Republican leaders in the state legislature rejected Gov. Tom Wolf’s request for a statewide mask mandate in schools. Here is the Playbook. 

Doyle Tests Positive for COVID-19: Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) sent out a tweet on Wednesday evening announcing that he tested positive, despite being fully vaccinated.

‘GOP leaders reject Wolf’s call for mask mandate in schools’: The Associated Press reports that “whether students and staff should be required to mask up in Pennsylvania schools will remain a local decision, at least for now, after top Republican lawmakers on Thursday rejected Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf’s call for a statewide mandate.”

‘The Pa. Senate leader resisted his pro-Trump wing for months. Now he wants a MAGA makeover.’: Spotlight PA reports that “for months, the Centre County Republican walked a fine line as the movement to discredit the 2020 election results won support from some of his pro-Trump colleagues. No, there was no evidence of widespread voter fraud, he said in November. But, he wrote in a January letter to Congress, there were “inconsistencies” that needed to be investigated… That all came crashing down last week, as Corman the institutionalist made common cause with conspiracy theorists and MAGA diehards.”

‘‘The money is there’: Senate Democrats propose an alternative to immediate evictions, foreclosures’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “with some people still struggling to pay their bills and recover from the pandemic, a group of Senate Democrats is working on legislation to provide an alternative to evictions and foreclosures.”

‘Pennsylvania schools making plans to spend pandemic windfall’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania school leaders are figuring out how to use billions in federal coronavirus relief, a flood of cash that can help lower class sizes, underwrite construction projects, and assist children in catching up after a year and a half of educational disruption.”

‘The wrong font, misplaced staples leads to unusual court rebuke of Pa. teachers’ pension fund’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a state appellate court told Pennsylvania’s teachers’ pension system, and its well-paid outside legal counsel, to take a mulligan on a legal filing over the staples and font sizes they used in a brief filed last week.”

‘‘These are issues that affect our families’: Pa. Dems call on Congress to pass infrastructure bill’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that Dauphin County Commissioner George Hartwick, state Rep. Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), and Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Richard Bloomingdale “gathered on the banks of the Susquehanna River to call on Congress to pass the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill now pending before the U.S. House.”

‘Lt. Gov. stops in Sharon to meet voters, picks up wings to go’: The Sharon Herald reports that Lt. Gov. John Fetterman held a “meet-and-greet session Wednesday at Our Gang’s Lounge in Sharon as part of his campaign for the United States Senate.”

‘U.S. Sen. Candidate Arkoosh Holds Virtual Business Roundtable’: The Abington Patch reports that “Montgomery County Commissioners’ chair and Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Val Arkoosh spoke with Philadelphia-based Black women business owners during a virtual roundtable event Wednesday, hearing about the issues faced by minority entrepreneurs during a time of uncertainty created by the ongoing pandemic.”

‘County legislator to introduce bill that will allow children age 14-and-older to be immunized without parental consent’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “a state lawmaker in Allegheny County will soon introduce a bill to give teenagers the option to supersede the will of their vaccine-hesitant parents to get the COVID-19 shots themselves.”

‘Lancaster County Republican commissioners call on state to keep county together when drawing congressional map’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County should remain entirely within one congressional district when the state redraws maps this year, the county’s two Republican commissioners say. In a 2-1 vote Wednesday, the board passed a resolution urging that all of Lancaster County stay within one congressional district when lawmakers in Harrisburg approve a new map that would take effect in 2022.”

‘Pennsylvania’s southwestern 14th Congressional District asks to stay whole’: The Center Square reports that “residents of the 14th Congressional District in southwestern Pennsylvania told a panel of state House lawmakers Thursday that their counties belong together — not combined with the far flung central region or Pittsburgh.”

‘State representatives hear from residents on congressional redistricting’: According to the Observer-Reporter, “with the redrawing of congressional lines looming in the months ahead, the Pennsylvania House State Government Committee had one of eight regional hearings on the issue in South Fayette Township Wednesday morning.”

‘U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Calls Attack In Kabul ‘Devastating,’ While Congressman Guy Reschenthaler Demands ‘Retaliatory Airstrikes’’: KDKA reports that Sen. Bob Casey “emphasized the importance of completing the mission to bring Americans home safely, while Congressman Guy Reschenthaler urged punitive actions and more troops on the ground.”

