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February 18th Playbook

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Pittsburgh 31

Harrisburg 44 falling

Philadelphia 58 falling

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News

PA Commonwealth Court Issues Death Warrant for Vote-By-Mail: Mary Hannah Leavitt, president judge emerita of the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court, has set March 15 as the date when the mail-in ballot law will be stricken.

Dem Super PAC Fighting Election Misinformation Targets PA: Attention GOP Secretaries of State, Attorneys General, Governors, county boards of supervisors and boards of canvassers, judicial candidates, and state legislators across 12 states. American Bridge 21st Century has a message for you. A $10 million message.

Dangerous to Be A Democrat in Rural PA: “The hatred for Democrats is just unbelievable.” When asked for a political affiliation, one business owner said, “I would rather not say, just because it’s a small town.” When did it become dangerous to be a Democrat in rural Pennsylvania?

‘House GOP leader asks high court to throw out Assembly maps’: The Associated Press reports that “the legislative leader on the losing end of a 4-1 vote two weeks ago to approve new General Assembly district lines filed a lawsuit Thursday asking the Pennsylvania Supreme Court to throw out the new districts and separately sought to have 10-year-old maps be used in this year’s election.”

‘State Supreme Court arguments in Pa.’s congressional redistricting case begin today. Here’s what to know’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “arguments in the case to determine congressional lines begin Friday, with Pennsylvania’s Democratic-majority Supreme Court ultimately having the final say on which map gets chosen.”

‘Jan. 6 Committee subpoena could provide boost to Mastriano’s campaign for governor’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “The congressional subpoena of a Pennsylvania state senator could shed new light on former President Donald Trump’s effort to overturn the 2020 election — and, at the same time, boost the political fortunes of the senator, who’s seeking his party’s nomination for governor in the upcoming May 17 primary.”

‘Conor Lamb campaigned with Bobby Henon and indicted Local 98 official. Allies call that ‘stupid.’’: Philly Clout reports that “U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, a western Pennsylvania Democrat, is spending a lot of time campaigning in Philly. Some familiar Local 98 faces at recent events prompted concern from allies.”

‘Republican Bill McSwain, Running for Pa. Governor, Talks Public Safety’: NBC10 reports that “​the former federal prosecutor in Philadelphia, now running for governor, says he has a plan to address crime in the city and throughout the state.”

‘Corman renews call for Philly DA’s impeachment’: PennLive reports that “the top Republican in the state Senate is renewing his call to House of Representatives Republican leaders to begin impeachment proceedings against the Philadelphia district attorney.”

‘Oz, McCormick to skip Pennsylvania Republican Senate debate’: The Hill reports that “Mehmet Oz and David McCormick, the latest Republican entries into Pennsylvania’s Senate race, will skip a debate next week for the contest’s GOP contenders.”

‘Inside Dr. Oz’s Campaign Road Show’: The Huffington Post reports that “Mehmet Oz retired from TV to run for Senate, but he’s still giving health advice and hamming it up for voters. Blood pressure readings sometimes included.”

‘Pat Toomey, Republicans want crackdown on Russians to come from Congress’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “while U.S. Senate leadership from both sides of the aisle issued joint support this week for Ukraine and shelved a bipartisan sanctions package on Russia, Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and several Republican colleagues continue to argue for a crackdown on the Kremlin that originates with Congress.”

‘Pa. nursing loan forgiveness program draws nearly 15,000 applications’: PennLive reports that “the March 1 deadline to apply for a program offering up to $7,500 in student loan debt relief to Pennsylvania-licensed nurses is drawing near and applications continue to pour in.”

‘From pupil counting to plagiarism, Pa.’s school funding trial takes twists during defense phase’: WHYY reports that “Republican legislative leaders have wrapped up their defense in a landmark trial over how Pennsylvania funds public education.”

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics last week.

‘Allentown, South Whitehall cited in Pennsylvania redistricting challenge filed in Supreme Court’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “a top Republican in the state House on Thursday asked the Supreme Court to reject newly drawn House and Senate maps, saying splits in Allentown and South Whitehall Township were examples of why the maps should be redone.”

