Getting ready for GOP Governor debate. Senate debate recaps. Primary guides. Abney, Covington, Schnee take oaths. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Rochester | Mostly Cloudy, 45
Reading | Increasing Clouds, 53
Ridley Park | Increasing Clouds, Breezy, 55

PA Sports
76ers (lead 3-2) | THU at TOR
Flyers (25-44-11) | THU at WIN
Penguins (45-25-11) | lost vs. EDM, 5-1; FRI vs. CBJ
Phillies (8-10) | d. COL, 10-3; WED-THU vs. COL
Pirates (8-9) | lost vs. MIL, 12-8; WED-THU vs. MIL
Union (5-1-2) | SUN vs. NSH

News

PA Senate Race: ‘With big spenders off-stage, ‘the pack’ tries to shake up Pa.’s Republican Senate race’: PennLive reports that “the chances are dwindling now for candidates for statewide office to change the trajectory of their campaigns. But with big spenders David McCormick and Dr. Mehmet Oz off-stage, Tuesday’s “Spotlight on Pennsylvania” debate among the five other candidates on the Republican Party’s U.S. Senate primary ballot had a golden chance to do just that.”

• GOP Senate Candidates Meet on Debate Stage: The five candidates in search of the GOP nomination for the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate met on the debate stage for the first time on Monday night.
• Take Two. The Dem Senate Candidates Meet Again: The candidates for the Democratic nomination for the Pennsylvania U.S. Senate seat met on the debate stage for a second time on Monday night. 
• Tribune-Review: Republican Senate candidates meet in live debate, but without front-runners
• Inquirer: The Pa. Republican Senate candidates debated without the front-runners. Here are 5 takeaways. 
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Where GOP U.S. Senate candidates stand on abortion access, COVID-19, 2020 election, immigration
• Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. Senate Dems agree on abortion access; divided on court expansion, abolishing Electoral College
• Fox News: Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidates spar in heated debate
• National Journal: DR. Oz Touts Trump’s Endorsement in PA GOP Primary Debate
• Inquirer: Pictures from Tuesday’s Republican U.S. Senate candidates debate

PA Governor Race: ‘The GOP front-runners for Pa. governor finally debate tonight. How to watch and what to watch for.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the one-hour debate will air on eight television stations serving the state: WHTM-TV (ABC) in Harrisburg/Lancaster, Lebanon, and York, WPXI-TV (NBC) in Pittsburgh, WPHL-TV (MyNetworkTV) in Philadelphia, WTAJ-TV (CBS) in Johnstown, Altoona, and State College, WBRE-TV (NBC) in Scranton, Wilkes-Barre, and Hazleton, WJET-TV (ABC) and WFXP-TV (FOX) in Erie, and WYTV-TV (ABC) in Youngstown, Ohio.”

• PennLive: Judge refuses to certify suits seeking to take Mastriano, Perry off primary ballot
• WHTM: PREVIEW: Pennsylvania Republican Gubernatorial Debate 2022
• National Journal: Meet the not-ready-for-prime-time Republican players

Reader Poll: Who “Won” Tuesday’s GOP Senate Debate?: Who “won” Tuesday’s GOP Senate debate? What do you think about the absence of Mehmet Oz and Dave McCormick?

‘Billions in surplus have lawmakers thinking business tax cut’: The Associated Press reports that “hundreds of millions of dollars in business profit tax cuts passed the Republican-majority state House on Tuesday, and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf said he was optimistic a final deal can be struck in the coming months.”

‘Report: New texts show Pa. Rep. Perry’s ‘key role’ in trying to overturn 2020 election results’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a central Pennsylvania congressman played a “key” role in efforts to topple the 2020 election results, and pushed to get the country’s top intelligence official to investigate baseless conspiracy theories, according to a newly published report.”

‘House passes bill limiting Philly DA to two terms’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a Republican-authored bill limiting Philadelphia’s elected district attorneys to two four-year terms passed the House on Tuesday.”

‘Wolf, lawmakers call for action on stalled gun law reforms’: City & State PA reports that “undeterred by rain, Gov. Tom Wolf, lawmakers and advocates called on Republican leaders to hold votes on stalled gun-related legislation that has seen little movement in recent years.”

‘The learning curveball: Officials at PASSHE have embarked on a groundbreaking – and fraught – quest to redesign the system.’: City & State PA reports that “the State System is hoping lawmakers will approve a history funding request for the university system this year.”

‘A super PAC is behind new ads targeting a candidate in 12th Congressional District campaign’: WESA reports that “a newly active super PAC has produced spots targeting state Rep. Summer Lee in the campaign to replace outgoing U.S. Rep. Mike Doyle.”

‘Candidates for 17th Congressional district debate in virtual forum hosted by RMU’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “candidates running in the 17th Congressional District in the upcoming May primary outlined their platforms on various topics during a virtual debate hosted by Robert Morris University and the League of Women Voters.”

‘Irwin’s wealth stands out in congressional primary’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “the Democratic primary election to replace retiring Congressman Mike Doyle is full of contrasts.”

‘Bench warrant issued for former state AG Kane for DUI-related probation violation’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “a Montgomery County judge issued a bench warrant for former state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane for violating the probation terms of her 2016 conviction for leaking grand jury information.”

‘Pa. lawmakers look to curb online sales of stolen goods by imposing disclosure rules’: PennLive reports that “legislation is making its way through Pennsylvania’s General Assembly to curb the problem of organized smash-and-grab retail theft operations that turn around and sell their stolen goods on online marketplace platforms.”

