Rep. Matt Cartwright’s campaign raised $475K in Q1, while Rep. Scott Perry’s campaign brought in $310K in the first quarter. Here is the Playbook. 

PA10: Perry Raises $310K in Q1: The York County Republican ended the 1st quarter with $280,000 cash on hand.

PA8: Cartwright Raises $475K in Q1: The Lackawanna County Democrat entered April with just over $550,000 cash on hand.

PA Elected Officials Respond to Biden’s Congressional Address: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports on the reactions from Pennsylvania’s politicians to President Joe Biden’s congressional address on Wednesday night.  

Houlahan Still Considering U.S. Senate Run: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tamari reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) is still considering a run for U.S. Senate in 2022. “I’m still very very serious about that opportunity and I’m making sure that I leave that opportunity as something that is possible,” Houlahan said, according to Tamari. 

Mastriano, Pa. Supreme Court candidate slated to appear at QAnon conference: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that state Sen. Doug Mastriano and GOP PA Supreme Court candidate, Judge Paula Patrick, are listed as speakers at “Patriots Arise, Awakening the Dead!” event scheduled to take place in June. 

CNN Talks To Northampton County Voters about Biden’s first 100 Days in Office: CNN’s Jeff Zeleny talked to people from Northampton County about President Joe Biden’s job performance in his first 100 days in office. 

Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates Debate on WTAE: WESA provides a breakdown of the Pittsburgh mayoral debate hosted by WTAE on Wednesday night. The full replay of the debate from WTAE can be found here.  

Outside Groups Launch Attack Ads in Pittsburgh Mayoral Race: WESA reports on the outside spending groups launching attack ads in the Pittsburgh mayoral race between Mayor Bill Peduto and state Rep. Ed Gainey (D-Allegheny). 

Western PA Black Political Assembly (BAPA) Endorses Gainey for Pittsburgh Mayor: According to a press release from state Rep. Ed Gainey’s campaign for Mayor of Pittsburgh, he has been endorsed by the Western PA Black Political Assembly (BAPA). 

NBC10 Details Vega’s Campaign for Philly DA: NBC10 reports on Democrat Carlos Vega’s primary campaign for Philadelphia District Attorney against incumbent DA Larry Krasner.  

Morning Call Lays Out Schedule for Final Mayoral Debates, Forums: The Allentown Morning Call provides a schedule for the final candidate debates and forums leading up to the Allentown mayoral race Democratic primary in May.  

Biden Mentions Pittsburgh in Congressional Address: KDKA reports on President Joe Biden’s mention of Pittsburgh during his first address to a joint session of Congress on Wednesday night.  

Houlahan Hosts Town Hall on Combating Gun Violence: The Daily Local News reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) was joined by Rep. Lucy McBath (D-GA) in a public virtual town hall on gun violence prevention on Tuesday.  

Fitzgerald Encourages Entertainment Venues To Offer Vaccinated Section for Spectators: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald is “encouraging sports and entertainment venues to create special sections for vaccinated spectators, following a proposal by the Pittsburgh Penguins to create such a section for fans.”

Lancaster County Commissioners Vote to Repeal COVID-19 Emergency Declaration: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that the Lancaster County commissioners decided in a split vote to repeal the emergency declaration that has been in place since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Hill to Make Virtual Stop in Philly For Small Business Recovery Tour: On Thursday afternoon, The Hill will be hosting their first virtual stop of their Small Business Recovery tour in Philadelphia. Speakers for the event include Reps. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) and Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne), Philadelphia City Council President Darrell Clarke, Richard Vague, PA Secretary of Banking & Securities, Jim Burnett, CEO of VestedIn, Andrea Custis, President & CEO of the Urban League of Philadelphia, and Sunny Phanthavong, Chef & Owner, Vientiane Bistro.

Bartos To Provide Keynote Address to Lehigh County GOP Event: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, is slated to provide the keynote address on Thursday evening at the Lehigh County Republican Committee Chairman’s Club Ulysses Grant Cocktail Hour, according to the Lehigh County GOP website. Other speakers listed for the event on Thursday evening include state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) and GOP Allentown mayoral candidate Tim Ramos. 

Luzerne County DA Race to Take Place in November: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that the Luzerne County Election Board voted “to place the county district attorney’s race on the November general election ballot instead of waiting until the 2023 primary.”

York County Judicial Candidates Participate in Forum: The York Daily Record reports that Joe Gothie, Suzanne Smith and Steve Stambaugh, who are competing for two positions on the York County Court of Common Pleas, participated in a candidates forum on Tuesday, hosted by the York County Bar Association. 

