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December 10th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf announced that he tested positive for COVID-19, while Reps. Fred Keller and Susan Wild introduce the Nurses CARE Act. Here is the Playbook. 

Wolf Tests Positive for COVID-19: Gov. Tom Wolf announced in a statement that he tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and is in isolation at home.

Perry Among 27 House Republicans To Call For Special Counsel To Investigate Election: Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) signed onto the joint letter calling for President Donald Trump to direct Attorney General Bill Barr to appoint a Special Counsel to investigate the results of the 2020 election.

Keller and Wild Introduce Nurses CARE Act: Reps. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) and Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) introduced the bipartisan legislation this week aimed at preventing workforce shortages in long-term care facilities and allowing America’s essential healthcare workforce to do its important work uninterrupted.

State Rep. Barry Jozwiak Tests Positive for COVID-19: The Berks County Republican announced on Wednesday afternoon that he tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently resting and self-quarantining at home.

As of Thursday morning, we still are waiting for a call in a state Senate race. 

State Senate and House

Republicans have flipped four state House seats, (HD-33), (HD-55), (HD-123), and (HD-143), most notably unseating House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny). Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (HD-152). For the state Senate, Republicans have flipped one seat in western PA (SD-37), while Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (SD-9), and another race in western PA has not been called yet. 

 

State Senate 

SD-45: Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) leads GOP challenger Nicole Ziccarelli by 89 votes, as of Thursday morning, according to DOS

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania governor says he’s tested positive for COVID-19 
AP: Some Dems want maskless House GOP lawmakers sworn in last 
AP: Trump election dispute puts Republicans into contradictions
Tribune Review: State Senate seat winner to be determined by federal lawsuit
USA Today: Lots of names mentioned for 2022 governor’s race 
USA Today: Pa. electors will cast votes on Dec. 14 
USA Today: Bills aim to prevent police killings of mentally ill 
Inquirer: Trump and 17 states join Texas effort to convince Supreme Court to void the vote in Pennsylvania 
Inquirer: Sen. Bob Casey cites shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in pushing bills to divert 911 calls for mental health crises 
Inquirer: Pa. said to be weighing indoor dining, gym shutdowns, N.J. may consider new restrictions, and Gov. Wolf announces he has COVID-19 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19 
Patriot News: Costly district judge system needs to be fixed: Court observers 
Patriot News: Pa.’s Lt. Gov. Fetterman continues to display marijuana flag from Capitol office, despite state law
Patriot News: Court denies GOP lawmakers’ ‘inappropriate’ plea for emergency halt to certification of Pa. vote count 
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers, officials send good wishes to Gov. Wolf following COVID-19 diagnosis 
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s security team members test positive for COVID-19 
Patriot News: Former Pa. Sen. Joe Scarnati makes developing new businesses his new business 
Patriot News: How many days did your local district judges have court proceedings last year? 
Patriot News: What is a magisterial district judge? 
Spotlight PA: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for the coronavirus, other officials in quarantine
Spotlight PA: Some local Pa. judges enjoy light workloads as taxpayers pay millions for salaries, pensions, health care
Spotlight PA: Piles of records and months of reporting lead to eye-opening report on Pa. district judges
The Daily Beast: Someone Named ‘Rob’ Is Targeting a Top Pennsylvania Republican With Pro-Trump Robocalls
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How Pa. politicians reacted to news of Wolf’s COVID diagnosis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Berks state Rep. Jozwiak tests positive for COVID-19
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: FCC broadband program brings SpaceX, other telecommunications companies to Pa.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What’s up with the census? | Thursday Morning Coffee
Post-Gazette: Court denies Rep. Metcalfe’s attempt to overturn election certification
Post-Gazette: PIAA punts on decision to delay winter sports
PLSReporter: Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19 
PLSReporter: Jozwiak tests positive for COVID-19
PLSReporter: Shapiro joins multistate suit against Facebook 
PLSReporter: Judge denies GOP request to bar Pa. presidential electors from voting
Fox News: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf announces coronavirus diagnosis 
Fox News: School principal sues over dismissal for sharing conservative memes on Facebook
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says he has tested positive for COVID-19 and is isolating: ‘I have no symptoms’
Morning Call: Lawmakers, business owners wary of Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf issuing more coronavirus restaurant restrictions: ‘Do not cancel Christmas’
StateImpactPA: Controversial Gibbstown, New Jersey LNG terminal gets final DRBC approval 
StateImpactPA: Fears for safety and climate surround LNG export terminal planned on the Delaware River
National Journal: SCOTUS Declines to Hear PA GOP Lawmaker’s Election Challenge
The Hill: The Memo: Democrats grapple with ‘elite’ tag 
The Hill: Supreme Court deals reality check to Trump’s post-election legal fight 
The Hill: Pennsylvania GOP leader on breaking with Trump on election: ‘I’d get my house bombed tonight’ 
The Hill: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf tests positive for COVID-19
Tribune Review: Gov. Wolf recognizes state monitoring of shale gas drilling impact
Politico: Pennsylvania governor tests positive for Covid
CNN: Pennsylvania AG on Texas election lawsuit: Ted Cruz is ‘a sad sack’ 

