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January 17th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf released his first proposal for new congressional maps. Here is the Playbook. 

News  

‘Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled proposed congressional maps as deadlines loom’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf unveiled a new map of congressional districts Saturday, the first proposal he’s released as he butts heads with Republicans over the decennial redistricting and intervention by the courts becomes increasingly likely.”

‘Lunch pail-carrying ‘worker guy’ emerges as the gubernatorial favorite in regional GOP caucus straw poll’: PennLive reports that “a self-described “worker guy” from Delaware County who now runs an $80 million a year business emerged as the favorite choice to be the next governor among Central Pennsylvania’s GOP state committee people. Dave White, a former Delaware County Councilman, outshone some of the party’s more experienced politicians to emerge as the strongest candidate to take on presumed Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Shapiro in the fall in a straw poll taken at during a closed-door meeting at the Penn Harris Hotel in East Pennsboro Township on Saturday…Clarice Schillinger of Montgomery County, who founded the Back to School PA political action committee, came out on top in the straw poll for lieutenant governor with 39 votes followed by Cumberland Countian Jeff Coleman, a former state representative who has a political consulting firm in Harrisburg, receiving 22 votes.”

‘GOP straw poll shows strong support for Pa. senate candidates Jeff Bartos, Kathy Barnette as campaign starts to intensify’: PennLive reports that “Jeff Bartos, the real estate developer who won the party’s nomination for lieutenant governor in 2018, won the Republican State Committee Central Caucus’s straw poll with 49 votes, while conservative activist Kathy Barnette finished in a strong second place with 30 votes.”

‘Late entry? Former Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai asks to appear before GOP state committee members about governor’s race.’: PennLive reports that “the former Speaker of the state House of Representatives made a late ask Friday to see if he could be added to the list of candidates for governor slated to appear before members of the Republican State Committee’s central caucus Saturday.”

‘Corman, top Republican in Pa. Senate, says he has $3 million for governor’s race’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “in an effort to show his campaign fundraising prowess, Jake Corman, the top elected Republican in the Senate and a candidate seeking his party’s nomination for governor, is sending an email to current and potential contributors today saying he has “close to $3 million on hand” — a eyecatching sum given he officially entered the race just six weeks ago.”

‘Former Rep. Jeff Coleman announces campaign for lieutenant governor’: PennLive reports that “former state Rep. Jeff Coleman has thrown his hat in the crowded ring of GOP candidates for lieutenant governor. In an announcement earlier this week, Coleman said he is running as a “champion of goodness.””

‘Trump is front and center in Pennsylvania’s race for governor. Will it stay that way?’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “as more than a dozen Republican hopefuls line up to run to be Pennsylvania’s next governor, Trump’s influence on the campaigns and the election is center stage.”

‘Court puts hold on GOP inspection of county voting machines’: The Associated Press reports that “an inspection of voting machines in a heavily Republican county in Pennsylvania as part of a GOP “investigation” into the 2020 presidential election was moments away from starting Friday until the state Supreme Court put it on hold.”

‘Mehmet Oz is spending millions on TV to boost his Senate campaign in Pa. He’s not alone in an ultra-wealthy GOP field’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the early TV buys by three Pennsylvania Republicans signal an extraordinarily expensive and drawn-out primary for U.S. Senate.”

‘Lou Barletta warns of ‘ghost flights’ for immigrants. Critics call that a political ‘stunt.’’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “former U.S. Rep. Lou Barletta has called on the governor and state attorney general to examine “ghost flights” bringing migrant children and adults to Pennsylvania airports. They call that a “stunt.””

‘In Philadelphia, Buttigieg touts biggest U.S. bridge repair investment since 1950s’: KYW Newsradio reports that “the U.S. secretary of transportation came to Philadelphia Friday to announce national funding that will help repair or replace deteriorating bridges across the country.”

‘Voters could be flooded with proposed changes to the Pa. Constitution in 2023’: Spotlight PA reports that “Pennsylvania voters could face at least five ballot questions about changing the state constitution next year after House Republicans added four controversial revisions to a single proposal.”

‘Ad wars heat up in Pennsylvania’s crowded and combustible GOP Senate primary’: Fox News reports that “an outside group supporting Republican businessman Jeff Bartos in Pennsylvania’s increasingly divisive GOP Senate primary next week will launch a nearly $2 million ad blitz that showcases Bartos’ Keystone State roots and takes aim at two top primary rivals.”

‘Pennsylvania Senate race could determine majority in 2022’: Fox News reports that “former Bush administration official Dave McCormick says he’s running for Senate to ‘make sure the people of Pennsylvania have the opportunity to live the great American dream.’”

‘President Joe Biden returns to Philly to visit Philabundance food bank’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “filling food boxes and singing the Philadelphia Eagles fight song, “Fly, Eagles, Fly,” President Joe Biden returned to Philadelphia on Sunday to visit Philabundance, the same anti-hunger agency where he stopped for day-of-service duties in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. Day last year.”