‘Local government officials react to Kabul airport attack, Biden’s decisions’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “by the time President Joe Biden spoke Thursday evening to address the deadly explosions and gunfire in Afghanistan that killed at least 13 U.S. service members at the Kabul airport, government officials in Lancaster County and across the state had already weighed in. Some issued news releases while others took to social media to decry the attack, a suicide bombing that was followed by gunfire.”

‘Local lawmakers speak out after deadly attack in Afghanistan’: WFMZ reports on Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey and Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) comments “after the deadly attack in Afghanistan.”

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week.

‘Pa. voters maintain majority support for redistricting reform. Advocates hope to finally achieve it by 2030.’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “it’s too late to change the system this time around, so advocates are turning their sights to reforms that would take effect after the next Census in 2030.”

‘Delco senators call on GOP colleagues to direct funds towards Pennsylvania’s needs’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “State Sens. Tim Kearney, D-26 of Swarthmore, and Amanda Cappelletti, D-17, of East Norriton, joined advocacy groups outside the Delaware County courthouse Thursday to call on Republican legislators to free up $7.5 billion Pennsylvania needs.”

‘Wanted: City of Pittsburgh looks to fill jobs after receiving federal COVID-19 relief funds’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “more than 100 city jobs are being restored following the windfall of federal COVID-19 relief dollars, the Peduto administration announced Thursday.”

‘Safehouse takes its battle over a Philly supervised drug injection site to the U.S. Supreme Court’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Safehouse attorneys announced Thursday they had filed a petition with the U.S. Supreme Court asking it to weigh in on whether plans to open a site designed to prevent overdose deaths by allowing people to take drugs under medical supervision run afoul of federal law.”

‘Pa. stymies Philadelphia green-energy plan to add biogas to PGW’s fuel’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “a Philadelphia Gas Works green energy pilot project that would have replaced a small amount of the fossil fuel it sends out to homes with renewable natural gas was rejected by state regulators on Thursday because the program couldn’t justify the higher cost of the biogas.”

‘Philly Proud Boys president Zach Rehl is sued by Capitol police in a lawsuit targeting Trump, allies over riot’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia Proud Boys president Zach Rehl’s legal problems just got worse. Jailed since March on charges that he and other leaders of the militant right-wing organization helped foment the Jan. 6 insurrection in Washington, Rehl was named Thursday as a defendant in a new lawsuit brought by seven Capitol Police officers who blame him, former President Donald Trump, and other extremist groups for injuries they sustained repelling the riot.”

‘Penn anthropologists used ‘extremely poor judgement’ with MOVE victim remains but didn’t violate any policies, says university report’: Billy Penn reports that “two anthropologists at the Penn Museum demonstrated “extremely poor judgement and a gross insensitivity” by holding for decades victim remains from the 1985 MOVE bombing, according to a highly-anticipated report commissioned by the University of Pennsylvania.”

‘Afghan evacuees expected at Philly airport as soon as Friday’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “hundreds of evacuees fleeing Afghanistan are expected to arrive this weekend at Philadelphia International Airport, the second airport in the nation enlisted by the Biden administration to receive people rescued from the violence that’s engulfed the country.”

‘More Afghan Refugees Are Destined For Pittsburgh. Support Groups Promise To Help Them To ‘Feel At Home’’: WESA reports that “the number of Afghan refugees destined for Pittsburgh, or who have already arrived, has risen to three families and one individual. And more are expected to join them, according to local resettlement agency Jewish Family and Community Services.”

‘Commission: Pittsburgh schools Superintendent Hamlet violated Ethics Act’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet violated the state’s Ethics Act with regard to travel expenses, accepting cash for speeches and failing to make required disclosures of financial interests between 2016 and 2018, the Pennsylvania Ethics Commission said in a report issued Thursday.”

‘Family, Friends Say Goodbye To Washington County DA Eugene Vittone’: KDKA reports that “friends and family said goodbye to Washington County District Attorney Eugene Vittone Thursday morning. The longtime public servant passed away over the weekend following a battle with lung cancer.”

‘Lehigh County executive unveiled the proposed 2022 budget. Will taxpayers see a hike?’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Lehigh County Executive Phillips Armstrong unveiled his proposed $505 million 2022 budget Thursday morning, saying the county could continue providing high quality services without hiking taxes.”

‘With only 25% of rental assistance funds distributed to Pennsylvania residents so far, Lehigh Valley officials are concerned about housing, eviction crisis’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “only a quarter of the money allocated to keep Pennsylvania renters in their homes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been dispersed so far, signaling local officials still need to double-down on their efforts to get federal funds in the hands of people who need it most.”

