Michael Bloomberg opens a Philadelphia field office and names former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter his presidential campaign’s national political chair. Here is the Playbook.

December 20th Ups & Downs: Pennsylvania’s Congressional delegation fell along party lines in the impeachment vote, criminal justice reform bills were signed into law in Harrisburg, and a GOP Congressional hopeful received President Trump’s endorsement. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

DLCC Targets PA House, Senate to Flip in 2020: Pennsylvania is one of seven targets states apart of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee’s effort to flip state legislatures in the upcoming election.

Bloomberg Opens Philly Field Office, Names Nutter National Political Chair: The former New York City Mayor and billionaire talked about his campaign’s effort to unite the country, while pinpointing his efforts promoting gun control, addressing climate change, and more.

BOLD PAC Endorses Wild: According to Politico, Bold PAC, the political arm of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, endorsed 14 non-Latino Democratic incumbents that includes Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh). 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania jobless rate inched up to 4.3% in November
AP: Lawsuit challenges state police over new ‘ghost gun’ policy
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. sees record job growth in November, but not all of Pa. is sharing the wealth, data shows
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pardons board rejections leave Lt. Gov. John Fetterman ‘dismayed’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trade unions join the fight against Wolf’s interstate initiative to limit carbon emissions
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What is private equity and why are Pa. lawmakers concerned about the tens of millions of dollars of your money tied up in it?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. pension employees are taking pricey trips to Beverly Hills. But the costs are hidden. Why?
Inquirer: Get ready for money to pour into Pa. legislative races because the winners get to draw congressional maps
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s state parks have more visitors and less money — and fresh hopes to change that
Inquirer: Lt. Gov. Fetterman wants to use clemency to free wrongfully convicted. But the Board of Pardons is pushing back.
Inquirer: New Pa. bill aims to hold contractors accountable for properties they damage in construction accidents
WITF: Pa. auditor, Department of State clash over voter roll issues
PLSReporter: The list of legislative retirements is growing. Here’s who won’t be running for re-election to the General Assembly in 2020.
PLSReporter: Experience, ideas highlight Democratic Auditor General primary
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 35: Sit down with Sen. Jay Costa
WESA: Both Public And Key House Committee Want Cannabis To Be Legal, But It Probably Won’t Happen Soon
Patriot News: Pa. push for higher minimum wage getting maximum attention, little movement
Patriot News: Scientific Games scores $50M contract to partner with the Pa. Lottery in running its online games 
Patriot News: Casey, Toomey among legislators seeking increased radon protections in public housing 
StateImpactPA: Cumberland County man may win out in complaint against Sunoco
StateImpactPA: Some Democrats want to ban fracking, but business group study says that would ‘devastate’ economy
The Central Voice: In Pa.’s epicenter of the Civil War, a growing sense of LGBTQ pride
KDKA: Wolf Administration Provides Resources For Mental Health, Substance Use Disorders 
National Journal: With Honor Action Launches Ads for Houlahan
The Hill: Bloomberg names ex-Philadelphia mayor Nutter as national campaign chair
Politico: Bloomberg announces Nutter endorsement as he zeroes in on Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: Wolf updates efforts to serve ‘vulnerable populations’
CNN: Mike Bloomberg builds a general election campaign to show strength for his primary bid
Real Clear Politics: Michigan, Ohio, And Pennsylvania Voters Sound Off On Impeachment  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Michael Bloomberg just landed his first Pa. endorsement: former Philly Mayor Michael Nutter
Inquirer: Michael Bloomberg talks Gritty, Trump, and health care in Philly campaign stop
Inquirer: Brushing aside climate concerns, U.S. clears way for gas pipeline in Philadelphia area
Inquirer: Philly judge Scott DiClaudio faces disciplinary charges over legal feud with Montgomery County fitness club
Inquirer: Asbestos closes two more Philly schools, the 5th and 6th so far this year
Billy Penn: Philly’s negotiating a new police contract. Can the city get reforms past the FOP union?
Philly Voice: Former Philly mayor Michael Nutter joins Michael Bloomberg’s presidential campaign
KYW Newsradio: Presidential hopeful Bloomberg opens Philadelphia campaign headquarters
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia drug stores, hospitals get new requirements for reporting opioid prescriptions, overdoses 
KYW Newsradio: Former Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter joins the Bloomberg campaign
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia’s state legislators fail to move gun regulation in Harrisburg, dooming a city bill
Philadelphia Tribune: City won’t complete 2019 assessment appeals by year’s end; Kenney has yet to replace OPA head

