Hello Thursday. Getting out of Fetterman’s way. Our debate/forum schedule. What’s happening in NEPA. Can the Kiss become PA’s official candy? It’s National Beer Day. Enjoy responsibly. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Dubois | Showers, then chance showers, 52
Danville | Showers, 52
Doylestown | Showers and patchy fog, 53

PA Sports
76ers | tonight at Toronto
Flyers | tonight at Columbus
Penguins | tonight at NY Rangers
Phillies | FRI vs. Oakland
Pirates | today at St. Louis

News

Debate/Forum Calendar: As we close in on 40 days remaining before the May 17 primary, there are currently six forums or debates on the calendar for voters to hear from the candidates.

PA Governor Race: ‘Let’s talk about the first attack ad in the Pennsylvania governor’s race’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain is trying to capitalize on the fact that he’s the only leading Republican candidate for Pennsylvania governor who hasn’t held elected office.”

• Post-Gazette: Gubernatorial candidate Bill McSwain calls for permanent 50% cut in Pennsylvania gas tax, calls GOP rivals’ plans ‘gimmicks’
• Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lieutenant gov candidate calls for civility

PA Senate Race: ‘D.C. Dems get out of frontrunner Fetterman’s way in Pennsylvania’: POLITICO reports that “the filibuster-hating, gym-shorts-wearing progressive lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania is the odds-on favorite to win the Democratic nomination in one of the country’s most important Senate races. And Washington Democrats are doing nothing to slow him down by boosting his opponents, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta and the centrist Rep. Conor Lamb.”

• Washington Post: The Trailer: ‘Socialism.’ ‘Beijing Dave.’ In primary stretch, Pennsylvania’s Senate contenders go after the front-runners.
• Inquirer: Let’s talk about fracking | Election Newsletter

‘Pa. lawmaker calls state agencies’ voter information-sharing a ‘troubling development’’: PennLive reports that “a state lawmaker is questioning the authority of the Department of State to access email addresses and cell phone numbers from other state agencies to aid its voter outreach efforts.”

‘Pa. students who lobbied to make the Hershey’s Kiss the official state candy see progress in Harrisburg’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the 11-member Senate State Government Committee voted 10-1 to send a bill authored by Sen. Maria Collett, D-Montgomery, to the full chamber for consideration. The three-page bill touts the Hershey Company’s Pennsylvania roots and the candy’s distinctive shape.”

‘Toomey proposes OCC oversight of stablecoin’: POLITICO reports that “the draft bill, which Sen. Pat Toomey has been working on since last summer, would create a new license for stablecoins issued by bank regulators at the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency.”

‘Wolf, Centre County leaders urge PA legislators to send COVID relief funds to small businesses’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf and several Centre County elected officials gathered Wednesday in State College to call on the General Assembly to spend the state’s uncommitted American Rescue Plan Act funds on small businesses.” 

‘Pennsylvanians on Medicaid risk losing health coverage when COVID emergency ends’: WHYY reports that an “emergency status is likely ending soon — and state officials predict at least 500,000 Pennsylvanians will lose their health insurance when it does.”

‘Pennsylvania lawmakers are trying to limit damage awards to kids injured in the child welfare system’: Billy Penn reports that “child welfare advocates say the cap won’t address the underlying issue: longstanding staffing shortages.”

‘Attorney General Shapiro calls for more mental health support in Pennsylvania schools’: WESA reports that “at a roundtable with students at North Hills High School, Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro called for more money for mental health care in schools.”

‘Caucus newspaper honored for years-long investigative project on Pa. Legislature’s spending’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “an LNP Media Group publication’s years-long journalistic endeavor to pry expense records from the Pennsylvania Legislature has been honored with the prestigious Investigative Reporters & Editors national Freedom of Information Award.”

‘Pennsylvania State Police settle profiling, immigration suit’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania State Police settled a federal lawsuit alleging troopers routinely and improperly tried to enforce federal immigration law by pulling over Hispanic motorists on the basis of how they looked and detaining those suspected of being in the U.S. illegally, officials announced Wednesday.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Only Latino candidate in Allentown’s 22nd House district withdraws, cites problems with nomination signatures’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Norberto Dominguez withdrew Wednesday as a candidate for Allentown’s 22nd House District, meaning a heavily Latino district recently redrawn with minority candidates in mind will have no Latino candidate.”

‘Republican Lanning announces run for 117th Legislative District seat’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Lanning, 37 of Hollenback Township, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination in the newly redrawn 117th Legislative District. Rep. Karen Boback, R-Harveys Lake, who currently holds the seat, is not seeking re-election.”

‘Former Boyertown School Board member running for state Senate’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Jill Dennin is seeking the Democratic nomination in the 24th Senatorial District.”

‘Tuesday’s special elections provide 41 days of clarity’: City & State PA reports that “the winners will now serve in Harrisburg through November. If they want to keep their seats, they’ll have to be victorious again just 41 days from now in the May primary.”

Regional Spotlight: Northeast
Citizens Voice: Yudichak introduces bill to protect lottery winners’ identities
Citizens Voice: Senate advances Baker legislation to prevent dependent care sexual assault
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council still stalled on manager hiring plans
The Times Leader: Yudichak: Analysis concludes RGGI carbon tax could hike electricity rates
The Times Leader: White Haven residents briefed on I-80 toll plan dangers
Times-Tribune: Scranton seeks lobbying help for federal infrastructure funds
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County shaping health department
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s credit rating outlook improves
Citizens Voice: County manager candidate Robertson responds to council members’ concerns
Citizens Voice: County may partner with PennDOT for new bridge between Pittston, West Pittston 
The Times Leader: Bipartisan bill introduced to clean up abandoned mine water pollution
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s credit rating unchanged, immediate outlook improves with ARP funding
The Times Leader: Romilda Crocamo withdraws Luzerne County manager application
The Times Leader: With personal stories of pain and fear, Wilkes raises transgender flag
Times-Tribune: In other business: Scranton City Council takes action on legislation
Times-Tribune: Judge dismisses political retaliation complaint against Lackawanna County sheriff
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County to buy downtown credit union building for new health department
Times-Tribune: Crocamo supports grant application for Pittston bridge project
Times-Tribune: Campaign notes
Citizens Voice: Inside the plea: Daughter of murder victim, 97, recalls debate over death penalty
PennLive: Judge removes Shamokin councilman, who says ‘this is far from over’

Opinion  
Mike Regan: It’s time to legalize adult-use marijuana in PA 
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania takes a step toward criminal justice reform – and Lt. Gov. Fetterman sidesteps debate questions
Patrick Beaty: Confessions of a participation trophy liberal – and what it tells you about Pa. politics
Andrew Cuff: Progressives sacrifice Pittsburgh’s prosperity for activist politics
Sadek Wahba: Pittsburgh infrastructure needs tolls, public-private partnerships
Karen Harvey and Joseph Kolakowski: Should Philadelphia have a wealth tax? | Pro/Con
John L. Micek: Still think the infrastructure law isn’t helping? Check the numbers | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop messing around and pass bike safety bill
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: End of reporter’s suit closes a chapter for Post-Gazette
Joseph R. Nuñez: The United States has become a timid and reluctant superpower 
Shannon Smythe: I am one of 43 million Americans in student debt 
Sozi Pedro Tulante: ‘Savor every moment,’ Ketanji Brown Jackson, my mentor, told me