Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh announced her candidacy for the U.S. Senate, while Rep. Brendan Boyle announced that he will not run for the open statewide office in 2022. Here is the Playbook. 

Arkoosh Launches 2022 U.S. Senate Bid: Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh released an announcement video on Monday morning that promotes her record as an elected official, plus her background as a physician.

Boyle Rules Out 2022 U.S. Senate Run: Congressman Brendan Boyle cited family considerations in a statement to The Hill as the main reason he is not seeking the open seat.

Fetterman Raises $3.9 Million in Q1: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s campaign said that the $3.9 million is the most a candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania has ever raised in their first quarter.

Boyle and Galloway Endorse Kenyatta for Senate: State Reps. Kevin Boyle (D-Philadelphia) and John Galloway (D-Bucks) have endorsed state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s (D-Philadelphia) bid for the U.S. Senate.  

Fetterman Rolls Out First Slate of Endorsements: Rankin Mayor Joelisa McDonald, President of Braddock Council Rob Parker, Braddock Council Member Dee Scales, Unopposed Candidate for Braddock Mayor Delia Lennon, Adams County Commissioner Marty Qually, and Chalfont Councilman Mitchell Meyerson have endorsed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s campaign for U.S. Senate, according to a press release.

NBC News Highlights 2022 PA Senate Race: NBC News reports on Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race that they say “emerges as a test of progressive firepower in post-Trump era.” 

5 PA GOP Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Ban PA’s Transgender Student Athletes from Playing Women’s Sports: Spotlight PA reports that state Reps. Stephanie Borowicz (R-Clinton), Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny), Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland), Dawn Keefer (R-York), and Martina White (R-Philadelphia) introduced a bill that would ban transgender students in Pennsylvania from playing women’s sports. 

SD22: Republicans Want Flynn Removed from State Senate Ballot: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that two Scranton Republicans want state Rep. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna) removed from the election ballot for the state Senate’s 22nd District special election in May, citing Flynn’s campaign manager filing Flynn’s financial interest statement. 

Thornburgh To Tour PA to Raise Redistricting Awareness: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that David Thornburgh, president of Committee of Seventy and son of former GOP Gov. Dick Tornburgh, will be “criss-crossing” the state “calling for citizens to join in the effort to redraw state voting districts.”

PA House Passes Bill Seeking An End to Changing Clocks, Keeping State on Daylight Saving Time: PennLive reports that the state House passed legislation, sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh), on Monday that urges  Congress to “do away with the sem-annual clock changing ritual and authorize states to make Daylight Saving Time permanent.” The bill passed the House by a 103-98 vote. 

Energy Secretary Tells KDKA That There is a Future for Some Fossil Fuels in Western PA: U.S. Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm talked to KDKA’s Jon Delano about the future of natural gas and other fossil fuels in western PA. 

Culver Recovering From Successful Kidney Transplant: PennLive reports that state Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland) is recovering from a successful kidney transplant that took place last week. 

Dowling and Pyle Bills Pass State House: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that the state House voted, 201-0, to pass both House Bill 425 and House Bill 427. HB 425, which was sponsored by state Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette), would allow liquor licensee that has closed either permanently or for a long time to be able to sell its liquor license. HB 427, which was sponsored by former state Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong), would give licensed establishments a 15% discount of the purchase of liquor from the state stores for three years instead of the 10% they receive now. 

Keller To Visit Southern Border: According to a press release from Rep. Fred Keller (R-Snyder), he will be visiting the United States – Mexico border at El Paso, Texas with fellow Republicans serving on the House Oversight and Reform Committee on April 12. 

McCullough Ordered to Begin Prison Sentence: The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that former Allegheny County Councilman Charles McCullough, who was convicted of stealing from a widow’s estate more than five years ago, must report to court Tuesday to begin serving a prison term. 

Pittsburgh City Council To Scale Back Eviction Moratorium: WESA reports that Pittsburgh City Council is slated to “scale back portions of a city coronavirus eviction moratorium on Tuesday morning. Proposed amendments would reduce the fine on landlords to pay for violating the code, and would no longer require landlords to renew leases for tenants who miss rent payments due to the coronavirus.”

Luzerne County Election Board to Select New Chair: The Citizens Voice reports that the Luzerne County Board of Elections will choose a new chairperson this week.  

Fair Districts PA To Host Prison Gerrymandering Virtual Forum: Fair Districts PA is partnering with the League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania, Decarcerate PA, the Abolitionist Law Center, Straight Ahead, Free the Ballot, Pennsylvania Council of Churches Advocacy and the ACLU – Pennsylvania in a series of forums about gerrymandering, prison gerrymandering and the impact of both on PA prison policy. Their next regional forum is slated to take place Tuesday, April 6 starting at 7 p.m. for Southeast PA.  