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Fitzpatrick heads to Middle East to spend Christmas with the troops
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners approve tax increase to plug shortfall in 2020 budget
Delco Daily Times: Outgoing troika of GOP Council members talk about what they accomplished, change in courthouse
Delco Daily Times: Taxes stay stable in Aston’s spending plan
Daily Local News: Residents sing Christmas carols at pipeline arrest site
Daily Local News: Bill calls for training school nurses in responding to seizures
Daily Local News: Coatesville gets new round of downtown revitalization funding
Daily Local News: Audit: Chesco Deeds clerk got $200K in automatic overtime
Bucks Courier Times: Official: Neshaminy spent $331k defending nickname
Bucks Courier Times: Bristol Township OKs no-tax-hike budget; honors outgoing manager McCauley
Pottstown Mercury: West Pottsgrove raises taxes by 20 percent for 2020

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Preliminary Survey Ahead Of 2020 Census Suggests Pittsburgh, Allegheny County May Have Halted Decline In Population
KDKA: Lawsuit: Pittsburgh Public Schools Employee Denied Raises Because She’s White
KDKA: Allegheny Controller Chelsa Wagner To Stand Trial Again In Detroit
Post-Gazette: Chelsa Wagner to stand trial again in Detroit
Post-Gazette: What impeachment? Congress focuses on trade, retirement savings and robocalls
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County could make historic turn in next census
Post-Gazette: State delivers $2.2 million for parks across across Allegheny County 
PLSReporter: Residents voice concerns to possible development in Pittsburgh City Council hearing
City Paper: Pittsburgh-area congressional candidate Sean Parnell sure does thank a lot of trollbots

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Tremendous experience’: Wissinger looks back on his time as Cambria County commissioner
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Under the Radar: Lawmakers revisiting Good Samaritan law to consider repeat overdose victims
Beaver County Times: Study: Fracking ban would hurt Pennsylvania economy
Observer-Reporter: Greene County budget passed, but could be amended by new commissioners next year
Observer-Reporter: Washington County no-tax-increase 2020 budget covers new contracts for SEIU
Observer-Reporter: Judge denies injunction request to keep Donegal supervisors from voting
Observer-Reporter: Board moves to tighten state’s methane emissions standards
Observer-Reporter: South Fayette commissioners consider goals, plans
Altoona Mirror: Blair creating courthouse preservation committee
Altoona Mirror: Obamacare ruling stirring fears of more court action
Altoona Mirror: Courts’ remodel ushers in new era

NEPA
The Times Leader: Decision on SCI-Retreat won’t come until January
The Times Leader: Cartwright’s priorities included in FY2020 funding bills
The Times Leader: Gov. Wolf signs county probation and parole reform bills
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre city council approves grant applications, says goodbye to one of its own
The Times Leader: Luzerne County seeks barbers and cosmetologists
Times-Tribune: Issues with late or inaccurate information delayed Scranton’s overdue 2018 audit, firm says 

