Vice President Mike Pence will make a campaign appearance near Pittsburgh on Tuesday to speak to a Veterans for Trump group, while President Donald Trump will hold a rally in Hershey on Tuesday evening in Hershey. Here is the Playbook. 

December 6th Ups & Downs: A Philadelphia Democrat is charged with stealing from her own charity, endorsements begin rolling in for the Auditor General’s race, plus President Donald Trump taps a former Ridley Park councilman to serve in a new role in his administration. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Former State Sen. J Doyle Corman Dies at 87: Corman, who served in the state Senate from 1977 to 1998, died at the age of 87, according to his son, state Sen. Jake Corman (R-Centre). 

Legislative Election Update:

HD-21: Steve Zappala, son of Allegheny County District Attorney Stephen Zappala Jr., announced his intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Sara Innamorato (D-Allegheny). In 2018, Innamorato bested longtime incumbent state Rep. Dom Costa (D-Allegheny) for the seat in the Democratic Primary. 

HD-99: Glenn Yoder, a former president of the Eastern Lancaster County school board, announced a Republican primary bid for the seat held by state Rep. David Zimmerman, according to LNP | LancasterOnline. Zimmerman has served in the state House since 2015 and comfortably won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by 71 points over Democrat Elizabeth Malarkey. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Philly Clout: Pat Toomey defends Trump on impeachment: ‘Where is the crime?’
Philly Clout: Mike Turzai is thinking about running for Pennsylvania governor — again 
Philly Clout: Pennsylvania Society is abuzz about David Cohen stepping down at Comcast
Philly Clout: Joe Biden has taken ‘slings and arrows’ but stayed strong for 2020, Ed Rendell says
Philly Clout: At a packed Pennsylvania Society cocktail party, one guest wanted out. So she was born a month early
AP: Pence to make fourth visit to Pennsylvania this year
AP: Governor puts House on timetable to pass minimum wage bill
AP: Decades-old jean theft complicates commuted lifer’s release
Inquirer: Think the 2020 Pennsylvania primary won’t matter? Think again.
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf commuted a man’s life sentence. Now Delco prosecutors want to send him back to jail.
Patriot News: Pa. leaders honor former Sen. Doyle Corman
Patriot News: School pension costs to rise about $100 million next year but that’s good news
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf orders state flags lowered to honor longtime former state lawmaker
Patriot News: PA Society: ‘It’s an annual tradition and a must-attend event’ for politicians and power brokers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf commutes 8, brings clemency total to 19, the third-highest among Pa. governors
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House passes legislation to crack down on voter suppression 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pardoned by Wolf, Philadelphia man’s prison release blocked by decades-old theft charges
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Trump rules could push nearly 290K Pennsylvanians off food stamps | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What’s holding up appointments on this powerful state education board? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capitol Commemorates 78th anniversary of Pearl Harbor attack
PLSReporter: 4 bills to watch for the week of December 9
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Protections for pregnant inmates, sports betting and traffic violations
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – December 2, 2019
Fox News: Democrats pushing forward to draft articles of impeachment for upcoming hearing
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia’s ban on single-use plastic bags moves toward passage into law
Politico: ‘Trump changed everything’: Big cities break hard left in Dem primary
National Journal: DePasquale’s Campaign Hired Recipient of Controversial DNC Bonus
Erie Times-News: Pa. 11th in US in spending per prisoner 
The Hill: Pennsylvania state lawmaker accused of stealing $500K from her charity will resign
CNN: Pennsylvania state rep accused of stealing $500k from her charity for fur coats, vacation and campaign resigns
CNN: Farmer: Trump is backstabbing the people who elected him