West Chester Borough Council and Mayoral Candidates Participate in Forum: The Daily Local News reports that eight borough candidates for mayor and council in West Chester participated in a virtual candidate forum on Tuesday evening hosted by the West Chester Branch of the NAACP, The West Chester Green Team, the Chester County League of Women Voters, with moderator Dr. Pamela Gray of the league, and the West Chester University Office of Sustainability. 

Centre Daily Times Provides Background Info on State College Mayoral Candidates: The Centre Daily Times reports on the candidates for mayor of State College.  

Pottstown Mercury Details 10 Primary Races in western Montgomery County: The Pottstown Mercury reports on the 10 contested primaries in May and that “all but three of them are among Republicans.” 

Reading Eagle Previews Reading Council District 4 Primary: The Reading Eagle reports on the Democratic primary for Reading City Council’s 4th District between incumbent Stratton Marmarou and challenger Wesley Butler.  

Bonomo Appointed to DEP Citizens Advisory Council: The Citizens Voice reports that PennFuture President and CEO Jacquelyn Bonomo has been appointed to a three-year term on the Department of Environmental Protection’s Citizens Advisory Council. 

Former State House Candidate Launches Voices PAC: The Beaver County Times reports that Kolbe Cole, a Democrat who challenged state Rep. Aaron Bernstine (R-Beaver) in the state House’s 10th District in 2020, has launched a political action committee called “Voices” to support progressive politicians.  

Connolly Starts as Muth’s Deputy Chief of Staff: Mike Connolly, who previously served as Deputy State Treasurer for Communications under Joe Torsella, is now the Deputy Chief of Staff to state Sen. Katie Muth (D-Montgomery). 

Rielly Joins Consumer Bankers Association as Associate VP for Media Relations: POLITICO reports that Billy Rielly, who previously served as the Communications Director for Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne), is now associate VP for media relations for Consumer Bankers Association. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: School teachers face a hike in pension costs but state workers dodged one. Here’s why.
AP: Pennsylvania sending COVID-19 vaccines to more providers 
AP: State university system advances consolidation plan a step 
Spotlight PA: How we investigated Pennsylvania’s addiction treatment industry and found weak oversight of providers 
Spotlight PA: Addiction treatment providers in Pennsylvania face little state scrutiny despite harm to clients 
Spotlight PA: How Pa. troopers use sweating, stuttering during traffic stops to launch vehicle searches
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Mastriano, Pa. Supreme Court candidate slated to appear at QAnon conference 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House, Senate bills would mandate protections, sick leave for meatpacking, food processing workers 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Here’s how Pa. politicians reacted to Biden’s Congressional address 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. racial equality amendment has precedent — and online skeptics 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State higher ed system board backs plan to consolidate six universities to two 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Census data kicks off partisan brawl in statehouses over U.S. House seats
The Center Square: Pennsylvania governor withdraws cabinet nominees amid RGGI dust-up
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Senate passes measure to erase PennDOT-backed plan to toll 9 interstate bridges: ‘An issue of transparency’
Morning Call: Can schools control student speech outside class? Supreme Court weighs Schuylkill County cheerleader’s case
The Times Leader: Pa. Bar Association president resigns amid prostitution charges
Patriot News: Plan to combine 6 Pa. universities into 2 moves forward, with public able to offer their thoughts
Patriot News: U.S. Supreme Court hears free speech case of Pa. cheerleader punished for profane Snapchat post
Patriot News: Nearly half of adults in Pa. have had at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine
PLSReporter: At Fair Districts PA rally, lawmakers commit to advance redistricting legislation
USA Today: Biden talked about Pittsburgh in his address to Congress. Here’s what he said and why
USA Today: Pa. Senate passes bill that would end PennDOT plan to toll bridges
StateImpactPA: SCOTUS hears arguments in eminent domain case involving PennEast pipeline project
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania Bar Association president resigns after prostitution charges
National Journal: Redistricting: House districts to watch 
National Journal: House News
KDKA: Updated Masking Guidance From CDC Applies To All 67 Counties In Pennsylvania 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Bar Association President Resigns 
The Hill: Lawyer says pipeline’s future is at stake in Supreme Court land dispute 
The Hill: Justices hear First Amendment clash over cheerleader’s Snapchat 
The Hill: Nonprofit with ties to Biden 2020 campaign rolls out voting rights initiative
Post-Gazette: U.S. Senate repeals Trump-era methane rule, moving to toughen standards on gas industry
Politico: Biden-aligned nonprofit launches voting rights initiative 
Politico: Supreme Court grapples with free speech case involving student’s Snapchat outburst 
CNN: Americans evaluate Biden’s first 100 days in office 
CNN: How the Biden presidency looks from one pivotal Pennsylvania county, 100 days in 