South Central 
Patriot News: Sen. John DiSanto intends to seek re-election to a second term
Patriot News: Bill seeks to regionalize how Pa. elects its Commonwealth, Superior, and Supreme court judges
Patriot News: Pa. push for higher minimum wage getting maximum attention, little movement
Patriot News: Scientific Games scores $50M contract to partner with the Pa. Lottery in running its online games 
Patriot News: Casey, Toomey among legislators seeking increased radon protections in public housing
York Dispatch: Democrat Brier sees York City as key to congressional bid 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Colby Itkowitz, Lancaster journalist who covered Nickel Mines shooting, talks about covering impeachment with Washington Post
Carlisle Sentinel: Sunoco may be forced to meet with county under initial ruling in Baker’s pipeline safety case
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle eyes more revisions, aims to put rental ordinance into effect by April

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Sen. Bob Casey calls for the release of girl held for months at Berks County center
Reading Eagle: Departing Berks County Commissioner Mark Scott reflects on his legacy 
Reading Eagle: Berks GDP grows to $18.44 billion
Morning Call: Allentown, Good Shepherd business tax case headed to state court
Express Times: Easton has its 1st new top legal aide in nearly a third of a century

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Here’s what Centre County’s representatives in Washington said about impeachment 
Erie Times-News: Democrat drops out of race for U.S. Rep. Kelly seat
Erie Times-News: Roll call: How Erie area members of Congress voted
Erie Times-News: Erie County Councilman Leone reflects on 42-year career
Erie Times-News: East bayfront plan on Erie City Council radar 
Erie Times-News: Loll’s long Erie County Council career winds to close 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Mayor vetoes city budget
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City polling places reduced from 17 to 13 wards

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Attacking the poor: Thousands will lose food stamp benefits
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lessons from Boris: Respect for voters is good politics
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A tainted image: Impacts of the United Auto Workers scandal
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reform and rescue: Keep working on the World Trade Organization
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Weapon of war: Both parties have weakened the importance of impeachment
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Spend like wise men: Cautious spending at Christmas
Delco Daily Times Editorial: Crackdown on ‘ghost guns’ targets offenders
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia Police Department needs democratic accountability, not secret arbitration
Inquirer Staff: 12 cartoons for Philly for 2020
Madeleine Dean: Impeachment vote was anything but personal 
Seth Grove: Successful first year for House Government Oversight Committee
John L. Micek: In a real U.S. Senate, there’d be a fair impeachment trial. Pat Toomey isn’t serving in that one | Friday Morning Coffee
Stephen K. Medvic: Why Dems and GOP view Trump’s actions so differently 
John N. Mitchell: Philly isn’t alone in promoting questionable cops 
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: Yes, it’s a time of giving. But it needs to last throughout the year 
Jenice Armstrong: Guess who’s home from federal prison in time for the holidays? Chaka Fattah Jr. 
Abraham Gutman: Is Philly’s soda tax working? And other questions research helped us answer in 2019 | Brain Trust
Larry Platt: Ain’t No Party Like A Home Rule Charter Party 
Jon Geeting: Where’s The Bang For All Our City Bucks? 
Tim Hartman: The reason truckers are suing the Pa. Turnpike: Revealed | Editorial Cartoon
Helen Ubiñas: Shot and left for dead, a gunshot victim feels revictimized by the agencies charged to help 
Trudy Rubin: Boris Johnson’s victory holds lessons for Democrats in 2020 
David Zurawik: TV is doing more political coverage than ever, but is it having any effect? 
Will Bunch: Not ready for 2020: A ‘look back’ at America’s worst year before it even starts 
JD Mullane: The real Trump, not the caricature
Dan Simpson: The looming dangers of Brexit and climate change
David Knight: How the 2020 Dems are promising to ramp up funding for public schools | Analysis
Mike Newall: Philly’s story didn’t start and end in 1776 and there’s a new podcast for that 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Donald Trump’s military (un)approval shows he’s a wedge president
Mike Newall: This Kensington outreach worker saved dozens from overdose. Then the trauma became too much. 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Santa’s competition for Christmas delivery
Jody D. Armour: How being ‘tough on crime’ became a political liability