April 23rd Playbook

A Fox News poll shows a significant majority of Pennsylvanians approve of Gov. Tom Wolf’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, while President Donald Trump’s response is in negative territory. Here is the Playbook. 

Fox News Poll: Wolf COVID Net Approval Leads Trump by 51 Points: 69% of Pennsylvanians approve of Gov. Tom Wolf’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, while 25% disapprove. 44% of Pennsylvanians approve of Trump’s handling of the coronavirus outbreak, while 51% disapprove.

Pro-Biden Group Announces Fall TV Ad Buy in PA: Priorities USA announced that it plans to spend $13 million on television boosting former Vice President Joe Biden’s campaign in the Pittsburgh, Harrisburg – Lancaster – Lebanon – York, Wilkes-Barre – Scranton, and Johnstown – Altoona media markets.

Gas Brass Pump Trump for Backing Fracking: The Empowerment Alliance’s digital ad campaign supporting President Donald Trump’s energy plans in five states is “well into the five figure range” according to a spokesperson from the group.

Reader Poll: PA Primary Should Be An All-Mail Election: 52% of people voted that the upcoming primary election should be all-mail, while 48% voted against this idea.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania governor lays out coronavirus reopening plan
AP: Pennsylvania Boosting Efforts To Promote Voting By Mail 
AP: SEPTA says transit workers will not call for a stoppage
Spotlight PA: Pa. regions with few coronavirus cases could begin reopening May 8 under new tiered system, Gov. Tom Wolf says
Spotlight PA: Pa. teachers’ pensions are invested in a NYC skyscraper linked to Jared Kushner, but they probably don’t know it 
Fox News: Fox News Poll: Biden leads Trump in battleground Pennsylvania
Fox News: Fox News Poll April 18-21, 2020: Pennsylvania
Fox News: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf unveils plan to reopen some businesses, roll back coronavirus restrictions May 8
Fox News: Tucker Carlson rips universities for accepting coronavirus aid money: ‘They do enough harm to this country’
PA Post: Pa. Gov. Wolf to veto bill that places restrictions on abortion telemedicine
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf: Pa. ‘won’t be flipping a switch’ as it reopens; May 8 targeted for north-central, NWPA 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As it eyes reopening, Pa. doesn’t have a plan for contact tracing. Here’s what that means and why it matters.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf says he will veto telemedicine bill that constrains access to abortion 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Limited workplace protections, packaging woes could stress food supplies, lawmakers worry
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Lawmakers advance small business relief bill without extra cash for states
Post-Gazette: PA Turnpike to pay down debt, set line of credit to deal with COVID-19 revenue shortfall 
Post-Gazette: ACLU urges Pa. officials to collect, release race, ethic data of COVID-19 cases  
Patriot News: Construction in Pa. can begin before state reopens, Wolf says 
Patriot News: Pa. GOP leaders say they ‘look forward’ to working with Gov. Wolf on easing his coronavirus restrictions 
Patriot News: Securing Pa.’s food supply: Lawmakers, Wolf Administration push to meet this most basic need 
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf outlines steps to reopen Pennsylvania; northcentral, northwest regions to open first 
Patriot News: What will be allowed in the red, yellow, and green phases of Pa.’s coronavirus reopening plan? 
Patriot News: Wolf administration defends its coronavirus death counts in the face of complaints from county coroners 
Morning Call: Coronavirus threat to Pennsylvania food supply chain needs more attention, Republican lawmakers say 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s 3 phases for reopening (red, yellow, green) and what they mean 
Morning Call: Wolf says Pennsylvania will use a three-phase approach to emerge from shadow of coronavirus starting May 8  
PLSReporter: Wolf outlines phased approach to reopening the state
PLSReporter: Lawmakers raise alarm about potential bumps in state’s food supply chain
PLSReporter: Black Pennsylvanians 3 times more likely to be arrested for marijuana possession, ACLU study finds
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
Inquirer: A key Democratic group is suing to ease Pennsylvania’s vote-by-mail laws 
Inquirer: New mayors in Pa. had plans. Then coronavirus turned their first 100 days into ‘a roller coaster.’
Inquirer: Northwest, north-central Pa. may be the first to ease coronavirus limits, Wolf says; SEPTA union postpones Thursday ‘action’ over virus concerns
Inquirer: A Pennsylvania bill could make it cheaper to fix iPhones, tractors — and ventilators
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pa. attorney general tells 3M to protect hospital workers and end price-gouging of PPE 
Washington Examiner: New federal contract breathing life into Philadelphia shipyard
Washington Examiner: Coronavirus protesters just want to work
StateImpactPA: Follow the climate rules being rolled back during the COVID-19 pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Gov. Wolf unveils three-stage plan to gradually reopen Pennsylvania 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus in Pa.: Brace yourself for severe second wave, Pa. sees jump in cases
The Hill: Biden leads in three crucial Rust Belt states: Poll
Politico: ‘The map is bigger now’: Coronavirus rewires 2020 election
Erie Times-News: Casey to hold tele-town hall on virus, federal response 
CNN: Polls show Trump trailing Biden in battlegrounds of Michigan and Pennsylvania

