A.G. DePasquale said that officials in 18 counties reported accepting gifts and other various “freebies” from different firms trying to sell or lease new voting machines, while Gov. Wolf spoke about criminal justice reform at the National Governors Association meeting this past weekend. Here is the Playbook.

February 22nd Ups & Downs: A number of endorsements from county parties in the state have made headlines, while a former Lt. Governor is inching closer to seeking elected office again. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Grove Named Chair of House Oversight Committee: The newly formed committee has five Republicans and four Democrats.

Harrisburg & DC
AP: Auditor says officials took voting machine vendors’ freebies
AP: 3rd time a charm? Wolf’s police fee plan gets new attention
AP: A look at state police coverage, by county, in Pennsylvania
AP: Sliding scale of fees proposed for state police protection
AP: UPMC fires back in legal battle over health insurance rules
AP: Deal near in civil rights lawsuits over prison mail policy  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf, in D.C. for governors’ meeting, says Philly rapper Meek Mill’s case exposes criminal justice flaws
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ACLU asks Pa. Supreme Court to declare the death penalty unconstitutional
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. elections officials accepted gifts, travel from voting machine companies, report
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State civil rights commission will host meeting in Carlisle after KKK fliers found
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. critics blast Trump’s federal funding ban for clinics that provide abortion, abortion referrals
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Legal mail policy at Pennsylvania prisons will be revised under settlement
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Stronger together, Pa.’s ‘Fab Four’ women lawmakers make their mark on Capitol Hill
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Federal judge tosses Pa. kids’ challenge to Trump’s climate change policies | Friday Morning Coffee
Inquirer: Pa. auditor general: County officials accepted gifts from vendors hawking voting machines
Inquirer: Pa. victims make their presence known at Pope Francis’ sex-abuse summit
Inquirer: ‘This storm will not pass by’: Women take center stage in closing hours of Pope Francis’ clergy sex-abuse summit
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf proposed more money for public schools, but districts say math just doesn’t add up
Inquirer: Is FedLoan, America’s giant student loan servicer, running out of money?
WITF: Is 2019 the year Pa. gives LGBTQ+ people discrimination protection?
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania state rep: We need carbon dioxide because I like vegetables
PLSReporter: Auditor General: Officials in 18 counties accepted gifts from voting machine manufacturers
PLSReporter: Baker looks to establish sexual assault online reporting system at Pa. universities
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – February 18, 2019
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!
The Guardian: ‘Moment of reckoning’: US cities burn recyclables after China bans imports
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania’s AG warns people of IRS scams during tax season  
StateImpactPA: Could membranes at coal-fired power plants help stop climate change?
StateImpactPA: Woman who sued natural gas driller Range Resources testifies before grand jury
Morning Call: As 2020 candidates focus on early primaries, a liberal super PAC targets Pennsylvania voters
Morning Call: Gov. Tom Wolf creates Pennsylvania census team  
Morning Call: Pennsylvania prisons to stop copying inmates’ legal mail  

Philadelphia
Plan Philly: Lobbying war over Philly soda tax still waged by the millions
Philadelphia Magazine: John McNesby’s Massive Influence on Philadelphia Policing
Philadelphia Magazine: Allan Domb Wants City Council Term Limits. His Colleagues Aren’t Fans.
Philadelphia Magazine: BBWC Co-Founder Charged in Jannie Blackwell Protest at City Council Meeting
Inquirer: Philadelphia city workers pension fund sees a rare year of positive growth
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf proposed more money for public schools, but districts say math just doesn’t add up
Inquirer: How Philly developer ‘Mr. Bigg,’ backed by Darrell Clarke, got a bargain on city land near Temple
WHYY Newsworks: Patty-Pat for Philly Council: A challenge for Henon
Billy Penn: Mayor Kenney claps back at President Trump’s grandstanding over July 4 plans
Billy Penn: Local 98 goes for Irish-Catholic political solidarity in their re-endorsement of Mayor Kenney
Reuters: Philadelphia sues seven big banks, alleges municipal bond collusion
KYW Newsradio: Nominating petitions go out as Philly’s election season gets underway    
KYW Newsradio: Protesters march on Market Street against US intervention in Venezuela  
KYW Newsradio: City council attempt to get more opportunities for Mural Arts Philadelphia met with silence  
KYW Newsradio: Some students urge school board to say no to mandating metal detectors  
Philly Voice: Number of hate groups in U.S. is at four-year high, and 10 are based in Philadelphia

