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December 8th Playbook

An attorney from Pittsburgh announces her candidacy for the PA Superior Court, while state Rep. Mike Reese announces that he tested positive for COVID-19. Here is the Playbook. 

Beck Announces Bid for PA Superior Court: The Pittsburgh attorney spent ten years as a law clerk for Christine Donohue and is highly recommended by the Allegheny County Bar Association Judiciary Committee.

State Rep. Mike Reese Tests Positive for COVID-19: The Westmoreland County Republican sent out a statement on Monday afternoon announcing that he tested positive for COVID-19.

As of Tuesday morning, we still are waiting for a call in a state Senate race and multiple congressional candidates have also yet to concede. 

Congressional Races 

All incumbents have secured another term in Congress, although a few challengers have yet to concede in their races. 

PA7: Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) has defeated GOP challenger Lisa Scheller. The AP called the race for Wild on Nov. 6. As of Tuesday morning, Wild leads by 16,163 votes (or by 4.2 points) with 98% of estimated votes reported. Scheller has not conceded in the race.

PA8: Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) has defeated GOP challenger Jim Bognet. The AP called the race for Cartwright on Nov. 6. As of Tuesday morning, Cartwright leads by 12,213 votes (or by 3.6 points) with 95% of estimated votes reported. Bognet has not conceded in the race.

PA17: Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) has defeated GOP challenger Sean Parnell. The AP called the race for Lamb on Nov. 7. As of Tuesday morning, Lamb leads by 2.2 points (9,969 votes) with 97% of estimated votes reported. Parnell has not conceded in the race.

State Senate and House

Republicans have flipped four state House seats, (HD-33), (HD-55), (HD-123), and (HD-143), most notably unseating House Minority Leader Frank Dermody (D-Allegheny). Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (HD-152). For the state Senate, Republicans have flipped one seat in western PA (SD-37), while Democrats have flipped one seat in the Philly suburbs (SD-9), and another race in western PA has not been called yet. 

 

State Senate 

SD-45: Sen. Jim Brewster (D-Allegheny) leads GOP challenger Nicole Ziccarelli by 89 votes, as of Tuesday morning, according to DOS

Harrisburg & DC   
Washington Post: Trump asks Pennsylvania House speaker for help overturning election results, personally intervening in a third state
AP: Trump campaign appeals another ballot case in Pennsylvania
AP: Wolf warns hospitals at risk, mulls new virus restrictions
AP: Farm Show cancels butter sculpture, citing COVID-19 concerns
LNP | LancasterOnline: Trump speaks with Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler, as Cutler tells the state’s congressional delegation to object to the state’s electors 
New York Times: A Powerful Reporter Got Away With Sexual Misconduct for Decades. His Paper, and His Union, Looked the Other Way. 
Inquirer: With time running out, GOP state reps file new challenge to Pa.’s election results, citing already rejected claims of fraud 
Inquirer: Pa. National Guard leader abruptly retires amid investigations into veterans’ nursing home, Horsham air base 
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf issues dire plea to Pennsylvanians as COVID-19 hospitalizations hit 5,400 and health-care workers are exhausted 
Inquirer: Pa. shortchanged its poorest school districts in giving out federal CARES Act money, report says
Inquirer: Nearly half of Pennsylvania restaurants expect to fail without more help, survey says
Inquirer: Pa. prisons won’t mandate COVID-19 tests for staff, even as outbreaks grow frequent and deadly
Patriot News: GOP legislators seek emergency court order to void final certification of ‘severely flawed’ Pa. vote count
Patriot News: Trump called Pa. House speaker to ask for help overturning election results: report
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Wolf warns about rising coronavirus cases, says hospitals could be ‘overwhelmed’
Patriot News: 800 taxpayers affected by glitch in Pa’s collection of back state taxes
Patriot News: Pa. intensive care beds continue to fill with COVID-19 patients
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf names 13 municipalities to receive money for intersection safety projects
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 426,444 coronavirus cases? Dec. 7 map, county-by-county breakdown
WHYY Newsworks: A half-million Pennsylvanians set to lose CARES Act benefits by end of month
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf says he’ll decide on new COVID mitigation in next few days, asks for citizens to stay home 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A look at COVID in Pa.’s correctional facilities | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Beaver County Times: State calls for federal program extension 
Beaver County Times: Wolf waiting on COVID restrictions as cases climb
Post-Gazette: In meeting of Senate Banking minds, Toomey and Brown eye Medicaid as a vehicle to improve maternal health
PLSReporter: Republicans pledge to continue pursuit of COVID liability protections in new session 
PLSReporter: Republican lawmakers file 11th-hour challenge to presidential electors 
PLSReporter: Amid rising hospitalizations, Wolf warns that Pa. hospitals could soon reach their breaking point
CNHI News: Study finds state shortchanged poor schools in distributing stimulus funds
StateImpactPA: EPA declines to strengthen soot standard 
The Hill: Cruz offers to argue Pennsylvania election case before Supreme Court
Axios: Scoop: Bob Woodward’s next book
CNN: Trump held multiple calls with Pennsylvania House speaker on state’s electoral process 
Huffington Post: Trump Asked Top Republican In Pennsylvania House To Intervene In Election: Report
Fox News: Cruz explains why he agreed to argue Pa. election case if Supreme Court takes it up  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Advocates make last-ditch effort to stall mayor’s appointment for Philly gas utility CEO 
Inquirer: City Council criticizes Philly courts for inaction on systemic racism 
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s retired archbishop says Biden should be denied communion over his abortion stance 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: 1,000 COVID-19 deaths in the last week
Philadelphia Tribune: City legislator calls for making every Friday ‘Shop Black Business Friday’ 
Philadelphia Gay News: PGN prepares to take legal action for Morris records
KYW Newsradio: Philly courts mired in mistrust, racial tension according to testimony
KYW Newsradio: New report finds Center City retail employment is near where it was in January
KYW Newsradio: Documentary about 1978 police raid on MOVE to premiere on HBO
Delaware Valley Journal: Rep. Brendan Boyle Campaign Refuses to Identify New Lawsuit Against Him
NBC 10: Trump’s Four Seasons Total Landscaping Bill: On the House
Philadelphia Business Journal: With Philadelphia child care centers in crisis, the Pennsylvania 30 Day Fund steps in to help

