Former Congressman Lou Barletta launched a PAC, while Treasurer Stacy Garrity endorsed Jeff Bartos for U.S. Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

Garrity Backs Bartos For U.S. Senate: PA Treasurer Stacy Garrity lauded Jeff Bartos for his recent work with the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund and described the GOP Senate hopeful as an “outsider” in her endorsement.

Spotlight PA Provides a Guide to PA’s 2021 Primary Ballot Questions: Spotlight PA details the four ballot questions on May 18’s primary election. 

SD22: Flynn May Remain on State Senate Special Election Ballot: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that a state appeals court judge ruled that state Rep. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna) should stay on the ballot for the May 18 special election for the state Senate’s 22nd District.  

Spotlight PA: Key GOP lawmaker eyes photo ID, signature matching as Pa. considers voting changes: Spotlight PA reports on the discussion of the consideration of voting changes in Pennsylvania.  

Wolf Gets First Shot of COVID-19 Vaccine: PennLive reports that Gov. Tom Wolf received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine on Monday. 

Supreme Court Rejects Case Challenging PA’s Mail-in Ballot Deadline: The Hill reports that the Supreme Court on Monday rejected a case against Pennsylvania’s handling of mail-in ballots, dispensing with yet another legal challenge over the 2020 election. 

State House Approves Bill To Help Businesses Run by Minors: PennLive reports that legislation, dubbed the “free the lemonade stand” bill, which is aimed at “freeing young people with an entrepreneurial spirit from worrying about obtaining a license to operate a business” passed the state House on Monday. 

EMILY’s List Nominates O’Mara for Gabrielle Giffords Rising Star Award: EMILY’s List, the PAC that supports getting pro-choice Democratic women elected to office, announced that state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Delaware) is one of six finalists for their Gabrielle Giffords, Rising Star Award. 

Fetterman Campaign Hires Cannabis Coalition Leader: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s U.S. Senate campaign announces on Monday that they have hired Jordan Rogers to serve as their Cannabis Coalition Leader. 

State Senate Extends Remote Participation Rules to May 31: PennLive reports that the state Senate agreed on Monday to extend its temporary rules until May 31 which allows senators to participate remotely during the COVID-19 emergency. 

PennLive: After Motorcycle Crash, Pa. Sen. Mike Regan Says His Riding Days Are Behind Him: PennLive reports that state Sen. Mike Regan (R-York) was back on the Senate floor on Monday following a motorcycle crash on March 21.  

PennLive: Bill Advances Requiring Pa. School Districts To Open Up Classrooms To Homeschoolers: PennLive reports that state Rep. Jesse Topper’s (R-Bedford) bill, which would require school districts to allow a student who resides in their district and is enrolled in a home education program to take up to four academic courses in the district, passed the House Education Committee on Monday in a party-line 15-10 vote. 

Morning Call To Host Allentown City Council Candidate Forum Thursday: The Allentown Morning Call will be hosting and moderating an Allentown City Council candidate forum on Facebook on Thursday evening, starting at 7 p.m. The Morning Call reports that nine Democrats and one Republican are vying for four open seats on the seven-member council. 

Fitzpatrick To Speak At National Restaurant Association’s Annual Public Affairs Conference: According to POLITICO, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) is slated to speak at the National Restaurant Association’s annual public affairs conference later today. 

LNP | LancasterOnline Provides List of Primary Races in Lancaster County: LNP | LancasterOnline provides a list of all of the May 18 primary races in Lancaster County. 

Luzerne County Solicitor Recommends Special Election for DA: The Citizens Voice reports that the Luzerne County Board of Elections will decide if a special election for district attorney will be held in November.  

Laughlin and Street To Host Roundtable on Adult Use of Marijuana on 4/20: State Sens. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) and Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), who introduced the first bipartisan bill to legalize recreational adult use of marijuana in Pennsylvania, will be hosting a roundtable discussion on Tuesday morning about their legislation to legalize adult use of marijuana in the Commonwealth. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Barletta, eyeing a run for governor, starts raising money 
AP: Supreme Court rejects lingering 2020 election challenge case
Spotlight PA: Your guide to Pa.’s 2021 primary ballot questions 
Spotlight PA: Key GOP lawmaker eyes photo ID, signature matching as Pa. considers voting changes
Inquirer: PSERS board reverses course and raises pension payments made by Pa. school employees
Inquirer: U.S. Supreme Court dismisses the last challenge over Pennsylvania’s 2020 election 
Inquirer: Trump ally Lou Barletta nears a run for Pennsylvania governor with new political group
Patriot News: Pa. can improve pandemic response capability, shouldn’t let partisan politics interfere, top official says
Patriot News: With return of lawmakers, victims of child sex crimes implore Pa. Senate to advance reform bill
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf gets first shot of COVID-19 vaccine
Patriot News: ‘Free the lemonade stand’: Pa. House approves bill to help businesses run by minors
Patriot News: Bill advances requiring Pa. school districts to open up classrooms to homeschoolers
Patriot News: What should Pa. learn from COVID-19? And will we embrace the lessons in such divided times?
Patriot News: Pa. Senate extends remote participation rules to May 31 
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Pa. cracks top ten for first vaccine doses given
Patriot News: Firefighters rally at state Capitol for online fundraisers during pandemic
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (4/19/2021): Where does Pa. stand?
Post-Gazette: Victims rally for bill on sexual abuse lawsuits
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Plastic bag preemption suit takes aim at long time Harrisburg dealmaking mechanism
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: REPORT: These states export the most energy | The Numbers Racket
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf declares disaster emergency for Philadelphia ahead of Chauvin verdict; sends National Guard to help
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Weekly case rate nearly twice national average even with low weekend numbers
Morning Call: Pa. House passes bill to rein in Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission 
PLSReporter: Homeschool career education bill passes House Education Committee
PLSReporter: Owlett re-ups business tax credit for career education proposal
PLSReporter: Barletta moves closer to gubernatorial run with formation of new PAC
Daily Local News: Distracted driving citations decreased in Pa. in 2020 during the pandemic
KDKA: Bipartisan Compromise On Infrastructure Bill Seems More Elusive Than Ever 
The Hill: Supreme Court rejects case challenging Pennsylvania’s mail-in ballot deadline
CNN: Supreme Court tosses out another Republican 2020 election challenge
CNN: 16 congressional unicorns, revealed  