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Prison officials told former Philly deputy mayor he’d be released early due to pandemic – then reversed course
Inquirer: SEPTA union head postpones Thursday’s job ‘action’ that could have caused ‘significant service disruptions’
Inquirer: Philly delays plastic bag ban until January amid coronavirus pandemic
Inquirer: As pandemic was peaking, Philadelphia undercounted the cases, city officials say; N.J. death toll passes 5,000
Inquirer: Neighborhood Bike Works launches program to get bikes to essential workers 
Inquirer: Philly’s struggling restaurants are nearing a moment of truth as the coronavirus crisis drags on 
Inquirer: One Philadelphia prison has yet to report a single case of the coronavirus. But it hasn’t tested any inmates.
Inquirer: Philadelphia Parking Authority asks Pa. to institute protocols for cleaning of ride-share, food delivery vehicles
Inquirer: Philly jail workers want judges to release more inmates because of coronavirus
Inquirer: Northwest, north-central Pa. may be the first to ease coronavirus limits, Wolf says; SEPTA union postpones Thursday ‘action’ over virus concerns
Inquirer: The planet is getting better during the coronavirus shutdown | Coronavirus Newsletter
KYW Newsradio: Health officials say Philly’s battle with COVID-19 is impeded by lack of testing supplies
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA job action called off as Kenney steps in to negotiate
KYW Newsradio: PPA reports $6M loss from suspending fees during coronavirus pandemic 
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA union cancels ‘job action’ as negotiations continue over coronavirus protections
WHYY Newsworks: Happy Earth Week: Philly delays plastic bag ban due to coronavirus
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus at Temple University Hospital 
Philadelphia Tribune: Krasner outlines steps for proper early release of inmates during clergy-sponsored talk
Philadelphia Magazine: Finally, a Relief Fund for Philly Restaurant Workers That Isn’t a GoFundMe
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania to reopen in three phases on a county-by-county basis 
Philly Voice: SEPTA avoids work stoppage after union presses safety demands
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia pushes single-use plastic bag ban to 2021
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia small, midsize businesses more vulnerable to missing payments than in peer cities 
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: Testing, schools, shopping, transit, unemployment and more

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Langhorne, Doylestown zip codes at top for coronavirus cases, new data shows
Bucks County Courier Times: Wolf unveils three-phase reopening guidelines
Bucks County Courier Times: More nursing home deaths brings Bucks coronavirus toll to 110
Daily Local News: Wednesday Update: Pennsylvania Department of Health reports 1,156 new coronavirus cases to bring state total to 35,684 
Daily Local News: Barrar: Bill to help emergency responders on way to governor’s desk 
Delco Daily Times: Community Briefs: Delaware County District Attorney announces 2020 Victims’ Rights award recipients
KYW Newsradio: Chester County officials plant ‘tree of hope’ to symbolize fight against pandemic
Montgomery Media: Montco coronavirus death toll, ‘confirmed’ cases, reaches 174
Montgomery Media: Hacker interrupts Norristown council meeting with porn images
Montgomery Media: Montco court officials handle emergency matters with safety in mind during pandemic
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council to hold virtual council meeting; public invited to join online
Bucks Local News: PA Department of Health April 22 Update: 1,156 postives bring statewide total to 35,684
Pottstown Mercury: Montco officials see drop in PFA requests during pandemic as domestic violence increases