‘Sean Hannity’s role in Dr. Oz’s Senate campaign’: CNN reports that “Dr. Mehmet Oz, a Senate candidate in Pennsylvania, is trying to win the “Fox primary” by appearing on the network every few days, Brian Stelter says. “From Oz’s point of view,” Olivia Nuzzi says, “there’s no upside to participating in the mainstream media,” so he’s sticking to Fox.”

‘Dr. Oz’s Senate run is playing out as a ‘Fox primary’’: CNN reports that “Dr. Mehmet Oz has gone from one of the country’s most recognizable TV personalities to a polarizing Republican Senate candidate — and his primary campaign is exclusively targeted to Fox viewers.”

‘Pennsylvania is a prime pickup opportunity for Senate Democrats, adding pressure to the Senate primary fight’: CNN reports that “if Democrats are going to preserve their Senate majority after the 2022 midterm elections, the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Pat Toomey represents a crucial offensive opportunity for a party desperate for a sliver of hope.”

‘Lynn Yeakel, unrelenting voice for women’s equality who waged close race for U.S. Senate, dies at 80’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “as more than a dozen Republican hopefuls line up to run to be Pennsylvania’s next governor, Trump’s influence on the campaigns and the election is center stage.”

‘Two Berks commissioners endorse Jeff Bartos for U.S. Senate seat’: The Reading Eagle reports that “two Berks County leaders announced they are throwing their support behind Jeff Bartos to win the Republican nomination for the hotly contested U.S. Senate seat. Commissioners Christian Leinbach and Michael Rivera released a joint statement this week outlining why they are endorsing the Montgomery County real estate developer for the nomination and what they believe he can bring to the position.”

‘Restaurant owner in Corry announces candidacy for state representative’: WJET reports that “a current restaurant owner in Corry, Pennsylvania is branding himself as a “common guy with common sense” for his candidacy for state representative in the Fourth Legislative District of Pennsylvania.”

‘Thomas announces GOP bid in 119th’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “George Thomas, 57, of Alden in Newport Township, announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for the 119th Legislative District seat currently occupied by State Rep. Gerald Mullery.”

‘DelVal Republicans Hope to Catch the ‘Red Wave’ in 2022’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports that “Philadelphia GOP Chair Martina White’s party may be outnumbered seven to one in the City of Brotherly Love, but she says that won’t stop the red wave that’s coming in 2022.” 

‘Local leaders question redistricting proposal’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that “a proposed redistricting map shuffling boundary lines of state lawmakers is not sitting well with local leaders.”

‘Wyoming County commissioners oppose redistricting plan’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Wyoming County commissioners adopted a resolution opposing the county’s move into a new Pennsylvania state House district.”

‘Proposed legislative maps draw both condemnation and acclaim’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “two final public hearings on proposed new House and Senate district maps took place Friday and Saturday, though residents still have until Tuesday to submit comments or exceptions online directly to the five-member Pennsylvania Legislative Reapportionment Commission.”

‘Houlahan introduces bill that would ‘strengthen our national security’’: The Daily Local News reports that “U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th, of Easttown, and one of her Republican colleagues have introduced a bill that would not only beef up national security but strengthen defense pharmaceutical supply chains and reduce dependence on foreign producers. She was joined by U.S. Rep. Peter Meijer of Michigan.”

‘Pennsylvania will receive an extra $1.63 billion in federal infrastructure funds to fix bridges, 3rd most in U.S.’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pennsylvania has the second most bridges in poor condition and will receive an additional $1.63 billion in federal funds over the next five years to help fix some of them, according to details of a federal bridge program announced Friday.”

‘State Rep. Intends To Introduce Legislation That Would Elevate Concealing The Death Of A Child To A Felony’: KDKA reports that “a local district attorney and state representative are teaming up to change the law in Pennsylvania when it comes to a specific crime.”

‘Nearly 100 years ago, Pa.’s Senate race was jolted by allegations of election fraud in Philadelphia’: Billy Penn reports that “unfounded claims of fraud in Philadelphia’s 2020 election have been disproven several times over. But a century ago, the city saw an actual voting scandal.”

‘Wilkinsburg: Pittsburgh’s 91st neighborhood or just a close neighbor?’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “by the time next winter hits, Wilkinsburg either will be Pittsburgh’s 91st neighborhood — united under one city government for the first time since the 1800s — or it will continue to stand on its own as a close neighbor, separated only by imaginary lines.”

‘County Jail denies new reports of abuse, says inmates were misrepresented’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “multiple allegations of abuse against inmates at the Allegheny County Jail, including its use of solitary confinement, were denied by jail leadership on Friday.”

‘Election bill splits state’s reps’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “Pennsylvania’s representatives in Washington split along party lines Thursday as the House passed broad reforms to the nation’s elections.”

‘Luzerne County aiming to send requested election mail ballots sooner’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “a recent survey of Luzerne County mail voters reinforced the need to get ballots out sooner if possible, the county Election Board said this week.”

