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January 14th Playbook

State Rep. Gerald Mullery announces that he won’t seek reelection, while state Sen. Doug Mastriano declares his support for Teddy Daniels in the Lt. Governor race, and Sean Parnell endorses Dave McCormick for U.S. Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

News  

‘Mullery will not seek re-election in 119th District’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “state Rep. Gerald Mullery Thursday announced he has decided to not seek re-election in the 119th Legislative District.”

‘Pa. Farm Show provides one-stop-shop for politicians as public phase of their campaigns begins’: PennLive reports that “The Farm Show is a one-stop-shop for political candidates where they get to meet people from all parts of the state in one gigantic space.”

‘Mastriano endorses fellow Army veteran as his choice for Pa. lieutenant governor’: PennLive reports that “Republican gubernatorial candidate Doug Mastriano has given a fellow Army veteran Teddy Daniels his endorsement as Pennsylvania’s next lieutenant governor.”

‘PA GOP Senate primary battle: Former Trump-backed candidate Sean Parnell endorses Dave McCormick’: Fox News reports that “Sean Parnell, the former Trump-backed Senate candidate from Pennsylvania who recently suspended his campaign, endorsed Republican Dave McCormick in the hotly-contested race on Thursday.”

‘Pennsylvania AFL-CIO endorses Josh Shapiro for governor’: City & State PA reports that “Attorney General Josh Shapiro picked up another major union endorsement in his bid to be Pennsylvania’s next governor, earning the support of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO this week.”

‘Philly’s largest city worker union is backing Malcolm Kenyatta for U.S. Senate’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta has secured a hometown endorsement in his bid for the U.S. Senate. District Council 33, the city’s largest municipal union, whose members include sanitation workers, correctional officers, and crossing guards, endorsed Kenyatta on Thursday at its West Philadelphia headquarters. The union represents 15 locals and has about 10,000 members.”

‘New law protects Pennsylvanians from ‘surprise medical bills’, with state offering additional help’: PennLive reports that “a new federal law protects people from paying higher costs because they unknowingly received care from a health care provider from outside their health insurance network.”

‘Former judicial advocate appointed to be secretary of Board of Pardons’: PennLive reports that “following the departure of Brandon Flood as the secretary of the Board of Pardons, Lt Gov. John Fetterman has appointed Celeste Trusty to the role.”

‘Tolling I-83/South Bridge would cram local roads with drivers avoiding fee: officials’: PennLive reports that “residents and officials representing the Camp Hill area met Wednesday night to share their concerns and opposition to a proposal to charge drivers a toll every time they drive over the Interstate-83 bridge.”

‘The (arcane, unlikely) doomsday redistricting law looming over Pennsylvania’s map impasse’: WHYY reports that “it’s a topic du jour in Harrisburg right now because lawmakers are on the verge of an impasse over their once-a-decade responsibility to redraw Pennsylvania’s congressional map, and some lawmakers are beginning to trot out what-ifs as the deadlines loom closer.”

‘State Rep. Martina White wants to ban Philly DA Larry Krasner from serving a third term in office’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the bill, which faces steep odds of becoming law, would limit Philadelphia’s DA to two terms. Krasner’s spokesperson called the proposal a waste of time.”

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics last week.

‘David McCormick on PA Senate bid’: David McCormick, “the former CEO of the world’s largest hedge fund Bridgewater Associates,” who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, talked to Fox News about his candidacy. 

‘Pennsylvania Republicans to draft bill to relocate migrants on Biden DHS flights to Delaware’: Fox News reports that “Republicans in the Pennsylvania State Senate plan to draft a bill that would relocate migrants entering the state on Biden administration-sponsored flights to the president’s home state of Delaware.”

‘Dr. Oz calls Fauci a ‘petty tyrant,’ challenges him to debate’: The Hill reports that “GOP Pennsylvania Senate candidate Mehmet Oz, more commonly known as “Dr. Oz” from his TV program “The Dr. Oz Show,” called infectious disease expert Dr. Anthony Fauci a “petty tyrant” and challenged him to a debate on COVID-19.”

‘Pennsylvania Dems fume over redistricting court case’: POLITICO reports that “some in the party are privately blaming national Democrats’ legal strategy, executed by party mega-lawyer Marc Elias, which could result in an unfavorable new congressional map. Elias and his team strongly dispute the criticism.”

‘Voting rights pushed by Philly lawmaker to fight what she calls ‘attacks’ on elections’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Pennsylvania’s House Democratic leader is urging lawmakers to pass a bill that would solidify voting rights for all who are eligible.”

‘Proposed changes to the 8th and 9th Congressional Districts’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports the “territory that would be” in the 8th Congressional District and 9th Congressional District “if a new district map passed Wednesday by the state House becomes law.”

