Jerry Dickinson announced his candidacy for the 18th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

Perry To Attend House Freedom Fund Fundraiser Featuring Trump: The York County Republican is featured on the invitation along with seven other current GOP members of Congress and former President Donald Trump for the House Freedom Fund fundraiser scheduled for April 24.

Politico: Pennsylvania GOP Launches ‘super MAGA Trump’ primary: Politico’s Holly Otterbein reports that “the likely GOP candidates in Pennsylvania’s open Senate race come in three familiar flavors: anti-Trump, Trumpy and Trumpiest” in a story about the upcoming GOP primary for the 2022 U.S. Senate and Governor’s race.

AP: Pennsylvania’s Shrinking Delegation Will Mean Hard Decisions: The Associated Press reports on the 18 incumbents for the 17 congressional districts in 2022, which is “raising the question of whose district will disappear and whose political career could be upended.” 

Guridy Talks To Allentown Morning Call: Allentown City Councilman Julio Guridy, Democrat running for Allentown Mayor, talked to the Allentown Morning Call’s Andrew Wagaman on Wednesday about his bid for mayor during a Q&A. On Thursday, Wagaman is scheduled to interview Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach at 11 a.m. in the weeklong Q&A with the Allentown mayoral candidates. 

Allentown mayoral candidates discuss how they would handle the city’s finances: WFMZ reports about how the candidates running for Allentown mayor would handle the city’s finances. 

Inquirer: Larry Krasner let a documentary crew into the DA’s Office. Here are its takeaways.: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the eight-episode docu-series, “Philly D.A.” on Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner. 

KYW, NBC10 To Host Philly DA Debate: KYW Newsradio and NBC10/Telemundo62 will be hosting a live radio and TV simulcast debate between Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and primary challenger Carlos Vega on May 5, starting at 7 p.m.

“Brian Fitzpatrick For All Of Us”: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s (R-Bucks) fundraising committee name for this cycle is “Brian Fitzpatrick for All of Us.” In previous cycles, his fundraising committee name was “Brian Fitzpatrick for Congress.”

Toomey Talks To Bloomberg About The Economy: Sen. Pat Toomey talked to Bloomberg’s David Westin on “Balance of Power” about what he sees as “looming economic threats from inflation and tax hikes and says the Federal Reserve may find itself behind the curve.”

Casey Tweets Support for D.C. Statehood: Sen. Bob Casey sent out a tweet saying that he believes it is “long past time” that Washington D.C. should be granted statehood, which would provide them with 2 senators and representation in the House.

Saval Talks to AL Día News: State Sen. Nikil Saval (D-Philadelphia) talks to AL Día News about his upbringing to his successful 2020 bid for the state Senate in Pennsylvania. 

Kenney’s Budget Would Use Stimulus Money to Cut Taxes and Return Philly To Pre-Pandemic Spending: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney will formally deliver his $5.18 billion budget proposal on Thursday to City Council. 

Zimmermann Talks to Erie Times-News about Mayoral Bid: Democrat Sydney Zimmermann talked to the Erie Times-News about her candidacy for Mayor of Erie. 

Bolus mayor ballot appeal dismissed: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that a state appeals court judge agreed with a Lackawanna County judge who removed businessman Bob Bolus from the GOP ballot for Scranton mayor.  

Lycoming County Commissioners ‘Don’t Have Authority to Draft’ 2nd Amendment Ordinance: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that the Lycoming County Commissioners announced at a meeting on Tuesday that they do not have the authority to draft an ordinance making Lycoming County as Second Amendment Sanctuary.  

Lancaster City Council Calls for ‘Prompt’ Creation of County Health Department: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that Lancaster City Council passed a resolution in support of the “prompt” establishment of a Lancaster County department of health. 

Liberal Super PAC Releases PA Digital Ad Promoting Biden Infrastructure Plan: American Bridge, a liberal Super PAC that describes itself as “the largest research, video tracking, and rapid response organization in Democratic politics” released a 25 second long digital ad that promotes President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan for Pennsylvania. 

Fair Districts PA To Host Prison Gerrymandering Virtual Forum: Fair Districts PA is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Decarcerate PA, the Abolitionist Law Center, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot, Pennsylvania Council of Churches Advocacy and the ACLU – Pennsylvania in a series of forums about gerrymandering, prison gerrymandering and the impact of both on PA prison policy. Their next regional forum is slated to take place Thursday, April 15 starting at 7 p.m. for Northcentral PA.  

