Two Philadelphia Democrats land spots on the House Ways and Means Committee, while the Delco GOP names a new chair. Here is the Playbook.

Casey, Wolf End 2018 Strong While Toomey Lags Behind: The Democrats ended their 2018 campaigns with a significant jump in net approval, while Toomey sees slight jump in the right direction.

2 Philly Dems Score Spots On House Ways and Means Committee: Boyle and Evans are the only pair on the committee to be from the same state.

Harrisburg & DC
PLSReporter:  Anger at turnpike tolls could increase transportation funding woes
PLSReporter: Gov. Wolf hosts press conference to highlight steps taken towards strengthening PA’s economy
PLSReporter: Meeting Philadelphia’s four new House reps
WHYY Newsworks: Sen. Casey: “We should never confuse a concrete wall with border security. It is not.”
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania has the fourth-most certified organic farms in the country
Beaver County Times: Sen. Casey says Trump is ‘manufacturing crisis, spreading fear’ on border wall   
Harrisburg Patriot News: Told to hold garage sales, Pa. lawmaker’s proposal would restore Coast Guard funding | Thursday Morning Coffee
AP: Officials vote to postpone policy to arm teachers
StateImpactPA: Judges say DEP unlawfully issued air-quality permits to Sunoco at Marcus Hook
Morning Call: From boom to bust: A timeline of Pennsylvania’s public pension systems  

Philadelphia
Philly Clout: Quiñones-Sánchez and Cruz, after years of fighting, face off in the 7th District  
Inquirer: Philly gains in Congress: Brendan Boyle, Dwight Evans land on powerful committee
Inquirer: Mummers meet to discuss controversial Jay-Z New Year’s Day parade skit  
Inquirer: A grocery opens in Point Breeze to bring affordable food to supermarket desert
Billy Penn: Can this state rep take out the councilwoman who’s bucked Philly’s Democrat machine?
Philadelphia Magazine: Rhynhart Blasts Philly Animal Control for “Wasteful” Spending, Misuse of Grant Funds
Philadelphia Magazine: Richard Vague Says He Might Run for President in 2020
Philadelphia Magazine: This 26-Year-Old Latino Biologist Wants to Become Philly’s First Gay Councilman
PLSReporter: Meeting Philadelphia’s four new House reps
WHYY Newsworks: Young voters ready to roar in Philly Council races
Philly Weekly: Keepin’ it real: SDP fundraising arm schools city residents who benefit from tax abatement
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials look to make changes to county voting system

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: McGarrigle unanimously picked to lead county GOP
Delco Daily Times: Corbett remembers ‘dedicated’ Ted Erickson
Delco Daily Times: Board: State fouled up in issuing air quality permit to Sunoco in Marcus Hook
Pottstown Mercury: Houlahan votes to re-open Treasury to ensure tax refunds
Pottstown Mercury: Pottsgrove School Board OKs early-bird 3-year teacher pact
Bucks County Courier Times: With tax breaks, Urban Outfitters warehouse to bring hundreds of jobs to Bristol Township  
Bucks County Courier Times: Seminar to help those running for office  
Bucks County Courier Times: ‘Redskin’ name negatively affected son, Neshaminy mother testifies  
Bucks County Courier Times: DA joins call for more pre-K in Bucks County  

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Second North Side resident to challenge Darlene Harris for Pittsburgh City Council seat
Tribune Review: County leaders see comprehensive plan as key to bringing young blood into a graying Westmoreland
Tribune Review: Hempfield man, formerly state director of UFO group, enters Westmoreland commissioner race
Tribune Review: 4 Tarentum Council seats to be up for election this year
Tribune Review: Fox Chapel taxes increased to pay for road projects
Post-Gazette: Health department director defends response to plant fire, air pollution
Post-Gazette: Housing authority’s plea: Please call Congress to end shutdown, preserve payments
Post-Gazette: Furloughed workers march ahead of first payless payday from shutdown
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh, Public Works employees finalize contract
Pittsburgh Business Times: One year later: 5 local companies share how they’ve been impacted by tax reform
WESA: The Shot Heard ‘Round The State: City Gun Rules Could Have Impact Even If Not Enforced
City Paper: Resisting arrest charges dropped against Pittsburgh activist Blak Rapp Madusa  
KDKA: Flight 93 Memorial Shuts Down With No One To Clear Icy Roads

SWPA
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. Kelly steps into Ellwood City Medical Center payroll fight
Beaver County Times: Commissioners approve $4.7 million in subsidies
Beaver County Times: County to appeal property reassessment
Beaver County Times: Gun raffle for football boosters raises concerns in Ambridge
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Washington Township supervisor announces plans to run for Cambria County commissioner

NEPA
The Times Leader: WB Mayor George to start attending council work sessions, but not meetings
The Times Leader: Barrett to seek fifth term on Wilkes-Barre city council
The Times Leader: Casey: Shutdown, wall fight is ‘crisis of leadership’
Citizens Voice: County head start won’t be impacted by federal shutdown  
Citizens Voice: Local official asks authority to reconsider how stormwater fees are calculated

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg Catholics seeking answers after clergy sex abuse scandal pack ‘listening session’
Harrisburg Patriot News: Payless payday is ‘big concern’ for federal prison workers: Pa. union official
Harrisburg Patriot News: Matt Menges announces bid for York County judge
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa.’s Clean Slate Law starts allowing those convicted of minor crimes to sweep their records from public view
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle council approves ordinance to allow eminent domain taking  
Carlisle Sentinel: Bienstock to fill Capital Area Transit board seat for Cumberland County
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘Obamacare’ enrollment drops 6 percent in Pennsylvania; Lancaster County number not yet available
LNP | LancasterOnline: Columbia residents decry 21 percent tax hike, revolving loan program at council meeting

Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks delegation speaks on government shutdown, border security
Reading Eagle: Berks lawmakers sticking with their parties on government shutdown
Reading Eagle: Berks County to spend $4.5 million on new voting machines
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania official fighting drug crisis leaves administration
Reading Eagle: Maxatawny supervisors, authority members continue sniping
Reading Eagle: Maidencreek Township supervisors lock in fuel prices
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Wally Scott’s fire hydrant idea draws fire
Reading Eagle: Reading loses chief building officer
Express Times: Attorney jumping into race for Lehigh County judge
Express Times: Federal shutdown staffing woes haven’t hit Lehigh Valley International Airport, director says
Express Times: A Warren County plant just tripled the size of its solar field – and it could mean new jobs
Morning Call: Higher buildings — but not 20 stories tall — allowed under new downtown district approved by Easton Council

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Financial review of county to be made public
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Prison paying less overtime  
Centre Daily Times: There’s a big change coming to how you respond to jury duty in Centre County
Erie Times-News: John Groh seeks 2nd term as Millcreek supervisor

Opinion
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A rare chance at a do-over: Medicare customers should consider it
Dom Giordano: One supermarket owner is a casualty of Philadelphia’s soda tax
Mark Reynolds: Giving revenue to people can calm the carbon pricing angst seen in France
Christine Flowers: Why I’m ready to buy a gun
Will Bunch: Will 2020 candidates find a way to talk about the thing that’s killing Americans right now?
Lance Haver: Water-pipe warranty pushes more burden on homeowners
Jeffrey Barg: A wall? The wall? Wall? Unpacking the evolution of Trump’s talk about border security | The Angry Grammarian