Biden begins his presidential bid with a rally in Pittsburgh focusing on winning middle class voters, while an Inquirer poll shows Philadelphians opinion on Mayor Jim Kenney. Here is the Playbook.

Biden Rallies Union Support in Pittsburgh: In his first rally as a declared candidate in this presidential bid, the former Vice President made a pitch to union workers and stressed the importance of winning Pennsylvania.

Inquirer Poll: Voters Like Kenney More Than His Policies: The incumbent Philadelphia Mayor holds a 17 point net job performance approval rating, while voters take issue with his stance on key issues such as the soda tax and proposed safe injection sites.

Harrisburg & DC  
Post-Gazette: Biden starts presidential run with focus on union support at Lawrenceville rally
Post-Gazette: Bill changing makeup of Allegheny County Airport Authority advances to full House
Post-Gazette: Democratic legislators seek support for changes in police use-of-force laws
Post-Gazette: Sen. Bob Casey asks feds to intervene in UPMC-Highmark pre-payment dispute
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania joins climate coalition and releases carbon-cutting plan
AP: Biden says Trump abused his office, ignored most Americans
AP: The Latest: Biden accuses Trump of abusing powers
AP: Wolf says regional cap-and trade plan needs ‘serious’ look
AP: Ethane storage seen as key to revitalization of Appalachia
New York Times: In Pennsylvania, Joe Biden Finds Support Where He Most Needs It
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrat Pam Iovino takes the oath of office, is one of 13 women serving in the state Senate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Union-driven campaigns have helped Pa. Democrats flip red seats. Could it notch them one more victory?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We can’t afford to wait,’ Wolf, lawmakers say as Pa. rolls out its plan to fight climate change
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Restore or reenergize? Turzai, House GOP offer plan for natural gas-based state economy
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: At Capitol rally, educators call for charter school funding reform, better oversight
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania’s public workers don’t have workplace safety protections. This bill would change that
PLSReporter: Fetterman: ’65 to 70 percent’ of listening tour attendees support marijuana legalization
PLSReporter: Wolf announces PA to join US climate alliance, releases state climate action plan
PLSReporter: Turzai unveils eight bill package of legislation focusing on creating jobs and redeveloping infrastructure
PLSReporter: Controversial school choice bill clears committee hurdle
PLSReporter: Wonderling pitches ‘Grow Pennsylvania’ agenda at press club luncheon
KDKA: ‘If I’m Going To Be Able To Beat Donald Trump In 2020, It’s Going To Happen Here’: Biden Kicks Off Campaign With Pittsburgh Rally
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Says Pa. Needs To Consider Joining Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania commits to Paris Agreement climate goals; state’s plan calls for 80 percent carbon cuts by 2050
StateImpactPA: Groups sue U.S. Steel, alleging potentially ‘thousands’ of Clean Air Act violations
StateImpactPA: Sunoco buys two homes at Chester County site of Mariner East 2-related sinkhole
Inquirer: With an opening rally in Pittsburgh, Joe Biden signals that Pennsylvania is vital to his campaign
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf: Pa. should cut carbon emissions 80 percent by 2050
WESA: Study Shows Prisons Give Home Districts Power, Leach It From Poor Urban Areas
Beaver County Times: Gov. Wolf announces PA climate action plan, climate alliance membership
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Biden talks unions, working class in first campaign event of 2020 run
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PA to join 23 states in pledging to meet climate goals
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pennsylvania regulators set April 30 deadline for applications to grow industrial hemp
Morning Call: Key takeaways from Joe Biden’s first campaign rally in Pittsburgh  
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s Democratic voters weigh their primary options as Joe Biden comes to Pittsburgh
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf honored as a ‘true friend of animals’ for signing anti-cruelty and neglect laws
Patriot News: Recreational marijuana in Pennsylvania: What should legalization look like?
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvanians urged to get current on shots
Express Times: Will beer become more expensive in Pa.? Brewers push back on proposed 6 percent sales tax
Philadelphia  
Inquirer: Inquirer Poll: What Philly voters think of Mayor Jim Kenney, crime, and the soda tax
Inquirer: Where the Philadelphia City Council candidates stand on key issues  
Inquirer: Could the Philly City Council elections determine fate of the soda tax?
Inquirer: A timeline of Philadelphia’s soda tax
Inquirer: Philly DA’s Office won’t prosecute cannabis DUIs; Krasner calls current law ‘dumb’
Inquirer: In Philly, your race predicts whether you’ll be locked up or go free until trial, study says
Inquirer: Judge refuses to vacate state sentence in AK-47 gunman’s case, but raises concerns about double jeopardy
WHYY Newsworks: Critiquing Kenney: Taking the pulse of Philly mayor’s old neighborhood
WHYY Newsworks: Kenney grilled on gun violence, gentrification at Germantown mayoral debate
Philadelphia Magazine: Sandra Dungee Glenn on City Council Run: “I Want to Move Families Out of Poverty”
Billy Penn: Nearly a quarter of Philly adults can’t read — but they still vote

