The DNC unveiled billboards thanking Sen. Bob Casey and criticizing Sen. Pat Toomey on their votes on the American Rescue Plan, while Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick is elected as the Co-Chair of the Problem Solvers Caucus. Here is the Playbook. 

DNC Thanks Casey, Slams Toomey in PA Billboards: The Democratic National Committee billboards located at 1-95 and Girard Point Bridge in Philadelphia and near the Wilkes-Barre Scranton International Airport on I-81 north of Exit 47 will be up for one month.

Fitzpatrick Elected Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair: The Bucks County Republican will be taking over for Rep. Tom Reed (R-NY), who will be retiring at the end of his current term following allegations of sexual harassment.

WHYY’s Radio Times Breaks Down the Philly DA and U.S. Senate Race: Philadelphia Inquirer reporter Chris Brennan and Akela Lacy of The Intercept joined WHYY’s Radio Times to discuss the Philadelphia District Attorney race and Pennsylvania’s 2022 U.S. Senate race. 

30 Plus Southeast PA Elected Officials Endorse Arkoosh’s U.S. Senate Bid: Montgomery County Commissioner Val Arkoosh’s U.S. Senate campaign rolled out endorsements on Thursday from 30 plus elected officials in southeast PA including state Sen. Maria Collett, Bucks County Commissioner Diane Marseglia, Montgomery County Commissioner Ken Lawrence, 8 state Reps and more. 

Upper Darby Mayor Endorses Fetterman for U.S. Senate: Upper Darby Mayor Barbarann Keffer has endorsed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s bid for U.S. Senate, according to a press release from Fetterman’s campaign. 

McNesby Talks to Fox News About Philly’s DA Race: F.O.P. Lodge 5 President John McNesby joined Fox News in an interview to talk about police officers switching parties to vote against Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner in the Democratic primary. 

Kenyatta To Talk at Blair County Dems April Meeting: According to a release, state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, will be the special guest for the Blair County Democratic Committee’s April 12 Zoom meeting. 

Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates Participate in Virtual Forum: The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that four mayoral candidates in Pittsburgh participated in a 90-minute virtual forum on Thursday night. 

POLITICO Highlights Philly’s DA Race: POLITICO’S Holly Otterbein highlights Philadelphia’s District Attorney race in the article titled, “Left-wing prosecutors hit fierce resistance.”

The Collective PAC Endorses Gainey and Gerlach for Mayor: The Collective PAC, which describes itself as “the nation’s largest political action committee dedicated to increasing Black political representation across all levels of government,” has endorsed state Rep. Ed Gainey for Mayor of Pittsburgh and Allentown City Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach for Mayor of Allentown. 

Carpenters Endorse Peduto for Mayor: According to a press release from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s campaign, Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters and Local Union 432 have endorsed his reelection bid. 

Court Flips on Signature Rules for Pa. Nominating Petitions: The Associated Press reports that the state Supreme Court ruled on Thursday that voters who sign a Pennsylvania political candidate’s nominating petition have to list the address where they are registered to vote or it does not count.

Toomey Isn’t Giving Up on Guns Deal with Biden: POLITICO reports that Sen. Pat Toomey said that he believes there’s an “opportunity to strengthen our background check system” if the matter is addressed in a “manner that respects the rights of law-abiding citizens.”

Smucker Visits US-Mexico Border For Roundtable With Local Officials, As Migrant Crossings Continue To Rise: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) visited the U.S.-Mexico border on Thursday to meet with local officials in Texas about the number of migrants trying to enter the country illegally. 

Harris To Introduce Bill Pushing to Extend Nightlife Hours to 4 A.M.: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that state Rep. Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) will be introducing a bill next week in the state House that calls for extending operating hours of Pennsylvania bars, restaurants, and other nightlife establishments from 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. 

Bill Clears State House Allowing Fire Companies, Other Nonprofits to Hold Online Raffles and Drawings: PennLive reports that state House Bill 290, sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) and the late state Rep. Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland), passed the state House by a 193-8 vote on Wednesday. The bill would allow fire companies, veterans organizations and other nonprofits “to conduct online fundraisers through the duration of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

KDKA Breaks Down the Politics of Gun Rights And Gun Safety in PA: KDKA’s Jon Delano reports on the politics of gun rights and gun safety that splits Pennsylvanians.  

Meuser Opposes Biden’s Infrastructure Plan: The Citizens Voice reports that Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) criticized President Joe Biden’s $2 trillion infrastructure plan during a telephone town hall meeting on Wednesday, saying that he “would support a smaller, more-focused plan.”

Prizio To Lead Committee on Green Initiatives: The Pittsburgh Tribune Review reports that Allegheny County Councilwoman Anita Prizio has been appointed to lead a new, seven-member Allegheny County council committee on sustainability and green initiatives.  

