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December 19th Playbook

A Republican in the state House has promised to not raise any taxes/fees, while a Philly city councilman wants an independent fiscal office. Here is the Playbook.

Reader Poll: Should Lindsey Williams Be Seated In SD-38?: The dispute over Williams residency may lead to an interesting showdown in Harrisburg.

Hughes: The GOP Must Seat Williams: The Philadelphia Democrat believes that Republicans are attempting to “steal power” all over the country.

Harrisburg & DC
WESA: GOP Lawmaker Says PA Budget Deficit Will Be Manageable, Guarantees Party Will Not Raise Taxes
Reading Eagle: Toomey amendment to First Step Act fails
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf frees Chester County man sentenced to 122 years on drug charges, weighs more acts of clemency
Inquirer: Who is Fethullah Gulen, the Turkish cleric exiled in the Poconos at the center of charges against associates of Michael Flynn
Inquirer: Sports betting: Here’s how much Pennsylvania made in taxes in the two weeks after legalizing
Harrisburg Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s medical marijuana dispensaries?: Interactive map
AP: Pennsylvania casino sees $1.4M in sports bets in 2 weeks
AP: Judge again rules against $200M raid on insurance surplus
AP: Uber approved to resume autonomous car tests in Pittsburgh
AP: The Senate overwhelmingly passes a criminal justice overhaul
PLSReporter: Driving without cleaning car of snow and ice could be fineable offense under Boscola proposal  
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania joins regional effort to cut emissions from vehicles
Billy Penn: A timeline at the PA capitol features one woman and no people of color. Let’s do better.
KYW Newsradio: DOC mail policy critics deliver hundreds of holiday cards to Gov. Wolf’s door    
KDKA: ‘It’s Fabulous That It Got The President’s Attention’: Ex-Green Beret’s Wife Working To Defend Husband’s Character
Pittsburgh Business Times: Governor approves Keystone Innovation Zone tax credits

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Tribune: Councilman calls for creating independent fiscal office
KYW Newsradio: DOC mail policy critics deliver hundreds of holiday cards to Gov. Wolf’s door  
KYW Newsradio: New campaign hopes to lower city’s homeless population
KYW Newsradio: City officials give update on cleanup of neighborhoods hardest hit by opioids
KYW Newsradio: Illegal dumpers, be warned: City cracks down on trash violators with surveillance cameras
Inquirer: Airport workers won predictable schedules, higher wages. Can they win affordable health care, too?
Philadelphia Magazine: Protest Over “Punitive” Inmate Mail Policy Planned for Gov. Wolf’s Philly Office
Philadelphia Magazine: The Philly Region Is Home to a Surprising Number of Six-Figure Earners
WHYY Newsworks: Philly D.A. Larry Krasner on his first year in office
WHYY Newsworks: What a government shutdown would mean for Independence Mall
WHYY Newsworks:  Philly DA Krasner wants to personally try cases in 2019
WHYY Newsworks: Philly signs agreement to buy solar energy
WHYY Newsworks: Graduating from ‘junk’ grade, Philly schools get historic credit rating boost
PLSReporter: SugarHouse opens Philadelphia’s first sportsbook
Billy Penn: The Philly office tasked with reducing gun violence spent 17 months learning the basics
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pa. issues 23 more medical marijuana dispensary permits – and Washington Square site got one

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Costello: Shutdown certain unless Trump gives direction
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County earns award for financial reporting excellence
Pottstown Mercury: Limerick making headway on trail master plan
Daily Local News: Commissioners dash off letters concerning pipelines
Delco Daily Times: Pa. OKs more medical marijuana dispensary permits, including 3 in Delco
Delco Daily Times: Community: Rep. Davidson slated holiday eggnog sip in Upper Darby
Montgomery Media: State Rep. Rosita Youngblood invites community in for open house
Montgomery Media: Jenkintown Borough, officials face lawsuit
Montgomery Media: Franconia approves 2.9 percent tax hike
Montgomery Media: Wissahickon School District names new Stony Creek Elementary principal
Bucks County Courier Times: Bensalem School District officials looking at ways to brighten dismal financial picture
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick, Staats ask federal agency to move proposed West Rockhill compressor

