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April 30th Playbook

President Joe Biden will visit Philadelphia today to attend an event celebrating Amtrak’s 50th Anniversary. Here is the Playbook.

PA17: Lamb Raises $410K in Q1: The Allegheny County Democrat and potential 2022 U.S. Senate candidate entered April with $1.1 million cash on hand.

Biden to Visit Philly on Friday: According to a release from the White House Press Office, President Joe Biden will visit Philadelphia on Friday as part of the “Getting America Back on Track Tour” to attend an event celebrating Amtrak’s 50th Anniversary.

Patrick Says She’s Not Attending QAnon Conference: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Judge Paula Patrick, who is seeking the GOP nomination for PA Supreme Court, has “disavowed any connection to QAnon” after she was listed as a featured speaker for an upcoming “Patriots Arise, Awakening the Dead!” event scheduled to take place in June, which she said she is not attending.

Sec. Levine Visits FEMA Site in Philly: KYW Newsradio reports that U.S. Assistant Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine visited the FEMA vaccination site on Thursday afternoon in Center City, Philadelphia to “mark the health milestones of the Biden administration’s first 100 days.”

Fitzpatrick Says He Might Run One or Two More Times: Levittown Now reports that Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) was caught on a hot mic during the Wednesday night C-SPAN broadcast of President Joe Biden’s joint address to Congress saying that he’s “got one or two left in me anyway and then I’m done anyway. On my own accord.” 

Allentown Mayoral Candidates Debate: The Allentown Morning Call breaks down the Thursday morning debate between the Allentown mayoral candidates, moderated by Tony Iannelli, president and CEO of the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. 

Papenfuse Calls For Guaranteed Income Program For Some Harrisburg Residents: PennLive reports that Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse is “calling for the establishment of a guaranteed income program in Harrisburg to help the city’s poorest residents and attack generational poverty.”

Harrisburg Mayoral Candidates to Participate in Forum on May 5: PennLive reports that all five Democratic candidates for Mayor of Harrisburg said that they will participate in PennLive and CBS21’s “Candidates Conversation: The Harrisburg Mayoral Race,” which will take place on the evening of May 5. 

Harrisburg City Council Candidates Debate Police Reform, Affordable Housing: PennLive reports that 12 candidates for Harrisburg City Council participated in a virtual debate on Wednesday night.  

DeMarco Leads Push for Police-Worn Body Cameras Across Allegheny County: KDKA reports that Allegheny County Council Member-At-Large Sam DeMarco is calling for “common-sense” legislation on body cameras worn by police in Allegheny County. 

4 Big Nonprofits To Contribute $115 Million Over 5 Years to Peduto’s OnePGH Initiative: WESA reports that UPMC, Highmark Health, the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University will voluntarily contribute $115 million over the next five years to Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s OnePGH initiative

Kenyatta Endorses Krasner for Philly DA: State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, endorsed Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s bid for a second term.  

Fetterman To Attend Lebanon County Dems May Day Meet & Greet: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, will be attending the Lebanon County Democratic Party’s May Day meet & greet on Saturday, May 1. In addition to Fetterman, Supreme Court candidate Maria McLaughlin, Superior Court candidates Timika Lane and Jill Beck, Commonwealth Court candidate David Spurgeon, Lt. Governor candidate Mark Pinsley, U.S. Senate hopeful Alex Khalil, Lebanon mayoral candidate Cesar B. Liriano, and candidate for the state Senate’s 48th District, Doc Clements, will be in attendance. 

Walton Shares Stories of Being Racially Profiled Before Allegheny County Creates Police Review Board: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that Allegheny County Councilor DeWitt Walton shared “two personal stories about being racially profiled by police” prior to the vote. 

WHYY: Philly courts halt sheriff sales after outcry over abrupt shift to online platform: WHYY reports that “Philadelphia courts have ordered a moratorium on Sheriff Sales until September, following weeks of outcry over a sudden switch to online sales and subsequent critique from City Council.”

Vote-By-Mail Remains Popular in Cumberland County: The Carlisle Sentinel reports that “vote-by-mail appears to remain popular” in Cumberland County for the upcoming 2021 primary with over 12,000 applications for mail-in and absentee ballots received as of late last week plus over 40,000 applications for mail-in ballots were automatically sent out to voters who selected to receive an application for every election.