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Gay News: Lovitz announces candidacy for Pa. House; pens exclusive op-ed for PGN 
Philadelphia Tribune: Seth Williams and second chances
KYW Newsradio: Philly council approves crackdown on head shops posing as convenience stores
KYW Newsradio: ACLU asks Philadelphia Police to change policies on stops about minor crimes
Inquirer: How Philly, the nation’s most supervised big city, cut its probation numbers by a third
Inquirer: COVID-19 still spreading through Philly region as more can get vaccine, but Pa. and N.J. see different trends
Inquirer: Philly police asked DEA to infiltrate BLM protests, emails show | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Philly gun court aims to move cases through faster, prevent future crimes 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Former national LGBT chamber exec running for Pennsylvania House seat covering parts of Philadelphia 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Haverford mourns sudden death of Commissioner Andy Lewis 
Delco Daily Times: Advocates want juvenile center closed permanently and funds diverted
Daily Local News: Chester County municipalities get $6 million to improve safety
Daily Local News: Chester County officials urge teens 16 and up to get vaccinated
Daily Local News: Chester County Economic Development Council announces organizational changes, responding to changing needs of area businesses as they rebuild from COVID-19
WHYY Newsworks: Child advocates call for permanent closure of Delco detention center after abuse allegations
Montgomery Media: Kelly Lausten announces candidacy for Perkasie mayor
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 621 new coronavirus cases over three days
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate increases in Montgomery County, stays elevated in SE Pa. counties
Bucks County Courier Times: What we know about COVID vaccine side effects reported in Pennsylvania 
Bucks County Courier Times: Philly, Bensalem prepare for potential unrest 

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Peduto Opens Up Big Cash Lead In Mayoral Race, As Outside Spenders Wade In
WESA: Amid Surge In Violence, Peduto Calls For Help In Struggling Neighborhoods
WESA: Allegheny County Judge Opens Courtroom To Online Viewing, But Not In All Cases
Post-Gazette: Wolf activates National Guard for Philly ahead of Chauvin verdict; Pittsburgh prepared
Post-Gazette: Officials plead for help as Pittsburgh sees 90% surge in violence in 2021  
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh plans to expand the number of public, private charging stations for electric vehicles
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County launches air quality dashboard
Post-Gazette: Pa. COVID-19 update: It may be summer before everyone who wants the shots can get them
KDKA: ‘Calling On The Community’: Pittsburgh City, Community Leaders Issue Call To Action Due To Wave Of Violent Crime
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Safety Director Calls For Peace Following Outcome Of Derek Chauvin Trial, City Leaders Planning For Protests
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 428 New Cases, 1 Additional Death
Tribune Review: ‘Blood is on our hands’: Pittsburgh leaders call on community response to violent crime
Tribune Review: Homicides, violent crimes surging in Pittsburgh this year
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Health Department introduces ‘air quality’ dashboard
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania posts lowest 2-day covid case report since March 23
Pittsburgh Business Times: City sets goal to add electric vehicle charging stations
City Paper: How Heinz is navigating a national shortage of ketchup packets

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Mills running for Tyrone mayor
Altoona Mirror: Kreuz seeks Logan supervisor post
Altoona Mirror: Local projects receiving funding
Beaver County Times: Financial relief available to farmers hurt by COVID
Observer-Reporter: State funds going to replace Greene County bridge
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners honor longtime employee upon retirement
Post-Gazette: Infrastructure funding could be ‘opportunity of a lifetime’ to plug thousands of abandoned oil and gas wells
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria leads region for residents fully vaccinated, state reports fewer than 2,000 new COVID-19 cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf gets first dose of COVID vaccine