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Sides prep for gun bill fight in city council
Post-Gazette: Police: Most hate crimes in Pittsburgh motivated by race
Post-Gazette: Police forces in Allegheny County fare poorly on diversity; lack female, black recruits   
WESA: GOP Lawmaker Says PA Budget Deficit Will Be Manageable, Guarantees Party Will Not Raise Taxes
WESA: David Shribman, Top Editor At Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Will Retire At The End Of The Year
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh council finalizes budget
KDKA: ‘It’s Fabulous That It Got The President’s Attention’: Ex-Green Beret’s Wife Working To Defend Husband’s Character
KDKA: Proposed ‘Common Sense’ Gun Measures Go Before City Council
Pittsburgh Business Times: Governor approves Keystone Innovation Zone tax credits
Tribune Review: Leechburg fires Diebold, raises taxes, starts search for new councilman
Tribune Review: Greater Latrobe homeowners can seek district property tax rebate in July
Tribune Review: North Huntingdon to vote on $85,300 settlement with police officers
Tribune Review: Murrysville council will vote on 2019 budget on Wednesday; does not include a tax hike
Tribune Review: Oakmont holds line on taxes with 2019 budget
AP: Uber approved to resume autonomous car tests in Pittsburgh

SWPA
Beaver County Times: County’s reassessment appeal denied
Observer-Reporter: Peters Township holds line on real estate tax
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local counties receive funds to help homeless
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria commissioners point to teamwork throughout 2018 at annual address
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Two companies awarded medical marijuana dispensary permits for downtown Johnstown

NEPA
Times Leader: Behrens elected Luzerne County GOP chairman
Times-Tribune: Tax hike, borrowing likely in 2019 Scranton School District budget
News Item: Two Shamokin sites chosen in Phase II of medical marijuana dispensaries
Times Leader: Pa. issues permits for medical marijuana dispensaries in Hazleton, Scranton
Citizens Voice: Pedri to hold manager’s forum Wednesday
Standard Speaker: City budget passes with property tax hike
Standard Speaker: Tax credits being offered to support new program
Standard Speaker: Pedri to hold manager’s forum Wed.

South Central
York Dispatch: Could the 2018 Farm Bill restore York County’s hemp heritage?
York Dispatch: York County made $33.5M on nursing home sale: Where did the money go?
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg council votes unanimously to table proposed 2019 budget
Harrisburg Patriot News: Central Dauphin board dispute over summer work referred to state officials
Harrisburg Patriot News: New academic accountability model affects Harrisburg School District
LNP | LancasterOnline: City Council passes Lancaster’s 2019 budget, gets earful over UPMC Pinnacle hospital closure
LNP | LancasterOnline: Cost of Penn Manor High School project increases to $99.6M, district says it can absorb it without additional tax hike
LNP | LancasterOnline: No new medical marijuana dispensary permits for Lancaster County in Pennsylvania’s second round of awards
LNP | LancasterOnline: State adopts 10 Lancaster County schools into statewide improvement plan
Carlisle Sentinel: Mechanicsburg Borough Council approves 2019 budget with no tax increases  

Lehigh Valley
Express Times: 2nd Lehigh County prosecutor throws hat in ring for county judge
Reading Eagle: Toomey amendment to First Step Act fails
Reading Eagle: West Reading raises taxes 8.5 percent   
Reading Eagle: Womelsdorf trash/recycling cost up, and glass not included
Reading Eagle: Robeson Township supervisors narrowly approve 9 percent tax hike
Reading Eagle: Cumru budget holds base rate, but trash cost rises
Reading Eagle: Boyertown School Board authorizes arming of district officer
Morning Call: Zoners reject turbine proposal for land surrounding Bethlehem’s reservoirs
Morning Call: Bethlehem taxes will rise by 3.8 percent

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: EMTA makes new contract offer to Lift drivers
Erie Times-News: Erie businessman sued in $470,000 tax case
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County probation deputy chief retires after 32 years

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Ask tough questions: What is the primary motive of schools for profit?
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A heated debate: Controversial classic “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” is really about empowerment
Jerry Sweeney: Listen, learn, decide: How the skills of CEOs can transform public service
Vinod Thomas: How local climate action can tackle a global problem
Abraham Gutman: From decorated general to federal court: Michael Flynn from the eyes of cartoonists
Paul Muschick: Pittsburgh gun control plan raises question: Are AR-15s assault weapons?

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  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

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