State Sen. Sharif Street filed a statement of candidacy for a possible 2022 U.S. Senate run, while Democrats have selected a candidate for the special election in the state House’s 60th District. Here is the Playbook. 

HD60: Frank C. Prazenica Jr. Nominated as Dem Candidate for Special Election: Prezenica Jr., a former educator, said that he will do “everything possible” to bring funding and support to the local community and school districts.

Street Files Statement of Candidacy for Possible 2022 U.S. Senate Bid: State Sen. Sharif Street told PoliticsPA on Thursday that he will be launching an exploratory committee on April 9. He said the committee will include over 100 leaders from Pennsylvania, including Rep. Dwight Evans and state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa.

Barnette, PA4 Nominee Who Organized Buses to DC for Jan. 6, Considers Senate Run: Kathy Barnette, a veteran and conservative commentator who was the 2020 GOP congressional candidate in PA-4, will make an announcement in the next two weeks.

Lamb Leads Bipartisan Group Pressing For $18 billion for State Transportation Agencies: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) led a bipartisan group of 46 other lawmakers on Thursday by signing on to a letter that presses congressional leaders to “dedicate another $18 billion in funding for state transportation agencies.”

City Paper Highlights How PA Would Be Impacted Under Amtrak Plan: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that Pennsylvania is “getting a lot of train attention” in Amtrak’s 2035 Vision Plan. 

Beaver County Times Releases List of Primary Candidates: The Beaver County Times released a list of the candidates for the May primary.  

Rendell Lauds Biden’s Infrastructure Plan: KYW Newsradio reports that former Gov. Ed Rendell supports President Joe Biden’s infrastructure plan. 

Three PA Republicans To Introduce Bill to Restrict Outside Money in Elections: WCCS reports that state Reps. Eric Nelson (R-Westmoreland), Clint Owlett (R-Tioga), and Jim Struzzi (R-Indiana) plan to introduce a bill that they say would close “an election law loophole and stop the flow of money intended to influence elections in Pennsylvania.”

Luzerne County Election Board Schedules Special Meeting To Select Chair: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that the Luzerne County Election Board plans to select its fifth member/chair person at a special meeting next Wednesday. 

Allentown Mayoral Candidates Debate: The Allentown Morning Call reports that the four Democratic mayoral candidates in Allentown participated in a forum on Thursday at Allentown’s Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center, which was the “first-ever mayoral forum in Allentown that focused on issues relevant to the LGBT community.”

Keller and Thompson Criticize Biden’s Spending Plan: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that Reps. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) and G.T. Thompson (R-Centre) have issued statements criticizing President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan.  

NextGen America Targets Perry: NextGen America, the liberal super PAC founded by Tom Steyer, launched its ‘Republican National Circus’ bracket that targets 8 GOP incumbents they hope to unseat in 2022, which includes Rep. Scott Perry (R-York). The winner of the bracket, which is voted on by audience members, will be the target of NextGen America’s first advertisement for the 2022 election cycle. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: John Fetterman raises massive $3.9 million in first three months of his Pa. Senate campaign
Inquirer: The Braddock man John Fetterman confronted with a shotgun in 2013 says that should not stymie his Senate bid
Inquirer: Poorest Pennsylvanians to receive retroactive food stamp benefits thanks to local attorneys
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Biden’s Amtrak bet excites Pa. officials, but much could derail efforts
Patriot News: Pa. must convince rural residents ‘freedom’ hinges on COVID-19 vaccine, health secretary says
Patriot News: Pa. COVID-19 update: 32% vaccinated, but hospitalizations and ICU cases rising
Post-Gazette: Fetterman raises over $3.9 million in first quarter for Senate campaign 
WESA: Fetterman Raises Nearly $4 Million, Announces New Endorsements
WESA: Lawsuit Settlement Will Bring Millions In Additional Food Stamp Funds To PA
KDKA: State House Committee Wrestles With Election Changes Amidst Concerns Over Voter Suppression
City Paper: Pa. would see several new and enhanced train service under Amtrak’s 2035 vision plan
PLSReporter: Agriculture secretary says dog license fee increase ‘must happen’
Morning Call: Pennsylvania drug treatment centers violated regulations by failing to make timely reports of 23 deaths; no fines issued 
Pittsburgh Business Times: How Biden’s infrastructure plan could clean up one of Pa.’s big environmental issues
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania drops teleworking mandate, now only ‘highly encourages’ it
KYW Newsradio: Former Pa. Gov. Rendell lauds Biden’s infrastructure plan
KYW Newsradio: Pandemic drowned Pennsylvania in record unemployment claims 
The Hill: Fetterman raises $3.9 million in first quarter in Pennsylvania Senate race
Philly Voice: Biden’s infrastructure plan includes Amtrak funding that could revive passenger service in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly’s Democratic Party rebuffs DA Larry Krasner’s bid for an endorsement
Inquirer: Philly will move to next vaccine phase Monday, expanding eligibility as cases rise
Inquirer: Poorest Pennsylvanians to receive retroactive food stamp benefits thanks to local attorneys
Inquirer: Philadelphia under-identifies students experiencing homelessness at higher rates than any other large U.S. district
WHYY Newsworks: Sen. Sharif Street is running for U.S. Senate, and he’s doing it ‘old-school’ 
WHYY Newsworks: What landlords and tenants need to know about Philly’s new eviction rules  
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Philly residents in Phase 1C eligible for vaccine starting April 5
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney punts on providing update on his anti-violence plan as homicides surge
Philly Voice: College students still struggling to afford food and housing, Temple report shows
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia expanding vaccine eligibility to Phase 1C
KYW Newsradio: Philly’s COVID-19 vaccination effort expanding to include more essential workers