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Sen. Bob Casey cites shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. in pushing bills to divert 911 calls for mental health crises 
Inquirer: Philly’s parking agency still overpays executives and has too many political patronage jobs, audit finds
Inquirer: Supporters of Mumia Abu-Jamal demand his freedom on the 39th anniversary of his arrest in the death of a Philadelphia police officer 
Inquirer: As shootings in Philly have surged, law enforcement has failed to deliver justice
Inquirer: How Philadelphia’s gun violence goes unchecked | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: City officials, counselors, discuss police response to mental health crises, people with disabilities 
WHYY Newsworks: Sen. Casey introduces bills to improve interactions between police and people with disabilities 
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA boss: Service cuts and layoffs imminent unless COVID relief comes soon 
Billy Penn: Philly has a higher COVID case rate than the national average — but lower than PA overall
Billy Penn: Eagles give out $460k in social justice grants to Philly nonprofits
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia inmates could be among first groups to get COVID-19 vaccine
KYW Newsradio: City audit finds ‘excessive’ salaries for PPA officials, inflated workforce
Philly Voice: PPA should cut costs, adopt fairer hiring practices, city controller’s audit says
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly’s COVID Vaccinations Could Begin as Early as Next Week 

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Sen. Mensch named 2020 Legislator of the Year by Pennsylvania Partnership for Juvenile Services
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus hospitalizations surge in Montgomery County; more hospitalized now than in spring
WHYY Newsworks: Delco Jail Oversight Board recommends deprivatization transition team 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montgomery County coronavirus hospitalizations rise
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon seeks to showcase local heroes
Daily Local News: Local officials tell lawmakers to save Chester Water Authority
Bucks Local News: From a Flood Insurance Premium Task Force to universal background checks, Warren reintroduces legislation in the 2021-22 session
Bucks County Courier Times: St. Mary nurses, hospital fail to reach deal after Tuesday talks 
Bucks County Courier Times: Levittown ‘Rosie the Riveter’ elated with medal honor

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: State Senate seat winner to be determined by federal lawsuit
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials: State covid restrictions are needed
Tribune Review: Report: Pittsburgh spends more on police than other cities
Tribune Review: Peoples natural gas customers getting bill credit after utility’s $4.3B acquisition
Post-Gazette: With city nearing end of budget season, activists still asking to defund Pittsburgh police 
Post-Gazette: PPS proposes 2.6% tax increase; some board members opposed 
Post-Gazette: Longtime Allegheny County Human Services director Marc Cherna to retire 
Post-Gazette: In ‘heartbreaking’ day, Allegheny County and Pa. report single-day highs in COVID deaths
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: New Restrictions Won’t Be A ‘Shutdown,’ Says Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald 
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Receives State Grant To Purchase Chargers For Electric Vehicle Fleet 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: Small Businesses Brace For New Round Of Restrictions At Christmastime 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Announces 34 Additional Deaths As Toll Rises To Over 600
Pittsburgh Business Times: Fitzgerald sees more state restrictions this week 
City Paper: Black Pittsburghers didn’t increase turnout for Joe Biden as much as white Pittsburghers. Why? 
City Paper: An ongoing tally of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in Allegheny County
WESA: New Executive Director Of Common Cause PA Plans To Improve Voting, Democracy 
WESA: Bogen Says The Entire Region, State Needs To Be Included In Coronavirus Mitigation Efforts 