Philadelphia 
NBC10: Carlos Vega: Who Is the Man Running for Philly DA Against Larry Krasner?
KYW Newsradio: PennDOT asks for caution as more than 200 construction projects set to begin across Philly region
KYW Newsradio: SEPTA budgets propose no fare increase, new trolleys
KYW Newsradio: Benzene levels still high outside South Philly refinery explosion site, environmental group claims
KYW Newsradio: FEMA says ‘steep decline in demand’ at its Philadelphia COVID-19 vaccine locations
Billy Penn: Philly creates new ‘network’ for grassroots criminal justice reform with $200k grant program
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We are not subjects of study!’: Protesters march on Penn Museum to decry handling of MOVE remains 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘We need to adapt’: SEPTA launches $25 million bus system redesign 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montco cases on the decline, vaccine clinic locations shuffle 
Philadelphia Tribune: District Attorney Larry Krasner calls for more accountability from law enforcement 
Inquirer: Penn Museum pledges to return remains of MOVE member to the Africa family, demonstrators visit residence of Penn President Amy Gutmann
Inquirer: SEPTA wants to redesign its bus services from scratch. What should that look like? 
Inquirer: Indian Americans in Philly help their ancestral homeland amid the world’s worst coronavirus outbreak

SEPA
Daily Local News: Houlahan hosts town hall to combat gun violence in American society 
Daily Local News: West Chester candidates nearly reach a consensus during forum
Montgomery Media: 10 primary battles in western Montgomery County, 7 are Republican contests
Montgomery Media: Arkoosh, Lawrence receive Johnson & Johnson vaccine at Norristown clinic
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County making progress in vaccine distribution
Bucks Local News: COVID-19 vaccine now available for walk-Ins at Bucks County clinics
Delco Daily Times: Radnor says no to bringing back Raider nickname

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Peduto Goes On Attack Over Gainey Union Support In WTAE Debate
WESA: After Years Of Debate, County Council Passes Police Review Board
WESA: New Mailer From Outside-Spending Group Escalates Attacks In Mayoral Campaign
WESA: Pittsburgh Police Annual Report Shows Lower Crime, Arrest Rates, But Racial Imbalances Persist
WTAE: FULL REPLAY: Pittsburgh mayoral debate 
WTAE: President Joe Biden mentions Pittsburgh in his first joint address to Congress 
WTAE: Gov. Wolf visits COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Washington County
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh mayoral debate tackles racial equity, police reform
Post-Gazette: More zoning changes likely for off-street parking at new city rowhomes 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Latest: Wolf tours Washington County clinic; Allegheny County cases dip slightly
KDKA: President Joe Biden Mentions Pittsburgh In First Address To Joint Session Of Congress 
KDKA: Measure Passed By Pittsburgh City Council Seeks To Lower Speed Limits On City Streets 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 242 New Cases, 4 Additional Deaths
Tribune Review: President Biden name-checks Pittsburgh in speech to Congress 
Tribune Review: Fitzgerald: Entertainment venues should offer vaccinated sections for spectators 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County arbitrator seeking Lower Valley District Judge seat 
City Paper: How rising rents and renovations have displaced Pittsburghers and added to the city’s ongoing issues with gentrification
Pittsburgh Business Times: Fitzgerald said Penguins’ petition could be pathway for other teams, venues 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh region’s 7.5% unemployment rate remained unchanged in March

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Kolbe Cole team launches Voices PAC
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 21% people fully vaccinated
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Loss of House seat sets up ‘game of musical chairs’ in Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf talks up COVID-19 vaccinations as demand for the shots fades
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolfs Tours Washington County Vaccine Clinic As Around 50% Of Pennsylvanians Have Gotten First Doses
KDKA: Report: Westmoreland County Commissioners Approve Several Drop Off Locations For Mail-In Ballots 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reaches 100,000 fully vaccinated against covid
Altoona Mirror: Virus uptick renews vaccination call

