Happy 4/20. Enjoy responsibly, McCormick financial disclosure. Debate night in Gettysburg. Lt, Governor fund-raising. Helicopter issues in Luzerne. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Monaca | Mostly Sunny, 54
Mansfield | Decreasing Clouds, 51
Macungie | Sunny, 55

PA Sports
76ers (2-0) | tonight at Toronto
Flyers (23-43-11) | lost at TOR, 5-2; THU at MON
Penguins (43-23-11) | THU vs. BOS
Phillies (4-8) | lost at COL, 6-5; tonight at COL
Pirates (5-6) | lost at MILW, 5-2; today at MILW

News

Debate/Forum Calendar: As we close in on 30 days remaining before the May 17 primary, there are currently six forums or debates on the calendar for voters to hear from the candidates.

PA Governor Race: Follow The Money: GOP Lieutenant Governor Race: Our second look at the money involved in the 2022 primary election is focused on the GOP race for lieutenant governor.

• PennLive: GOP gubernatorial hopefuls argue the issues, agree on criticizing those who skipped debate
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Five GOP gov. hopefuls, minus the front runners, debate transportation funding, election law
• Inquirer: 4 takeaways from Tuesday night’s Republican debate for Pennsylvania governor 
• PennLive: Republican candidates in Pa. governor’s race debate ahead of primary election
• City & State PA: Mastriano releases goals for first 100 days if elected governor
• York Daily Record: Senator Jake Corman wants to ‘give power back to the people’
• York Daily Record: Governor hopeful Bill McSwain calls himself a “conservative outsider”
• KDKA: Race For Lieutenant Governor Heats Up Over Endorsement Claim

PA Senate Race: McCormick: A Blue-Blooded Lifestyle: U.S. Senate candidate David McCormick can battle his deep-pocketed opponents for the GOP nomination dollar for dollar as shown in a new financial disclosure.

• Inquirer: Is Mehmet Oz really a conservative? We looked at the Pa. Senate candidate’s record. 
• Inquirer: John Fetterman doesn’t just have supporters — he has fans. His celebrity could make him a senator.
• KDKA: David McCormick Reacts To Trump’s Endorsement Of Mehmet Oz And Denies Shipping Jobs To China
• CNBC: Dr. Oz has close ties to the wealthy du Pont family heirs, and they’re backing his GOP bid for Pennsylvania’s Senate seat
• The Word of the Lord with Jeffrey Lord: The GOP Senate Race With Candidate Jeff Bartos
• NBC10: John Fetterman: Candidate for U.S. Senate in Pa.
• Bloomberg: David McCormick Gets Flood of Goldman Sachs Cash in MAGA-Fueled Senate Race

‘State authority to prosecute gun crimes may expand in Philadelphia’: The Center Square reports that “as Philadelphia struggles to contain a rising number of murders within the city in recent years, the General Assembly may expand the state’s ability to prosecute illegal gun possession.”

‘Israel emerges as issue in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District race’: WESA reports that “in the Democratic contest to replace retiring Congressman Mike Doyle — a race in which candidates often seem to differ more in terms of their biographies than in their policies – a debate regarding Israel looms larger than foreign policy questions typically have.”

‘Luzerne County neighbor miffed at Marsicano’s helicopter use’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “when congressional candidate Mike Marsicano lands a helicopter on his yard in Luzerne County, his next-door neighbor worries that catastrophe could ensue.”

‘Marsicano, Butler Township locked in battle over helipad’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “congressional candidate Mike Marsicano invited members of the media to his Hazle Township home to search for any helipad located on his property and if one was found, he would donate $1,000 to the charity of the person’s choice.”

‘Feds vow to retry Kenyatta Johnson and his wife, Dawn Chavous, on bribery charges after hung jury results in a mistrial’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the federal bribery trial of Philadelphia City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson ended in a mistrial Tuesday, offering an ambiguous conclusion that left prosecutors vowing to retry the case and did little to clarify his future in elected office.”

‘A judge has declared a mistrial in Philly City Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson’s case. What happens now?’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on “what we know about what happens next, now that a mistrial has been declared in the Philadelphia City Councilmember’s federal bribery trial.”

‘A state board that oversees Philly’s finances ends in 2023. But the city is working to extend it.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “legislation extending PICA has advanced through committee, but its passage is far from assured amid opposition from municipal unions.”

‘Former Party Leaders Say It’s Time To Let Independents Vote In Primaries’: KDKA reports that “Pennsylvania is one of the few states left that do not allow registered independent voters to participate in the primary election.”

‘Pa. Gambling Revenue For March 2022 Reaches All-Time Monthly High’: KDKA reports that “more than $462 million in gaming revenue was reported by the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board.”

‘Lviv native, father of Rep. Houlahan: Ukraine war has ‘upset great progress’’: WFMZ reports that “for Houlahan, it hits home. Her father was born in the city of Lviv.”

‘With big boost in black fly funding, Pa. Department of Environmental Protection outlines 2022 attack on tiny insects’: PennLive reports that “the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection unveiled a robust, well-funded, 2022 Black Fly Suppression Program today in a media event at Harrisburg’s City Island.”

‘Nikole Hannah-Jones, Charlie Kirk visiting Lancaster this week to present differing visions of America’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “two prominent figures in the culture wars embroiling American politics are set to speak in Lancaster this week at separate, unrelated events.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Schnee certified as winner of special election for 116th District state House seat’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “former Luzerne County Councilman Robert Schnee is officially the winner of the April 5 special election for the 116th District state House seat.