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County lawyer seeks Norristown district judge seat
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County OKs coronavirus vaccination site-related contracts 
Montgomery Media: Rep. Webster moves district office location in Lower Providence
Bucks Local News: State accelerates vaccination eligibility; Bucks County in line to receive thousands of additional doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine 
Bucks Local News: Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick visits Snipes Farm & Education Center 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Deprivatization is feasible,’ says economic study of returning Delco prison to county control
Daily Local News: Study by Temple University to explore risks of private wells in Chester County; participants to receive water treatment systems
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery Awards Program recognizes projects that benefit communities

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Lamb leads bipartisan group pressing for $18 billion for state transportation agencies 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Health Department urged to tighten, enforce air pollution standards
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County new vaccine registration site open to the public 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh and PWSA raise concerns about proposed Plum injection well 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports 3,893 cases, 27 deaths
Tribune Review: Rep. Mercuri launches initiatives to address covid’s impact on business, mental wellness 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County’s new vaccine registration system opens 
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania saw upswing in covid cases, hospitalizations in March
Pittsburgh Business Times: Local tech leaders talk Biden’s plan for broadband
KDKA: Report Shows Racial Disparity In Coronavirus Vaccine Rollout In Allegheny County 
KDKA: Allegheny County Launches COVID-19 Vaccine Registration Website 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Launching Program To Remediate And Prevent Landslides
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 327 New Coronavirus Cases Pushing Countywide Total Over 86K
WESA: Five Ways Pittsburgh Hopes To Make Its Water System More Equitable 
WESA: On Policing, Data Shows Citywide Gains, But Room To Improve

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County primary candidates released
Beaver County Times: New stimulus gives Beaver County schools a big boost
WCCS: Struzzi Co-Authors Bill To Restrict Outside Money in Elections 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local radar bill faces key hurdle in state House
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Dems, advocates press GOP to wrap up election review
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: March COVID-19 surge was less severe in region
Observer-Reporter: Pfizer announces COVID-19 vaccine 100% effective in 12- to 15-year-olds
Observer-Reporter: Department of Health updates recommendations for K-12 schools to match CDC guidance

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County DA vacancy litigation to be withdrawn 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board schedules special meeting to select chair 
The Times Leader: Mullery suggests White Haven for tourism office
The Times Leader: 105 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Thursday; 1 death
Citizens Voice: Legal action over DA controversy will be dropped 
Citizens Voice: Maternal and Family Health Services receives funding 
Citizens Voice: Another 100-plus COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: Council OK’s Scranton police chief appointment despite code concerns 
Times-Tribune: Pennsylvania and region still reporting plenty of new COVID-19 cases