SEPA
Daily Local News: Killion to chair economic development committee
Daily Local News: Houlahan urges Senate to act on gun violence prevention during rally
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers rally to end puppy mills
Daily Local News: State OKs $2.1 million for rail freight projects in Chester County
Daily Local News: Barrar to host REAL ID informational session May 16
Bucks County Courier Times: Lt. governor’s recreational marijuana listening tour coming to Bucks
Pottstown Mercury: Activists march through Pottstown for Pennsylvania gift ban
Inquirer: This Main Line teacher was so inspired by her students that she’s quitting her job to run for office

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Biden starts presidential run with focus on union support at Lawrenceville rally
Post-Gazette: Bill changing makeup of Allegheny County Airport Authority advances to full House
Post-Gazette: Peduto not ready to endorse, but he has special bond with ‘Mayor Pete’
Post-Gazette: Democratic legislators seek support for changes in police use-of-force laws
Post-Gazette: Four challenging Ricky Burgess for city’s District 9 seat in Democratic primary
Post-Gazette: Sen. Bob Casey asks feds to intervene in UPMC-Highmark pre-payment dispute
Tribune Review: Biden says Pittsburgh is where a successful run for president will begin in first campaign stop
Pittsburgh Business Times: More union workers at Wabtec consider strikes
WESA: Former VP Joe Biden Holds First Rally Of His Presidential Campaign In Pittsburgh
KDKA: ‘If I’m Going To Be Able To Beat Donald Trump In 2020, It’s Going To Happen Here’: Biden Kicks Off Campaign With Pittsburgh Rally

SWPA
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. Lamb co-introduces bill on vets’ mental health needs
Observer-Reporter: Could recreational marijuana impact the medical marijuana industry?
Observer-Reporter: Kennison deals with tax, legal trouble amid mayoral bid

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Debates set for Lackawanna County commissioners, Scranton city council candidates
Times-Tribune: Some Lackawanna County commissioner hopefuls always vote, some don’t
Times-Tribune: Scranton council asks for emergency demolition of buildings owned by tax, trash fee scofflaw
The Times Leader: W-B Area Superintendent: Increase in state money would mean property tax cut
Citizens Voice: Fetterman’s marijuana legalization listening tour coming to Wilkes-Barre  
Citizens Voice: Manafort moved from Wayne County prison  
Citizens Voice: POLITICAL SCENE

South Central  
York Dispatch: Anderson, youngest York County political candidate: Age has ‘never been a limiting factor’
Carlisle Sentinel: Delozier to host ‘Tribute to Veterans’ breakfast
Patriot News: State takeover of Harrisburg schools may not produce the results advocates seeks   
Patriot News: Should the state take over Harrisburg schools? Here’s what the school board candidates say
Patriot News: Pa. attorney general emphasizes need for more tolerance: ‘Hate speech begets hate crimes,’ he says
Patriot News: Harrisburg School District finances, threat of receivership is unprecedented: attorney

Lehigh Valley    
Reading Eagle: City Council president demands meeting with Reading Parking Authority
Reading Eagle: A look at some of the activist groups in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Conrad Weiser seniors lauded for registering to vote
Morning Call: Politics as Usual  
Morning Call: Lehigh County caseworkers say their caseloads exceed caps, ask commissioners to hire more people

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Should State College offer developers a tax break to rehabilitate historic properties?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: House candidates talk about the Second Amendment
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Marijuana listening tour moves along
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Local Democrats call for change

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: A fair and open trial gives justice for victims of abuse — and discourages secrecy
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Et tu, Kate?: Flyers, Yankees bow to blind political correctness
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Return of the good book: Recovery of other stolen items must be a priority
Brendan Boyle: Brexit must honor Good Friday agreement
Mike Turzai: School choice is a necessary complement to public schools
David Urban: Trump tax cuts are helping Pennsylvanians
Gisele Barreto Fetterman: Immigrants aren’t a roadblock to progress or prosperity. They amplify it
Dick Polman: On impeachment: Will Democrats put country over party?
John L. Micek: New study: Pa. teachers’ pay lags other college-educated workers | Monday Morning Coffee
Abraham Gutman: DA Krasner should take a page from Reagan’s playbook: Cut budgets to enshrine your legacy
John Baer: Committee of Seventy’s ‘rock in the pond’
Kevin Riordan: Savoring my major crush on Mayor Pete Buttigieg
Gene Marks: Looking to sell your small business? Watch out for these things and you’ll likely get a better price
Jenice Armstrong: Former reporter who covered Cosby’s criminal case pens book on the downfall of ‘America’s Dad’