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board OKs DA race on November ballot 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s finances off to good start in 2021 
The Times Leader: Rep. Toohil’s living donor protection legislation becomes law 
The Times Leader: 126 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed as Luzerne County tops 30,000 cases 
The Times Leader: Report: COVID hospitalizations lower than state rate in most area counties
Citizens Voice: DA position will be on November ballot, election board rules 
Citizens Voice: Bonomo appointed to DEP Citizens Advisory Council 
Citizens Voice: More than 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Wednesday
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District recovery board discusses using $58 million in federal funding 
Times-Tribune: Judge approves request to increase Scranton LST tax 
Times-Tribune: Taylor mayor candidates prioritize police support, town improvements 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County commissioners vote to repeal COVID-19 emergency declaration 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city schools struggle to budget pandemic funds amid dropping enrollment
York Daily Record: Election 2021: 3 questions from the York County Bar Association judicial forum 
York Daily Record: Rally calls for community to move forward following Derek Chauvin convictions
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 25% people fully vaccinated
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 60 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Wednesday
York Dispatch: York mayor: Arbitration hearing for Clayton Swartz held Tuesday, ruling could be months away
York Dispatch: Wednesday update: 121 new cases of COVID-19 in York County

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Allentown mayoral race: Final stretch of candidate debates, forums
Morning Call: Allentown voters, here’s the lowdown on the two ballot questions you’ll face in the May primary
Reading Eagle: 2 vie for the Democratic nomination for Reading council seat in District 4
Reading Eagle: 5 vie for 4 spots on the Democratic ballot for Wyomissing Borough Council
Reading Eagle: 2 incumbents face 3 challengers in Democratic race for West Reading Borough Council
Reading Eagle: 7 candidates competing for nominations for Robeson Township supervisor
Reading Eagle: 2 incumbents face 3 primary challengers in race for Caernarvon Township supervisor
Reading Eagle: COVID statistics provide insight into Berks County’s comparison with Pennsylvania overall
Express Times: Nearly half of Pennsylvanians have at least 1 shot; Johnson & Johnson shipments resuming; new case and hospitalization rates falling | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/28/21)
WFMZ: Looking ahead at the Pennsylvania Primary in Berks County
WFMZ: Opportunity by Zip Code Part 1 – Local leaders, educators discuss funding gap between rich, poor school districts
WFMZ: Lehigh Valley’s unemployment rate dips slightly in March
WFMZ: PA Senate approves bill that would halt PennDOT toll plan in Greenwich Twp.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf visits Erie to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations
Erie Times-News: Wolf tours Erie clinic, wants the statewide process to be ‘more trustworthy and convenient’
Centre Daily Times: Meet the candidates for State College mayor
Centre Daily Times: State College mayoral candidates focus on inclusion, town-gown relations and more
Centre Daily Times: April 28 update: Centre County adds 48 COVID-19 cases, 1 death; Pa. has 3,686 positives

Opinion  
Larry Krasner: “The Stakes Of The D.A. Primary Could Not Be Higher”  
Anthony Hardy Williams: Turn down the political rhetoric, and let’s solve gun violence, climate change and COVID-19
Paul Muschick: How I’m voting on four Pennsylvania ballot questions 
Salewa Ogunmefun: Injustice will grow if Pa. redistricting isn’t rooted in equality 
Cherelle L. Parker: Online sheriff sales rig the system against Philadelphians
Michael Helfrich: Only a court will put Officer Swartz back on York City streets
Denise M. Mandi and Jordan L. Strokovsky: How Philly’s complicated civil courts got back to business after the pandemic
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Full reimbursement for home-schoolers 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Port Authority should use stimulus money to get more people riding
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Banking at post offices worked in the past and could work now, too 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: It’s time to use science to its full extent to identify fallen American soldiers
PennLive Editorial Board: Undoing Trump era rules on dangerous methane gas emissions is the right thing to do 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Elizabethtown Area School District board needs members who stand up for truth, not those who push the Big Lie
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Two recommendations to help us safely navigate rest of spring sports season
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia wins if Washington, D.C., becomes the 51st state 
John L. Micek: People ‘feel like life is worth living again’: Pa. biz owners look to promises, challenges post-pandemic | Wednesday Morning Coffee 
John L. Micek: How big is Pa.’s agriculture industry? $132.5B big, new state report finds | Thursday Morning Coffee
Christine Flowers: Charging hate crimes is a slippery slope
Dan Simpson: World leaders aren’t measuring up
Jack Neuhaus: How Greek life contributed to anti-Asian racism on campus 
Alyssa Tuan, Anis Adnani, Shyama Sathianathan, Maria Poluch and Arnab Ray: Medical students say debt is their number one issue
JD Mullane: The brave new world of auto tech, where cars control you
The Angry Grammarian: In police report on George Floyd’s murder, aggressive use of passive verbs lets cops off the hook 
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: When we discover that ‘us’ and ‘them’ aren’t really that different, we have no reason to fear ‘them’