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February 7th Playbook

Larry Sabato’s Crystal Ball improved the ratings for Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) and Mike Kelly (R-Butler) in their most recent ratings update. Here is the Playbook. 

Sabato’s Crystal Ball: Ratings Improve for Fitzpatrick, Kelly: The election analysts changed the race in Pennsylvania’s 1st Congressional District from Toss-Up to Leans Republican, while the race in the 16th Congressional District moved from Likely Republican to Safe Republican.

PA7: Elise Stefanik’s PAC Places Scheller On Rising Star List: E-PAC, a Political Action Committee run by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), placed Lisa Scheller, who is seeking the Republican nomination for PA’s 7th Congressional District, on her “Rising Star” candidate list. 

PA1: Wallace Endorses Wachspress: Scott Wallace, who was the Democratic Party’s nominee for the 1st Congressional District in 2018, has endorsed Debbie Wachspress for the Democratic Party nomination for the seat in 2020. According to the Bucks Local News, Wallace, Rachel Reddick and Steve Bacher, who all sought the party’s nomination in 2018, have endorsed Wachspress in this race. 

PA1: Our Revolution Pennsylvania Endorses Hurwitz: Our Revolution Pennsylvania, the political action organization that supports progressive candidates, endorsed Skylar Hurwitz for the Democratic Party nomination for the 1st Congressional District. 

Legislative Election Update:

HD-48: Harlan Shober, a former Washington County Commissioner, announced his intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the state House seat held by state Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington), according to the Observer-Reporter. O’Neal bested Democrat Clark Mitchell Jr. for the seat in 2018 by 11 points

HD-125: Joe Kerwin, a Dauphin County Assistant District Attorney, announced his intentions to seek the Republican Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Mike Tobash (R-Schuylkill). Tobash, who announced he will retire at the end of his current term, ran unopposed in his three most recent reelection bids

SD-9: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) has endorsed Democrat John Kane for the Democratic Party nomination for the state Senate seat, according to a release from Kane’s campaign. The seat is held by state Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), who defeated Democrat Martin Molloy for the seat in 2016 by over 2.5 points

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Champion of Pa. lobbying disclosure law was fined $19,900 for breaking it
Spotlight PA: ‘Fail first’ no more: Pennsylvania moves to expand coverage of treatments for advanced cancers
WITF: Pence stops by Pa. in hopes of rallying the Trump vote
WITF: Pa. Senate Dems say they’re tired of some Republicans resisting pro-LGBTQ measures
WITF: Pa. farming advocates hope to restore line items cut from agriculture in Wolf’s budget proposal
WITF: State auditor says dog law enforcement needs more funding in Pa.
AP: Government watchdog group fined over its lobbying reports
AP: Report warns of money crunch at Pennsylvania dog law agency
AP: Judge accused of calling juror ‘Aunt Jemima’ suspended
Philadelphia Magazine: Daylin Leach Threatens Lawsuit After Losing Delco Dems’ Endorsement
Post-Gazette: Pursuing Medicaid coverage at birth, Casey launches ‘Marshall Plan’ of policies for America’s children
Post-Gazette: Eyeing 2020, House Democrats pass expansive labor bill to expand power of unions 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What would a fair service for state police services look like? | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: On Capitol Hill, Pa. Dems advance pro-union reforms with an eye toward Nov. elections
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A bipartisan oasis: Pa.’s U.S. House Dems, Repubs boost funding for Great Lakes
Morning Call: Pennsylvania school property tax reform was on the horizon last year. Here’s why it’s languishing in Harrisburg 
PA Post: In Pa. jails, women are paying more than double for the same tampons they’d get on the outside
PLSReporter: Here’s what Gov. Tom Wolf’s new state police fee would look like
PLSReporter: As panel reimagines higher education funding, PASSHE chancellor pushes even bolder discussion
Fox News: Sen. Bob Casey says President Trump’s claim that he did nothing wrong is insulting to the country
StateImpactPA: Feds lower coal mine cleanup funding for Pa.
Philadelphia Citizen: CitizenCast: Mayor Pete Could Be Your Next President
National Journal: Texas Dems Partner With Abrams on Voter Protection 
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: Election reform in Pennsylvania
The Hill: Trump stirs trade concerns with new tariffs on metals
The Hill: Report finds 10 oil refineries with benzene above EPA’s ‘action level’
Politico: ‘Preach it, sister!’ Why the Trump base loves Betsy DeVos
Express Times: Pa.’s dog law enforcement bureau ‘may run out of money this summer,’ official says
CNN: Betsy DeVos will personally fund scholarship Trump awarded to fourth-grader at the State of the Union
Huffington Post: Pennsylvania Judge Accused Of Calling Black Juror ‘Aunt Jemima’

