A bipartisan bill to legalize marijuana in Pennsylvania is introduced, while a pair of PA Republicans will speak at CPAC this upcoming weekend. Here is the Playbook. 

Kelly and Perry To Speak at CPAC: Rep. Mike Kelly will speak on two panels – one discussing energy policies and the other on protecting elections, while Rep. Scott Perry will talk about matters relating to China on a panel.

Laughlin and Street Introduce Bipartisan Bill To Legalize Marijuana: The Erie County Republican and Philadelphia Democrat say that the proposed legislation prioritizes safety, community reinvestment, social and economic equity, agriculture, and creates tax revenue streams for the state, according to a release.

PAGOP Special Meeting Ends Without Decision on Censuring Toomey: The Philadelphia Inquirer and the Associated Press report that the Pennsylvania Republican Party special meeting to “consider the issues arising out of the impeachment and the path for our party going forward” on Wednesday night took five hours and ended up with no decision in the question of censuring Sen. Pat Toomey for his vote to convict former President Donald Trump during the second impeachment trial. 

Healthcare Workers Union Endorse Gainey for Mayor: SEIU Healthcare Pennsylvania has endorsed state Rep. Ed Gainey in his bid for mayor of Pittsburgh, City Paper reports. 

Printers’ Union Endorses Peduto for Mayor: According to a release from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s campaign, the Graphical Communications Conference/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Local 24M/9N has endorsed his reelection bid. 

5 NEPA Mayors Endorse Cognetti for Mayor: Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown, Nanticoke Mayor Kevin Coughlin, Hazleton Mayor Jeff Cusat, Pittston Mayor Michael Lombardo, and Williamsport Mayor Derek Slaughter endorsed Scranton Mayor Paige Cognetti’s reelection bid, according to a tweet from Cognetti. 