‘West Newton man accused of threatening to bring gun to state representative’s office’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “a West Newton man is behind bars after police say he threatened staff members working in the office of State Rep. Eric Davanzo and had a stolen handgun when officers arrested him, according to court papers.”

‘Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick voices anti-mask and anti-vaccination views’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick thinks the COVID-19 precautions put in place since the beginning of the pandemic have gone too far, he told ABC27 in a recent interview. He doesn’t wear a mask, he said, and he’s not getting a vaccine.”

‘Philly councilmember joins EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee’: Philly Voice reports that “Philadelphia City Councilmember Katherine Gilmore-Richardson was appointed to a national committee that represents local governments in national conversations about environmental policy and decision-making on Wednesday.”

‘Lehigh County commissioners allocate money ‘to protect lives,’ chairman says’: WFMZ reports that “the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners authorized the release of various grants to community nonprofits during Wednesday night’s meeting.”

‘Montco Sheriff Sean Kilkenny honored with ESGR Patriotic Award’: The Pottstown Mercury reports that “Pennsylvania Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, a Department of Defense program, honored the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office with a Seven Seals Award in recognition of extraordinary support of its employees serving in the Pennsylvania Guard and Reserve.”

‘Business leaders in Allentown urge federal lawmakers to combat climate change’: WFMZ reports that “a group of small-business leaders gathered in Allentown Thursday to urge federal lawmakers to take more action to combat climate change.”

‘Quarantined commissioners say no to Westmoreland courthouse mask mandate’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland County commissioners, in quarantine this week after exposure to an office staffer who tested positive for coronavirus, said Thursday they will not require masks be worn at the courthouse.”

‘Election Board tackles consultant, ballot box issues’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County’s Election Board declined to approve an election consultant acting county Manager Romilda Crocamo plans to hire, but it agreed to work with the company.”

Perry To Speak At Montco GOP Summer Picnic: Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) will be a guest speaker at the Montgomery County Republican Committee’s Summer Picnic on Saturday afternoon. 

Barletta To Campaign with Fritz: Former Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne), who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, will be joined by state Rep. Jonathan Fritz (R-Wayne) on the campaign trail on Friday afternoon. They will make appearances in Wayne and Pike counties. 

Fitzpatrick Names New Press Secretary: POLITICO reports that Lauren Offenberg is now press secretary for Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks). She “most recently was a legislative correspondent for Fitzpatrick.”  

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: The Pa. Senate leader resisted his pro-Trump wing for months. Now he wants a MAGA makeover.
AP: GOP leaders reject Wolf’s call for mask mandate in schools
AP: Pennsylvania schools making plans to spend pandemic windfall
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘The money is there’: Senate Democrats propose an alternative to immediate evictions, foreclosures 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Despite a request from Gov. Wolf, GOP lawmakers won’t mandate masks in K-12 schools 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The wrong font, misplaced staples leads to unusual court rebuke of Pa. teachers’ pension fund
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘These are issues that affect our families’: Pa. Dems call on Congress to pass infrastructure bill
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. voters maintain majority support for redistricting reform. Advocates hope to finally achieve it by 2030.
Post-Gazette: GOP legislative leaders reject Gov. Tom Wolf’s call to take up school mask mandate
Post-Gazette: Condolences, calls for resignation: Pa. politicians react to the Afghanistan attacks
Patriot News: GOP legislative leaders reject Gov. Tom Wolf’s urgent call to consider a mask mandate
Patriot News: Government extends plea offer to State College man charged in Capitol attack
Patriot News: Pa. reports more than 3,000 new COVID-19 cases: Daily update
City & State PA: The battle over masks continues as lawmakers reject statewide mandate
City & State PA: This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Inquirer: Pa. rejects Peco’s pleas to give it a bigger gas rate increase
Fox News: Rep. Mike Doyle tests positive for COVID despite being fully vaccinated
KDKA: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Calls Attack In Kabul ‘Devastating,’ While Congressman Guy Reschenthaler Demands ‘Retaliatory Airstrikes’ 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 3,333 New Cases, 27 Additional Deaths 
KYW Newsradio: GOP leaders: Legislature won’t meet about Wolf school mask mandate request
The Hill: Oil producers push Democrats to preserve key drilling deduction

