Good Tuesday Morning. In Today’s Playbook – Tom Wolf Reminisces. Larry Krasner Won’t Be Silent. More Interest In HD 32 Seat.

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Media | Rain, 54

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76ers (12-12) | Houston, L, 132-123 (2OT) | FRI vs. LA Lakers
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Penguins (13-8-4) | TUE vs. Columbus

What We’re Hearing
“I’m 74, and I’m going to read, eat and sleep and spend time with my grandchildren,” outgoing Gov. Tom Wolf said. “This is my understanding – I might be wrong – but people actually do retire. And that they don’t necessarily have a job when they do that. That’s what I’m looking forward to.”

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Top Story

1. Few Regrets, No Grudges

He has served eight years as Pennsylvania’s chief executive and now as Tom Wolf prepares to leave Harrisburg, he does so with few regrets.

Wolf is proud that his administration avoided any major corruption scandal, made advancements in funding for public education, and leaves the Commonwealth in firm financial standing.

What awaits him – the famous 2006 Jeep Wrangler that starred in his 2014 campaign videos. (PennLive)

Related

Five Things You May Not Know About Gov. Tom Wolf. “He hails from Mount Wolf, York County. He drives a Jeep. He used to own a successful cabinet business, making him wealthy enough that he chose to donate all of his gubernatorial pay – more than $1.5 million in total – to charity.” (PennLive)

Lt. Gov.-Elect Austin Davis Will Have Active Role In Shapiro Administration. “Right after an historic win to become Pennsylvania’s first Black lieutenant governor, Austin Davis, 33, has been handed another big responsibility, chair of the personnel committee of the transition team for Gov.-elect Josh Shapiro.” (Philadelphia Tribune)

PA Governor Spends Thousands On Private Law Firms, But Won’t Say Why. “His Office of General Counsel — which refers to itself as “Pennsylvania’s Law Firm” — shields basic information about why it spends tens of thousands of dollars annually to hire private law firms, according to hundreds of pages of redacted records reviewed by Spotlight PA and The Caucus.” (LNP | Lancaster Online)

Philadelphia

2. Krasner: Effort To Remove Him Is ‘Authoritarian Attack’ On Democracy

“Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner said Monday that the Republican-led drive to impeach and remove him from office was part of a “generalized authoritarian attack” being waged by the GOP on democracy across the country.

Krasner, a Democrat, made the remarks during a news conference to address a legal challenge he filed Friday in Commonwealth Court.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Related

After Suing To Stop Impeachment Trial, Philly DA Vows ‘Not To Be Silent’ If Proceedings Continue. “Days after the Pennsylvania Senate set the stage for the first impeachment trial in nearly three decades, Philadelphia’s top prosecutor asked a state court to halt the proceedings, arguing that the process is politically motivated, unlawful, and outside the Legislature’s purview.” (Pennsylvania Capital-Star)

Candidates

3. HD 32: Two Democrats Express Interest In DeLuca’s Seat

“Penn Hills Mayor Pauline Calabrese and school board president Erin Vecchio have put their names in the hat for the Democratic nomination for the state House District 32 seat.” (Tribune-Review)

Related

Rep. Amen Brown To Add Name To Already Crowded Philly Mayor’s Race. “At this year’s Pennsylvania Society weekend — the annual gathering of PA’s political and wealthy elite — West Philly Representative Amen Brown, all but announced his entrance into the 2023 Philadelphia Mayor’s race.” (Al Dia)

Heard Around The PA Society. “A first-timer writes about his experience at the weekend known as the Pennsylvania Society.” (PoliticsPA)

Around The Commonwealth

Jentleson, Pierce Named to Fetterman Team. “Senator-Elect John Fetterman announced the selection of a Chief of Staff and a State Director in a Friday press release.” (PoliticsPA)

Lycoming Commissioners Usurped Their Authority, Violated The County Code, Judge Rules. “A judge for the second time has found the Lycoming County commissioners usurped their authority in transferring functions and four employees from the elected controller.” (PennLive)

Home Rule To Set Off Changes At City Hall. “New Castle will formally switch to a Home Rule-style of government in 2023, setting off many changes at city hall.” (New Castle News)

Remembering Former State Rep. Edward G. Staback. “A long-time state representative and one of the few Democrats in that role to serve in Wayne County in recent decades, Edward G. Staback is remembered locally as one who served his constituents well. Staback, an avid outdoor sportsman, died while hunting with his son in Nebraska on November 16. The retired legislator from Sturgis (near Archbald, Lackawanna County) was 85.” (Pocono Record)

Judge Denies Motion To Suppress Field Sobriety Test In Kathleen Kane DUI Case. “Kane’s attorney, Jason Mattioli, argued the test is inadmissible because Jeffrey Vaughn, the Scranton police officer who administered it, will not be available to testify at trial because he’s agreed to plead guilty to federal charges of accepting pay for extra-duty shifts he did not work at public housing complexes in the city.” (Times-Tribune)

Rudy Giuliani Doubles Down On False PA Election Fraud Claims In Disciplinary Hearing. “Two years after Rudy Giuliani failed in court to produce any evidence of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania, he was back at it again Monday — this time with his law license on the line.” (Philadelphia Inquirer)

Election Deniers File Recount Petitions In Lebanon County Court. “Apparently as part of an organized statewide effort, a group of Lebanon County Republicans has filed court petitions demanding a hand recount of ballots cast for governor and U.S. Senate in the Nov. 8 general election.” (LebTown)

Recount Would End Questions About 2020 Election. “For Forrest Lehman, director of Voter Services, it’s time to just get the hand recount of the 2020 election done.” (Williamsport Sun-Gazette)

Opinion

• Gone Are The Days When Republicans Cared About Fiscal Responsibility. (Jennifer Stefano, Philadelphia Inquirer)
• Democracy Is Under Threat; Let’s Protect It With Smart Election Reform. (Aaron Hamlin, The Hill)
• America’s Ballot-Harvesting Capital Is In Suburban Philly. (Athan Koutsiouroumbas, Broad + Liberty)
• Civil End To Political Dispute A Sign Of Things To Come? (Steve Cickay, Bucks County Courier Times)

1 Thing

Have a Paw-ly Jolly Christmas!

Strike a pose! PetSmart is allowing pet owners to meet Santa and pose for a photo with Kris Kringle himself. 

All PetSmart stores nationwide are offering this opportunity on Dec. 10-11 and 17-18. Reservations are required and open to the public on Dec. 5. 

Pet parents can find more information on their local Santa Photo Day event and book an appointment at PetSmart.com/SantaPhotoBooking.