Meuser Hires Coccodrilli As District Director: According to a press release from Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne), Curt Coccodrilli, former State Director for USDA Rural Development, has been hired as District Director for the 9th Congressional District.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania GOP will meet again to discuss Toomey, vote 
AP: Legalizing marijuana gets first GOP sponsor in Pennsylvania
AP: Lawmakers eye impact of census delay on redrawing districts
AP: Republicans say Wolf is trying to sabotage ballot question
AP: Pennsylvania lawmakers ask feds to waive school test mandate
AP: Agency to vote on fracking ban near Delaware River 
AP: Health network allowed employees’ kin to skip vaccine line
Patriot News: The $100,000 Club: 11,337 Pa. state government employees made the roster in 2020 
Patriot News: Key facts in 2020’s $100,000 Club of Pa. state government 
Patriot News: Pot legalization bill draws bipartisan support in Pa. for the first time
Patriot News: Pa. GOP leaders accuse Wolf of setting up ballot questions on emergency powers for failure: ‘This wasn’t a mistake’ 
Patriot News: Pa. shift toward larger COVID-19 vaccinators delayed by storms
Patriot News: Which states have the most confirmed coronavirus cases (2/24/2021): Where does Pa. stand?
Patriot News: Pa. touts more than 2 million COVID-19 vaccinations given
Patriot News: Pa. National Guard could assist in COVID-19 vaccination distribution
Patriot News: Prosecution of 3 Pennsylvanians in U.S. Capitol riot advances 
Spotlight PA: Counties will again be unable to process mail ballots early during Pa.’s primary election 
Spotlight PA: New coronavirus grants for small Pa. businesses aim for inclusivity, but can’t track success
Inquirer: Pa. Republicans met Wednesday night to censure Pat Toomey, but came away with nothing
Inquirer: For the first time, legal weed gets Republican senate support in Pa.
Inquirer: Think you aren’t vulnerable to a Texas-sized electric bill? Here’s how to check.  
Inquirer: Pa. and N.J. averaging lowest new case numbers since November
Post-Gazette: Census data delay could push back redrawing of Pa. legislative districts, 2022 primary
Post-Gazette: Dr. Levine — Biden’s pick for assistant health secretary — to tell Congress she’s ‘ready for the job’
Post-Gazette: Rep. John Joyce gets White House’s ear as Biden orders review of critical U.S. supply chains
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Senators reveal bipartisan plan to legalize weed, expunge records in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP lawmakers accuse Wolf admin of trying to fix results of ballot question limiting governors’ emergency powers
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Legislature looks for path forward on redistricting, reapportionment, following census data delays
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Bill mobilizing National Guard for COVID-19 vaccines headed to Wolf’s desk
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Why Wolf’s plan to toll Pa. bridges is a road to nowhere with lawmakers | Thursday Morning Coffee
PLSReporter: GOP leaders say emergency powers ballot questions written with slanted language
PLSReporter: Census delays may push Pa. redistricting to mid-2022, legislative data experts say
Morning Call: Long-delayed regulations and $250 license fee set to debut for some Pennsylvania recovery houses 
Morning Call: Slanted or fair? Pennsylvania ballot questions on limiting Gov. Wolf’s emergency powers ripped by lawmakers
Morning Call: Pennsylvania man charged in Capitol insurrection after ex-girlfriend turns him in to FBI
Delaware Valley Journal: Opponents Warn Wolf’s RGGI Push Will Kill PA Jobs, Hurt Public Schools 
WESA: PA Legislators Approve Bill For National Guard Assistance In COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout
National Journal: State Sen. Sharif Street Will Launch Exploratory Committee in April
National Journal: Streets of Philadelphia 
KDKA: Lawmakers In Harrisburg Expected To Approve Constitutional Amendment To Change The Way Lieutenant Governors Are Chosen 
The Hill: Pennsylvania health network prioritized vaccines for employees’ relatives 
The Hill: Pennsylvania Lt. Gov. replaces banned weed, LGBTQ rights flags — with bigger ones
Erie Times-News: Bipartisan bill would legalize marijuana
Erie Times-News: GOP leaders angry over ballot question language
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania ranks 17th in U.S. in switching to electric vehicles
KYW Newsradio: Pa. sees record rise in revenue for online gambling — and addictive behaviors
Politico: Early crowd of candidates pack Democratic Senate primaries 
Politico: ‘It was like the old days’: Biden praises meeting with Republican and Democratic lawmakers 
Express Times: DUI, not possession, more likely to trip up Pa. residents buying legal weed in N.J., authorities say
CNN: Pennsylvania GOP meeting ends with no resolution on whether to censure Toomey 
CNN: Senate panel to consider Rachel Levine’s historic nomination for HHS assistant secretary   
StateImpactPA: At DEP budget hearing, some legislators focus on Pa.’s effort to join RGGI

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Indicted Philly Councilmember Bobby Henon outraised council colleagues in 2020
Billy Penn: Mail ballot applications are open for the May primary — and yes, ‘permanent’ mail voters have to re-apply
Inquirer: Philly Black doctors clinic outpaced the city in vaccinating Black residents, but group says there’s ‘room for improvement’
Inquirer: Tony Brown, longtime host of WDAS-FM’s ‘Quiet Storm’ radio program, has died at 75  
Philadelphia Tribune: Vaccine racial gap persists in Philadelphia more than 2 months after launch
Philadelphia Gay News: City adds HIV to list of medical conditions eligible for COVID vaccine
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce bipartisan bill to legalize adult-use marijuana
KYW Newsradio: Greater Philadelphia Film Office surviving after being defunded by City Council
Philadelphia Citizen: Tech For Trash 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia Inquirer gets maximum $10M PPP loan, says it will be able to avoid layoffs in 2021 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Williams gets used to new duties in Harrisburg
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Warren looks to help boroughs in new role 
Bucks County Courier Times: Montgomery County now accepting COVID vaccine registrations by phone  
WHYY Newsworks: “Under Our Roof:” Rep. Madeleine Dean and son Harry Cunnane on addiction and recovery 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montco now pre-registering vaccinations by phone
Inquirer: A Delco man stormed the Capitol, feds say, telling his ex only ‘a moron’ would doubt the election was stolen. She turned him in.
Daily Local News: Sappey to host virtual discussion on Trauma Informed Systems
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County hotline helps seniors make vaccine appointments
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 14 coronavirus deaths, 125 new positive cases of virus

