House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler spoke at the PA Press Club on Monday, while voters in West Philadelphia head to the polls today for the special election in the 190th state House District. Here is the Playbook. 

Cutler Mostly Avoids Speakership Horse Race at Press Club Lunch: The Lancaster County Republican touted the bipartisan achievements over the past year, while attempting to avoid the speculation about who will be the next Speaker.

PA1: Finello, Hurwitz to Debate: Christina Finello, an Ivyland Borough Councilwoman and Bucks County Deputy Director of Housing and Human Services, and Skylar Hurwitz, a technology entrepreneur and small business owner will debate from 12:15 to 1:30 pm at the Bucks County Community College’s Lower Bucks campus, according to the Bucks County Courier Times. Both candidates are seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 1st Congressional District. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: How political party insiders — not voters — dictate Pa. special election candidates 
The Caucus: Not an open book: Pa lags behind other states when it comes to transparency
AP: Pennsylvania may tweak new law to avoid vote-counting logjam
AP: Supreme Court to hear Philly dispute over same-sex foster parents
AP: Costs, delays scuttle 124-mile Constitution Pipeline project
AP: Court says prosecutor’s role in Abu-Jamal case merits review
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House Majority Leader Bryan Cutler isn’t running for Speaker — yet
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What are supplemental appropriations? The Pa. budget battle you’re not hearing about
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf proposes staffing, fee hikes in DEP’s budget request
KDKA: Around The Table: Bernie Sanders Heads Into Debate Off Big Win In Nevada
Inquirer: What happens if you vote absentee in Pa. and then your candidate drops out?
Inquirer: Bernie Sanders is surging with Latinos. But Mike Bloomberg might have hidden appeal in Pa.
Inquirer: These Pa. colleges are going all in on renewable energy — with a little help from a Texas solar farm
PLSReporter: Cutler hints at tweaks to state’s Election Code following Act 77 changes
PLSReporter: As infrastructure issues mount, lawmakers grapple with way forward for ever-popular state parks
PLSReporter: Senate Democratic Policy Committee pursues opioid solutions
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Games of skill’ debate goes national, as casino industry and manufacturers step in
WESA: Youth Homelessness On The Rise In PA, Numbers Increasing Faster Than U.S. Average
WHYY Newsworks: ‘How could they do that to my kid?’: Parents sue state-funded van service after preschoolers tied up with duct tape
StateImpactPA: The future of Philly’s shut-down PES refinery is wide open. Its neighbors are keeping a wary eye on what happens next
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania launches webpages to school voters on new procedures 
The Hill: Pennsylvania Democrat says US Attorney’s Office should prioritize opioids rather than ‘Russian propaganda’ from Giuliani

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: West Philly is about to vote in yet another special election after yet another Democrat was convicted 
Inquirer: Blondell Reynolds Brown said she wouldn’t enroll in DROP. Now she’s trying to do just that. 
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court will investigate alleged conflicts in DA Larry Krasner’s handling of Mumia Abu-Jamal’s appeals
Inquirer: Penn got $258 million in foreign money, and there may be more it hadn’t disclosed
Philadelphia Tribune: Youngblood protégé, 5 others running for soon-to-be-vacant Philly House seat
Philadelphia Tribune: In Philly, across race, class lines, a search for solutions to the city’s biggest challenges
KYW Newsradio: Philly School District says it’s paying charters too much for special-education students
KYW Newsradio: Blondell Reynolds Brown pledged never to take DROP. That was then
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Supreme Court to investigate alleged conflicts of Abu-Jamal case
KYW Newsradio: Future of Philly transit is steering away from cars, study suggests
KYW Newsradio: As 2 schools reopen after asbestos testing, district working to keep parents informed
WHYY Newsworks: Former Philly councilwoman filled out DROP application
WHYY Newsworks: Budget turmoil at Philly’s second-largest charter school — but officials keep quiet about why
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia youth jobs program seeks business community’s help for $5M campaign
WESA: Rallies Planned In Pittsburgh, Philadelphia To Urge AG Shapiro To Support More Commutations
Philadelphia Magazine: If You’re a Good Citizen, Delete the Citizen Policing App
Philly Voice: Family of four in Philly now needs $70K just to survive, study finds

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks Democrats for Congress to debate Tuesday
Bucks Courier Times: In bid for presidency, Michael Bloomberg opens campaign office in Bucks County
Bucks Courier Times: Sen. Casey brings ‘Five Freedoms’ plan for children to Bensalem
Bucks Courier Times: Listen: What the Trump Store means for 2020 election
Daily Local News: Chester County watchdog wants Bunny’s money
Daily Local News: Killion introduces redistricting reform legislation
Daily Local News: Harrisburg edges closer to eliminating gerrymandering with bipartisan support
Daily Local News: Malcolm Jenkins puts political activism on display at Swarthmore
Delco Daily Times: Community Briefs: Delaware County takes major step against childhood lead poisoning
Delco Daily Times: Big stink returns to Delco
Delco Daily Times: First Census Champion training held in Upper Darby
Delco Daily Times: Upper Darby gives mayor authority to replace appointees

