When will transgender politics enter federal, statewide races? Early polls favor Barletta, Mastriano. Stock trading rules to tighten? Six Pennsylvania power couples. Here is the Playbook.

News

Will Transgender Case at UPenn Spill Into PA Politics?: It’s being talked about within the ivy-covered walls of The Ivy League. It has the attention of political candidates and state houses. And it has become a culture war between proponents and opponents of transgender participation in scholastic and intercollegiate athletics. How long will Pennsylvania politicians be able to avoid making the topic an issue in the campaign?

McCormick Draws Attention, Fire With “Let’s Go Brandon” Ad: If attention was the object, then the David McCormick campaign certainly hit the bullseye with its “Let’s Go Brandon” ad that aired during the Super Bowl.

Leg Injury Sidelines Martin Gubernatorial Run: Scott Martin (R-13) suspended his campaign for the GOP nomination for Governor on Friday, citing ongoing medical issues due to a recent leg injury.

‘Barletta, Mastriano lead in early GOP polls for governor’: City & State PA reports that “two candidates – former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta and state Sen. Doug Mastriano – have found the most success in early polls, with Barletta leading in at least three polls conducted on the race so far.”

‘Conor Lamb is further behind John Fetterman’s fund-raising than it seems’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “there’s more to fund-raising than just the dollars. A deeper look at new financial filings in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race tells us a lot about the candidates, their supporters, and their campaigns.”

‘Let’s talk about that David McCormick ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ Super Bowl ad’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the Pennsylvania Republican Senate candidate is trying to do just enough to tell Trump voters he’s one of them — while leaving wiggle room for later.”

‘Dem group files campaign finance complaint against Barletta-linked PAC’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a Democratic group has filed a federal campaign finance complaint against Pennsylvania Republican gubernatorial hopeful Lou Barletta over political spending directed to a rental property formerly owned by him and his wife.”

‘Court rules against Philadelphia lost gun reporting law’: The Associated Press reports that “a Philadelphia ordinance that requires gun owners to tell police when a firearm has been lost or stolen was ruled illegal Monday by a state court, with one of the judges who voted to throw out the law lamenting that their ruling would put people’s lives at risk.”

‘Ex-lawmaker Davidson fined over campaign law violations’: The Associated Press reports that “a former Democratic state lawmaker who pleaded guilty to theft and campaign finance violations in December was fined $150 on Monday by a county judge in Harrisburg.”

‘The 2022 Power of Diversity: Black 100’: City & State PA reports that the “list spotlights current power brokers in Pennsylvania who are people of color, along with the state’s next generation of change agents.”

‘The power of love: Meet six Pennsylvania power couples making us gush’: City & State PA reports that “Valentine’s Day wouldn’t be the same without your significant other, and Pennsylvania politics wouldn’t be the same without these power couples.”

‘Congress wrestles with stock trading legislation; Mike Kelly probe ongoing in Ethics Committee’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “members of Congress are floating proposals to tighten rules or impose an outright ban on the ownership and trading of individual stocks, arguing that members of the U.S. House and Senate are privy to information that could give them an edge and that any perceived advantage sows distrust. The legislation, some of which has garnered bipartisan and bicameral support, comes as one of Western Pennsylvania’s own representatives, Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, faces an ethics probe into stocks purchased by his wife, and as other members become the target of scrutiny for possible conflicts of interest.”

‘Pennsylvania lawmakers want state approval of hospital deals after two Chester hospital closures disrupt services’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “amid widespread medical disruptions caused by the recent closure of two hospitals in Chester County, a trio of state lawmakers want to require state approval for any purchase of a hospital or hospital system.”

‘From pit latrines to poorly rated bridges, Pa. state parks, forests are showing their age, officials say’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvanians are outdoor people whether it’s to bike, hike, swim, kayak, hunt, fish, camp or simply enjoy nature. But the state parks and state forests where millions participate in those activities annually are in dire need of some work if they are going to continue being places future generations want to visit.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Rep. Schroeder won’t seek re-election in PA’s 29th District this year’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that “in a race that currently has three Democrats vying for a ballot spot in May, Republican Rep. Meghan Schroeder announced she will not seek re-election to the House 29th District this year.”

‘Republican Lori Mizgorski, drawn out of state House district, will take run at 38th District Senate seat’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “drawn into a new district where Democrats make up nearly two-thirds of the electorate, Republican Lori Mizgorski, a state House lawmaker in her second term, will instead take a run at Lindsey Williams for a seat in the state Senate.”

‘Retired educator announces candidacy for state House seat’: PennLive reports that “former high school teacher, coach and school administrator John Schlegel has announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for the open 101st state House District seat representing parts of Lebanon County.”

‘State Rep. Barb Gleim announces re-election bid for Cumberland County House seat’: PennLive reports that “state Rep. Barb Gleim, R-Middlesex Township, announced her intent to run for re-election in the 199th House District Monday.”

Regional Spotlight: Central
York Dispatch: York City could have a new state senator — who supports legalizing marijuana
York Daily Record: Downtown businesses frustrated as York begins charging extra 1.5 hours at parking garages
Patriot News: Harrisburg police chief, Dauphin County DA to address gun violence, unsolved homicides at town hall
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. human services, corrections departments launch doula program for incarcerated mothers

Opinion  
Chuck Moran: Taverns, licensed restaurants raise questions on liquor privatization provisions 
Retired Judge Cheryl Allen: Pitt’s fetal experiment report inadequate
Letrisha Weber: Pennsylvania legislature should pass traditional school reform
John L. Micek: Are you the match for Jax? This Pa. 7-year-old needs a life-saving transplant | Monday Coffee
Jon Geeting: Guess What’s To Blame For Keeping Washington Avenue Unsafe? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Incentivize firefighters, cops to live in city 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Preserving a beef over bootleggers’ brewery
Dick Polman: So Trump broke another law. Will anyone actually do something about it? 
Joe Powers: Presidents’ Day honors neither Washington nor Lincoln. The case for breaking them up 
Tony Norman: The NFL embraces this conflicted, hip-hop moment
Luis Uribe: Philly kids need more places to play