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County Commissioners report state of the county is ‘strong’
Pottstown Mercury: Juvenile justice forum reviews problems, solutions for at-risk youth
Pottstown Mercury: Cardamone named Chester County Prosecutor of the Year
Pottstown Mercury: Anti-gerrymandering events coming to Boyertown, Pottstown
Bucks County Courier Times: More people are surviving opioid overdoses, but what challenges do they face?
Delco Daily Times: Delco Council files motion to intervene in pipeline lawsuit
Delco Daily Times: Mayor pushes Sellers Avenue bridge project in Ridley Park

Pittsburgh
KDKA: Mayor Peduto To Honor Tree Of Life Shooting Victims At Conference In Israel
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Visits Memorial In Israel For Victims Of Tree Of Life Shooting
KDKA: Pittsburgh School Board Unable To Determine Who Forged Signature On Amazon Letter
WESA: Rep. Reschenthaler On Whitaker Hearing, Background Checks, Collaborating In Washington
City Paper: State Rep. Daryl Metcalfe says reducing carbon dioxide emissions will kill his vegetables
Post-Gazette: Port Authority CEO Katharine Kelleman will receive more than $21,000 in bonuses for her 1st year
Post-Gazette: Investigation into Pittsburgh school board member’s signature in Amazon bid deemed ‘inconclusive’
Post-Gazette: From Downtown to the lower Hill to the North Shore and Hunt Armory, it’s time to develop, Peduto says
Post-Gazette: Local sex abuse survivors frustrated by lack of ‘action steps’ as Pope Francis ends Vatican summit
Post-Gazette: Peduto in Israel for mayor’s conference, will honor Tree of Life victims
Post-Gazette: ‘Non Sequitur’ will stay in the Post-Gazette — for now
Post-Gazette: Trump border wall funding plan jeopardizes 911th Airlift Wing construction in Moon   
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto plants tree in Israel for victims of Tree of Life massacre
Tribune Review: ‘Moderate’ Westmoreland County Democrats showcase candidates at Sunday rally

SWPA
Observer-Reporter: Greene County purchases new voting machines in time for 2019 election
Observer-Reporter: Washington County seeking new finance director
Observer-Reporter: Columbia Gas plans pipeline project in Washington, Greene counties
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rep. Frank Burns signs ‘Welfare to Work’ bill
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: EXCLUSIVE REPORT 5 | Shaun Dougherty from Italy: Documentary crew tracks Rozzi, rally seeks ‘Zero’ tolerance on abuse
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WATCH VIDEO | ‘Place for heavy industry’: Leaders say state grant puts industrial park on the road to reality
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vision 2019 | Local races in spotlight for region seeing GOP surge
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Dillon plans to run for Cambria County controller
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Windber attorney in running for top Somerset County prosecutor
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Kimla seeks Cambria County recorder of deeds job
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Former Geistown mayor seeks county commissioner position
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Kozorosky eyes re-election as Cambria County treasurer
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Westmont resident pursuing Cambria County treasurer position
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Regional business leaders debate minimum wage increase
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vision 2019 | Transportation projects ongoing throughout Cambria, Somerset counties
Altoona Mirror: Public meeting on CWD planned  
Altoona Mirror: Blair OK with Lakemont silt going to Buckhorn  
Altoona Mirror: Congress chipping away at pro-gun legislation  
Beaver County Times: Giffords Law Center says Pa. improves from C to C+ on latest gun-safety scorecard

NEPA
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre mayor’s Crime Watch connection a campaign issue for one challenger, not so for another
The Times Leader: Another Democrat enters Wilkes-Barre mayor’s race
The Times Leader: Help sought for flood-prone Mill Creek in Avoca
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Shapiro warns of fake IRS calls, scams as tax season begins
The Times Leader: Luzerne County inmate population down about 15 percent from 2016
The Times Leader: Snyder running for second term as Wilkes-Barre controller
The Times Leader: Legislators discuss hot topics at League of Women Voters event
The Times Leader: Exeter councilman is seeking re-election
The Times Leader: New Luzerne County Councilman to be sworn in Tuesday
The Times Leader: Completion of Oxford Street Bridge repairs highlighted in Luzerne County infrastructure update
Times-Tribune: Scranton council questions necessity of no-parking zone in front of proposed apartments
Citizens Voice: POLITICAL SCENE   
Citizens Voice: County council to fill board seats
Citizens Voice: Former Exeter cop Galli seeks council seat  
Citizens Voice: Primary election a battle of Thomases, Tonys and Georges  
Citizens Voice: Scranton mayor raised big bucks in non-election year