Comitta Introduces Marriage Equality Legislation: The Daily Local News reports that state Sen. Carolyn Comitta (D-Chester) introduced a bill that she say would “update Pennsylvania law to reflect the relatively newfound state of marriage equality and the right of same-sex couples across the nation to marry.”

Beam Urges College Students to Get Vaccinated Before Semester’s End: The PLSReporter reports that Acting PA Health Secretary Alison Beam is “urging college and university students to get the COVID-19 vaccine before they return home at the end of the semester.”

Unaccompanied children from border arrive in PA: The Associated Press reports that “about 150 unaccompanied children found at the southern border of the U.S.” arrived in Erie on Tuesday night and “will be housed at dormitory at the Pennsylvania International Academy.”

Biden Nominates Philly Native for Department of Transportation Position: According to a press release from the White House, President Joe Biden has nominated Meera Joshi for Administrator, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, Department of Transportation. Joshi was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She holds a B.A. and a J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania’s shrinking delegation will mean hard decisions
AP: Unaccompanied children from border arrive in Pennsylvania
Politico: Pennsylvania GOP launches ‘super MAGA Trump’ primary
AL Día News: An Unexpected Journey 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Students flocked to cyber-charter schools this year. So did district revenue and federal relief funds
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Vilsack keys in on food insecurity and nutrition in USDA budget request
USA Today: Filing a mail-in ballot in Pennsylvania for the primaries? Follow these tips first
USA Today: Why the White House gave Pennsylvania a C- grade for its infrastructure
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Pa. rises in vaccine rollout ranking 
Bloomberg: ‘Weird Spikes’ and Bitcoin Are Warning Signs: Sen. Toomey
WITF: Taxpayers footed Pa.’s bill for election lawsuits. Costs went into the millions 
Philadelphia Gay News: Dr. Tyler Titus: Making LGBTQ+ History in Erie County and Pennsylvania
PLSReporter: Beam urges college students to get vaccinated before semester’s end 
KDKA: Multiple Ballot Questions Face Voters In This Year’s Primary
KDKA: Wolf Administration Encourages College Students To Get Vaccinated Before Going Home
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: 40.1% Of State’s Eligible Population Receives 1st Vaccine Doses 
Fox News: Daunte Wright shooting protests: More rioting, unrest as demonstrations spread further
Post-Gazette: Biden drug policy director pledges to expand drug treatment as overdose deaths rise 
Politico: How Biden hopes to fix the thorniest problem in housing
Huffington Post: Democratic Group Blasts Progressive Candidate Over Gun Incident
CNN: ‘He’s not a team player’: Republicans steer clear of Gaetz amid DOJ investigation
Washington Post: Tucker Carlson’s toxic ‘replacement’ rhetoric gets picked up in the House 
StateImpactPA: PUC judge orders Sunoco to improve its public safety guidance, and pipeline safety, on Mariner East project  

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Citizen: The Citizen Voter Guide: Primary Election 2021
Philadelphia Business Journal: Kenney proposes business, wage tax cuts in fiscal 2022 budget
KYW Newsradio: KYW, NBC10 to host primetime Philadelphia district attorney debate
KYW Newsradio: Many pre-pandemic services to be restored in new Philadelphia city budget plan
KYW Newsradio: More funding, redesigned police responses part of Philadelphia violence prevention plan
KYW Newsradio: Philly Proud Boys president, charged in Capitol riot, awaits federal approval for release
KYW Newsradio: Health commissioner not happy about fans skipping masks at Phillies games
KYW Newsradio: New report finds hope for Philadelphia after COVID-19 pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Center City rally for Daunte Wright: ‘We’re here; we’ve seen what you did’
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney’s proposed 2021 budget would cut taxes and raise spending — but not for police 
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney wants $19M budget boost to curb Philly violence with intervention, job creation, vacant lot cleanup 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: FEMA’s Convention Center vaccine site will stay open 4 more weeks
Inquirer: Kenney’s budget would use stimulus money to cut taxes and return Philly to pre-pandemic spending 
Inquirer: Who decides Philly’s budget? Here’s how the process works.
Inquirer: To reduce shootings, Mayor Kenney says the city will invest more in community-based programs 
Inquirer: Merck’s CEO, Philly-area law firms and Wharton professors take the lead in opposing voting restrictions 
Inquirer: Larry Krasner let a documentary crew into the DA’s Office. Here are its takeaways. 
Inquirer: Convention Center vaccine site will remain open another month with doses from FEMA; Pa. counties where COVID-19 cases are rising fastest
Philadelphia Gay News: Office of LGBT Affairs welcomes new deputy director
Philadelphia Tribune: City legislators outline their own agenda to tackle gun violence, promote jobs 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chester County lawmakers support marriage equality legislation
Daily Local News: Procedures and deadlines for voting by mail in primary outlined
Bucks County Courier Times: Montco commissioner urges calm over COVID vaccines
Inquirer: Bucks County prosecutor demoted for working as a DoorDash driver has resigned 
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania congressional allies seek more aid to combat spotted lanternfly
Montgomery Media: With J&J vaccine paused, Montgomery County vaccine rollout continues with Pfizer shots

