December 12th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf tells WITF that he would not join the 2020 Democratic presidential ticket as a vice president, while President Donald Trump tweets out his endorsement of Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster). Here is the Playbook. 

Wolf Shuts Down VP Speculation: In an interview on WITF’s “Smart Talk,” on Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf, joined by his wife Frances Wolf, said it’s an “absolute no” on the possibility of joining the 2020 presidential ticket as a vice president, adding that he “seriously doubts” that he would be asked to as well.

Trump Tweets Endorsement of Smucker: On Wednesday evening, President Donald Trump tweeted out that Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) has his “complete and total endorsement” for his upcoming reelection bid for the 11th Congressional District. 

Harrisburg & DC   
WITF: Gov. Tom Wolf says ‘absolute no’ to speculation about 2020 Democratic VP pick
AP: Pennsylvania governor says ‘no’ to speculation about VP
AP: Fiscal watchdog urges shutdown of immigrant detention center
AP: Pennsylvania university faculty get 12% raise over 4 years
The Hill: Former Bush DHS chief says Trump’s Ukraine call is an ‘abuse of power’
The Hill: Vulnerable Democrats feel heat ahead of impeachment vote
The Hill: Trump supporter says his removal could lead to the ‘second Civil War’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: DePasquale calls for shutdown of ICE detention center in Berks County
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa’s Houlahan: I’m not among lawmakers looking to censure Trump instead of impeaching
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa’s Houlahan: Deal on paid family leave for federal employees is ‘huge news” for American families
Washington Post: Trump, Pence head to Pa. as campaign focuses on keeping it in win column
Patriot News: Trump slams security for ejecting protester too slowly during Hershey rally
Patriot News: The battle for Pennsylvania is on as Trump rallies in Hershey | Battleground Pa. podcast
Patriot News: Pa. state universities’ faculty get 12% raises over next 3 years in new contract
Patriot News: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey will vote against Trump’s new trade deal; here’s why
PLSReporter: Auditor General urges federal government to shut down Berks County immigration facility
PLSReporter: As controversy continues around area high school, Philadelphia legislator wants to ban use of Native American mascots
PLSReporter: Bipartisan tour shines light on “stop-and-go” stores in Philadelphia
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 34: Sit down with Corrections Secretary John Wetzel
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia mayor signs law requiring energy efficiency tune-ups for city’s biggest buildings
Inquirer: It isn’t enough to label Medicare-for-All as socialism. We need solutions, not slogans.
Inquirer: Close the Berks immigrant family detention center, Pennsylvania auditor general says
Inquirer: Congress restoring $28 million for Army Chinook work at Boeing Pa. plant where 4,600 employed
Inquirer: Did steel, natural gas and manufacturing jobs in Pa. actually grow in Trump’s first term?
Inquirer: Faculty at Pennsylvania state universities will get raises under a new contract
Inquirer: Lawmakers mount a challenge as Pennsylvania shuts state-run facilities for intellectually disabled
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf says ‘no’ to potential vice presidential nomination
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania auditor general calls Berks County ICE facility ‘essentially a jail’
City Paper: GOP state committees alter five Pa. criminal justice bills causing advocates to drop support
Politico: Dem leaders see only handful of defections on impeachment
WHYY Newsworks: Political journalist Robert Costa
Fox News: Tom Ridge says Trump’s Ukraine call left him ‘disappointed and troubled,’ says he won’t back president in 2020 
National Journal: Trump Mocks Impeachment at PA Rally
Morning Call: Who are the Pennsylvania lawmakers on the House panel overseeing impeachment?
PA Post: How Pa.’s election security lawsuit settlement led to the last minute challenge of the state’s top-selling touchscreen voting machine