‘GOP congressional candidate Kevin Dellicker invites Lisa Scheller to Pa. primary debate’: WFMZ reports that “Kevin Dellicker, who’s running as a Republican for the 7th district, announced Thursday he’s challenging rival Republican candidate Lisa Scheller to a series of debates for the race.”

‘Why One of Philly’s Most Successful Developers Decided to Join the Messy World of Politics’: Philadelphia Magazine reports that “once content to merely rake in millions on his condo development empire, Allan Domb has successfully emerged as a major political power player on City Council. Will he run for mayor?”

‘DEP accepting comments on Sunoco’s plan to clean up Marsh Creek Lake’: StateImpactPA reports that “the state is asking for public input on a pipeline builder’s plan to clean up a Chester County lake it fouled with a drilling mud spill.”

‘Construction wraps on problem-plagued Mariner East pipeline’: The Associated Press reports that “work is finished on a multibillion-dollar pipeline system that connects the vast Marcellus Shale gas field in western Pennsylvania to an export terminal near Philadelphia, according to its corporate owner, which faces criminal charges that it fouled waterways and residential water supplies during pipeline construction.”

‘WHYY has lost at least half its journalists. Many complain about pay, morale and lack of innovation’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the turnover at WHYY has occurred during a time of volatility and disruption in local news media, as outlets here and across the country work to diversify their newsrooms and broaden their coverage.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘District 39 clash, Part II: It’ll be Mike Puskaric vs. Andrew Kuzma in GOP state House primary’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “labeling himself a line of defense against the invasive overreaches of a Democratic governor, state Rep. Mike Puskaric announced his run for re-election on Thursday, setting up a primary battle against an Elizabeth Township official he’s clashed with before.”

‘Harvey seeking GOP nomination for state representative in the 121st District’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Wilkes-Barre Republican Eryn Harvey announced her candidacy Thursday for state representative in the 121st Legislative District.”

‘John Chura joins race for state representative in the 116th district’: The Standard Speaker reports that “for the second time since 2020, West Hazleton Mayor John Chura is seeking a seat in the state House.”

‘Pa. Rep. Tom Mehaffie to seek re-election to Dauphin County House seat’: PennLive reports that “state Rep. Tom Mehaffie announced on Thursday his intention to seek re-election to a fourth term of office representing the 106th House District in Dauphin County.”

Regional Spotlight: North by Northwest
WESB: Lt. Governor Fetterman Visits McKean County
StateImpactPA: Drilling legacy left Pa. full of possibly harmful old oil and gas wells. There’s new hope a solution is in sight
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Keller, industry representatives tour WAHS
Erie Times-News: Davis doubles down on desire to re-budget federal funds
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: American Rescue Plan budget ordinance gets positive recommendation

Opinion  
Bryan Cutler, Kerry Benninghoff and Seth Grove: Gov. Tom Wolf should have approved the proposed Congressional maps
Ron Klink: President Biden must keep his promise to American manufacturing workers
Salena Zito: David McCormick takes tough questions in Pennsylvania
Gordon Tomb: Wolf’s RGGI fixation will slow Pennsylvania’s recovery
Katherine Rapin: Who’s On Philadelphia City Council? 
Andrew Meleta and Daryl James: It’s ridiculously difficult to start a business in Philadelphia
Bob Elbich: Who to blame for our supply chain problems
John L. Micek: 3 poll numbers that should scare Democrats. And 3 that should give some hope | Thursday Coffee
Joyce M. Davis: Harrisburg needs fewer guns and more snitching to help mothers keep their children alive | Social Views
Thomas C. Mandracchia: Turning on Krasner 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Beaver schools can be model of cooperation
Tony Norman: Truth and consequences after a murder: The N-word edition
Will Bunch: After Trump’s Big Lie, half of U.S. lives in a fantasy world. This won’t end well 
Trudy Rubin: Russian grab of Belarus is the role model for Putin’s plans for Ukraine 
Charles D. Allen: This Black History Month, let’s put the focus on Black health and wellness

2 Responses

  1. Judge Leavitt reveals her enduring roots as a defender of evil entities (insurance predators).

  2. Hopefully the PA Supreme Court stays this nostalgic head in the sand Commonwealth Court mail in voting ruling. It’s bad law.

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