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly Democrats are collecting cash for the 2020 presidential election. Just don’t call it ‘street money.’
Billy Penn: PA government watchdog is working questionable side job with Philly’s new sheriff
Billy Penn: ‘A circus’ and ‘Keep Trump off Twitter’: How Philly feels about the impeachment verdict 
Inquirer: Philly’s new police commissioner will be the first black woman to lead the department. This is Danielle Outlaw.
Inquirer: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney dined in Chinatown to calm fears of the coronavirus
Inquirer: Philly spends $48 million a year to clean up litter, Pa. report finds
Inquirer: Court rules in favor of Philadelphia’s ban on asking job applicants their salary history
Inquirer: Pa. civil rights icon Bayard Rustin gets posthumous pardon
Philadelphia Magazine: Malcolm Harris on Abatements, Developer Extortion, and Philadelphia’s Role in the Revolution 
WHYY Newsworks: West Philly’s new Council rep comes out against West Park tower sale
PLSReporter: Term limits for Philly offices put on hold
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly’s 30th Street station renamed for iconic Pa. Black congressman William H. Gray III
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Appeals court upholds Philly’s ban on salary histories questions 
Philadelphia Citizen: CitizenCast: Mayor Pete Could Be Your Next President 
KYW Newsradio: Appeals court upholds Philly wage equity law, gives job applicants a win
KYW Newsradio: As Chinatown businesses languish, Kenney tries to ease fears of Wuhan coronavirus
KYW Newsradio: Environmental group claims PES refinery released dangerously high levels of benzene
Philly Voice: Appeals court upholds Philly’s ban on employers asking job applicants about salary histories
Philly Voice: Philadelphia spends $48 million annually trying to stop, clean up litter, reports says
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia can ban employers from asking job applicants for salary history, court rules

SEPA
Philadelphia Magazine: Daylin Leach Threatens Lawsuit After Losing Delco Dems’ Endorsement
Bucks Local News: Wachspress wins endorsement of 2018 Democratic nominee for Congress Scott Wallace
Bucks Local News: Yardley Borough Council to consider seven applicants for vacant seat
Delco Daily Times: Gov. Wolf talks college costs, new scholarship program in Springfield
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County Council hosts its first ethics hearing
Delco Daily Times: County starts sending out new tax assessment info 
Bucks Courier Times: Love is Love: Recognition of LGBTQ youth falls short in PA Senate
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks honors League of Women Voters for 100 years of service 
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks County COO steps down
Inquirer: Delaware County Council votes to explore how to de-privatize county jail
KYW Newsradio: Delco residents soon to learn new property values as part of reassessment
Daily Local News: High-paid terminated township workers not ‘directly’ involved in embezzlement scandal, Ratliff says

Pittsburgh 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Turzai pushes back against Wolf’s severance tax, Restore PA plans
Tribune Review: Oakmont councilwoman hopes to challenge Dermody for state House seat
Tribune Review: Draft plan calls for more bike lanes in Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Allegheny County judge barred from hearing cases after alleged racist remark about juror
Post-Gazette: Pursuing Medicaid coverage at birth, Casey launches ‘Marshall Plan’ of policies for America’s children
Post-Gazette: Eyeing 2020, House Democrats pass expansive labor bill to expand power of unions
Post-Gazette: PennDOT to shift $3.15 billion from local roads to interstate improvements
Post-Gazette: Judge accused of making racist remarks forbidden from hearing cases
Post-Gazette: City pension board takes first steps in exploring divestment from fossil fuels, guns and for-profit prisons
Post-Gazette: City’s plan would add 120 miles of bike lanes
WESA: After Five Years Of Work, Pittsburgh Releases Plan To Expand Biking Amenities
City Paper: Pittsburgh’s draft of new Bike Master Plan lays out plans to triple bike infrastructure
KDKA: Allegheny County Court Of Common Pleas Judge Mark Tranquilli To Not Preside Over Any Cases
KDKA: Pittsburgh Unveils Draft Of City’s Master Bike Plan For Public Comment
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf’s Budget Proposal Would Have Municipalities Pay For State Police Services

