A liberal Super PAC announces that they are targeting two state Senate races in Pennsylvania. State Sen. Daylin Leach’s campaign releases an internal poll. Here is the Playbook. 

January 10th Ups & Downs: Democrats and Republicans fight over a special election date, a series of new faces take control of city halls throughout the commonwealth, and two more members of Congress pledge their support to Joe Biden’s presidential campaign. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Leach Touts Lead in Internal Poll: Despite numerous calls for his resignation, the Senator’s internal poll shows a plurality support his primary.

Liberal Super PAC Targets Killion, Laughlin Races: American Bridge’s opposition research and tracking program is targeting races in four states in hopes to flip state legislatures blue. The two seats they are hoping to flip in Pennsylvania are held by state Sens. Tom Killion (R-Delaware) and Dan Laughlin (R-Erie).

Scranton Federation of Teachers Endorses Biden: Joe Biden’s presidential campaign sent out a press release on Friday sharing the news that The Scranton Federation of Teachers’ executive committee “overwhelmingly” voted to endorse his bid for the Democratic Party nomination. 

Vulakovich Returns to Government Relations as Senior Principal at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: According to a release from Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, Randy Vulakovich is returning to the government relations group as its senior principal. He most recently served as the firm’s chief administrative officer. The Playbook on Friday mistakenly named former state Sen. Randy Vulakovich as the one who accepted the role. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-49: Erie County Councilman Andre Horton announced that he is seeking the Democratic nomination for the state Senate’s 49th District. The district is represented by state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie), who bested incumbent state Sen. Sean Wiley (D-Erie) by 7 points in 2016.

HD-124: State Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Schuylkill) announced that he is seeking a sixth term in the state House. Knowles ran unopposed in his most recent reelection bid. 

HD-26: State Rep. Tim Hennessey (R-Chester) announced that he is seeking a fourteenth term in the state House. Hennessey bested Democrat Pamela Hacker by 5 points in his most recent reelection bid. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Special election to fill Pa. Senate seat vacated after lawmaker’s arrest: What you need to know
Patriot News: ‘Honest mistake’ or ‘amateur hour’: Candidate vying for Pa. Senate seat in special election misses deadline for campaign finance filing
Patriot News: Pa. community college students now have new less costly option to earn a 4-year degree
AP: Pennsylvania issues guidance about new mail-in ballots
AP: Shapiro heads into reelection year with $3M in account
AP: Pennsylvania gas drilling fee revenue slides in 2019
AP: Fight over cash-paying video games hits crucial stretch
Morning Call: Gerrymandering in crosshairs as lawmakers renew push to change how PA draws legislative maps 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Philly Democrat wants a $500 fine for sending nude photos without consent
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House votes to crack down on toxic PFAS chemicals; Trump threatens veto
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Map: 100 Pa. schools found lead in their drinking water. Here’s how they responded.
WITF: Lawmakers plan to try, once more, to make redistricting less political
PLSReporter: HDPC confronts unsolicited transmission of sexual images
PLSReporter: 5 bills to watch for the week of January 13
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 37: Farm Show Fever
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Cost-of-living adjustments, games of skill and special elections
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – Farm Show Edition
StateImpactPA: Study: Replacing coal plants with natural gas cut pollution, saved lives
StateImpactPA: Trump wants to roll back environmental reviews of major projects like pipelines
Washington Post: House Democrats who endorsed in 2020 primary signal they will unify behind eventual nominee
6ABC: Overheard at Tredici with Josh Shapiro
National Journal: Michael Marsicano Launches Congressional Bid
National Journal: How to Watch 2020 State Legislative Races Like a Pro
NBC News: Bloomberg to fund sizable campaign effort through November even if he loses Democratic nomination
Wall Street Journal: Democratic Lawmakers Try to Boost Asian-American Vote in Battleground States in 2020
Politico: Endangered Democrats sound the alarm on Bernie and Warren

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Anti-refinery protesters want new PES owner to end pollution at site
KYW Newsradio: Penn to host satellite caucus for Iowans in Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: In Society Hill, a disagreement over how to protect bike lanes
KYW Newsradio: Community groups organize another gun giveback effort, no questions asked
Inquirer: A Mummer who wore blackface is a Philly Carpenters union official. The union denounced his actions.
Inquirer: Iranians in Philadelphia are dealing with jangled nerves and fears for family overseas
Inquirer: Former Philly cop sues Meek Mill, Jay-Z, and Amazon over ‘Free Meek’ documentary
Billy Penn: An ex-Philly cop is suing Meek Mill, Jay-Z and Amazon for a few seconds on screen
Philadelphia Tribune: Acting Police Commissioner Christine Coulter’s future in department remains unknown
Philadelphia Business Journal: It’s cheaper to buy than rent in Philadelphia, study says
WHYY Newsworks: Philly experiments with new rent voucher aimed at keeping families in their homes