‘What is the Pennsylvania legislature paying attorneys to do? It’s not always clear.’: WESA reports that “an investigation into how state lawmakers don’t consistently disclose what the attorneys they hire are working on, despite Right-to-Know requests from journalists.”

‘Hoping For Trump’s Support, Former Hedge Fund CEO Dave McCormick Announces For Pennsylvania’s US Senate Seat’: KDKA reports that “Dave McCormick, a businessman who recently moved to Pittsburgh from Connecticut, announced on Thursday his candidacy for the seat of retiring U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey. In an interview seen only on KDKA, political editor Jon Delano asked McCormick about his Pennsylvania roots, which some of his opponents have questioned.”

‘State Rep. Jim Struzzi Pushes For Bill That Legalizes Fentanyl Test Strips’: KDKA reports that “a local state representative is continuing to push for a bill that would legalize fentanyl test strips for personal use in Pennsylvania.”

‘Hedge Fund Manager David McCormick Joins Pennsylvania Senate Race’: NBC10 reports that “David McCormick, who recently resigned as CEO of the world’s largest hedge funds, Connecticut-based Bridgewater Associates, has filed federal paperwork to enter the race for U.S. Senate in his native Pennsylvania. He spoke with NBC10’s Lauren Mayk for his first local television interview.”

‘Pa. borrowers to see relief after $1.85B settlement with Navient for ‘predatory’ practices’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Navient, one of the country’s largest student loan servicers, has reached a $1.85 billion settlement with a coalition of state attorneys general, including Pennsylvania, to resolve years-long allegations of abusive and predatory practices.”

‘Republican ‘carpetbagger’ candidates for U.S. Senate take heat from primary competitors’: Philly Clout reports that “three Republicans with swanky out-of-state addresses — Mehmet Oz, Carla Sands and David McCormick — are vying for a Senate nomination in Pennsylvania as primary competitors cry foul.”

‘Court tosses suit claiming Kenney discriminated against Italian Americans by renaming Columbus Day’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “a federal court has dismissed a lawsuit alleging that Mayor Jim Kenney engaged in a pattern of discrimination against Italian Americans capped off by an executive order last year changing the name of the city’s Columbus Day holiday to Indigenous Peoples’ Day.”

‘Major changes near top of Kenney administration’: KYW Newsradio reports that “there are big changes coming to the top leadership in the Kenney administration.”

‘Calls for Penn law professor’s removal after racist comments against Asians’: KYW Newsradio reports that “a University of Pennsylvania law professor is under fire again for remarks that elected leaders are calling racist and xenophobic, and they want the tenured professor to be removed.”

‘Philadelphia managing director taking medical leave of absence’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Philadelphia Managing Director Tumar Alexander will be taking medical leave, effective Jan. 22, resulting in several leadership changes at City Hall.”

‘University of Pennsylvania names next president to succeed Amy Gutmann’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “the University of Pennsylvania selected M. Elizabeth Magill, executive vice president and provost at the University of Virginia, to serve as its ninth president.”

‘Philadelphia Fed president expects tightened conditions in 2022, predicts as many as four rate hikes’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia President Patrick Harkerwarned of a potentially “tough” first quarter and tightening financial conditions in 2022 in his keynote speech at the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2022 Economic Forecast on Thursday.”

‘Receiver intends to go to court over Chester elected officials’ salaries’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “Chester’s Receiver intends to file a request for a writ of mandamus from the Commonwealth Court after  city officials increased their salaries by $10,000 each.”

‘Local lawmakers react to draft state house maps’: Montgomery Media reports that “local lawmakers reacted this week to a new map meant to reapportion Pennsylvania’s 203 state House seats.”

‘Assessing the ways Chester’s Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods program has succeeded’: WHYY reports that “local, county, and state officials gathered Tuesday to tout the success of the city of Chester’s Partnership for Safe Neighborhoods in lowering gun violence rates since its launch in November 2020.”

‘Pittsburgh’s Department of City Planning will have a new leader next month’: WESA reports that “one of the City of Pittsburgh’s most consequential departments, city planning, will have a new director in early February, WESA has learned. It is unclear if the current director, Andrew Dash, will remain with the department in some other role. He did not respond to a request for comment.”

‘City Of Pittsburgh Asking For Public Input As They Plan Accessibility Improvements’: KDKA reports that “the city of Pittsburgh is looking into ways to improve accessibility for those with disabilities.”

‘Pittsburgh to undertake comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act self-evaluation’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “the city of Pittsburgh is seeking “qualified and experienced” firms to assist in developing a comprehensive Americans with Disabilities Act Self-Evaluation and Transition Plan.”