Diamond and Gleim To Participate in ‘Key Conversations’ At 2021 PLC: According to a press release, state Reps. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) and Barbara Gleim (R-Cumberland) will participate in two of the conversations on “key issues” featured at the 2021 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference that’s scheduled to take place on June 11-12 at the Radisson Penn Harris Convention Center in Camp Hill. Diamond will be discussing the “proper role of courts,” while Gleim will be talking about “fairness in women’s sports.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Contract tracing breach impacts private info of 72K people 
AP: Lawmakers unhappy about tolls reminded of law they passed 
Spotlight PA: Oversight of Pa. recovery homes stalls as officials, advocates disagree on best approach
Inquirer: QAnon supporters listed a Philly judge as a speaker at their event. She says she’s not going.
Inquirer: Biden’s first 100 days: Speak softly and deliver a big pitch
Inquirer: Pa.’s largest pension fund faces twin probes over financial results and land buys
Inquirer: Proof of immunity? Pa. and N.J. aren’t making plans for vaccine ‘passports,’ but the topic is hot.
Inquirer: Chester is now the most vaccinated county in Pa.; here’s when it’s OK to ditch your mask, according to the CDC
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Third-party contact tracer left Pennsylvanians’ personal health data unsecured, Wolf admin says 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. opioid deaths increased during COVID-19 pandemic, officials say
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capital-Star wins four Keystone Media Awards
PLSReporter: Lawsuit filed over impending Pennsylvania redistricting process
Morning Call: Pennsylvania voter’s guide to primary election
KDKA: Bill Would Expand Where Liquor Can Be Sold In Pennsylvania
Patriot News: COVID-19 in Pa.: 6 million have had at least one shot of vaccine
National Journal: Even with methane win, climate challenges remain for Dems
National Journal: New congressional maps reapportion Marc Elias’s responsibilities 
Delaware Valley Journal: Biden’s Risking U.S. Energy Independence for ‘Unattainable’ Green Goals, Experts Say
Delaware Valley Journal: Slow Growth Costs PA Another Congressional Seat
KYW Newsradio: Unsecured contact tracing data reveals personal info of 72K Pennsylvanians, state says
Post-Gazette: State push for road-funding reform remains focused on tolling some bridges 
The Hill: Pennsylvania lawmakers say PPP funds proved valuable despite rocky start
The Hill: Breach of contact tracing vendor appears to have compromised info of at least 70K people 

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Outside money and the FOP factor into Philly’s Democratic primary for district attorney
WHYY Newsworks: Biden to visit Philly today to celebrate Amtrak, promote sweeping infrastructure plan 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly courts halt sheriff sales after outcry over abrupt shift to online platform 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly City Council passes ‘bong shop’ ban 
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia’s main anti-eviction initiative fights for its future 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘My rights aren’t being respected’: Philly workers, city council push for more resources in the city budget to enforce pro-worker laws 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Levine says Philly FEMA clinics offering ‘light at the end of the tunnel’
Inquirer: Sheriff sales postponed until September by court order
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Courts order pause of Sheriff’s sales
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia City Council approves live entertainment by restaurants
KYW Newsradio: At FEMA site in Center City, Secretary Levine stresses need to overcome vaccine hesitancy at local level
KYW Newsradio: Penn offers meeting with MOVE, Africa family after discovery that university kept bombing victim remains
Philly Voice: Philly awards $200K in grants, creates network for community organizations fighting for criminal justice reform

SEPA
Levittown Now: In Hot Mic Comments, Congressman Says He Might Run One Or Two More Times 
Delco Daily Times: Dem congresswomen praise presidential address 
Delco Daily Times: Morton eases up on penalties for marijuana use 
Delco Daily Times: Get a shot to get to herd immunity, officials say
Daily Local News: ‘Exactly the president we need right now;’ Chesco locals weigh in on Biden’s speech 
Bucks County Courier Times: Judge Cynthia Rufe to be honored as ‘Woman of Influence’ 
Inquirer: Vaccination rates keep rising in some Philly suburbs, as others plateau, facing access and hesitancy challenges
Delaware Valley Journal: Delaware Valley Democrats Praise Biden’s $6 Trillion Speech 
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Gun Owners React to Biden’s Executive Orders 
Montgomery Media: Aaron Holston seeks Norristown district judge seat in May 18 primary 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County finalizes polling place relocations ahead of May 18 primary
Bucks Local News: Democrats announce endorsed candidates for Newtown Borough council, mayor, constable and judge of elections