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Pennsylvania Society is abuzz about David Cohen stepping down at Comcast
Philly Clout: Outsider Kendra Brooks learns how to play the inside game at Pennsylvania Society
Philly Clout: At a packed Pennsylvania Society cocktail party, one guest wanted out. So she was born a month early
Inquirer: Bugs, missed meds, disrepair: Inspectors found violations at homes run by Movita Johnson-Harrell’s nonprofit while authorities say she was collecting cash
Inquirer: Philly FOP boss visits President Trump at White House to criticize DA Larry Krasner
Inquirer: Philly students rally against climate change in Center City, won’t be punished for missing class
Inquirer: Norman Berson, 93, longtime state representative and champion of liberal causes
Inquirer: New Pa. law aimed to disarm accused domestic abusers within 24 hours. Hundreds in Philly haven’t turned in guns.
Inquirer: Philly wants to bring back a version of an old strategy to fight gun violence. Specifics are pending.
Inquirer: Philly’s real estate boom spurs fear of eviction among one building’s senior citizens 
WHYY Newsworks: Left-wing challenger Nikil Saval announces bid to unseat Pa. Sen. Larry Farnese
WHYY Newsworks: Hoping to oust Trump, voters in Philly get ready to run for DNC delegates
WHYY Newsworks: Robert Costa on political reporting, history in the making, and `bewilderment’ in the Capitol
WHYY Newsworks: Philly students join in national Climate Strike
Philadelphia Tribune: Acting Philly police commissioner promotes officers accused of misconduct
KYW Newsradio: FOP president resumes war of words with Krasner over gun violence after meeting with Trump
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia may finally get single-use plastic bag ban, but advocates say bill may have fatal flaw
KYW Newsradio: Bill to fight bedbug infestations is up for final vote in Philadelphia City Council next week
KYW Newsradio: ‘I can’t just wallow in terror’: Students rally again against climate change
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia’s child welfare system is steadily improving, DHS says
Billy Penn: This is how much Philly’s big buildings are contributing to climate change
Philadelphia Magazine: Philadelphia is the Worst City for Politics
Philadelphia Magazine: All the Drama Over the 10-Year Tax Abatement Bill, Explained
Philadelphia Magazine: In “Assault on Privacy,” Philly Police Routinely Reveal Mental Health Status of Missing City Residents
Philadelphia Magazine: Meet the 18-Year-Old Youth Organizer Fighting for a Greener Philly
Philadelphia Citizen: Ideas We Should Steal Festival 2019: Can States Save The Country?  
Philly Voice: Philly D.A. Krasner calls Joe Biden ‘dumbest guy’ at Penn event

SEPA
Daily Local News: Pipeline activist to challenge incumbent Dem state legislator
Daily Local News: Trial date set for dispute of overtime pay to Chesco sheriff’s boyfriend
Daily Local News: Pa. lawmakers unveil 5 options to address school property taxes
Daily Local News: Public invited to have a say on future of Pennsylvania state parks
Daily Local News: ‘Lots of smiles’ as children go Christmas shopping with Chesco sheriff
Delco Daily Times: Delco D.A. in war of words with Wolf, Fetterman in dispute over clemency for inmate
Delco Daily Times: GOP Wish List: Council eyes $55M in county projects
Delco Daily Times: West Chester U. tops for student voter engagement
Inquirer: Democrats crowd-source agenda in transition to power in Delaware County
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf commuted a man’s life sentence. Now Delco prosecutors want to send him back to jail.
KYW Newsradio: War of words over release of convicted murderer being told to deal with outstanding shoplifting charge in Delco
Pottstown Mercury: Sen. Muth, Rep. Webster to host holiday scam information session

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Steve Zappala, son of Allegheny County DA, is running for state House District 21
City Paper: Workers at LGBTQ service center Persad vote to unionize with United Steelworkers
Post-Gazette: Idea for presidential candidates’ forum in Pittsburgh started in nation’s capital
Post-Gazette: Fitzgerald, Butler County commissioners to receive inaugural “Moe” Coleman Award
Post-Gazette: After record year for TV blackouts, Congress pushes broadcasters, cable companies to bargain in good faith
Post-Gazette: Is shale development worth the costs? A CMU study says no.
Post-Gazette: Rally for action on climate change held Downtown
Post-Gazette: Oversight board approves $75,000 to continue naloxone program at Allegheny County Jail
Tribune Review: Murrysville council, Olympus Energy continue working out possible fracking well conditions
WESA: New Post-Election Campaign Finance Reports Show Conservancy As Major Backer For Parks Tax

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Joyce opposes drug price plan
Beaver County Times: Impeachment rally planned for Beaver the day before House vote is expected
Beaver County Times: Time changed for Pence’s visit to Rochester VFW
Beaver County Times: Bill would offer alternative for suspending driver’s licenses
Beaver County Times: Commissioner Sandie Egley opens up about battle with skin cancer
Observer-Reporter: Staniszewski appears for hearing, expected to take plea
Observer-Reporter: Municipalities may have option to provide internet service under state proposal
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: U.S. attorney names law enforcement coordinator
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate to introduce reform on driver’s license suspension
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Feeling the heat: Food stamps shift could strain food banks, impact families

