December 19th Playbook

PA’s Congressional delegation was split on both articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump. Here is the Playbook. 

PA Delegation Splits on Trump Impeachment: Many of Pennsylvania’s members of Congress made the case for their vote on the House floor today, while the vote fell 9-9 along party lines.

PA17: Trump Endorses Parnell: President Donald Trump, who spoke highly of the GOP candidate during a Shale Conference in Pittsburgh earlier this year, tweeted an endorsement Wednesday.

Warren is First Dem Hopeful to Start PA Field Operation: The Warren campaign hired Anne Wakabayshi, former ED of Emerge PA and chair of Gov. Tom Wolf’s Commission on LGBTQ Affairs, as its Senior Strategist in Pennsylvania. She will organize staff and mobilization offices in Philadelphia in the coming weeks.

GOP Poll: Fitzpatrick Leads Wachspress 50-36: The poll, conducted by the Congressional Leadership Fund, a GOP super PAC endorsed by House Republican leadership, was conducted in early November, but not released until early December.

Legislative Election Update:

HD-147: Annamarie Scannapieco, an RN who is an expert in forensic medicine, announced that she is seeking the Republican Party nomination for the soon-to-be open seat held by state Rep. Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery), who announced she is retiring at the end of her current term. Toepel won her most recent reelection bid over Democrat Joshua Camson by 13 points. 

HD-72: Howard Terndrup, a former chemistry teacher and owner of a landscaping contracting company, announced that he is seeking the Republican Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Frank Burns (D-Cambria). Burns won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by just under 5 points against Republican Gerald Carnicella. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump impeached: House votes for 3rd time in U.S. history to impose Constitution’s ultimate sanction
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The U.S. House is voting on the Trump impeachment. Where Pa’s House delegation stands, what they’re saying
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What Pa’s U.S. House delegation said about Wednesday’s impeachment vote
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: After years of negotiation, cost-savings criminal justice bills head for final approval
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Undeterred by Wolf’s deadline, House GOP weighs a path forward for minimum wage hike
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf signs cost-cutting criminal justice bills into law
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Lt. Gov. overhaul: House approves deputy home sale, letting governor pick their running mate
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Advocates, patients ask Legislature to ‘fix’ Pa.’s medical marijuana program
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers explain impeachment vote of President Donald Trump 
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers are looking to change the picking and the perks of future lieutenant governors
Patriot News: Top GOP Senate staffer Drew Crompton headed to Commonwealth Court bench
AP: Pennsylvania takes more steps to reduce prison population
AP: Ex-Pennsylvania attorney general confirmed for judicial post
AP: House votes to amend constitution to pick judges by district
AP: Justices decline to restore cash payments to poor, disabled
Spotlight PA: Pa. senators push to end secrecy in filling empty court seats as controversial pick is approved
Washington Post: GOP moderate refuses to defend Trump on Ukraine but won’t back impeachment
New York Magazine: House Republicans Liken Impeachment to Pearl Harbor, Say Trump Treated Worse Than Jesus
WITF: Despite controversial amendments, Pa. House passes justice reinvestment bills 
WITF: Two firearms safety instructors have a plan to prevent suicides among gun owners 
PLSReporter: Senate approves Crompton’s nomination to Commonwealth Court despite objections from Democrats
PLSReporter: Pa. Supreme Court denies appeal to reinstate General Assistance
PLSReporter: Wolf signs JRI II bills in a momentous week for criminal justice reform
Inquirer: The House has impeached President Donald Trump in a historic vote
Inquirer: Pa. and South Jersey reps on their Trump impeachment votes
Inquirer: ‘Free Maddie.’ A 6-year-old girl held at Berks immigrant detention center for months sparks a rallying cry.
Post-Gazette: Joining Otto Warmbier’s parents, senators reach deal to tighten sanctions on North Korea
Tribune Review: Sen. Casey derides ‘obscene lawsuit’ to gut Affordable Care Act; patient advocates lament limbo
National Journal: Philadelphia Inquirer Urges Fitzpatrick to Back Impeachment
Politico: Impeachment war shifts to House election battlefield
Politico: Moderate Democrats call out McConnell on vote delay on Mexico-Canada trade deal

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: The Trump impeachment vote is here. How Philadelphia-area reps are voting.
Inquirer: Philly restrictions on flavored e-cigarettes signed into law by Mayor Kenney
Inquirer: The opioid crisis has tripled deaths among Philly’s homeless population in the last decade
Inquirer: Constitution Center visitors, like the rest of America, have mixed opinions on impeachment 
KYW Newsradio: New report says Philadelphia’s budget is average compared to other big cities
KYW Newsradio: Rally in Harrisburg as another Philly school closes for asbestos 
KYW Newsradio: Mayor signs 2 bills restricting sales of flavored cigarillos, e-cigarettes in Philly
Philadelphia Citizen: How To Not Be San Francisco

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon again makes the case for impeachment
Delco Daily Times: County Council OKs trust fund of sewer agency to Aqua
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks commissioners OK $452M budget with tax increase
Bucks Courier Times: Preserved farms could get transfer tax exemption 
Daily Local News: ‘Are you all going to resign?’ Kennett supervisors put on hot seat over $3.2M embezzlement
Daily Local News: Trump foes, friends rally in West Chester on eve of impeachment 
Daily Local News: Philip Harris selected as Oxford’s new mayor