Harrisburg & DC   
The Caucus: ‘We want answers’: State Republicans investigate nursing home deaths
Spotlight PA: Group of GOP lawmakers seek to ban Pa.’s transgender student athletes from playing women’s sports
Spotlight PA: The deciding vote in Pa.’s high-stakes political redistricting could be yours, if lawmakers agree 
AP: Suburban Philly county commissioner launches US Senate bid 
AP: Philly lawyer Sprague, active in civic affairs, dies at 95
Patriot News: Valerie Arkoosh, Montgomery County commissioner, physician, jumps into Pennsylvania’s 2022 Senate race
Patriot News: Pa. House passes bill seeking an end to changing clocks, keeping state on Daylight Saving Time
Patriot News: Several female GOP lawmakers seek to ban transgender girls, women from all-girls sports teams
Patriot News: State lawmaker recovering from kidney transplant
Patriot News: Pa. universities recommend COVID-19 vaccinations for students but not ready to require them, yet
Patriot News: Pa. COVID-19 update: hospitalizations rise
Patriot News: 45 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19; positive test rate rises for third week in a row
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (4/5/2021): Where does Pa. stand?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. GOP House bill would ban transgender women from interscholastic athletics
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: MontCo Commissioner Val Arkoosh says she’s seeking 2022 Dem nod for U.S. Senate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Former Gov.’s son tours Pa. in VW van to raise redistricting awareness
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: REPORT: These Pa. cities rank among the worst for allergy sufferers | The Numbers Racket
Pittsburgh Business Times: Group: House bills would ease tavern industry’s pandemic pain
NBC News: Pennsylvania Senate race emerges as a test of progressive firepower in post-Trump era 
WESA: Legislation Would Ban Transgender Athletes From Competing On Cisgender Female Sports Teams
Morning Call: Republican bill would block transgender athletes from competing in girls’ school sports; Democrats blast it as solution looking for a problem
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf orders state flags lowered to half-staff to honor victims of U.S. Capitol attack
PLSReporter: Pa. Republicans join nationwide push to ban transgender girls from women’s sports 
PLSReporter: Democratic field for U.S. Senate race grows as more candidates eye seat 
KYW Newsradio: September trial date set for lawsuit challenging Pennsylvania school funding system
KYW Newsradio: COVID-19 vaccine eligibility expands in Pa., NJ
Inquirer: Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh is running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania
WHYY Newsworks: How to register to vote in Pa. before the May 2021 primary
WHYY Newsworks: Montco’s Dr. Arkoosh joins growing field of Dems bidding for U.S. Senate
National Journal: Senate News 
The Hill: Democratic county official joins race for Pennsylvania Senate seat
KDKA: As Pa. Shifts To Phase 1B, People Not In Phase 1A Or 1B Get Coronavirus Vaccine When Half-Full Clinics Open To All

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: City and Philly Fighting COVID coordinated for months before scandal that was blamed on ‘acting in a hurry,’ emails show 
Inquirer: To honor Dr. King, fully fund Pa. schools, officials say 
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s latest rental and utility assistance program is now open for tenants and landlords 
Inquirer: Vaccine eligibility expands across Philly, Pa., and N.J.; Del. opens to all adults Tuesday
Billy Penn: Despite national outcry, Philly police slow to implement mental health crisis reforms
WHYY Newsworks: Krasner, Philly Dems rally for Pa. school funding boost as way to curb gun violence 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montgomery County expands vaccine eligibility
Philadelphia Business Journal: Richard Sprague, one of Philadelphia’s preeminent and ‘feared’ litigators, dies at 95
Philadelphia Citizen: Helping Kensington Thrive
KYW Newsradio: Richard Sprague, legendary Philadelphia prosecutor and attorney, dead at 95

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County’s Arkoosh announces run for U.S. Senate with swipe at ‘Trump Republicans’ 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Recorder of Deeds Robin Robinson announces re-election campaign 
Delco Daily Times: Montgomery County Commissioners’ Chairwoman Val Arkoosh to run for U.S. Senate
Inquirer: Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh is running for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania
Daily Local News: Houlahan sees ‘positive energy’ in Kennett Square during tour 
Daily Local News: Rep. Howard to hold event on starting a small business 
Daily Local News: Virus cases on the rise in Chester County; Phase 1B vaccinations begin
KYW Newsradio: Montgomery County Commissioner Arkoosh announces run for US Senate
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montgomery County expands vaccine eligibility
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County approves $1.8M in contracts 
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate surges in Montgomery County and SE Pa. 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County expands vaccine eligibility as new coronavirus cases surge

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: With legal appeals exhausted, ex-county Councilman Charles McCullough will go to prison
Post-Gazette: NYC city planner tapped to manage Pittsburgh Land Bank
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County reports 522 new cases as Pa. moves into Phase 1B
WESA: City Council To Scale Back Eviction Moratorium 
WESA: Pennsylvanians In Phase 1B Are Eligible For The COVID-19 Vaccine
WESA: Many Elderly Pennsylvanians Still Trying To Get The COVID Vaccine
KDKA: U.S. Secretary Of Energy Jennifer Granholm Says There Is A Future For Some Fossil Fuels In Western Pa.
KDKA: State Supreme Court Rejects 11th-Hour Petition From Former Allegheny Co. Councilman Convicted Of Theft
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept: Unhealthy Air Quality Observed In The Mon Valley
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 522 New Coronavirus Cases, No New Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Infrastructure plan may add more rail service to Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Former Allegheny County councilman McCullough ordered to begin prison sentence
Tribune Review: Some members of Pa. delegation say Capitol security must increase after attack 
Tribune Review: Covid cases continue to rise, but the pace appears to be easing