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Pitt law professor Jerry Dickinson will run for seat held by Rep. Mike Doyle in 2022
Tribune Review: Profane anti-Biden sign in Allegheny Township is ‘over the line,’ supervisor says
Tribune Review: More than half of Allegheny County’s population is partially vaccinated, officials say
WESA: Bonus Episode: WESA Hosts Pittsburgh Mayoral Debate
WESA: Allegheny County Election Officials Outline Plans Ahead Of May Primary
WESA: ‘Pay Benefits Now’: Unemployed And Legislators Continue To Push PA Officials To Fix Over-Burdened System Backlogs
WESA: Bogen: The Fewer People Who Get Vaccinated, The Longer This Virus Will Linger In Our Lives
WESA: Google Contract Workers In Pittsburgh Formed A Union Over A Year Ago. They Still Don’t Have A Labor Contract
WESA: Arrest Made In South Side Graffiti Case
KDKA: Allegheny County Council To Meet To Continue Discussion Of Independent Police Review Board
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Candidates Pressed On Policing In City During Debate
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 382 New Cases, 14 Additional Deaths
KDKA: Health Department: 109 Allegheny County Residents Have Tested Positive For COVID-19 After Getting Vaccinated
City Paper: Meet the Pittsburgh online troll trying to improve Pa.’s marijuana laws, one post at a time
City Paper: The city of Pittsburgh’s 2021 first round street paving schedule is here
Pittsburgh Business Times: Bogen: Don’t avoid Covid-19 vaccine just because of J&J pause
Post-Gazette: City makes pact with trash and recycling truck drivers, animal control workers
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Bogen urging county residents to overcome vaccine hesitancy

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Fetterman urges Cal U. students to get involved in the political process
Observer-Reporter: Proctor becomes chair of Washington County Democratic Committee
Altoona Mirror: County virus trends ‘a little dismal’
Altoona Mirror: City mulls expected $41M windfall
Altoona Mirror: Elections board includes Burke on primary ballot
Altoona Mirror: Kustaborder eyes Antis post
KDKA: Pa. Attorney General Josh Shapiro Debuts Program In Fayette Co. To Help Those Battling Addiction
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown council explores giving businesses breaks on amusement taxes due to COVID-19 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Council accepts bid for demolishing blighted house
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ebensburg Main Street Partnership awarded COVID-19 relief grant
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Industry experts: Hospitality, entertainment still haven’t recovered from pandemic closings
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Just takes off’: Warden says Cambria County Prison seeing third wave of COVID-19 cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: As COVID-19 cases increase, hospitalizations rise
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Bolus mayor ballot appeal dismissed  
Times-Tribune: Throop councilwoman, family members charged in police incident
Times-Tribune: Scranton teachers authorize union to call strike
Times-Tribune: FBI: Olyphant volunteer firefighter charged in Jan. 6 riot first identified by social media postings
Times-Tribune: Demonstrators gather in solidarity at Justice for Black Lives event in Scranton
Times-Tribune: State COVID-19 spread slows, but may not have peaked
Citizens Voice: FBI: Olyphant volunteer firefighter charged in Jan. 6 riot first identified by social media postings
Citizens Voice: County council approves move of visitors bureau to former train station in W-B
Citizens Voice: Use of J&J vaccine in Luzerne County varied by provider
Citizens Voice: 119 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Wednesday
The Times Leader: Advocates of transparent redistricting make WB stop
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Democrats to hold yard sign giveaway and candidate meet-and-greet
The Times Leader: Luzerne County will house tourism office in former train station
The Times Leader: 119 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Wednesday; 2 new deaths