‘Democrats running in 103rd differ on how to fund I-83 bridge repairs, state police’: PennLive reports that “the Democratic primary for the 103rd state House district puts five-term incumbent Patty Kim against Heather MacDonald, a progressive community activist employed in real estate.”

‘Republicans promise to unite Harrisburg-area House district that leans Democrat’: PennLive reports that “a pair of Republicans from opposite sides of the Susquehanna River are hoping to represent the newly-drawn 103rd state House district. Both promise to unite communities often portrayed as different or even at odds in terms of things such as racial diversity, income and social priorities.”

‘Tartaglione endorses Miller in 203rd district’: The Northeast Times reports that “state Sen. Tina Tartaglione last week endorsed Heather Miller in the Democratic primary in the 203rd Legislative District.”

‘Firefighters/paramedics union backs Oropeza’: The Northeast Times reports that “International Association of Fire Fighters Local 22 endorsed Sam Oropeza, the Republican candidate in the May 17 special election in the 5th Senatorial District.”

‘Political newcomer running for 99th House District’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Joshua Caltagirone is running unopposed for the Democratic nomination in the 99th House District.”

‘Blair Tea Party to host forum’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “the Blair County Tea Party will host a forum for candidates vying for the 80th District’s state representative seat at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, at the Bavarian Hall, 112 S. 13th St., Altoona.”

Regional Spotlight: Southwest
WESA: WESA Voter Guide
Post-Gazette: The first 100 days: Challenging start hasn’t deterred Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey from getting his message across
Tribune Review: Ed Gainey marks 100 days as Pittsburgh’s mayor, learns to ‘fall in love with adversity’
WESA: After North Side shooting, City Council to introduce legislation on short-term rental properties
WESA: Black homeownership is declining in Pittsburgh amid rising home values, per new report
WESA: Voters will weigh in on their party’s pick for governor, U.S. Senate in May primary election 
WESA: Port Authority and Pittsburgh International Airport drop mask requirements
WESA: Local advocacy group asks Port Authority to reinstate mask mandate
WESA: The White House is lobbying hard for chip funding that experts say would help Pittsburgh tech firms
WESA: Wilkinsburg residents say city of Pittsburgh should focus on its own problems
WESA: Allegheny County gets cut of $2.1 million in state grants for electric vehicles
WESA: More Pennsylvania babies are being born with syphilis as cases among adults increase
WESA: Why voting options for Allegheny County voters have changed since 2020
Post-Gazette: After North Side shooting, Pittsburgh’s state lawmakers want action on gun control measures, Airbnb regulations
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council, in wake of mass shooting, expedites bill to regulate Airbnb, other short-term rentals 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council puts hold on Burgess’ bill on warrantless police pedestrian stops 
Post-Gazette: In the Hill District, residents grapple with recent spike in gun violence 
Post-Gazette: The Pirates’ PNC Park lease was set up to benefit the public, too. It has rarely paid off. 
Post-Gazette: Affordable housing measure approved for Bloomfield, Polish Hill 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburghers for Public Transit rips Port Authority for dropping mask requirement
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mass Shooting: Mayor Ed Gainey Says ‘No More And Never Again’ 
KDKA: Local Lawmaker Wants To Put $25 Fee On Property Sales To Fund First Responders 
KDKA: Bloomfield Starbucks Joins 18 Unionized Locations Across The U.S., First In Pennsylvania
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh paychecks growing, but just average compared to these metros that saw the largest pay increases 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh ranked as most affordable city to buy a home in the world
Tribune Review: Lawmaker calls on state to again reject application to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking
Tribune Review: Council approves formal partnership between Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Tribune Review: Report suggests new ways for Pittsburgh to levy additional taxes without raising earned income, property taxes
Tribune Review: Google says it will invest $15M in Pa. this year, including Bakery Square expansion in Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council condemns proposed Save Women’s Sports Act
City Paper: Medical marijuana patients want to grow their own weed. Will the state let them?
City Paper: Trans people can now get free legal help for name changes in Beaver and Washington counties
City Paper: Pittsburgh law firm argues “first-of-its-kind” case in front of state Supreme Court
City Paper: Pittsburgh leaders launch hygiene kit drive for Ukrainian refugees
Observer-Reporter: Local farmers meet with state legislators in Harrisburg
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi council members won’t be fined
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Office of Open Records dismisses cases involving Vision 2025, JARI; both considered ‘private nonprofit’ entities by state
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Westmont announces intent to form subcommittee to address stormwater issues across borough
Altoona Mirror: City to apply for $1.9M in transport center funding
Altoona Mirror: 911 dispatchers lauded by Wolf, Cambria County

Opinion  
Gene Yaw: Why we should regulate and tax skill games in Pennsylvania
Amanda Cappelletti: Investing in the future is not radical environmentalism
Paul Muschick: Why I rejoined the Republican Party — if only temporarily
Dan Bartkowiak: Listen to people who know what drugs do, not people who want to sell them
Fletcher McClellan: ‘Never Rarely Sometimes Always’ sheds light on abortion politics in Pa. 
John L. Micek: What are book bans really about? Fear | Tuesday Morning Coffee
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: In Pa. Legislature, even popular bills like Victoria’s Law get stuck because of rules concentrating power in hands of few 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh City Council should quickly pass overdue Airbnb regulations
Heath Naquin: Our nation’s intellectual economy is under threat
Chris Kelly: Putin no match for Ukrainian women and children
Paul J. Juliano, MD: Clean out your medicine cabinet on April 30
Melanie Stamy: Let’s keep our rural roadways safe for everyone