South Central 
York Dispatch: York attorney Steve Stambaugh running for common pleas judge
York Dispatch: Prison warden tapped to be executive director of York County’s human services
York Dispatch: Wastewater plant mishap won’t impact $235 million sale, according to company
York Dispatch: Thursday update: 165 new COVID-19 cases reported in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 41 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Thursday
Patriot News: York County District Attorney discloses COVID-19 diagnosis
Patriot News: Protest planned at Dauphin County prison where at least 22 inmates have died since 2009
LNP | LancasterOnline: Eligibility quirk fuels 18% rise in new jobless claims filed by Lancaster Countians

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Allentown mayoral candidates polled on LGBTQ community issues
WFMZ: Northampton County ramps up testing amid surge in COVID-19 cases
WFMZ: Could passenger rail service return to the Lehigh Valley?
WFMZ: COVID-19 vaccines, stimulus checks provide new opportunities for scammers
WFMZ: Allentown council discusses landlord reform, officials raise cost issue
WFMZ: LV Planning Commission director discusses Biden’s new infrastructure plan
WFMZ: Leinbach addresses county’s role in residential center
WFMZ: Steadily rising COVID-19 cases concern Berks officials
Morning Call: Allentown mayoral candidates make case for why they deserve the vote of LGBTQ community, other marginalized residents
Morning Call: With 1 in 3 households ‘cost burdened,’ Lehigh Valley cities try to tackle the affordable housing crisis
Morning Call: Could Allentown become ‘hell on earth’ for bad landlords? City Council brainstorms multi-front attack
Reading Eagle: Amtrak unveils proposed new route from Reading to Philadelphia
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioner offers details about federal plan for Residential Center
Reading Eagle: Berks mass vaccination site plans taking shape, but opening date yet to be set
Reading Eagle: More than 4,200 COVID vaccine shots given in Berks County in 1 day
Reading Eagle: 2 state lawmakers are reopening their district office in Hamburg
Reading Eagle: Berks Community Health Center partners with The Giorgi Companies to vaccinate essential workers
Express Times: Lehigh Valley to New York City train service part of Amtrak’s vision for 2035
Express Times: No COVID symptoms? No problem. Northampton Co. testing site now allowing anyone to be tested.
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Vaccinations increasing, but so are cases; biggest allotment of doses due Monday; loosened restrictions in place this weekend | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/01/21)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Casey talks funding for in-home care for seniors
Erie Times-News: Election Board appeals Andrezeski case to state court
Erie Times-News: Federal virus aid, time frame set for Erie schools
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Reps Keller, Thompson cool to Biden spending plan
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: New director looks to improve Williamsport’s economic conditions
Centre Daily Times: April 1 update: COVID-19 cases fall in Centre County as hospitalizations rise across Pa.

Opinion  
John Baer: Recent history tells Pa. where to spend pandemic relief funds; let’s see if Pa. listens
Joseph Minott and Mike Krancer: Pennsylvania can’t wait on Congress to solve its problem of abandoned oil and gas wells
Paul Muschick: Why Allentown Sen. Pat Browne’s plan is best way to increase the minimum wage
Mohammed Khaku and Mark Pinsley: How Muslims and Jews can address hate crimes and promote tolerance
Inquirer Editorial Board: How long must Pennsylvania prop up a dying racehorse industry?
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Erase hurtful images from team mascots
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Some young people are changing their minds about becoming teachers. We need to figure out why.
Phil Gianficaro: Those demanding Gregg Shore be fired from DA’s office don’t know jack
Nathan Boon: Philadelphia is poised and ready for Biden’s Civilian Climate Corps 
Alan Jennings: How banks can compensate Lehigh Valley communities when they close branches
John L. Micek: Poll: Most Pa. voters don’t believe American democracy is working for all | Friday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: Transitional? Biden is on his way to being the most transformational president in decades 
Will Bunch: Will U.S. learn from a $1.7 trillion goof that would have paid for Biden’s infrastructure plan? 
Robert R. Mitchell: Time to compromise and solve climate change
Josh Middleton: Ideas Philadelphia Should Steal 
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: Vote Like The Kids 
Earl Smith and Marissa Kiss: Why are there so few Black American players in MLB 74 years after Jackie Robinson took the field? 
Trudy Rubin: ‘Killer’ Putin must be prevented from murdering opposition leader Alexei Navalny in prison