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Blair allocates CARES funds
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rural residents to receive expanded internet access
 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria officials’ salaries set for 2024-27 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Westmont council approves $2.8M budget 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: One-day record for Pa. COVID-19 deaths; 220 statewide includes 10 in Cambria and Somerset 
KDKA:  Beaver County’s Ongoing Reassessment Of 96,000 Properties Will Raise Taxes For Some And Lower Them For Others
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County records 15 new covid deaths, tying a record
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County officials say restrictions won’t be a shutdown
Beaver County Times: Beaver County sees almost 200 more COVID cases as spike continues

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Will Biden pay off for NEPA?
Times-Tribune: State awards county more than $700K
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 case numbers fall back to pre-holiday levels
The Times Leader: Outside help sought for Wilkes-Barre’s budget problems
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council not coming up with enough savings for significant tax decrease
The Times Leader: More than 800 county small businesses, nonprofits receiving coronavirus assistance funding
The Times Leader: Luzerne County has 41 workers out on coronavirus quarantine
Citizens Voice: County starts to distribute CARES Act funds to local businesses
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County adds 7 more COVID-19 deaths

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s GOP senators say the courts — not the legislature — can decide on Pa.’s election challenges 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Property taxes to remain unchanged in 2021, but county budget not structurally balanced 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sen. Casey introduces bills to reduce police response to non-criminal emergencies, increase training 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 60 have died of COVID-19 in Lancaster County so far in December as overall death toll soars to 570
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County hits 20,000 cases of COVID-19 since March [Wednesday COVID-19 update]
Patriot News: Harrisburg council expected to vote on budget amendment to cut number of proposed police jobs
Patriot News: Several Harrisburg residents say ‘no data, no dollars’ to city budget that increases police department funding 
Patriot News: Harrisburg, Pa. to pay $17.5K to settle free speech lawsuit filed by flag-burning activist Gene Stilp 
Carlisle Sentinel: Nursing home COVID-19 cases, deaths continue to climb in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 151 new cases of COVID-19 and 10 additional deaths for Cumberland County Wednesday
York Dispatch: York County to close all buildings to public due to COVID-19 concerns 
York Dispatch: Citing legal reasons, York City refuses meeting with local sewer authority 
York Dispatch: Lewisberry to switch police departments to cut costs, official says 
York Dispatch: Companies awarded $6.4 million to deploy broadband in York County 
York Dispatch: York County has 6 new COVID-19 deaths, 514 additional cases
York Daily Record: York County government offices will close to public
York Daily Record: Local officials squabble over sewage plant sale

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Pa. state Rep. Barry Jozwiak tests positive for COVID
Reading Eagle: In Berks County there’s now a 25% chance one person in a group of 10 has COVID, according to online tool 
Reading Eagle: Berks County coroner reports 10 new COVID deaths, county adds 280 new cases
WFMZ: Lehigh County names newest commissioner 
WFMZ: Easton approves 2021 budget with zero increase 
WFMZ: Berks Pa. Rep. Jozwiak tests positive for COVID-19 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 8,700 new cases, 219 more deaths; Gov. Wolf tests positive; Lehigh Valley hits 25K total cases | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (12/09/20)
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 8,703 more cases and 220 more deaths Wednesday; Wolf’s office quiet on potential new restrictions

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Kelly’s lawyer vows to press voting suit despite loss 
Erie Times-News: County Council raises pay for non-union workers 
Erie Times-News: COVID-19 deaths spike in Erie County
Centre Daily Times: Centre County doesn’t have a local health department to navigate COVID-19. Should it?
Centre Daily Times: Dec. 9 update: Centre County adds 100 new COVID-19 cases; Pa. adds 8,703
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State Republicans call for voting integrity
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Mayor speaks on proposed budget
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council prepares more cuts to budget

Opinion  
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Toomey speaks truth to power
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Remembering Chuck Yeager
Khalif Ali: Pennsylvania’s democracy is strong despite schemes to reject election results
Ray E. Landis: A second look: Diving into Pa.’s State Plan on Aging 
Dan Simpson: Washington won’t lie still this Christmas
Christine Flowers: Remembering lives that changed ours as we look back in time
Jenice Armstrong: Community’s outpouring to 7-year-old COVID-19 survivor is what the holidays are all about 
Marisa Scully: The ‘pandemic pups’ adoption trend has a troubling side 
The Angry Grammarian: Apostrophe anarchy leads to wild speculation over potential Trump pardons 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: We are just saying NO!

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