Beck Announces Endorsements from More Than A Dozen Labor Organizations: According to a release from Jill Beck’s campaign, she has received endorsements from the following labor organizations for her bid for the PA Superior Court: United Steelworkers (USW) District #10, American Federal of Government Employees (AFGE) Local #1916, International Union of Painters and Allied Trades District Council #57, International Association of Machinists PA State Council, Pittsburgh Firefighters, Wilkes-Barre Labor Council, Ironworkers Local #3, Steamfitters Local #449, Steamfitters Local #420, Teamsters Joint Council #53, Teamsters Joint Council #40, Teamsters Local #341, Teamsters Local #429, Teamsters Local #110, and Boilermakers Local #154. Beck, an attorney from Pittsburgh, is one of four candidates seeking the Democratic Party nomination for a seat on the Pennsylvania Superior Court.  

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 first regional forum is slated to take place Saturday, April 10 starting at 11:00 a.m. for Southwest PA.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania pension system says it got grand jury subpoena
AP: Court flips on signature rules for Pa. nominating petitions
AP: Pennsylvania promises quicker, easier jobless claims system
Patriot News: GOP accuses Wolf administration official of playing politics with food assistance benefits
Patriot News: Pa.’s move to new unemployment compensation computer system set for June 8
Patriot News: Huge Pa. construction firm ‘fleeced’ its workers out of more than $20M, broke state and federal laws, AG Shapiro says
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Pa. nears 6 million vaccinations, but drops in national ranking
USA Today: Biden’s executive order on ghost guns called ‘big win’ in effort to curb gun violence
USA Today: Failed GOP House candidate Sean Parnell said to now be eyeing a Senate run
Spotlight PA: Major Pennsylvania state contractor accused of fleecing employees to pump up profits
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Major state contractor accused of fleecing workers out of $20M in benefits
Post-Gazette: Parnell said to be close to committing for run at U.S. Senate seat
Post-Gazette: Pa. unemployment system poised for long-awaited update 
Bucks County Courier Times: Back to school: How Pa. compares to other states in getting kids back in the classroom
KDKA: Politics Of Gun Rights And Gun Safety Split Pennsylvanians
PLSReporter: Shapiro charges major state contractor for theft under prevailing wage law
Morning Call: Sen. Pat Toomey signals willingness to work with President Joe Biden on gun control efforts 
National Journal: Senate News
The Hill: Pennsylvania attorney general warns of ‘dangerous’ market for false vaccination cards
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania announces overhaul to state’s unemployment system that aims to speed up processing times, simplify claims
Pittsburgh Business Times: Why Pennsylvania could be poised for a new wave of energy leadership with hydrogen 
Philly Voice: Pa. to implement ‘quicker and easier’ unemployment compensation system, labor department says
KYW Newsradio: Pa. updates school guidance based on COVID-19 transmission levels by county
Beaver County Times: Pa House advances bill to give COVID legal protection
Politico: Pivotal GOP senator isn’t giving up on guns deal with Biden
Politico: Left-wing prosecutors hit fierce resistance
CNN: Donald Trump’s fingerprints are all over the 2022 Senate fight

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Matt Gaetz money gets messy and Brian Fitzpatrick wants nothing to do with it
Philadelphia Business Journal: Exclusive: Philly state lawmaker to introduce bill pushing to extend nightlife hours to 4 a.m. 
Philadelphia Business Journal: End of teleworking mandate hailed as ‘positive step’ for Philadelphia’s economic recovery 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Doreen Davis, renowned labor lawyer and former Philadelphia Bar chancellor, dies at 67
The Legal Intelligencer: Pa. Legal Leaders Favor Incumbent DA’s Challenger, Campaign Filings Show 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly ER doctor Kevin Baumlin declares candidacy for U.S. Senate as a Democrat 
WHYY Newsworks: Pennsylvania Senate race already underway; Philly D.A. election update 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilmembers bar ‘granny flats’ from more than half the city 
Inquirer: Pa. Congress members seek White House help to keep Philly’s largest vaccine provider open 
Inquirer: Philly’s U.S. attorney and other federal law enforcement leaders unveil new plan to combat the city’s gun violence
Inquirer: As expanded eligibility looms, Philadelphia races to vaccinate more than half its senior population 
Inquirer: Philly plans expanded summer school, open to all; will administer most state tests this spring
KYW Newsradio: City, state lawmakers welcome Biden’s gun control proposals
KYW Newsradio: Feds provide Philly police with more investigative resources in hopes of curbing gun violence

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chester County gets $34 million for emergency rent assistance
Bucks County Courier Times: Attorney: Bristol capitol rioter beaten by guards
KYW Newsradio: $34.5M available for Chester County emergency rental, utility assistance
KYW Newsradio: Pa. updates school guidance based on COVID-19 transmission levels by county
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 268 new coronavirus cases, 2 deaths in daily report