‘Luzerne County government eyeing small business aid’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County’s administration is working on a proposal to use some of the county’s $113 million American Rescue Plan allocation to provide funding to small businesses.”

‘Morelli cautions search committee about emails’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Rick Morelli said Thursday he has warned fellow members of Luzerne County’s Manager Search Committee that its private email exchanges may be violating the state Sunshine Act.”

‘$327 million from infrastructure bill could help Lancaster County’s 135 ‘poor’ bridges’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “some of Lancaster County’s 1,026 bridges may be repaired or replaced sooner than expected as Pennsylvania learned Friday it will receive an additional $327 million this year for a federal bridge improvement plan.”

‘There’s an empty seat on Lancaster city council. Here’s how to apply to fill it.’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “anyone who has lived in the city of Lancaster for at least one year and is at least 18 years old is eligible to apply for a newly open seat on the seven-member city council.”

‘‘The pain never really goes away’: Lehigh County launches coalition to prevent suicides’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Lehigh County launches a coalition to prevent suicides.”

‘Reading City Hall to close for 2 weeks amid COVID spread’: The Reading Eagle reports that “starting Tuesday and continuing until the end of the month, Reading City Hall will be closed to the public and all non-essential employees, Mayor Eddie Morán announced Friday.”

‘Thompson honors Galliker with House floor tribute’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “the longtime owner of Galliker Dairy Co., one of the Johnstown area’s most iconic businesses, received a posthumous tribute from U.S. Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson on Wednesday.”

‘Former councilman files legal action against city over how parking fees increase was approved’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “a legal challenge has been made concerning the procedure Johnstown City Council used to increase parking fines and fees during a special meeting in November.”

‘The coronavirus in Pennsylvania, by the numbers’: City & State PA reports that “Pennsylvania officially reported more than 6,400 hospitalizations for COVID-19 on Friday.”

Opinion  
Mark S. Singel: Political partisanship in redistricting is causing confusion for mid-term elections
Pat Browne: How we helped stabilize Pennsylvania’s economy during the pandemic
Rob Matzie: PIAA competitive balance rule is anything but balanced 
Neil Makhija: Pennsylvania’s new House map can fix decades of gerrymandering 
Paul Muschick: Why I applaud the Supreme Court for killing Biden’s vaccine mandate
Ray E. Landis: Unable to win the battle of ideas, Pa. Republicans are damaging the state Constitution
Gary Alexander: PA Leaders Must Come Together to Access Opioid Treatment Funds and Save Lives
Carla Colangelo: Pennsylvania redistricting brings on unfair ‘buddymandering’
Michael A. MacDowell: Don’t blame COVID for the turnover in college presidents 
Stephanie Catarino Wissman: Oil and gas keep America, Pennsylvania competitive
Nancy Murray: We’re the Pa. moms of disabled kids. We have some questions for Gov. Wolf
John L. Micek: Poll: Disability service industry cut services in face of staffing shortage | Friday Morning Coffee
Tyler Miller: Giving personal data to politicians who want to investigate the 2020 elections is dangerous
Wendell Young IV: Sen. Regan has a conflict of interest in trying to put 5,000 Pennsylvanians out of work
Gregory Edwards: Martin Luther King Jr. was a prophet of resistance. So let’s move his work forward
Tony Norman: From Pompeii to Pa.
PennLive Editorial Board: MLK would not be happy with the state of racial equality in America today 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Democrats shouldn’t spurn the opportunity to serve on Lancaster County Board of Commissioners 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: It’s more important than ever for those who are eligible to donate blood
Inquirer Editorial Board: Be a climate city or own a natural gas utility? Philly can’t do both. 
Inquirer Staff: 3 Philly experts on how the city can burn less fossil fuel to heat homes 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Send Rogers Taser case to Harrisburg for justice
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A pig’s heartbeat raises ethical questions
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Call to action on voting rights
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The Least of These: A hidden crisis
Keith Holmes: Good-paying PGW jobs would be irreplaceable if Philly moves away from natural gas 
Aarushi Dedhiya: COVID and online learning have changed education forever
David M. Shribman: Battlin’ Biden sends Sleepy Joe to the sidelines
Keith C. Burris: Coming to grips with January 6
Ruth Ann Dailey: Let states decide: A plea for policy sanity
Inga Saffron: The city desperately needs more public housing. There’s a perfect site in West Philadelphia.
Jenice Armstrong: Philly needs a permanent monument to Harriet Tubman 
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: MLK’s Philly 
John Cole: The elephant in the room on Pa. redistricting | Editorial Cartoon
Dawn Godshall: Our vision for the new Youth Center in Allentown
Rann Miller: Don’t teach about MLK from a whitewashed playbook 
Tom Furst: Dr. King spoke truth at Villanova field house nearly 57 years ago
Brian Anderson: A Philadelphia firefighter: 3 tips for preventing fires

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