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Union Divides Over Pittsburgh Mayoral Race Endorsement 
WESA: SEIU Healthcare Endorses Ed Gainey For Mayor 
WESA: City Eviction Moratorium Moves Ahead In Council 
WESA: Parents, Students Rally In Support Of ECS Teacher Who Questioned Reopening Plan
Post-Gazette: Reschenthaler calls for 2022 Olympics to be moved out of China, or boycotted 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council gives nod to eviction moratorium, expects amendments next week
Post-Gazette: Judge rejects Port Authority’s stay request in ‘Black Lives Matter’ masks case 
Post-Gazette: More than 160 Pittsburghers tune in to hear plans for new bike lanes in Squirrel Hill, Shadyside
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council Preliminarily Passes Bill Banning Evictions During Pandemic 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Allegheny County Council Passes Motion To Create Statewide Vaccine Registry 
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Investing $800K In Public Art, Searching For Artists For 18 Projects 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 24 Additional Deaths, Including A Patient In Their 30s
Tribune Review: Federal judge denies Port Authority request for stay pending appeal on Black Lives Matter masks
Tribune Review: Remember when alligators roamed the city? Pittsburgh council members haven’t forgotten
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 24 new covid deaths, 250 more cases
City Paper: Health care workers tout Gainey’s fight against UPMC in their mayoral endorsement 
City Paper: Tenant advocacy group rallies in support of an eviction moratorium for Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Parents are worried public strife at Pittsburgh Public Schools is undermining goals to grow the city

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal legislation to use National Guard to assist with vaccines headed to governor’s desk 
Observer-Reporter: Bill to simplify COVID-19 vaccination registration introduced
Observer-Reporter: Greene commissioners OK contract to help businesses impacted by COVID-19
Observer-Reporter: Two new COVID deaths across four-county area Tuesday
KDKA: Butler County Republican Committee Votes To Censure Sen. Pat Toomey Over Impeachment Vote
Beaver County Times: GOP leaders angry over ballot question language
Beaver County Times: Pa. to shift COVID vaccines to fix second dose shortage
Beaver County Times: Learning from a year of COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
Beaver County Times: The lessons of the virus
Beaver County Times: PA hospitals deal with COVID-19 on many fronts
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County sees slowing of additional covid cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Fewer than 20 new COVID-19 cases in any local county
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: GOP senator backs legal marijuana
Altoona Mirror: Senate panel OKs bill to aid farmers
Altoona Mirror: City may take over McCrory’s building
Altoona Mirror: Blair COVID-19 hospitalizations decreasing

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Former state Rep. Kevin Haggerty arrested on credit card fraud charges 
Times-Tribune: Paul Maher, “right hand man” to ex-congressman Kanjorski, remembered following death at age 87 
Times-Tribune: Campaign Notes 
The Times Leader: GOP’s Urban appointed Luzerne County Election Board chairman 
The Times Leader: Former State Rep. Haggerty charged with fraudulent use of credit card 
The Times Leader: 73 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday; 2 more deaths
Citizens Voice: Meuser appoints district director
Citizens Voice: Pedri: 911 upgrade a top priority in 2021 
Citizens Voice: Paul Maher, “right hand man” to ex-congressman Kanjorski, remembered following death at age 87 
Citizens Voice: Former state Rep. Kevin Haggerty arrested on credit card fraud charges 
Citizens Voice: Councilman Stephen J. Urban appointed chair of election board; solicitor says that violates charter 
Citizens Voice: Pedri withdraws request for new county positions; council approves contract with detectives 
Citizens Voice: 73 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Wednesday