‘Leader of Pa. state universities sees movement toward free college as way to fill talent gap’: PennLive reports that “free college for low-income students is a goal over time that the leader of Pennsylvania’s state universities sees as necessary if the state is to meet its workforce development needs.”

‘Vogel, haunted by social media posts, suspends 6th Congressional District campaign’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Ron Vogel, the neophyte candidate for Congress who gained support among area Republicans for his campaign against what he called the “woke far-left mob” has decided to withdraw from his run for the 6th Congressional District seat now held by Democratic U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan.”

‘Suspended Somerset DA Thomas jailed on assault allegation dating back to May 2021; awaiting trial on sexual assault charges’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “suspended Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas was jailed on Monday, accused on punching a woman during a May 15, 2021, FaceTime call while in a moving vehicle, authorities said.”

‘Somerset DA Thomas posts bond after being accused of punching woman in vehicle during FaceTime call’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “suspended Somerset District Attorney Jeffrey Thomas posted bond Tuesday and was released from Cambria County Prison – a day after being charged with punching a woman inside a moving vehicle during a FaceTime call.”

‘Biden appoints Philly’s Dr. Ala Stanford to lead regional Health and Human Services office’: WHYY reports that “President Biden has appointed Stanford to lead the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services Region 3 office, which covers all of Delaware, the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia.”

‘Former Pa. judge lost his job, now loses his law license after convictions’: PennLive reports that “a former Perry County magisterial district judge was disbarred Tuesday, the latest action in a series that began after he pleaded guilty to multiple charges in February.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Schnee takes oath of office at state House’: The Citizens Voice reports that “Robert Schnee took the oath of office from the woman he succeeded in Pennsylvania’s House of Representatives while his wife, Jamie, held a Bible during a ceremony on Tuesday.”

Regional Spotlight: Southwest
Beaver County Times: Election 2022: Your guide to the candidates
Observer-Reporter: Former President Trump to stump for Oz in Greensburg next week 
WESA: Allegheny County Council to reconsider ban on fracking in county parks
WESA: City Council hits pause on new rules for short-term rentals, considers more sweeping changes 
WESA: Officials plead for gun owners to be responsible as Pittsburgh weighs options on juvenile gun crime
WESA: CMU dean to help launch new federal artificial intelligence initiative
WESA: Allegheny County is in ‘desperate’ need of poll workers to run the upcoming primary
Post-Gazette: At Harrisburg rally alongside Gov. Wolf, Armani Ford’s mother remembers her slain son 3 years after his death 
Post-Gazette: After blocked nominations, County Council’s own member makes way to Alcosan board
Post-Gazette: Pa. State System chancellor calls on Legislature for more university funding 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council to explore alternative ways to promote affordable housing 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh’s air quality is improving but still among worst in country
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, in wake of North Side mass shooting, says ‘we can’t give up’ in efforts to stem gun violence 
Post-Gazette: It took 6 hours for K-9 units to arrive in Pittsburgh after the Fern Hollow Bridge collapse. Here’s why, and what local lawmakers want to do about it 
Post-Gazette: Accused Capitol rioter from Pa. who called for members of Congress to be hanged shouldn’t be allowed to present alibi, feds say 
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette Searchable Bridge Database
Tribune Review: Mail-in, absentee ballots will start going out to Allegheny County voters this week 
Tribune Review: Anti-Defamation League: 82% increase in antisemitic incidents in Western Pa. in 2021
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh region jobs up, jobless rate down in March
Tribune Review: Allegheny County to offer early, in-person voting at Downtown Pittsburgh election office
Observer-Reporter: Study offers ‘blueprint’ for broadband internet expansion 
Observer-Reporter: Greene County seeks mental health funding from state
City Paper: Pittsburgh area gets first passing air pollution grade; still ranks among worst nationwide
City Paper: After Hours: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Maria Montaño
City & State PA: Celebrating the Pittsburgh Power 100 in the Steel City
KDKA: Gun control advocates lobby for stricter laws in Harrisburg
KDKA: State giving out millions in funds for transportation projects
KDKA: Westmoreland County commissioners vote to eliminate multiple ballot drop boxes
KDKA: Italian Sons And Daughters Of American pushing Gainey Administration to uncover Columbus statue
City & State PA: Meet four Pittsburgh residents changing the city through media, art and activism
Pittsburgh Business Times: Governor Tom Wolf awards $14 million to projects in the region, including Esplanade development and Astrobotic
Pittsburgh Business Times: Passenger rail advocacy group launches new online hub for service available to western Pennsylvanians 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Gainey announces director nominations, future treasurer appointment
Pittsburgh Business Times: Gainey administration announces $56.8M in state grants for projects across the city 
Pittsburgh Business Times: PublicSource announces new chief executive officer
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown hosting public meetings on spending $30.7M in American Rescue Plan funds
Altoona Mirror: Blair election workers get pay raise
Altoona Mirror: Students, faculty protest PSU cuts
Altoona Mirror: Local election staffers may see pay increase

Opinion  
Kyle Sammin: PA Gov’s Race Is GOP’s Race To Lose – But They Can Lose It
John Eckenrode: We must make work conditions safer in Pennsylvania’s prisons
Paul Muschick: Why does the government keep paying dead people? The latest mistakes cost taxpayers $677,000
Michael Coard: Kenyatta Johnson, like many Black pols, is victim of racist selective prosecution
John L. Micek: Report: A third of states lost population in 2021 | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Don’t take your guns to town
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Proposed Lancaster apartment building is not a ‘monstrosity’ for ‘those people.’ It’s a needed affordable housing development.