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County could reopen sooner than some other counties 
Post-Gazette: PA Turnpike to pay down debt, set line of credit to deal with COVID-19 revenue shortfall 
Post-Gazette: ACLU urges Pa. officials to collect, release race, ethic data of COVID-19 cases 
Post-Gazette: Protesters decry conditions at jail, seek release of more inmates 
Post-Gazette: 7 new COVID-19 deaths in Allegheny County; 4 Beaver County deaths were in nursing care 
Post-Gazette: City school board looks to amend remote learning grading guidelines 
Post-Gazette: VA Pittsburgh reports second patient death from COVID-19
WESA: Data Are Sparse As County Prepares To Ease Social Distancing Restrictions 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Says County-Wide Cases Climb To 1,088, Death Toll Now At 74 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Allegheny County: Health Officials Say Only 1 Percent Of The County’s 1.2M Residents Have Been Tested 
KDKA: ‘It Is A Herculean Task’: Online Classes Start Up For All Pittsburgh Public Schools Students Amid Coronavirus Outbreak 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Health Officials Worried About Significant Drop In People Going To Emergency Room Over COVID-19 Fears 
PLSReporter: Allegheny County officials to consider paid sick leave measure as part of COVID-19 response
Pittsburgh Business Times: Fitzgerald: Some restrictions could be relaxed soon in Allegheny County 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Why Marcellus Shale stocks are lifting, while other basins see drop
Pittsburgh Current: 65 Percent Of Residents In Allegheny County Jail Alt-Housing Facility Test Positive For COVID-19
Pittsburgh Current: $95,000 Raised For Tech Devices For Clairton Students
City Paper: Report: Pittsburgh ranked 8th worst for air pollution among U.S. cities 
City Paper: Lower Youghiogheny River named the 10th most endangered river in the U.S.
Tribune Review: State Sen. Ward says covid-19 induced pain reaches across the state economy 
Tribune Review: Here are the ZIP codes in Allegheny County with the most coronavirus cases 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials call for more covid-19 tests as daily testing numbers drop 
Tribune Review: State awards $5.1M in grants to aid with remote learning during school closure 

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Neff under fire for photo with armed militia group 
Beaver County Times: No automatic mail-in ballots for Beaver County voters 
Beaver County Times: Wolf unveils three-phased reopening plan; PA deaths surpass 1,600 
Beaver County Times: HAP: Western Pa. hospitals could recover faster than others in the state
Observer-Reporter: Bill would expand first responders’ benefits if afflicted with COVID-19 
KDKA: ‘It’s Scary’: Westmoreland Co. Coroner Says State Health Officials Were Too Slow To Stop Spread Of Coronavirus In Nursing Homes
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State’s COVID-19 cases top 35,000; incidence lower in Cambria-Somerset than many areas of Pa. 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Cartwright unveils hazard pay proposal for essential front line workers 
The Times Leader: 46 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County; 10 new deaths 
The Times Leader: State opens arena testing site to anyone with symptoms, offers phone registration 
Times-Tribune: Drive-thru testing site opening to all NEPA residents 
Times-Tribune: Four more coronavirus deaths in Lackawanna County, 10 more in Luzerne 
Times-Tribune: Applications for mail-in ballots for June primary flooding local election offices 
Times-Tribune: County to waive penalties on 2020 property taxes paid this year 
Times-Tribune: Scranton schools receive $500,000 for student technology; SSD graduation, prom dates set 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
Citizens Voice: Drive-thru testing site open to all NEPA residents, phone registration now available 
Citizens Voice: 10 more die of COVID-19 in Luzerne County 
Citizens Voice: Area nursing home responses to COVID-19 cases at facilities 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker: ‘Not too early’ to reopen some businesses 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Coroner reports 11 more COVID-19 deaths in Lancaster County, one of the biggest jumps to date 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 4 takeaways from Pennsylvania’s Wednesday coronavirus update
Patriot News: What will be allowed in the red, yellow, and green phases of Pa.’s coronavirus reopening plan? 
Patriot News: Wolf administration defends its coronavirus death counts in the face of complaints from county coroners 
Patriot News: Coronavirus cases by day in Pa. (4/22/20): How fast is COVID-19 spreading? 
Patriot News: 82 former Harrisburg School District employees got free health insurance, costing $822K: Audit update
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 13 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County, most in nursing facilities 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Area School District says it served almost 34,000 meals in five weeks to students 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Area School District says budget deficit balloons to 4.55 million after COVID-19
York Dispatch: Closer Look: York area’s air improving, but could be better, annual report says
York Dispatch: ‘Grandview Five’ sue BrewVino’s golf club in federal and local court, alleging racism