South Central 
York Dispatch: Wolf’s vaccine task force making progress, lawmakers say
York Dispatch: York City officials say opposition to wastewater sale won’t thwart budget plans 
York Dispatch: Three more die due to COVID-19 in York County
Patriot News: Longtime resident Safronia Perry announces her candidacy for Carlisle Borough Council 
Patriot News: State oversight board repeals rejection of Harrisburg’s 5-year financial plan 
Patriot News: Law license of former chief public defender suspended by Pa. Supreme Court
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 52 cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths for Cumberland County Wednesday

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Activist, poet and blogger running for Reading City Council 
Reading Eagle: Reading Area Water Authority defends the city’s aging water system 
Express Times: Pa. GOP meeting on possible censure of Lehigh Valley’s Pat Toomey for Trump impeachment vote
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: 2,786 new cases, 76 deaths; eligible teachers get vaccine priority; full vaccinations nearly equal total cases in Lehigh County | Pa. coronavirus and vaccine updates (02/24/21) 
WFMZ: Schwank to host discussion on food insecurity in Berks

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Laughlin pushes PA pot legalization bill
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor, LGBTQ+ group support Equality Act
Erie Times-News: Erie County’s COVID death rate among PA’s lowest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers, commissioner urge business leaders to remain hopeful
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State lawmaker: Grant money available
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Limited vaccine supply creates distribution woes
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Gilbert runs for Loyalsock Township Supervisor
Centre Daily Times: Pa. voters will decide the governor’s disaster powers. GOP leaders say the ballot questions are ‘prejudicial’
Centre Daily Times: Want a say in climate action planning in the Centre Region? A community survey opens soon
Centre Daily Times: Feb. 24 update: Centre County adds 43 cases of COVID-19; Pa. reports 2,786 new positives

Opinion  
Scott Martin: Employers are fleeing California, and not coming to Pennsylvania 
Donna Bullock: Angry Black women have been powerful forces of change throughout American history
Carol Hill-Evans: I wholeheartedly endorse sale of York wastewater system
Gene Yaw: For sneak peek of Wolf’s energy policies, mosey on down to Texas 
Craig Snyder: Don’t censure Pat Toomey for his impeachment vote 
Joshua Novotney: Trust me, Pat Toomey is no RINO. Let’s not censure him.
Inquirer Editorial Board: Years-long GOP blockage of safe gun storage laws put kids’ lives at risk
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Mail voting withstood challenges  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: COVID loss is more than a big number 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Look out for COVID-19 fees 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Citizen Parton
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: ‘Hold harmless’ isn’t harmless at all. And students in growing school districts need equitable funding now.
Charlie Gerow: We have to do better managing COVID-19 and energy
Dan Simpson: What’s ahead for the Republican Party?
Deanna Burney: Promises of equity for Philly’s schools aren’t worth as much as actual money 
Ray E. Landis: Pa. once had a near-miss with Texas-sized deregulation. We have to remember our history and be on guard 
Christine Flowers: Being disrespectful about showing respect
Mordy Lahasky: Owner defends Brighton Rehab workers
Joyce M. Davis: Paying tribute to a Black man of excellence who would make King proud | Social Views
JD Mullane: Are there any Black Catholic American saints? Not yet.
Maria Panaritis: A Lansdale gymnastics mat maker is on the ropes, and so is U.S. manufacturing 
Matthew Jeffrey Vegari: Financial institutions should repair their trust gap with Black communities 
Elaine Maimon: The Best Way To Eliminate College Debt
Erin Camac: Treating patients with the most fragile lungs during a pandemic
Jenna DiLossi: What Amazon’s ‘The Wilds’ can teach us about mental health in teenage girls | Expert Opinion 
Helen Ubiñas: The clock is ticking on solving a 5-year-old Philadelphia homicide 
Stephanie Clintonia Boddie: How Philadelphia’s Black churches overcame disease, depression and civil strife
Signe Wilkinson: Cartoon: Philly says goodbye to William ‘Cody’ Anderson, a radio legend