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Judge rules Flynn may remain on state Senate special election ballot
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County tops in COVID-19 vaccinations in larger counties
Citizens Voice: Barletta launches PAC while considering a run for governor
Citizens Voice: County solicitor recommends special election for DA
Citizens Voice: Judge rules Flynn may remain on state Senate special election ballot
Citizens Voice: Two Libertarians running for Luzerne County Council
Citizens Voice: Casey bill aims to help expand disability aid
Citizens Voice: Political scene 4/18/21
Citizens Voice: 47 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Barletta launches PAC; still ‘considering’ run for governor
The Times Leader: Timing of Luzerne County DA race before election board
The Times Leader: Nanticoke seeks Luzerne County back tax abatement for unsafe structure demolition
The Times Leader: 47 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: As the 2021 municipal primary approaches, here are 4 things to keep in mind
LNP | LancasterOnline: List of contested May 18 primary races in Lancaster County 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 8 people in Lancaster County died from COVID-19 last week; here’s what state, county data says
Patriot News: After motorcycle crash, Pa. Sen. Mike Regan says his riding days are behind him
Patriot News: Firefighters rally at state Capitol for online fundraisers during pandemic
Patriot News: Cumberland County makes temporary and permanent polling place changes
Patriot News: Harrisburg hands down moratorium on water shut-offs due to COVID-19
York Daily Record: York County man pleads guilty to harassing U.S. Rep. Scott Perry and is fined $100
York Daily Record: COVID-19 in Pa.: Gov. Wolf receives 1st vaccine shot in York amid Johnson & Johnson pause
York Dispatch: York County man accused of threatening Scott Perry pleads to lesser offense
York Dispatch: Monday update: 197 new COVID-19 cases in York County
York Dispatch: York County COVID-19 case rates, hospitalizations rise since restrictions loosened
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 93 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County in Monday’s two-day report

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Morning Call to hold Allentown City Council candidate forum Thursday. Watch it live on Facebook. 
Express Times: Child sex abuse survivors hopeful Pa. legislature passes 2-year civil suit window
Express Times: Delaware River toll bridge hikes prompt veto proposal from Pa. House
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: 8M vaccine doses distributed; nearly 680K more on the way; Case counts still climbing as state passes 1.1M | Pa. COVID vaccine update (04/19/21)
Reading Eagle: Reading official has plan to keep downtown clean, safe and green 
Reading Eagle: Reading again looks at updating its aggressive panhandling ordinance
Reading Eagle: Berks County launches hotline for those struggling to get the COVID vaccine 
Reading Eagle: Mobile COVID vaccine clinic reaches out to the underserved with 2 visits to Reading
WFMZ: Rep. Wild calls for investigation into problems with USPS
WFMZ: 2 members of Congress seek to step up fight against the spotted lanternfly
WFMZ: State health department opens COVID testing site in Easton
WFMZ: Mobile vaccine clinic inoculates hundreds in Reading

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: More reps fight ‘vaccine passports’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Planners OK recreational site plan
Centre Daily Times: April 19 update: Centre County adds 96 weekend COVID-19 cases; Pa. reports 5,675 positives
Erie Times-News: Erie health systems look to boost COVID vaccine demand

Opinion  
Bruce Katz, Colin Higgins, Karyn Bruggeman and Victoria Orozco: How Philly Should Use Biden’s Relief Funds 
Jon Geeting: Mayor Kenney’s Optimistic New Budget Plan 
Charlie Bacas: A “Ray of Hope” For Fair School Funding 
Steve Shur: New Pa. bill would make it harder to rent out your home and jeopardize your privacy
Inquirer Editorial Board: How much money will it take for Philly police to stop having to apologize?
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pa. is finally upgrading its unemployment system, but claimants will have to do without during the process
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: An aggressive broadband program must be a top federal goal
John L. Micek: Pa.’s unemployment rate dropped to 7.3 percent in March, still lags the rest of U.S. | Monday Morning Coffee
Doug Morris: The pandemic of violence continues to kill in the United States
Wendy Lliguichuzhca: To vaccinate more Latino Philadelphians, community-led clinics are key
Paul Muschick: I hope Philly is peaceful after Derek Chauvin’s trial. But National Guard is needed to prevent looting.
Dick Polman: Some evangelical Christians have forgotten their moral duty to get vaccinated 
Robert Lysek: Public charter schools want real reform
Dorothy Evensen: We want open Town Hall meetings, when it is safe to do so
Ernest Owens: The Pandemic Will End. Our Respect for Service Workers Should Not 
Allison Weidhaas: After surviving sexual violence, I want more people to speak up
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: The Citizen Recommends: Civic Engagement for Young Leaders 
Stacey Kallem, Aasta D. Mehta, and Yuan He: The single policy intervention that can improve health for moms and babies | Expert Opinion
Krisda H. Chaiyachati: Telemedicine doesn’t need to fade away after the pandemic | Expert Opinion
Jenice Armstrong: Ex-Eagle Malcolm Jenkins is teaching Philly kids how to build wealth. And that’s a good thing.