Pittsburgh 
WTAE: PAC with ties to Pittsburgh mayoral candidate has hundreds of thousands of dollars in undocumented contributions, expenses
Post-Gazette: Peduto releases plan for contributions by Pittsburgh’s large, tax-exempt nonprofits
Post-Gazette: Biden’s remark on wind propellers in Pittsburgh underscores climate, trade policy at 100-day mark
Post-Gazette: Rep. Lamb seeks funding for Neighborhood 91, body cameras for municipal police
Post-Gazette: Jasmine Green combines art and 1Hood activism in her work
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Latest: Low vaccinations in personal care homes ‘baffling’; data breach compromises personal info
WESA: Allegheny County Is Expected To Get Over $380M In COVID Relief. Who Decides How To Spend The Money?
WESA: Pittsburgh’s 4 Big Nonprofits Contribute $115 Million Over 5 Years To Peduto’s OnePGH Initiative
KDKA: Pittsburgh’s OnePGH Plan Gets $115 Million From Nonprofits
KDKA: Allegheny County Council Member Sam DeMarco Leads Push For Police-Worn Body Cameras Across County
KDKA: President Joe Biden Eyes Expanding Renewable Energy Production In Pittsburgh
KDKA: Allegheny County Elections Division Looking For May Primary Poll Workers
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 214 New Cases, 2 Additional Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: OnePGH plan receives $115M from UPMC, Highmark, CMU and Pitt
City Paper: Councilor DeWitt Walton shares stories of being racially profiled before Allegheny County creates police review board 
City Paper: New report finds lead in majority of Allegheny County water systems, offers strategies to reduce exposure
Tribune Review: Peduto announces $115 million in commitments from regional nonprofits for OnePGH 
Tribune Review: 3 seats up on McCandless council, only 1 race in spring primary 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh ‘made a mistake’ on thousands of tax bills
Tribune Review: Report: Pittsburgh paid more than $460K to settle police-related lawsuits last year 
Tribune Review: Pitcairn mayoral race pits 20-year-old challenger against 81-year-old incumbent

SWPA  
Observer-Reporter: Governor visits WHS COVID-19 vaccine clinic
Observer-Reporter: Jobless rates decline across Southwestern PA
Observer-Reporter: Federal group intends to revive coal communities
Observer-Reporter: Two new COVID-19 deaths reported in Washington County
Indiana Gazette: DeLoreto joins Casey for “Back on Track” event marking Biden’s first 100 days 
KDKA: New Numbers Show Westmoreland County Is Making Strides In Getting Community Vaccinated
Altoona Mirror: City to reapply for transportation money
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Tribune-Democrat staffers earn 14 Keystone Media awards 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria adds 76 COVID-19 cases as local surge hangs on

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Election board rejects more ballot drop boxes; in-person voting starts Monday
Citizens Voice: 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Thursday
Times-Tribune: Democrats, Republicans divided on Biden address
Times-Tribune: Northeast running ahead of entire state in vaccinations
The Times Leader: Board votes to put Luzerne County DA race on November ballot
The Times Leader: Pa. leaders responses’ to Biden’s speech predictably split on party lines
The Times Leader: 100 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed as Luzerne County on Thursday; 1 death

South Central 
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council candidates debate police reform, affordable housing
Patriot News: Should Harrisburg provide guaranteed income to some residents? The mayor wants to give it a shot
Patriot News: Harrisburg mayoral candidates to meet in forum co-hosted by PennLive, CBS 21 News
York Dispatch: Attorneys running for 2 open York County judge positions fielded questions at online forum
York Dispatch: Two weeks before deadline, lawmaker says it would be ‘a miracle’ if Mount Rose/I-83 project wraps by then
York Dispatch: Thursday update: Three new COVID-19 deaths reported in York County
York Daily Record: Primary 2021: Check your mailbox. Your mail ballot – if you requested one – is coming.
Carlisle Sentinel: A look at the referendum questions on this year’s primary ballot
Carlisle Sentinel: Vote-by-mail remains popular with county electorate
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 35 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Thursday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city shifts more funds to affordable housing in next five-year grant spending plan
LNP | LancasterOnline: New unemployment claims in Lancaster County jump 11%
LNP | LancasterOnline: Manheim Twp. man charged in Capitol riot freed by judge pending trial