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Local Politicians React To House Of Representatives Impeaching President Donald Trump 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Votes Against Property Tax Increase But Problems Still Remain
KDKA: State Representative Wants To Increase Punishment For Convicted Animal Abusers
KDKA: President Of Pittsburgh LGBTQ Organization Accused Of Impersonating Allegheny Co. Sheriff’s Deputy
KDKA: Campaign 2020: House Debating Articles Of Impeachment Against President Donald Trump
KDKA: Campaign 2020: Former Politicians Preview Upcoming Democratic Debate
Post-Gazette: On impeachment day, Trump tweets support for Lamb’s opponent
Post-Gazette: Divided by party, U.S. House votes to impeach President Trump
Post-Gazette: School board passes budget, but it can’t be funded as tax increase fails
Post-Gazette: City Council quickly votes to kill pension sweetener for elected officials
Post-Gazette: Peduto names Marty LaMar as Pittsburgh’s new chief economic development officer
WESA: Demonstrators Gather Across Southwestern Pennsylvania To Support Impeachment 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Council kills pension enhancement amendment
Tribune Review: Former state rep will present ‘The State of Education in Pennsylvania’ in Murrysville
Tribune Review: Leechburg Council approves 22% tax hike
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh LGBTQ group leader accused of impersonating law enforcement officer
Pittsburgh Business Times: City names new chief economic development officer
City Paper: How Pittsburgh is attempting to lower and help its homeless population

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Joyce, Thompson vote no on impeachment
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local reaction split: Even president isn’t ‘above the law’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria leaders say county strong
Altoona Mirror: Rep. Joyce speaks out before vote
Altoona Mirror: CNN team films in Blair County
Beaver County Times: Lamb bill would enhance electrical grid security
Observer-Reporter: Washington County takes part in nationwide impeach and remove protests
Observer-Reporter: Lawsuit continues over closed Donora Zinc Works emissions
Observer-Reporter: Snyder relocating Waynesburg district office
Observer-Reporter: County solicitor stepping down after 16 years
Observer-Reporter: Local lawmakers sign letter in support of Hanover fire chief detained in Thailand

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Experts unsure how vote will affect Cartwright
Times-Tribune: Commissioners O’Malley, Cummings bid farewell at last meeting of the year
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners wrap up business at last meeting of current administration
Times-Tribune: Incoming Scranton city council mulls meeting schedule change, committee assignments
Times-Tribune: Wegman seeks 9th District seat as Democrat
Times-Tribune: Scranton will appeal court ruling in Act 511 case; officials say Act 47 exit still on schedule
Citizens Voice: Bill placing a moratorium on closing state centers passes in House
Citizens Voice: Vough named Luzerne County president judge
Citizens Voice: Pedri: County had a good year overall
The Times Leader: GOP leadership names Yudichak to four Senate committees
The Times Leader: No quorum cancels Wilkes-Barre Zoning meeting

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here’s how each member of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation, including Rep. Lloyd Smucker, voted on impeachment
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker joins rest of GOP, voting against impeachment. Here are his comments during floor debate.
York Dispatch: Smucker, Perry oppose impeachment, blast Democrats
York Dispatch: York City will have a new police commissioner and another strained budget
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers are looking to change the picking and the perks of future lieutenant governors
Patriot News: Top GOP Senate staffer Drew Crompton headed to Commonwealth Court bench
Patriot News: ‘Daily Show’ visits Trump rally in Hershey to ask about impeachment
Patriot News: Federal judge dismisses lawsuit that attacked Harrisburg’s ‘excessive’ garbage collection fees
York Daily Record: York County tax increase approved for 2020 to preserve open space
York Daily Record: Fixing York Follow-ups: Council delays vote on residency requirements for city employees
Carlisle Sentinel: Bill Tracker: Legislature takes up fight over closure of state centers for the disabled

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Where Lehigh Valley congresswoman Susan Wild stands on impeachment ahead of vote
Express Times: What 2020 Bethlehem tax bills hold in store for city residents
Morning Call: Trump impeachment: What the Pennsylvania delegation is saying 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie-area congressmen vote against impeachment 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: People reflect on Nixon resignation, Clinton impeachment before House vote

Opinion  
Tribune Review Editorial: Better school funding needed in Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A crisis in care: Geriatric medicine lags behind needs
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fewer births: Issues ahead for an aging nation
Elizabeth Fiedler: After closures from asbestos and other hazards, Pa. and Philly schools need emergency repairs
Ed Rendell: It happened again: Voters are sick and tired of bad roads 
John L. Micek: Two maps that explain the changing geography of the opioid epidemic | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Ashley Klingensmith, Elizabeth Randol, Holly Lubart: Let’s make it easier for all Pennsylvanians to exercise their First Amendment rights
Marc Stier: Yes, the U.S. Constitution could be improved. The process in this Pa. House resolution isn’t a path forward
Timothy K. Lewis: An Important Endeavor For Justice
Brian O’Neill: Is it time to tell Amtrak to get off the tracks in Pittsburgh?
Will Bunch: On frigid Capitol Hill, Trump’s impeachment goes down just like the Founders drew it up 
Steven Lubet: Trump impeachment: This is why the U.S. Senate is not a neutral jury
Trudy Rubin: Voices from Kiev: Trump’s impeachment defense is based on lies about Ukraine 
Dan Simpson: The looming dangers of Brexit and climate change

Email:
  • 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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