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh mayoral candidates take on issues during virtual forum
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Councilwoman Prizio to lead committee on green initiatives
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania sees rise in covid cases, hospitalizations 
Post-Gazette: Parnell said to be close to committing for run at U.S. Senate seat
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council names members of Sustainability and Green Initiatives Committee 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County cases dip below 400
KDKA: Pittsburgh-Area Groups React To President Joe Biden’s Executive Orders On Gun Control
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 379 More Coronavirus Cases As Total Grows To Nearly 89K 
WESA: New Executive Director Describes An ‘Uphill Battle’ To Get Pittsburgh Land Bank Running Smoothly
Pittsburgh Business Times: Urban Redevelopment Authority authorizes $41 million in RACP grants for various city projects
City Paper: Port Authority of Allegheny County joins in efforts to reward employees for getting the COVID-19 vaccine

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: State recognizes Aliquippa for economic improvement
Beaver County Times: County residents miss their shot at immunization
Beaver County Times: COVID-19: 12% fully vaccinated in Beaver
Observer-Reporter: Wolf hopes all Pennsylvania adults will receive one vaccine shot by the second week of May
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: One Westmoreland County COVID-19 death region’s only new fatality
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State will launch new unemployment computer system in June
Altoona Mirror: Manager Decker placed on leave

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Meuser says Biden’s infrastructure plan goes too far 
Citizens Voice: Scranton headlines new Biden-themed Pennsylvania tourist attraction
Citizens Voice: Election board chair still vacant; applicants sought
Citizens Voice: 101 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Thursday
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Election Board issues plea for chairperson applicants
The Times Leader: 101 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Thursday; 1 death
Times-Tribune: Scranton headlines new Pennsylvania tourist attraction: Joe & Jill: A Biden Trail 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker visits US-Mexico border for roundtable with local officials, as migrant crossings continue to rise
LNP | LancasterOnline: New unemployment claims drop 7.5% in Lancaster County  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Local health officials worry vaccine hesitation, increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations could lead to fourth surge
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council calls on Cumberland County Commissioners to slow the sale of Claremont Nursing and Rehabilitation Center
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 46 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Thursday
York Dispatch: York County falls behind in vaccinations amid surge in COVID-19 cases

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Rozzi expresses hope for Senate to pass sex abuse bill
WFMZ: New position proposed to address homelessness in Allentown
WFMZ: Councilman claims former Hellertown library board member cast vote after term expired
Reading Eagle: Berks County election officials discuss storage options for voting system
Reading Eagle: Reading Housing Authority receives $230,621 federal grant
Express Times: ‘A turning point’: Thousands in Pa. prisons will be offered COVID-19 vaccine
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: 4,746 new cases, 42 more deaths; Lehigh Valley near 1,500 deaths; almost 6M COVID vaccines given | Pa. coronavirus updates (04/08/21)
Morning Call: Land bank legislation would give Allentown more tools to fight blight
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Northampton among counties adding cases faster than New York City

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Keller to visit southern border; blasts Biden on failure to address issue
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Sen. Bob Casey says help is on the way for families
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Loyalsock school board considers tax increase
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor: No access road for Ravine Drive
Erie Times-News: Erie hospitals seeing younger COVID-19 patients
Centre Daily Times: Elections are upcoming for Penn State’s alumni trustees. Here’s who’s running — and how to vote
Centre Daily Times: April 8 update: Centre County reports 56 new cases of COVID-19; Pa. adds 4,746 positives

Opinion  
John Baer: Why is next year’s Pa. Senate race getting so much buzz? John Fetterman is only one reason 
Larry Platt: The Buck Stops Elsewhere 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gov. Tom Wolf’s solar energy plan should inspire further development
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Universal preschool should pay for itself in the long run
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Pa. lawmakers ought to implement the school fair funding formula fully before the court requires them to do so
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Minimum wage hike overdue
Inquirer: Should the Pa. Senate pass a bill to expand nurse practitioner care? | Pro/Con
John L. Micek: Report: Pa. at ‘moderate risk’ for partisan gerrymandering | Thursday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: While the GOP carps about Biden’s infrastructure plan, voters already are saying ‘Yes, please’ 
Dennis M. Powell: America’s infrastructure needs: Too big to solve?
Richard Pildes: There’s a surprising ending to all the 2020 election conflicts over absentee ballot deadlines — including Pa.
Myra G. Gutin and Nichola D. Gutgold: Why it matters that Dr. Jill Biden is keeping her job
Dan Simpson: We need to cre­ate a new civ­i­lized world
Bruce Ledewitz: What to do about the coming crisis in the Rule of Law 
Natalie Pompilio: My father died a year ago. Our loss is more than a COVID-19 ‘statistic.’ 
Will Bunch: If GOP, Mitch McConnell really want ‘woke’ corporations out of politics, here’s how 
Trudy Rubin: A royal game of thrones in Jordan unnerves the Middle East