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Opportunity by Zip Code Part 2 – What lawmakers say could be done about funding gaps in Pa.’s educational system
WFMZ: Four Allentown Democratic mayoral candidates agree on much, take some shots at debate
WFMZ: Berks Commissioners endorse concept of 9/11 Memorial Trail
WFMZ: Local historian: ‘A quiet 100 days’ in office for Biden
Morning Call: Allentown mayoral debate: Democratic challengers attack O’Connell, trade barbs with one another
Morning Call: NAACP condemns SnapChat video, photo appearing to show Lehigh Valley students completing viral ‘George Floyd challenge’
Reading Eagle: 6 things you should know about election security in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Berks County needs poll workers for the primary election
Reading Eagle: 2 seek the Republican nomination for Bethel Township supervisor
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Nearly 1 in 3 Pennsylvanians fully vaccinated; 3,322 new cases, 50 deaths reported; Berks Co. nears 1K deaths | Pa. COVID vaccine updates (4/29/21)

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Court hears Lycoming County Commissioners, controller arguments
Erie Times-News: His ‘untimely’ appeal keeps ex-state Sen. ‘Buzz’ Andrezeski off ballot in Erie clerk’s race
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Yuille would consult citizens to fix problems
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Allen promises to continue scrutiny if re-elected
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Tate wants all communities to be embraced
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Nelson looks to make impact beyond ministry
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Flores says she has struggled, like many citizens
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Maurice Troop brings passion for service
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Republican Brown wants to see “sustainable economic boom”
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat DiLoreto wants city to reach ‘full potential’
Erie Times-News: The race for Erie City Council: Democrat Koehle promises to continue social justice push
Centre Daily Times: Advocates — and their dogs — rally in Bellefonte to ‘hound’ lawmakers about redistricting reform
Centre Daily Times: Why Penn State’s Black Caucus is holding a march Friday — and why members want you to come
Centre Daily Times: Centre Daily Times awarded several honors in Pennsylvania journalism competition
Centre Daily Times: April 29 update: Mount Nittany Health marks 40,000 COVID-19 vaccines; Centre has 45 cases

Opinion  
John Baer: Washington, D.C., statehood battle says a ton about today’s partisan politics 
Larry Platt: Is Larry Krasner Really A Reformer? 
Dave Henderson: Proposals to expand gaming is a threat to the well being of older Pennsylvanians
Marci Hamilton: This is the true ‘gold standard” for child protection in Pa. 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Biden outlined a bright future for America. How many overdose victims won’t live to see it? 
Inquirer: Should we mostly ditch outdoor masking at this stage in the COVID-19 pandemic? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pennsylvania’s new ‘move over’ law may not be as safe as it sounds
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: More schools should offer vaccine clinics
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: With COVID-19 numbers still too high in Lancaster County, safety must be the priority at prom and other high school senior celebrations 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Just finish the Mount Rose project already
John L. Micek: Berks Co. GOP boss takes heat for comparing Dems to Hitler, Tojo | Friday Morning Coffee 
John L. Micek: In speech to Congress, Biden bet on democracy. It’s up to America to prove him right 
Gregory J. Collins: How universal pre-K could result in child care closures and higher prices
Fletcher McClellan: Biden a transformational president? We’ve heard It before 
Tony Norman: Into an octopus’s garden of bigotry, lies and insincerity
Will Bunch: What Europe’s soccer revolt tells us about Biden’s plan to tax the rich 
Steve Winnie: Here’s another way to think about student loans 
Elaine Maimon: It’s Time To Rethink Status In Higher Ed  
Trudy Rubin: Biden’s economic plan is vital for competing with China — and for U.S. self-respect

2 Responses

  1. High speed rail transportation in USA is a joke. USA is far behind the world. Yet we subsidize airlines that clog and pollute the skies.

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