South Central
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council tabled vote to rehire Maverick as city’s lobbyist
Patriot News: School board accepts superintendent’s resignation amid police investigation
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle aides push back with their own list of suggested budget cuts
Carlisle Sentinel: State Police fee plan gets new attention, may cost South Middleton $1.6 million
York Daily Record: York County suffragists led strong organized campaign to gain vote  
York Dispatch: UPDATE: York County officials accepted bagels, meals from vendors, audit says
York Dispatch: Rep. Grove named chairman of new House Oversight Committee   
LNP | LancasterOnline: Live updates: Lancaster County Democratic Committee holds endorsement convention      
LNP | LancasterOnline: Attorney Hobie Crystle to run as Democrat for district attorney

Lehigh Valley   
Reading Eagle: State Rep. Ryan Mackenzie offers bill aimed at getting schools, employers together on job-readiness
Reading Eagle: Election official: Candidates for local races wanted
Reading Eagle: The Briefing: Who in politics had a bad week, a good week and more  
Reading Eagle: Bishop of Allentown talks unity at annual gala held in Wyomissing
Reading Eagle: Rozzi pushing for Pope Francis to crack down on abusers
Express Times: Another candidate joins a Bethlehem City Council race that’s quickly crowding
Express Times: Serious crimes in Bethlehem drop 44 percent in 10 years, city police say
Morning Call: Allentown pharmaceutical firm agrees to pay $4M in Justice Department settlement  
Morning Call: Two more Democrats, one Republican enter Allentown Council race
Morning Call: Back to the future: Lehigh County voters will use paper ballots in 2019

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Snyder County man eyes House seat
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Republicans honor party at annual dinner
Erie Times-News: Schember plans trip to Erie’s sister city in China
Erie Times-News: Cyber charter plan would aid Erie-area school districts
Erie Times-News: State: No decision on community college in Erie until July at earliest
Erie Times-News: GE union members authorize strike
Erie Times-News: FAQ: Erie County’s Next Generation Public Safety Radio System
Erie Times-News: Millcreek Township supervisors meet Tuesday
Erie Times-News: Retired psychologist is Millcreek school candidate
Erie Times-News: Meadville businessman to run for Crawford County commissioner
Erie Times-News: Erie-area legislators talk property tax, voter reform

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Demanding respect: Critics of Amazon, UPMC are forging new ground
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Criminal speech: Publisher’s call for Klan “ride” is inexcusable
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Countering evil: Good Americans must marginalize hate groups
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Mission to Mars: The Mars rover Opportunity elegantly signs off
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Justice for Marie Colvin: Ruling sets important precedent for press protection
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Jumping to conclusions: Sometimes it takes time for the true story to emerge
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Papal crossroads: Francis must lay down the law at abuse summit
Inquirer Editorial Board: City Council should let its boss — the voters — decide how many terms is too much
Tom Wolf: Fix the criminal justice system to open up our economy
Mark S. Singel: Balancing Bernie Sanders’ idealism with the presidential campaign’s realism
Will Bunch: Robert Kraft, Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and a day of reckoning for America’s billionaires
Deborah Gordon Klehr: Pa.’s budget must address glaring inequities in school funding
John L. Micek: One nation under who? New poll paints perilous picture for American pluralism
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Convenience National Park
Mark V. Pauly: Medicare for all? How about Medicare for me?
Trudy Rubin: From Munich Security Conference: Security threats move to cyberspace and outer space
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: The Catholic Church in Concrete
Mark Zandi: The American middle class is struggling. But what can we do about it?
Mike Newall: Their loved one’s unsolved slaying was handled by two disgraced detectives. Now, they just want the truth.
Maria Panaritis: In Gladwyne, one of the richest zip codes in America, capitalism takes aim at a beloved luncheonette
Tori Koerbler: Pa. Gov. Wolf’s plan to boost teachers’ base pay is long overdue
Sean P. Quinlan: Let’s hear it for the women of the Democratic Party
Brian O’Neill: Right-sizing and up-lighting the airport
Keith C. Burris: Extralegal
David M. Shribman: Democrats decry Trump and think big
Ruth Ann Dailey: Doing our duty to confront our biases
Charlie Gerow: Bernie Sanders and his socialist views are as wrong now as back in 2016