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Stancu, Weintraub to face off in Bucks DA race 
Bucks County Courier Times: COVID-19 cases continue to increase in Bucks
Daily Local News: Chester County revitalization program gets funding boost from state
Daily Local News: Otten to host virtual town hall on food insecurity, housing
Bucks Local News: Veteran Prosecutor Antonetta Stancu announces run for Bucks County District Attorney
Bucks Local News: Pa. COVID-19 UPDATE (Nov. 27 to Dec. 3): Case increases near 49,000; 66 counties report substantial transmission
Inquirer: An ex-Bucks County prosecutor will challenge her former boss for District Attorney
KYW Newsradio: Bill that will give ‘Rosie the Riveters’ US highest civilian honor has been signed into law
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate surges in Montgomery County and six neighboring counties

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Changed U.S. Supreme Court Schedule Gives Hope To Republican Challengers Of Pa.’s Mail-In Voting System 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Considering New Business Capacity Limits, Says County Executive Rich Fitzgerald 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: City Council To Take In-Depth Look At Mayor Peduto’s Pandemic Sick Leave Proposal  
KDKA: Pittsburgh Awarded $10M To Stabilize Mt. Washington 
KDKA: Sylvia Wilson Elected To Second Term As Pittsburgh Public Schools Board President 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1,470 New Cases Over The Last 48 Hours
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council likely to pass COVID-19 paid sick leave bill Tuesday 
Post-Gazette: National transit union calls for bus drivers to be considered front-line workers as Port Authority mourns two deaths
Post-Gazette: National transit union calls for bus drivers to be considered front-line workers as Port Authority mourns two deaths
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh receives grant for landslide remediation in Mount Washington 
Post-Gazette: ‘Pennsylvania, we have a problem’: Governor issues dire COVID-19 warning 
WESA: ‘We Have Some Tough Decisions To Make’ PPS Board To Vote On Budget This Month
WESA: Cannabis Proving To Be A Boon To PA, But State And Federal Constraints Remain 
WESA: Recently Released Health Indicators Fall Along Racial Lines, Again 
WESA: State Officials Warn Pennsylvanians To Stay Home, Stop Short Of New Restrictions
Tribune Review: Speakers call for Pittsburgh Public Schools to cut police, security spending
Tribune Review: Feds award $10M to stabilize Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington
Tribune Review: No new covid restrictions for Pa., but possibility looms
Tribune Review: Despite drop in new cases, Allegheny County’s record covid numbers continue 
City Paper: Uber ends autonomous-vehicle pursuit, sells to Pittsburgh-based Aurora Innovation
City Paper: An ongoing tally of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in Allegheny County

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Local state Rep. Mike Reese says he tested positive for COVID-19 
Observer-Reporter: Two Washington County row offices closed, one reopening Thursday 
Observer-Reporter: Judge Toothman resigning from bench in Greene County 
Observer-Reporter: Gov. Wolf warns of new COVID-19 recommendations to slow its spread
KDKA: Westmoreland County Taking Inventory Of Blighted Buildings
KDKA: Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Reese Tests Positive For Coronavirus
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania Rep. Mike Reese tests positive for coronavirus
Beaver County Times: Beaver County has 1,000 new COVID cases in 7 days