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County budget tensions mounting
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre city council to decide on location of proposed sewer system sale
Citizens Voice: W-B parking fine collection rate still lags
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners ready to collaborate, cooperate
Times-Tribune: Forest City mayor, a native of the Bahamas, shares his vision for borough

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. leaders honor former Sen. Doyle Corman
Patriot News: School pension costs to rise about $100 million next year but that’s good news
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf orders state flags lowered to honor longtime former state lawmaker
Patriot News: PA Society: ‘It’s an annual tradition and a must-attend event’ for politicians and power brokers
LNP | LancasterOnline: Former Elanco school board president to challenge Zimmerman in Republican primary
LNP | LancasterOnline: 5 GOP House members who got toppled by primary challengers in Lancaster County
LNP | LancasterOnline: 19 elected officials you’ve never heard of will be key in the 2020 GOP primary in Lancaster County

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Northampton County passes budget with no property tax increase for second straight year
Morning Call: Here’s how much that Lehigh Valley college education is worth
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania lawmakers unveil 5 school property tax options for review 

North by Northwest
WTAJ: Former PA State Senator J. Doyle Corman has passed, according to son, Sen. Jake Corman
Erie Times-News: How federal legislators voted, week ending Dec. 6
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Officials: Changes to SNAP could affect thousands statewide

Opinion   
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa. lawmakers address child abuse — but don’t go far enough
Inquirer Editorial Board: New food stamp rule says if you don’t work, you can’t eat 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reasonable and humane: Minimum wage bill is a step forward for workers
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Liberty vs. security: Concerns about facial recognition tech must be addressed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A sharp eye on parks tax: Hold Pitts­burgh Parks Con­ser­vancy to its prom­ises
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Password protection: Court rightly rules for individual privacy
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Better practices: Pittsburgh Center for Arts and Media should use resources to improve management
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Steer clear for safety: Brake for those responding to roadside emergencies 
LNP Editorial Board: We need to be the empathetic helpers Mister Rogers wanted us to be
Tim Kearney and Katie Muth: Pa.’s recently approved statute of limitations reform fell short. This is how
John L. Micek: How Trump’s SNAP cuts will hurt people leaving prison, report | Friday Morning Coffee
George Newman: Pennsylvania criminalizes accidental overdoses to the detriment of its people
Karen Kane: An unconscionable means to a worthy end
Paul Muschick: How Pennsylvania’s biggest elections reforms in 80 years started in the Lehigh Valley
Susan L. DeJarnatt: Update Pa’s charter school law to foster innovation, bolster accountability
Joseph N. DiStefano: Will David L. Cohen do for the people of Philadelphia what he did for Comcast?
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: World leaders laugh at Trump, kids held at border not so much
Tim Hartman: Who says we need a handheld cell phone ban? | Editorial Cartoon
Abraham Gutman: Why drugs and violence concentrate in Kensington — and what Philadelphia can do about it | Brain Trust
Post-Gazette Commentary: George Zimmerman’s loser streak continues
Post-Gazette Commentary: Remembering Pearl Harbor, and the sacrifice of the Trumps
Ruth Ann Dailey: Open to interpretation
Will Bunch: What a greedy, slimeball firm like McKinsey & Co. tells us about ‘the cancel culture’ 
Inquirer Staff: By 2041, Philadelphia summers might feel like — Orlando?
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s most dangerous behavior on Ukraine may not be an impeachable offense 
Jan Mutchler: Turning gray and going into the red: The true cost of growing old in America
Rich Goldberg: Jewelers’ Row construction will help one of Philly’s most historic areas evolve for a bright future 
Maria Panaritis: ‘Read this story, dirt bag!’ and other tales of Americans being uncivil long before Twitter or Trump 
Rachel Valletta: Will Philadelphia and the Northeast U.S. lose our seasons to climate change? Not if we can help it. 
Christine Flowers: Delivering justice in cases of pure evil
Keith C. Burris: Mayor Mike and Mister Rogers
David M. Shribman: The impeachment impasse