public access to meetings: Tape delays don’t meet Sunshine Act standards
John L. Micek: Pa.’s Casey joins bipartisan push for domestic violence money in next COVID-19 relief bill | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Solomon Jones: Philadelphia needs to do more to save black lives, including better coronavirus testing 
Mark O’Keefe: My brother is in a nursing home where everyone is presumed to have COVID-19. All we can do is pray 
Shira Goodman and Doron Ezickson: Together – Not Apart
Nadia Dowshen: Doing telemedicine amid coronavirus crisis has taught me things about my patients I’d never have known before | Expert Opinion
Jenice Armstrong: Black men can’t wear face masks and not expect negative reactions 
Carmen E. Guerra and Karen Glanz: Why are so many black Americans dying of COVID-19? l Expert Opinion
Will Bunch Newsletter: Toxic air, racism and a virus: A deadly mix 
Abraham Gutman: Drinking more in quarantine? That says little about your post-pandemic alcohol consumption | Expert Q&A
Trudy Rubin: Spain goes (partly) back to work with a message for U.S. coronavirus efforts: test, test, test 
Andy Metzger: Poverty Navigator 
Gene Therapy: Your handy guide to the post-apocalypse
Chris Kelly: Display of bad faith

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