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly Parking Authority needs a new leader. The guy who wants the job can’t get a vote.
Inquirer: Safehouse takes its battle over a Philly supervised drug injection site to the U.S. Supreme Court
Inquirer: Afghan evacuees expected at Philly airport as soon as Friday 
Inquirer: Pa. stymies Philadelphia green-energy plan to add biogas to PGW’s fuel
Inquirer: Philly Proud Boys president Zach Rehl is sued by Capitol police in a lawsuit targeting Trump, allies over riot
Inquirer: Masterman teachers working outside over asbestos concerns told to go inside. They refused.
Inquirer: A former Inquirer photojournalist reflects on his pictures from Afghanistan 
Billy Penn: Penn anthropologists used ‘extremely poor judgement’ with MOVE victim remains but didn’t violate any policies, says university report
WHYY Newsworks: Masterman teachers and parents at odds with district over asbestos fears
NBC10: Afghan Evacuees to Arrive at Philadelphia International Airport
Philadelphia Citizen: Use. Repurpose. Repeat. 
KYW Newsradio: Masterman teachers refuse to work indoors without proof of asbestos abatement
Philly Voice: Philly councilmember joins EPA’s Local Government Advisory Committee

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delco senators call on GOP colleagues to direct funds towards Pennsylvania’s needs
Abington Patch: U.S. Sen. Candidate Arkoosh Holds Virtual Business Roundtable
Daily Local News: Chester County in position to boost virus testing
Daily Local News: WCU and borough rejoin forces
Daily Local News: Seven join Chester County Economic Development Council
Bucks Local News: Police Chiefs Association, NAACP Bucks County discuss ways to build trust
Bucks Local News: Gov. Wolf calls on FEMA to lower thresholds for flood aid   
Bucks Local News: Bucks County vaccine numbers continue to rise as FDA approves Pfizer shot
Pottstown Mercury: Montco Sheriff Sean Kilkenny honored with ESGR Patriotic Award
Pottstown Mercury: Immunocompromised individuals in Montgomery County can sign up for booster shot
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County adds 308 new coronavirus cases over two days

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Calls Attack In Kabul ‘Devastating,’ While Congressman Guy Reschenthaler Demands ‘Retaliatory Airstrikes’ 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Ethics Commission Cites Pittsburgh Public School Superintendent Dr. Anthony Hamlet For Numerous Violations 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools To Reimburse Families Driving Kids To School Amid Transportation Shortage 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: School Districts Working Quickly To Better Accommodate Students Learning From Home Again 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County Reports 266 New Cases
Post-Gazette: Sen. Costa, Democratic lawmakers move to require rental assistance application before eviction proceedings
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent ordered to pay more than $7,000, forfeit vacation days for ethics violations 
Post-Gazette: Wanted: City of Pittsburgh looks to fill jobs after receiving federal COVID-19 relief funds 
Post-Gazette: County legislator to introduce bill that will allow children age 14-and-older to be immunized without parental consent  
Post-Gazette: Some North Allegheny students walk out of school to protest masks 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh groups trying to set up homes for Afghan refugees who fled chaos of Taliban takeover  
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh Public Schools Superintendent Anthony Hamlet found to have violated spending ethics codes, state commission report says 
Tribune Review: Commission: Pittsburgh schools Superintendent Hamlet violated Ethics Act 
Tribune Review: West Newton man accused of threatening to bring gun to state representative’s office 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools, teachers union approve new contract 
City Paper: Pittsburgh Controller calls for PPS leadership change after superintendent’s ethics violations
WTAE: Pittsburgh Public Schools superintendent responds after ethics commission releases findings
WTAE: Plum mayor fighting back after cable provider asked him to wear a mask in his own home
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 56% of people fully vaccinated
WESA: More Afghan Refugees Are Destined For Pittsburgh. Support Groups Promise To Help Them To ‘Feel At Home’
WESA: City School Board Weighs Options After Ethics Commission Cites Superintendent
WESA: How The Shuman Juvenile Detention Center’s Closure Could Impact The Young People Housed There