‘Johnstown hires Cambria County planning director Imhoff as new city manager’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “the Cambria County Planning Commission’s executive director and vice chairman of Vision Together 2025 has been hired as Johnstown’s new city manager.”

‘Lawmakers call Scranton School District busing contract a ‘slap in the face’’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “two state legislators sent a scathing letter to Scranton School District leaders on Thursday, accusing officials of making decisions “in the shadows” and calling the new transportation agreement a “slap in the face” to city taxpayers.”

‘Crocamo mum on manager plans’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County Acting Manager Romilda Crocamo said Thursday she won’t divulge whether she is applying for the permanent manager position.”

‘Elections director warns community of possible scammers’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “residents of the county should be aware that there have been reports of people going door-to-door identifying themselves as representatives of the Lycoming County Office of Voter Services, Director Forrest Lehman told the commissioners at their recent meeting.”

‘Aqua Pennsylvania adds a Bucks County sewer system to its portfolio for $53 million’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the PUC approved Aqua Pennsylvania’s acquisition of the Lower Makefield Township sewer system, adding 11,000 wastewater customers to Aqua’s ledger.”

‘Centre County to require government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 or tested weekly’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “employees of the Centre County government will be required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or be tested weekly effective Jan. 31.”

‘‘A chilling message’: Faculty, students rally after Penn State moves to potentially terminate professor’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “despite a court clearing a Penn State assistant professor of wrongdoing after tussling with an anti-vaxx student last August, Penn State is still moving forward with the termination process – drawing ire from faculty and students alike.”

Opinion  
John Baer: Don’t be surprised if Doug Mastriano wins the Republican nomination for governor 
Dave McCormick: Time for America’s leaders to confront China’s Communist Party head on
Jessica Benham and Chris Deluzio: State must address care worker crisis
Doug Mastriano: We need to reevaluate how Pennsylvania funds education
Jim Kenney and Darrell L. Clarke: A gaping chasm of inequity: Philly schools need more state funding 
Paul Muschick: Will Pennsylvania’s 2020 election audit truly be transparent? Here’s why I have doubts.
Larry Platt: The Weirdest Senate Primary Race in the Nation 
Will Bunch: What fake 2020 Electoral College certificates tell us about America’s fragile democracy 
David Rotenstein: Pennsylvania’s History Code fails the sniff test, needs a rewrite
Bruce Katz: The Choices We Make 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: State House GOP lawmakers are attempting to grab the power to draw their own legislative districts. We shouldn’t let them.
Inquirer Staff: After the Fairmount fire, 5 ways to rethink Philly’s housing priorities 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Yes to Wilkinsburg annexation 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Minting progress: a suitable celebration of Maya Angelou
John L. Micek: About the GOP’s historical amnesia on voting rights
John L. Micek: Allegheny Co.’s decision to suspend trials didn’t surprise local lawyers | Thursday Morning Coffee
Helen Ubiñas: Philadelphia must be a ‘city of refuge’ for the 5-year-old survivor of deadly Fairmount fire 
Courtney Duchene: Ideas We Should Steal: A City Designed For Women  
Nina Dilworth: Help Keep Philadelphians Warm

10 Responses

  1. Daniels made a huge political miscalculation. He was poised to win that congressional race and flip a needed seat red. He doesn’t have a chance in hell of winning Lt Gov. That will make two losses and flush his future in politics. Shame because he really had a great thing going in that congressional race. Cartwright was in trouble.

  2. mccormick’s commercials are so corny. looking at his record it makes it even worse. fat cat hedge fund millionaire.

  3. Former Lower Merion Constable Eric Bradway is running for Governor against Josh Shapiro in The Democratic Primary

  4. If Daniels is who Ding Dong Doug, The Insurrectionist is endorsing, that should be a hard NOOOOOOO for anyone voting.

  5. Teddy Daniels for Lt Gov is great. People think he’s a brut but he’s one of the most eloquent speakers I’ve ever seen on the stump. I feel bad for the other people in the race. Teddy will win the nomination walking away.

    1. Why is Daniels bailing on Congressional race? Must have reservations on how redistricting will go. Josh Shapiro won a statewide row office when the other Row Dems went down to defeat. I like Atty Gen Shapiro’s chances for Gov. Running against Republican “golden oldies” playing their greatest hits on the circuit one more time is good for Atty Gen Shapiro’s chances.

      1. I wouldn’t blame Teddy if he did bail. It’s Mid-Jan and there are no districts yet. Republicans pick. Dems sue. Goes to a “non partisan” commission. The you don’t get a map until 7 weeks before the primary

    2. Teddy didn’t “bail” as presaged by his having spoken last Saturday @ Doug’s “coming out” party; he’s known Mastriano for decades and have obviously developed a chemistry that should dissuade Trumpers running for Lt. Gov. to “bail” before bothering to try to fill petitions.

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