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Rep. Austin Davis resigns as vice chairman of Allegheny Democratic committee
Post-Gazette: Bob Casey condemns William Barr for assigning U.S. attorney in Pittsburgh to review information on Bidens, Ukraine
Post-Gazette: ‘An issue that affects everybody’: Pa. lawmaker seeks change in Amber Alert law with ‘Nalani Johnson Rule’
Post-Gazette: Divestment protesters at Pitt enter fourth day of occupation and chat up visitors about global warming 
Post-Gazette: Residents, business owners weigh in on the city’s ‘master bike plan’
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette honored for coverage of Amish, Mennonites
Post-Gazette: Disability/mental health summit aims to provide information and resources
Post-Gazette: Settlement of Clairton Coke Works suit results in Mon Valley windfall
WESA: County Democratic Chair Calls For Meeting As Second-In-Command Steps Down In Protest
WESA: Following Attacks From Challenger, Lamb Weighs In On Fracking Ban
WESA: Casey Proposes Legislation To Address Accessibility Problems At Polling Places
WESA: New Legislation Imagines An Overhaul Of PA’s Cannabis Laws
WESA: Rallies Planned In Pittsburgh, Philadelphia To Urge AG Shapiro To Support More Commutations
WESA: Youth Homelessness On The Rise In PA, Numbers Increasing Faster Than U.S. Average
KDKA: Pittsburgh’s New Paid Sick Time Program May Benefit Many Workers But Leaves Some Employers Worried
KDKA: Public Hearings To Be Held About Proposed Bike Lanes 
KDKA: Court Approves Class Action Lawsuit Settlement Between U.S. Steel, Clairton Residents
Pittsburgh Current: Breaking: State Rep. Austin Davis Resigns As Vice-Chair Of Allegheny County Democratic Committee
Pittsburgh Business Times: Major Pennsylvania-New York gas pipeline scrapped
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh OMB launches buying plan, levels playing field to bid on government contracts
Tribune Review: Sen. Casey asks AG Barr to end Pittsburgh’s involvement in Ukraine probe

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Lawmakers: Greenhouse gas agreement will cost state jobs
Observer-Reporter: Local colleges and universities coping with decreasing enrollment
Altoona Mirror: Blair County Tea Party to meet about guns
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Jail among 22 Pa. jails to allow inmates contact visits with children 

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Manager Pedri to present ‘state of the county’ report Tuesday
Citizens Voice: County council set to vote on $5 vehicle fee 
Citizens Voice: Political Scene 2/24/20 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Games of skill’ debate goes national, as casino industry and manufacturers step in
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County police departments cite costs as hurdle to body cameras, but would like them
York Dispatch: Who’s the better Democrat to challenge Congressman Smucker?
Patriot News: With voting by mail in Pa. this year, election results may not be known for days, officials say 
Patriot News: PennLive reader panel on the cost of running for political office looking for a couple volunteers
Patriot News: Pa. court refuses to overturn zoning OK for project of ‘micro-homes’ for homeless military vets
York Daily Record: Steve Chronister calls for investigation into ‘corrupt’ Pa. Human Relations Commission
York Daily Record: Grandview Golf Course: Private meeting rejected, so public hearing will settle dispute 
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. Department of State launches county-specific webpages to educate voters

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Lebanon County Democrat seeks Berks-area congressional seat
Reading Eagle: Haves and have-nots: wide poverty disparities between Reading, bordering school districts
Morning Call: Upper Nazareth voters will be asked if they want to fund Memorial Library after petition drive gets nearly 400 signatures 
Morning Call: Have a question on your county’s voting system? Pennsylvania has a webpage for that 
Express Times: Upper Nazareth residents could vote to raise their own taxes to support library

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Gnibus only Democrat filed to challenge Kelly
Centre Daily Times: Did the former Centre County DA violate grand jury secrecy? Investigation referred to Pa. AG
Patriot News: Nearly $500 million natural gas synthesis plant planned in western Clinton County  
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Federal grant money to help with levee reconstruction
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Teacher union files unfair labor practice charges

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly is right to take LGBTQ foster care case to Supreme Court
Inquirer Editorial Board: Guns and their owners need no ‘sanctuary’ 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fare reductions: Many rely on buses as main transportation
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The clock is ticking: Nuclear weapons, climate change push world toward doomsday
Kristine Howard: We must work together to eradicate the opioid epidemic
Christiana Sappey: Raiding the race horsing fund bad for Pennsylvania
John L. Micek: New report gives Pa. a ‘D-Minus’ for its reliance on one-time budget gimmicks| Monday Morning Coffee
Ana Meyers: Pennsylvania needs a better charter rule, plus school choice support from Governor Wolf 
Naomi Blount: Pennsylvania’s Board of Pardons should show mercy to more people like me 
Alyn E. Waller and Andrea Custis: The 2020 Census is a chance for black Philadelphians to reclaim power
Charlie Gerow: The battle lines are drawn — and freedom is the prize
Gene Therapy: Scholars on skullduggery, in the fullness of time
John N. Mitchell: Why Paula Peebles’ story of gun-selling cops can’t be dismissed 
Allan Lichtman: Why Bernie Sanders is electable
Jason West and Yang Ou: Air pollution kills thousands of Americans every year. Here’s a low-cost strategy to reduce the toll
Courtney Duchene: When They Build It, Will They Stay? 
Chris Kelly: Is Bernie the Trump of the Left?