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Former Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick laid to rest
Bucks Courier Times: Marseglia: Special election for 18th district seat in Bensalem a ‘ridiculous’ waste of money
Bucks Courier Times: Newtown Township looking to fill supervisor vacancy
Delco Daily Times: The Heron’s Nest: Who will the Republicans run against Mary Gay Scanlon?
Delco Daily Times: Former D.A. Copeland heads back to feds, cites her accomplishments
Daily Local News: Area Democratic lawmakers vote to limit Trump’s war-making powers
Daily Local News: Analysis: Region’s Democratic reps held most town halls
Daily Local News: Rep. Hennessey announces reelection bid to 26th Dist. House seat
Daily Local News: Single-use plastic and straw ban takes effect later this year in West Chester
Daily Local News: Leff elected to chair Kennett Township supervisors; lauded for work on Moore case
Daily Local News: Chester County residents can apply for census jobs paying $27.50 per hour
Daily Local News: Chesco DA Ryan picks out of the box for her top aides
Daily Local News: McKenna elected president of Chester County Bar Foundation
Montgomery Media: PFAS bill clears U.S. house, local lawmakers react
Montgomery Media: A First: Pottstown lawyer becomes president of Montco bar association
KYW Newsradio: Hundreds pack Levittown church to remember former Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council welcomes new members, elects new leadership for 2020

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: ‘Treated Like Second-Class Citizens’: Pittsburgh Police Union Up In Arms Over Arbitrator’s Contract Award, Blame Mayor Bill Peduto
KDKA: Google Reportedly Apologizes After Company Engineer Encourages Workers To Avoid Pittsburgh Over Air Quality Concerns
WESA: Judge Assigns Mediator To Post-Gazette Labor Dispute
WESA: Pittsburgh Residents Won’t Pay Parks Tax… Yet
Post-Gazette: Police union says arbitration award unfair, ‘compromised’ 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County faces legal threats, audits over voting rolls
Post-Gazette: Clairton residents, activists protest air pollution
Post-Gazette: Judge satisfied media understand rules during jury selection
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Land Bank board hires interim executive director
Post-Gazette: Despite 50 years of lobbying, majority of tour buses lack seat belts
PLSReporter: Allegheny County residents demand health department take action on air pollution
Pittsburgh Business Times: Amid rally for air quality action, U.S. Steel commits to work with health department
Pittsburgh Business Times: City leaders planning downtown homeless shelter
City Paper: Dozens gather Downtown to protest poor air quality in Allegheny County

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Lamb campaigns for Biden in New Hampshire
Beaver County Times: Lamb: Iranian general ‘deserved to die,’ but questions whether missile strike necessary
Beaver County Times: ‘We face this every day’: Skilled trades still stigmatized among young adults
Beaver County Times: Central Outreach: An LGBTQ-focused wellness center now open in Aliquippa
Observer-Reporter: Uniontown city treasurer-elect to be sworn in Monday
Observer-Reporter: Revenue from impact fees projected to drop 21%
Observer-Reporter: New Greene County commissioners pledge transparency
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Business groups divided on state minimum wage hike
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: PennDOT appoints district executive
Altoona Mirror: Pa. pressured on pollution
Altoona Mirror: Veterans program set
Altoona Mirror: Tax assistance offered

NEPA
Citizens Voice: 2020 a year of change for Luzerne County
Citizens Voice: Deadline for Democratic delegate hopefuls nears
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council slated to vote on Griffith’s council solicitor proposal
The Times Leader: Mayor’s bright idea lighting up Wilkes-Barre City Hall
The Times Leader: Several personnel developments in Luzerne County District Attorney’s Office
The Times Leader: Lawyer sues city, county, alleging retaliation over raccoon shooting
Times-Tribune: Delegates lining up for national conventions 

South Central 
Patriot News: Special election to fill Pa. Senate seat vacated after lawmaker’s arrest: What you need to know
Patriot News: ‘Honest mistake’ or ‘amateur hour’: Candidate vying for Pa. Senate seat in special election misses deadline for campaign finance filing
Patriot News: East Pennsboro music teacher announces bid for Pa. Senate seat
Patriot News: York County hires elections director as the 2020 election cycle gets underway
Patriot News: Capitol Crash Course invites Pa. college journalists to 3-day intensive training session 
Patriot News: HACC faculty voted ‘no confidence’ in school president, but trustees extended his contract anyway
Patriot News: Former Hummelstown mayor dies, remembered as ‘tremendous person’
Carlisle Sentinel: Regan, Danielson in contention for 31st District state senate seat
York Daily Record: York County names new elections director
York Daily Record: HACC faculty vote ‘no confidence’ in president
York Dispatch: After messy election, York County hires sports administrator as voting czar

