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.”

‘Pa. GOP answered Wolf’s pandemic vetoes with constitution changes. The strategy is here to stay.’: Spotlight PA reports that “as Wolf has exercised his veto pen, Republican legislators have increasingly turned to constitutional amendments to advance their priorities. The GOP says the change in strategy turns over decision-making to the voters, and critics say it circumvents the checks and balances between the executive and legislative branches.”

‘Where to draw the lines in Black, Latino communities at center of Pa. legislative map fight’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “some leaders in communities of color have raised concerns that the proposed House map may, intentionally or not, dilute their voices.”

‘Dr. Oz and McCormick trade shots over China as Pennsylvania GOP Senate battle fires up’: Fox News reports that “McCormick and Dr. Oz are two of the leading Republican contenders in the crucial Senate race in battleground Pennsylvania.”

‘Pa. Republicans’ hedged language may have saved them from prosecution over electoral vote scheme’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “an effort by former President Donald Trump’s campaign legal team to get Republicans in key swing states to send alternate slates of electors to Washington ahead of the Jan. 6, 2021, election certification hit a snag in Pennsylvania when GOP leaders here balked, documents and interviews show.”

‘U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb visits with community at Tec Centro in Lancaster [photos]’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb, a Democrat running for U.S. Senate, paid a visit to Tec Centro in Lancaster city on Saturday.”

‘Bill Green, longtime political analyst who served multiple roles under Dick Thornburgh, dies at 76’: PennLive reports that “William J. Green, a widely respected political analyst and a leading consultant in public affairs and strategic communications, died Sunday following a falling at his home. He was 76.”

‘Voting rights, racial justice: Under challenge, Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy is being reinvigorated’: PennLive reports that “social activists like Kadida Kenner, founding executive director of the New Pennsylvania Project, a voting rights organization, says the assault on voting rights in this country is a setback to racial justice.”

‘Pittsburgh could make $200 million from the GOP convention, but there’s no guarantee’: WESA reports that “when news broke earlier this month that Pittsburgh could host the 2024 Republican National Convention, supporters said the event would be good for Pittsburgh businesses, and could result in an economic impact upwards of $200 million. But estimates of how much the city could bring in and at what cost depends on who you ask.” 

‘As deadline looms, Wolf offers his congressional redistricting map’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “under Wolf’s proposal, Lackawanna and 64 of Luzerne County’s 76 municipalities would be part of the 8th Congressional District, whose current congressman is U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, a Moosic Democrat. That’s 10 more Luzerne towns than in the current 8th.”

‘Proposed redistricting map could change Washington, Greene representation in Harrisburg’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “a proposed map that would redraw Pennsylvania’s legislative lines could bring about a scenario in this region straight from the reality TV series “Survivor” – at least one person will be voted off the island.”

‘Fox Chapel councilwoman Mandy Steele to enter race for 33rd House District’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Mandy Steele is seeking the Democratic nomination for the seat in the May 17 primary election. She is the first candidate to announce a campaign for nomination.”

‘Local Lawmaker Concerned Over Proposed Legislative Redistricting’: Levittown Now reports that “state Rep. Frank Farry, a Republican from Langhorne Borough who serves the 142nd Legislative District, said he has worries over the proposal and impacts it could have on lawmakers, constituents, and the ability to have competitive districts, something Bucks County is known for.”

‘Gregory to seek third House term’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “Jim Gregory will seek the Republican nomination for the 80th District State House seat for a third term.”

‘York County lawmaker to lead state delegation to Chesapeake Bay cleanup board’: StateImpactPA reports that “a midstate lawmaker has been chosen to lead Pennsylvania’s delegation to the multi-state Chesapeake Bay Commission. Rep. Keith Gillespie (R-York) represents an area of York County that borders the Susquehanna River, which is the Chesapeake Bay’s largest source of fresh water.”

‘Philly firefighters ask Biden for cash to reopen ladder closest to site of Fairmount fire’: KYW Newsradio reports that “the trauma of Jan. 5 is still fresh in the minds of the firefighters who were called to the site. The president of Philadelphia Fire Fighter’s Union Local 22, Mike Bresnan, is asking President Joe Biden for money to put back into service Ladder 1 at 15th and Parrish streets, which would have been the first fire company to respond.”

‘Voter registration drives prominent on Philadelphia MLK Day of Service’: KYW Newsradio reports that “the Dr. Martin Luther King Day of Service in Philadelphia Monday led people to brave the cold or virtually connect in honoring his legacy, particularly through a series of voter registration drives.”

‘Gainey accepts award that advances ideals of Martin Luther King’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Ed Gainey, Pittsburgh’s first Black mayor who often says he’s standing “on the shoulders of giants” in the history of the fight for civil rights in the city, was honored on Monday with the Allegheny County Bar Association’s Drum Major for Justice Award, given to those who advance Martin Luther King’s mission to make justice, equality and opportunity a reality for all.”

‘Martin Luther King Jr.’s ties to Pittsburgh, region remembered’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “though not as memorable as some of the other iconic moments during his life, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. did have several connections to Pittsburgh and the region.”

‘Calls for further investigation after Allegheny County Jail officials deny allegations of abuse’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “after Pittsburgh City Paper published seven declarations written by individuals incarcerated at the Allegheny County Jail, including accusations that they experienced potential violations of out-of-cell time requirements, arbitrary use of solitary confinement to punish minor offenses, and intimidation from corrections officers armed with less-lethal weapons, Allegheny County held a press conference on Jan. 14 to deny the allegations.”

‘Former Lackawanna County commissioner’s secretary file retaliation lawsuit’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “former Lackawanna County Commissioner Patrick O’Malley’s onetime secretary alleges current commissioners fired her from a job at the county prison in retaliation for supporting O’Malley and to save the county from having to pay for her husband’s expensive medical care, according to a federal lawsuit.”

‘Events in Lehigh Valley, across the U.S. honor Martin Luther King Jr.’: WFMZ reports that “in his honor, the Bethlehem NAACP drove from Martin Luther King Park to the Charles Brown Ice House to hold an open discussion on ending homelessness.”

‘Delaware County Health Department Director to start Tuesday amid COVID and syphillis surge’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “Melissa Lyon is slated to start her role as Delaware County’s initial Health Director Tuesday as numbers of COVID and syphillis are at top levels and care for mental health is facing a crunch.”

January 17th Playbook: Gov. Tom Wolf released his first proposal for a new congressional map. Here is the Playbook.

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