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Philadelphia DA Larry Krasner fires back at Trump: ‘You and me. Let’s go.’
Inquirer: Trump says impeachment will backfire on Democrats as he rallies supporters in Pennsylvania
Billy Penn: Trump slams Philly DA Krasner as ‘worst district attorney’
WHYY Newsworks: Brian O’Neill’s bid to ban rooftop decks in Northeast Philly just got killed
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney pushes back rollout of ‘fair workweek’ law as critics cry foul
Philadelphia Tribune: Frank Rizzo statue won’t be moved until ‘first quarter of calendar year 2022’
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s What You Need to Know About Philly’s New Vaping Law
KYW Newsradio: A bill headed to Harrisburg aims to clear asbestos, lead and mold from Philly schools
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office bars KYW Newsradio reporter from press conference 
Philly Voice: Trump calls Philly’s Krasner ‘the worst district attorney’ during rally in Hershey 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Last council session for 3 Republican members; budget gets OK
Delco Daily Times: House vote expected to spare key Boeing program
Delco Daily Times: Council begins search for executive director 
Daily Local News: After $3.2M was embezzled, Kennett Township officials put in safeguards
Daily Local News: Outgoing Phoenixville council president gets ‘big’ thanks
Inquirer: Democrats about to take over Delaware County say Republicans are punting on a tax hike
Inquirer: Congress restoring $28 million for Army Chinook work at Boeing Pa. plant where 4,600 employed
Bucks Courier Times: Tax increase, sewer rate hike in Lower Makefield prelim budget
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsylvania official calls for Berks County Residential Center to be shut down
Montgomery Media: Plymouth council holds line on municipal taxes

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Voters in early states are hearing from Pittsburghers — thanks to Bernie Sanders
Post-Gazette: City Council votes to declare racism a health crisis, postpones pension bill
Post-Gazette: City wants to hire pros faster to speed up contract process
Post-Gazette: Councilwoman Darlene Harris sues city to nix campaign rules
KDKA: Public Service Student Loan Forgiveness Plan Not Living Up To Its Promises, Critics Say
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh councilwoman Darlene Harris sues city over campaign finance ordinance
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council kills proposal to name soccer field after former Mayor Ravenstahl and family
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council can nix park tax, but members expect it to pass
City Paper: Recent moves by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette management have led to a shrinking and increasingly chaotic newsroom. Can the P-G survive?
City Paper: GOP state committees alter five Pa. criminal justice bills causing advocates to drop support

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local congressmen continue to back Trump 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Interim manager attends first Johnstown City Council meeting
Observer-Reporter: New voting machines arrive in Washington
Altoona Mirror: Budget to raise taxes 14.5%
Altoona Mirror: Montana native tapped to helm city
Beaver County Times: Beaver County to scan absentee ballots at courthouse 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County property taxes to increase in 2020
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County OKs purchase of new voting system
Times-Tribune: Former Scranton School District fleet manager to serve house arrest 
The Times Leader: Casey continues push to end pay disparities for Tobyhanna employees
The Times Leader: Stephen A. Urban, other departing Luzerne County Council members commended

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County commissioners approve 2020 no-tax-hike budget 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s Mayor Sorace: Choice of R&R Studios for Ewell Plaza art is final
Patriot News: Trump slams security for ejecting protester too slowly during Hershey rally
Patriot News: The battle for Pennsylvania is on as Trump rallies in Hershey | Battleground Pa. podcast 
York Dispatch: York City schedules second round of comprehensive plan hearings into next week
York Dispatch: Official: No probe of North York Borough Council member accused of slur

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Berks County Commissioner Christian Leinbach disagrees with call to close residential center
Morning Call: Here’s what U.S. Rep Susan Wild’s GOP rivals have to say about her decision to back impeachment
Morning Call: Easton City Council approves 2020 budget, says goodbye to longtime solicitor

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie could see tax hike if council rejects deal
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council expected to adopt $27.9M budget with tax hike
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Supervisors award $1.93M in contracts, adopt budget

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Impeach President Donald Trump
Inquirer Editorial Board: More work needed before probation reform bill can be celebrated as reform
Inquirer Staff: Should you say ‘Merry Christmas’ or ‘Happy Holidays’? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Put free speech first: World Wide Web’s inventor wrong about political ads
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Driverless concerns: Software was unable to spot jaywalker
Michael Coard: This is why I stand with Movita Johnson-Harrell
Albert Eisenberg: Movita Johnson-Harrell charges are another example of how Philly’s corrupt politics hurt everyone 
John L. Micek: Bored with property tax reform? Here’s a plan to slash the sales tax to 1.9 percent | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Mike Newall: Hey, Philly, this many overdose deaths is not normal. Just ask any other city. 
Solomon Jones: Promoting police officer accused of misconduct is a bad look for Philly 
Caterina Roman: Philadelphia should stop investing in wrong gun violence solutions 
Scott Petri: Philadelphia can do more to fight traffic congestion 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Different Articles of Impeachment
Will Bunch: Clint Eastwood’s ‘Richard Jewell’ is the movie America doesn’t need right now

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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