NEPA
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre budget balance shows expected drop
The Times Leader: Tax break for massive Hazleton area commercial project on Luzerne County Council agenda
The Times Leader: 184 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in county; 14,960 statewide over 2 days
Citizens Voice: Wolf, Levine plead for public cooperation, call COVID situation ‘dire’
Citizens Voice: 184 new COVID-19 cases in county
Times-Tribune: Worried Wolf warns of medical care shortages if virus keeps spreading

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Trump speaks with Pa. House Speaker Bryan Cutler, as Cutler tells the state’s congressional delegation to object to the state’s electors 
LNP | LancasterOnline: G. Terry Madonna, political analyst and poll director, to leave F&M, take volunteer position at Millersville University 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 30 residents dead at a Lancaster County nursing home following COVID-19 outbreak 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here are 3 charts that show the latest coronavirus trends in cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Lancaster County 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County continues COVID-19 uptick with over 240 new cases [Monday’s COVID-19 updates]
Patriot News: Trump called Pa. House speaker to ask for help overturning election results: report
Patriot News: Community leader, activist Reginald Guy Jr. remembered as man who found his calling 
Patriot News: ‘Don’t give up’: Harrisburg’s civil rights champions tackle challenges, just as late leader would’ve wanted
York Dispatch: York County has 2 new COVID-19 deaths, 394 additional cases over two days
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 98 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County in Monday’s report; 124 new cases reported Sunday

Lehigh Valley       
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. John Fetterman enters the national spotlight after the election
Reading Eagle: Reading cuts tax increase in half again 
Reading Eagle: New plastic recycling law might affect Berks County project 
Reading Eagle: Reading awarded $812,000 for new traffic signals, curb ramps 
Reading Eagle: Berks County adds more than 500 new COVID cases in 2-day span
WFMZ: Reading City Council announces another reduction in proposed 2021 tax increase 
Express Times: ‘If we have to do more, we will,’ Gov. Wolf says as he begs people to wear a mask and stay home 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 6,330 new cases, 42 deaths on slow reporting day; hospitalizations skyrocket; 483 more Lehigh Valley cases | Pa. COVID-19 county map (12/07/20) 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf says coronavirus surge could overwhelm health care system; more mitigation measures may come soon

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Here’s which Centre County state representatives are urging Congress to reject Pa.’s electors
Centre Daily Times: Dec. 7 update: Pa. adds almost 15,000 weekend COVID-19 cases; Centre County reports 136
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Owlett bill adds drug to controlled substances schedule, OKd by Wolf
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Wolf warns hospitals at risk, mulls new virus restrictions

Opinion  
Austin Davis: Congress must act fast on the CARES Act
Nathan Benefield: Pennsylvania Passes the Buck on State Budget
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Pa. politics: Reality vs. conspiracy
Inquirer Staff: Should Biden cancel student loan debt? | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: No plan? No holiday 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Time for action on Big Tech
Stephen Klasko and Hemant Taneja with Kevin Maney: Building A Health Assurance System  
Shannon Gority: ‘Get real’ when considering a Christmas tree
Paul Muschick: Why Pennsylvania businesses deserve to be shielded from frivolous coronavirus lawsuits
Jordan M. Hyatt: Send first vaccines to Pennsylvania’s prisons 
Daniel R. Taylor: Why I tell my patients I will get the COVID-19 vaccine | Expert Opinion
Katelin Hoskins, Jose Morales, and Rinad Beidas: Safe firearm storage will save lives as gun demand surges during COVID 
Peter F. Cannavò: Getting around anti-Democratic obstacles to addressing climate change
William C. Kashatus: Dick Allen was Philadelphia’s Jackie Robinson 
Inga Saffron: Philly’s effort to recoup back taxes from tiny nonprofit could cost it something special 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: What Philly police can do

4 Responses

  1. SD-45 with Sen Brewster should be a reminder that every vote does count. Amazing how close some races can be but just when you think your vote is a glass of water thrown over Niagara Falls you see this race. Amazingly close.

  2. Beck having worked many years for putrid Christine Donohue is more than enough reason to oppose her candidacy.

    1. She will need to acknowledge the FACTS showing the oblivious doddering Biden was able to orchestrate a massive, national conspiracy to rob Trump of election. Mike Ward knows what I am talking about. Hes retweeting all this for his mom. Shes on board.

      Also, we never went to the moon. But first today my staff and I are speaking with a man who had Thanksgiving with Bigfoot. And you’ll be surprised to hear what he thought of the election results!

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