SWPA 
The Center Square: Pennsylvania’s southwestern 14th Congressional District asks to stay whole
Observer-Reporter: State representatives hear from residents on congressional redistricting
Observer-Reporter: Register of wills accused of taking gun into courthouse
Observer-Reporter: 51 candidates running for county’s government study commission
KDKA: Family, Friends Say Goodbye To Washington County DA Eugene Vittone
Beaver County Times: Beaver County municipalities receive guidance on rescue plan spending
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 43% of people fully vaccinated
Tribune Review: Quarantined commissioners say no to Westmoreland courthouse mask mandate
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria has largest COVID-19 increase since April, state report includes ‘old’ cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria, Westmoreland counties add two COVID-19 deaths
Altoona Mirror: Amtran management reassures board
Altoona Mirror: Council OK with Parking Authority extension

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County election consultant to start work next week
Citizens Voice: More than 60 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 hospitalizations rise, but remain below peaks 
The Times Leader: Council president investigated by Ethics Commission says case was dismissed
The Times Leader: Election Board tackles consultant, ballot box issues 
The Times Leader: 67 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Thursday; 3,333 statewide

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Republican commissioners call on state to keep county together when drawing congressional map
LNP | LancasterOnline: Local government officials react to Kabul airport attack, Biden’s decisions
LNP | LancasterOnline: Dauphin County Coroner Graham Hetrick voices anti-mask and anti-vaccination views 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. lawmakers won’t pass mask mandate in schools
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 66 new COVID-19 cases for Cumberland County Thursday, 2 additional deaths
York Dispatch: York City closes another bridge deemed unsafe for travel

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Lehigh County executive unveiled the proposed 2022 budget. Will taxpayers see a hike?
Morning Call: With only 25% of rental assistance funds distributed to Pennsylvania residents so far, Lehigh Valley officials are concerned about housing, eviction crisis
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley woman, Philadelphia family remain trapped in Afghanistan following deadly bomb blasts
Morning Call: Philadelphia family, including 14-year-old girl, trapped in Afghanistan: ‘We are hoping very much to be evacuated’
WFMZ: Local lawmakers speak out after deadly attack in Afghanistan
WFMZ: Business leaders in Allentown urge federal lawmakers to combat climate change
WFMZ: Lehigh County reveals proposed 2022 budget, with no tax increase
WFMZ: Lehigh County commissioners allocate money ‘to protect lives,’ chairman says
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania COVID cases soar, breaking delta surge record by more than 1,000
Express Times: South Bethlehem restaurateur calls for Pa. minimum wage hike, pays staff near double

North by Northwest
Sharon Herald: Lt. Gov. stops in Sharon to meet voters, picks up wings to go
Erie Times-News: H.A.N.D.S unveils new affordable housing in east Erie; part of $4.5M revitalization plan
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners handle routine business
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf asks legislature to mandate masks in classrooms
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Report: Most federal election security money remains unspent

Opinion  
John Baer: Is Pa. Senate boss Jake Corman on a mission from God, Trump or himself? 
Eric Orts: Why the country’s hottest Senate race needs a candidate focused on climate
George Pataki, Ed Rendell, and Christine Todd Whitman: It’s time for the Northeast Corridor to lead the ‘second great railroad revolution’ 
Jonathan Lovitz: The Economic Imperative To Stop Gun Violence
Paul Muschick: Who should decide mask mandates in Pennsylvania schools? Not Gov. Wolf
Helen Ubiñas: While Philadelphia’s children are shot and killed, top leaders act like children 
Pamela Varkony: Lehigh Valley residents dodge Taliban in chaotic flight from Afghanistan
Adrianne D. Jones-Alston: My family needs more from Penn than an apology for unethical medical experiments 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Gov. Wolf, it’s time for a mask mandate, whether or not the Legislature plays ball 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia’s eviction diversion program became a national model. What’s next as COVID-19 relief funds run out?
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: School officials, school bus operators, elected officials and federal health officials are abdicating their responsibility to protect schoolchildren 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: FDA approval of a vaccine is a welcome step
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Ross officials should release report on police department 
John L. Micek: Everything we know about work is wrong. The pandemic proved it 
Trudy Rubin: After Kabul bombing: A tale of two Afghan women, one who escaped and one who cannot 
Priscilla Lo and Dr. Jessica Ackert: Philly schools’ quarantine protocols maximize student absence
Katie Lockwood: I’m so exhausted by every COVID parenting decision I have to make 
Anisha Parida: Laws aren’t enough to fight cyber attacks, people need to protect themselves 
James H. Massey, Jr.: Those not getting the vaccine end up costing all of us big money with their medical bills
Oren Spiegler: Andrew Cuomo’s resignation was the right choice