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Butterbaugh seeks to retain council seat
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘This is a witch hunt’: Cambria County sheriff candidate plans to challenge civil suit
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: More than 2 million fully vaccinated in state, no new COVID-19 deaths in region
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Federal program helps pay COVID-19 funeral expenses
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: 
Observer-Reporter: As Pennsylvania expands eligibility, here’s a list of places you can get a shot
Beaver County Times: Beaver County says good-bye to long-time leaders
Beaver County Times: COVID-19 cases surge 18.8% in Pennsylvania

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Republicans want Flynn removed from state Senate ballot
Citizens Voice: County election board to select new chair; election turnover might be over
Citizens Voice: Municipalities grapple with surging costs to recycle; price more than to haul garbage
Citizens Voice: Payne sworn in as Wilkes-Barre’s first woman chief clerk
Citizens Voice: Political scene 4/5/21
Citizens Voice: 61 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Monday
The Times Leader: DNC unveils billboard on I-81 near Wilkes-Barre thanking Biden, Casey 
The Times Leader: 61 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday
Times-Tribune: Republicans want Flynn removed from state Senate ballot
Times-Tribune: Deaths dropped as COVID-19 cases climbed 

South Central 
York Dispatch: Keefer bill would ban trans girls, women from competing in sports based on gender identity
York Dispatch: Public forum on York City surveillance proposal scheduled for Tuesday
York Dispatch: Monday update: York County surpasses 40K COVID-19 cases
Patriot News: Several female GOP lawmakers seek to ban transgender girls, women from all-girls sports teams
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 88 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County in Monday’s two-day report
LNP | LancasterOnline: 6 people in Lancaster County died from COVID-19 last week; here’s what state, county data says

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Allentown to provide in-home COVID-19 vaccinations to qualifying city residents
Reading Eagle: What it means to get a COVID vaccine
Reading Eagle: Bill would block PennDOT toll plan for 9 bridges, including one in Berks
Reading Eagle: New report examines how COVID has affected public education in Pa.
Reading Eagle: The latest COVID surge continues in Berks County, with no signs of a slowdown
Express Times: Pa. is expanding COVID vaccine eligibility Monday. Here’s who can now get an appointment.
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: Phase 1B opens as state receives largest vaccine allotment yet; 2,718 new cases on slow reporting day | Pa. COVID vaccine map (04/05/21)
WFMZ: Pa. expands vaccine eligibility to Phase 1B
WFMZ: As more schools work to bring students back into the classroom, COVID-19 variant has some health experts concerned
WFMZ: Allentown launches pesticides-free playgrounds initiative
WFMZ: Experts discuss why you should hang onto your vaccine card after your COVID-19 shot
WFMZ: Allentown to provide in-home vaccinations to homebound residents

North by Northwest
Patriot News: State lawmaker recovering from kidney transplant
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County extends emergency declaration, city approves contract with Larson Design
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 34 new COVID-19 cases
Centre Daily Times: April 5 update: Centre County adds 56 COVID-19 cases over the weekend; Pa. reports 6,651
Erie Times-News: Erie County bucks state trend in COVID-19 hospitalizations

Opinion  
Rosemary Brown: Drivers holding cell phones behind the wheel are a danger to everyone
Ryan Bizzarro: Voting rights attacks are happening nationwide – and they are coming to Pa
Greg Vitali: Pa. environmental protection must be strengthened
Patricia Poprik: Meehan the true source of ‘dysfunction’
Michael Nutter and Cynthia Lum: Six months after Walter Wallace Jr.’s death, what have we learned about policing?
Paul Spiegel: Here’s how Pa.’s clean energy businesses are poised to grow a local energy economy
Daniel Hotchkiss: Pennsylvania homeowners need property tax relief
Leo Voloshin: 10 things the Kenney administration must do in Kensington
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: County Executive Rich Fitzgerald vetoed paid sick leave for the right reason; any bill must withstand legal challenges
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: America should share vaccine with the world
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly may have just revolutionized evictions
Chuck Nelson: Land Value Tax could transform Erie neighborhoods, cut tax bills
Guy Ciarrocchi: The filibuster is worth keeping 
Inga Saffron: Housing advocates see denser buildings as an answer to affordability. But not all density is good density.
John L. Micek: ‘Not just climate change’: An activist explains how Biden’s infrastructure plan improves the environment | Monday Morning Coffee
Ryan Godfrey: In 2020, we cheered for poll workers, so why aren’t they now prioritized for vaccines ahead of the primary? 
Dr. Nancy Mimm: National Public Health Week should spark a conversation about healthy and inclusive communities
Dick Polman: This time, infrastructure week is for real 
Jonathan Koehler: Dear Rittenhouse neighbors, please quit over-policing musicians in a public park
Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: It’s past time for Penn Museum to repatriate the Morton skull collection 
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: One Year of COVID: Fear Is Not Irrational