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: U.S. Rep. Susan Wild in step with Democratic colleagues facing tough 2020 reelections 
Morning Call: Gerrymandering in crosshairs as lawmakers renew push to change how PA draws legislative maps
Morning Call: Former Easton Mayor Tom Goldsmith, who oversaw the Two Rivers Landing development, dies at 80
Morning Call: Lehigh County 911 calls taking longer to dispatch since merger of Allentown, county centers
Morning Call: Your Call: Why are Pennsylvania politicians crying poor on infrastructure when they just hiked the gas tax? 
Morning Call: Bethlehem ordinance would allow Airbnb-like rentals — with conditions
Reading Eagle: Rep. Jerry Knowles seeking 6th term in state House
Reading Eagle: Dozens in Reading protest potential war with Iran
Reading Eagle: Tri-County residents can apply for census jobs paying $27.50 per hour
Express Times: Former Easton mayor Thomas Goldsmith dies
Express Times: The 2020 census: When does it start? What is the census used for? Is there a citizenship question? Census jobs and pay. | What to know about the U.S. Census.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Horton declares run for state Senate
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council open to new consulting firm requests from mayor
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Finance director, engineer out at City Hall
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Primary features federal, state nominations

Opinion  
LNP Editorial Board: Pa. officials use a stealth budgeting mechanism called Ledger 5, and it’s as odd as it sounds 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Getting the job done: CFA must meet and approve projects
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lighting the way: Light bulb efficiency rules should remain
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fighting overdoses: Allegheny County receives fewer Narcan kits this year
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Voting on war: Congress shirking its duty to declare war
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Licensing reform: Past offenders shouldn’t be barred from job licences
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Increasing liability: Poorly maintained trees continue to cost the city
PennLive letters: Elections coverage response  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly streets won’t clean themselves
Inquirer Editorial Board: Important lessons for Philadelphia from Chicago’s three-year decline in gun violence
Maria Panaritis: At funeral for former U.S. Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, a chilling portrait of our failure against cancer 
Danene Sorace: Lancaster city needs more revenue options to stay afloat 
State Sen. Browne: Let’s keeping pushing fiscal responsibility in Pennsylvania
Alan Jennings: Why I feel hopeful about Lehigh Valley in 2020
Paul Muschick: Why the Lehigh Valley is better off improving local roads than widening Route 22
John L. Micek: DNC Chair Tom Perez to shine healthcare spotlight on Pa., key battleground states | Friday Morning Coffee
Larry Platt: Jim Kenney Giveth, Jim Kenney Taketh Away  
Michael Coard: 8 things you didn’t know about Philly’s new police chief 
Van Gosse: How do we fix democracy in Pennsylvania and elsewhere? Local elections. 
Sara Goldrick-Rab: Pennsylvania community colleges strike out-of-state deal but need stronger in-state options 
John N. Mitchell: Raising Black sons enhances new Philly police chief Outlaw’s credentials 
Helen Ubiñas: The bullet bracelets that caught Nancy Pelosi’s eye are coming to Philadelphia 
JD Mullane: Deaths that haunt memory
Tim Hartman: Harrisburg’s bipartisan affliction, explained | Editorial Cartoon
Chris Kelly: A little hypocrisy in Carbondale
Mark Fazlollah: We’re deporting people back to gangs. What about offering refuge and aid? 
Mike Newall: This couple survived life in a tent on Vine Street. But they couldn’t survive being apart. 
Chris Dolan: Trump’s Iran strike was a radical departure from ‘America First’
Robert I. Field: Brexit wasn’t the only issue for British voters. Health care is big too.
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Stepping back from Iran, war and royalty
Mara Casey Tieken: School closings can hit rural communities hard — without any benefit
Bill O’Boyle: Beyond the Byline: Get involved, but behave
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Tracking Philly’s trash
Will Bunch: The stakes have never been higher. Here’s who I plan to vote for in April’s Dem primary 
Keith C. Burris: Folly marches on
Brian O’Neill: Any flush means a wild ride through Pittsburgh
David M. Shribman: Candidates dream big in New Hampshire
Gene Therapy: Campaign 2020: It’s all over save for the Facebook posturing
Ruth Ann Dailey: The thin line
Tony Norman: Saying ‘no’ to the game of thrones
John L. Micek: From fires in Australia to looming war in the Middle East, our children deserve better answers 
Josh Middleton: Have Fun, Do Good: March For Women