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Shober seeking election to State House of Representatives
Observer-Reporter: Democratic Committee to meet in Canonsburg
Beaver County Times: Mental healthcare for farmers topic of roundtable discussion
Beaver County Times: Vogel, Bernstine urge Senate committee to act on Markie’s Law
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Sen. Langerholc announces intention to run for reelection
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: DePasquale calls for dog license increase to help cover warden salaries

NEPA
The Times Leader: Racing executive fears broad impact of Wolf’s budget proposal on agriculture in Pa.
The Times Leader: Wolf takes budget case to NEPA students
The Times Leader: Four apply for vacant Republican Luzerne County election board seat
The Times Leader: Yudichak, Kaufer applaud Senate passage of HB-1100
The Times Leader: Plymouth Twp. supervisor: no comment about AG report, but Tilbury not coming back
Times-Tribune: Gov. Wolf visits Riverside to talk post-secondary scholarships

South Central 
York Dispatch: Phillips-Hills prescription drug monitoring bill heads to governor’s desk
York Dispatch: County commissioners scale back redistricting plan before primary
York Dispatch: After two years, Helfrich, York City Council can’t get along
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf’s charter school reform plan re-ignites firestorm with advocates, parents
Patriot News: Are dog license fees too low? Pa. auditor general says increase is needed
Patriot News: Derry Township supervisors deadlocked in filling vacancy as Hershey Community Center takes center stage again
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle council could take official action on rental ordinance next week
Carlisle Sentinel: Gleim to host Firearms Safety and Rights Seminar 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Despite recommendation of election board, Northampton County votes to buy e-poll books
Morning Call: Pennsylvania school property tax reform was on the horizon last year. Here’s why it’s languishing in Harrisburg
Express Times: Get ready for ePollbooks: Northampton County Council bucks recommendation
Express Times: Easton puts brakes on overhaul of rules guiding city development
Reading Eagle: Berks County Elections Board approves polling location on Kutztown University campus

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie mayor returns to work at City Hall
Erie Times-News: ‘Sustain North East Initiative’ would pump millions into downtown
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Wolf plans to veto natural gas manufacturing tax credit
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council extends service contracts

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa. and N.J. efforts could chip away at gun crime 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Bias training: State police need a comprehensive program
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop the slippery slope: Facial recognition requires more study
Ed Rendell: 7 things the Iowa caucuses taught us, may they rest in peace
Stan Saylor: Wolf budget calls for more spending & more taxes
Zach Shamberg: #PaBudget 2020: Wolf, lawmakers need to shore up Medicaid funding
Mark O’Keefe: Pa.’s primary problem? We’re still too late to have a say for POTUS. Will lawmakers finally change it?
John L. Micek: Gun safety group Everytown launches $250K digital ad campaign in Pa. | Thursday Morning Coffee
Tony Norman: Another sticky development at Allegheny County Common Pleas Court
Antoinette Kraus: Out-of-control prescription drug prices finally have a solution in Pennsylvania
Charles D. Ellison: Black History Month Isn’t Working
Maria Panaritis: In Philly, $39 million in clergy-abuse payouts so far — about $215,000 per damaged life 
John L. Micek: America’s last statesman? Why Mitt Romney’s impeachment speech matters 
Bethany Ao: I didn’t want to write about coronavirus and racism. Then I got harassed twice. | Perspective
Taylor C. Noakes: Pittsburgh should adapt, not overhaul its transit system
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: The state of Trump’s union
The Angry Grammarian: Is ‘United States’ singular or plural? The answer may change how you view Trump’s acquittal 
Will Bunch: After Trump acquittal, the Resistance clings to faith that what’s right still matters in America 
Chris Kelly: DeSarno ‘self-audit’ is ‘post-decisional,’ and public

One Response

  1. Delrosso is an Oakmont councilwoman thanks to the support of Rep Dermody…so the backstabber is now running against him. Look for her Republican backers to flood the streets with money and hideous advertising against him. Her local “reputation” wjil do her in anyway.

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