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks County passes milestones of 100 deaths and 2,000 cases for coronavirus outbreak 
Reading Eagle: Berks officials, Reading leaders deliver message to Latino community on coronavirus 
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania coroners worry the coronavirus true death toll will never be known 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: Statewide cases increase by 1,156 on Wednesday to 35,684 
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley police prefer soft approach over crackdowns for coronavirus violations 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Death toll reaches 1.6K, rate of new cases slows; Lehigh Valley nears 4K cases, 100 deaths | COVID-19 case map (4/22/20) 
Express Times: Meet the 1st Lehigh Valley business awarded a special COVID-19 loan from Pa.

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State explains reluctance
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: WASD puts $204K toward 1,000 laptops for students
Centre Daily Times: Centre County sees no new COVID-19 cases as state total surpasses 35,000
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Wednesday, April 22 
Erie Times-News: Erie County property owners get more time to pay taxes 

Opinion  
Rick Bloomingdale: We need PPE now. And unions will help deliver it
Edward G. Rendell: The voters have spoken. The ACLU needs to drop its Marsy’s Law challenge
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: If you want Pa. to ‘reopen’ soon, gathering in a crowd at the state Capitol is not the best move  
Inquirer Staff: Should Earth Day spur us to climate action, or to humility about our impact on Earth? | Pro/Con
John L. Micek: Given the choice to do the right thing on telemedicine bill, the Legislature did the predictable thing — again | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Nicole Gelinas: Pennsylvania’s comeback from coronavirus shutdowns could determine the outcome of the 2020 presidential race 
Joseph Minott: Earth Day is a reminder most Americans want to protect the environment 
Jabari Jones: Spread The Wealth
Mike Molesevich: Earth Day 2020: The EPA can’t use the pandemic as an excuse for weakening oversight
Lucas Isakowitz: Coronavirus required mass deaths for governments to act with urgency. What will it take for climate change? 
Max Jordan Nguemeni Tiako: Free bike share for essential workers amid coronavirus? Philly should follow NYC’s plan. 
Doha Ibrahim and Imere Williams: Philly high school seniors: Don’t let coronavirus force more budget cuts 
Elliot Weinbaum and Rashanda Perryman: During coronavirus, childcare providers need the support they’ve always deserved 
Brianna Baker: The Other Crisis We Can’t Ignore

2 Responses

  1. People standing in line on a cold morning at 7:30 am for the honor of spending money at the supermarket wearing their masks will be hard pressed to vote Trump and the Republicans. When everything that has the word “disinfectant” on it at the supermarket is sold out and when you are lucky to get a paper towel roll or two—none of this is going to work in the Republican or Trump’s favor. There are not a lot of excited campers doing supermarket shopping these days and they tend to speak when the November election rolls around. This is going to boost the chances of Joe Biden and the Democrats.

  2. 69% of PA approve Gov.Wolf handling of coronavirus pandemic. That is far more people than all the Dems. Most of these people will be voting Joe Biden in November, as Trump approval has fallen to only his poorly educated, intellectually challenged deadender base.

Email:
  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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