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster City Council calls for ‘prompt’ creation of county health department  
York Daily Record: Primary 2021: What you need to know about voting on May 18, who’s on the ballot
York Daily Record: ‘Inspired believers’: Arrest of suburban Lancaster dad offers insight to one type of extremist
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 18% people fully vaccinated
York Dispatch: ACLU: York City surveillance proposal could create more potentially fatal encounters with police
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 75 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Wednesday
Patriot News: Eviction moratorium extended another month in Harrisburg
York Dispatch: Wednesday update: One new COVID-19 death reported in York County
CBS21: Mail-in ballots possibly drive up interest in sparsely voted municipal primary

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Allentown mayoral candidates discuss how they would handle the city’s finances
WFMZ: USPS releases audit report for Lehigh Valley facility that struggled with mail delays
WFMZ: Call center part of Berks plan to get people vaccinated
WFMZ: Borough residents hope local leaders address blight problem after building collapses in Mahanoy City
Morning Call: Replay Q&A with Allentown mayoral candidate Julio Guridy
Morning Call: Former U.S. postal union leader orchestrated overtime kickback scheme at Allentown Post Office, indictment alleges
Morning Call: This is why the Lehigh Valley’s mail was late, postal service audit reveals
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley colleges weigh COVID-19 vaccine mandates for students as Pa. officials urge inoculations before summer break
Reading Eagle: Berks County joins law enforcement program to connect those battling addiction to treatment
Reading Eagle: Reading and Berks County planners share ideas for the future
Reading Eagle: Pa. awards nearly $133,000 to 3 Main Street groups in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Health experts share information about COVID vaccines with Berks officials
Reading Eagle: New Berks County COVID cases lower after record day
Reading Eagle: As COVID continues to surge in Berks and Pa., what are we doing wrong?
Express Times: Why is the mail late? An audit of a Lehigh Valley sorting facility provides some answers.
Express Times: Ex-postal union official charged with wire fraud in overtime scheme at Allentown site, feds say
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Pfizer and Moderna incoming but no Johnson & Johnson as state nears 3M fully vaccinated; 5,730 new cases; death rate climbs | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/14/21)

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Commissioners ‘don’t have authority to draft’ 2nd amendment ordinance
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Controller, commissioners at odds over staff
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Health officials: 3 virus variants seen in state
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Committee gives positive nod to solicitor for zoning
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Nearly $20,000 in South Side police surplus likely headed to school district
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor’s race: Democrat Sydney Zimmermann
Erie Times-News: Migrant children in Erie: Here is what we know 
Erie Times-News: Local taxes in PA are due April 15, as usual
Centre Daily Times: April 14 update: Centre County adds 50 cases of COVID-19; Pa. reports 5,730 new positives

Opinion  
Teresa Miller: Wolf’s COVID-19 disaster declaration authority permits crucial food assistance for Pa. 
Michael Helfrich: I won’t put Clayton Swartz back on the streets unless ordered to by a court
Paul Muschick: How health authorities may have bolstered the message of anti-vaxxers
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: When taxpayer money is involved, transparency is essential 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh’s land bank program must be fully fixed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Closing the “boyfriend loophole” and protecting women
John L. Micek: In the Poconos, calls for justice for Pa. teen fatally shot by State Police | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Joyce M. Davis: It’s the last chance to let lawmakers know you don’t want kids in jail | Social Views
Salena Zito: Where all bicycles go to heaven
Catherine Caruso: Transphobic sports ban attempts to solve a problem that doesn’t exist 
Melanie Stone: Proposed abortion bills are a waste of resources | PennLive letters
Anne Gemmell: Future-Proofing Work: Rethinking Remote
Jason Evans, Emeril Lagasse, and Aarón Sánchez: How restaurant wages, menus, and more should change after COVID-19 
Beth Gutelius and Nik Theodore: Amazon unionization vote was a referendum on automation — and it’s not over yet 
Matthew T. Mangino: Reconsidering qualified immunity in the wake of George Floyd
Fletcher McClellan: Yes, the politics of a Capitol riot commission are tough. But it’s work that needs to be done 
Crista Ferkler: We are not doing enough to protect our transgender friends and family members
Gene Therapy: Pandemic follies Vol. 43
JD Mullane: Homeless vanish, with hardly a trace
Angry Grammarian: White supremacist Tucker Carlson got something right — and that’s literally terrifying