House Speaker Mike Turzai announces that he will not seek reelection in 2020, while Sean Parnell is set to headline the PA GOP Winter Dinner tonight. Here is the Playbook. 

Turzai Announces Retirement: The Allegheny County Republican who has served as Speaker since 2015 announced on Thursday morning his intentions to not seek reelection in November.

Parnell to Headline PA GOP Winter Dinner: The Pennsylvania GOP said in a statement that Parnell is a big part of their ‘Take Back Congress in 2020’ strategy.

Houlahan, Lamb To Campaign for Biden in Iowa: As Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) wraps up a three day campaign swing for the former Vice President in Iowa, Biden’s campaign announces that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan will spend Saturday and Sunday in the state participating in the “We Know Joe” Iowa tour.

Poll: Trump Trails Generic Dem: Trump’s strongest numbers are with economic issues, while he is underwater on healthcare and security issues among Pennsylvania voters.

Poll: Biden 31, Sanders 21: The latest Baldwin Wallace University Great Lakes Poll shows the former Vice President with a double digit lead over Sen. Bernie Sanders.

PA12: Keller Announces Campaign Leadership Team: Rep. Fred Keller’s (R-Snyder) campaign sent out a release announcing that all 15 Republican County Committee Chairs in the 12th Congressional District will be a part of his campaign’s Leadership Team.

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-28: House Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny) announced on Thursday morning that he will not seek reelection in November. Turzai, who was first elected to the state House in 2001, won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by about 9 points over Democrat Emily Skopov. 

HD-46: Thomas Neafcy, a Limerick Township supervisor, was unanimously endorsed by the Montgomery County Republican Party over former state Rep. Tom Quigley (R-Montgomery), according to Montgomery Media. The seat is held by state Rep. Joe Ciresi, who was elected in 2018 after defeating incumbent state Rep. Thomas Quigley, (R-Montgomery) by 11 points.

HD-99: State Rep. David Zimmerman (R-Lancaster) was endorsed by the Elanco Republican Committee over challenger Glenn Yoder, meaning he will receive the party’s endorsement next week, according to LNP | LancasterOnline. Zimmerman won his most recent reelection bid for the seat in 2018 over Democrat Elizabeth Malarkey by 42 points.  

HD-45: Danny DeVito, a law clerk, announced his intentions to seek the Republican Party nomination for the seat held by state Rep. Anita Kulik (D-Allegheny). Kulik ran unopposed in her most recent reelection bid for the seat in 2018. 

HD-44: State Rep. Valerie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) announced her intentions to seek a second term in the state House. Gaydos defeated Democrat Michele Knoll by 3.4 points for the seat in 2018. 

HD-48: State Rep. Tim O’Neal (R-Washington) announced his intentions to seek a second term in the state House, according to the Observer-Reporter. O’Neal bested former state Rep. Clark Mitchell (D-Washington) by 11 points in 2018.   

Harrisburg & DC   
Washington Examiner: Pennsylvania Speaker of the House Mike Turzai to retire
Patriot News: Pa. Speaker Mike Turzai says he is not seeking re-election this year
Patriot News: Former Pa. lawmaker pleads guilty to theft, sentenced to jail
Patriot News: Pa. Speaker Mike Turzai on his decision to retire from House: ‘Time for others to take the torch’
Patriot News: Ya gotta be kiddin’ me! Former Pa. Lt. Gov. Mike Stack is now a comic 
AP: Pennsylvania’s GOP House speaker to retire after three terms
AP: Pennsylvania high court upholds old precedent in fracking
Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai will not seek reelection
Spotlight PA: The Pa. State Police was warned about possible racial bias in car searches. The agency’s answer? End the research.
The Caucus: Gov. Tom Wolf, state top elected officials vow transparency with campaign spending; push for tighter restrictions
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai to retire at end of year
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘I want to let the evidence do the talking,’ Pa. Sen. Bob Casey says as Trump impeachment rolls into third day
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Former Pa. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell pleads guilty to stealing from nonprofit she ran, report
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Rep. Matt Gabler retires after 11 years in Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How the 2020 census could impact Pa.’s redistricting efforts 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘There’s always room for improvement,’ says Penn State/Hershey exec honored for LGBTQ leadership
WITF: Pa. House Speaker Turzai will not run for reelection
WITF: House moves to tighten Pennsylvania’s human trafficking laws
PLSReporter: House Speaker Mike Turzai to retire
PLSReporter: The list of legislative retirements is growing. Here’s who won’t be running for re-election to the General Assembly in 2020.
PLSReporter: Former state lawmaker Movita Johnson-Harrell pleads guilty to public corruption charges
PLSReporter: City Council to pursue lawsuit against state for gun laws
PLSReporter: PA finishes 2019 with another record sports betting record
Beaver County Times: DePasquale urges PA Senate to act on pharmacy benefit manager bills 
StateImpactPA: No plans for bankrupt Philadelphia Energy Solutions to re-open as refinery, city says
StateImpactPA: PFAS chemicals detected in water supplies nationwide
Inquirer: Pat Toomey isn’t showing his hand on one big question in the Trump impeachment trial
Post-Gazette: Casey: Evidence in Trump’s impeachment trial shows need to call witnesses, subpoena documents
Observer-Reporter: Casey concerned that president’s behavior could worsen unless he is convicted, removed
National Journal: State House Speaker to Retire
National Journal: County GOP Turns Up Heat on Fitzpatrick Challenger
Politico: White House prepared short list to shake up HHS leadership
Politico: RNC will flood battleground states with staffers to boost Trump

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: The former lieutenant governor of Pennsylvania is now doing stand-up comedy in California as ‘Mikey Stacks’
Inquirer: Former State Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell pleads guilty to theft charges, will spend at least 3 months in jail
Inquirer: Philly progressives who won big last year are making moves in City Council 
Inquirer: Philly Mayor Jim Kenney to the Mummers: End blackface, or the parade is over
Inquirer: For 21 years, this Philly man dreamed of being exonerated. But coming home from prison was nothing like what he expected.
Inquirer: Hilco’s $240 million bid for South Philly refinery wasn’t the highest offer, aggrieved creditors say
Inquirer: ‘I’m home’: Nelson Perez’s path from Philly priest to the region’s first Hispanic archbishop
Billy Penn: Former PA Lt. Gov. Mike Stack hits Hollywood with new standup comedy act
Billy Penn: How Philly teachers want the school district to fix the asbestos problem
Philadelphia Citizen: Reformer vs Progressive 
KYW Newsradio: Former Pa. Rep. Movita Johnson-Harrell pleads guilty to theft in negotiated deal
KYW Newsradio: Philly City Council plans to open new terms with lots of legislation
KYW Newsradio: Philly Council begins term with flurry of bills, some of which may sound familiar
KYW Newsradio: Mayor Kenney threatens to end Mummers Parade if changes aren’t made
PLSReporter: City Council to pursue lawsuit against state for gun laws
WHYY Newsworks: Kendra Brooks calls for hearings on rent control at her first City Council meeting
WHYY Newsworks: Mummers Parade threatened with extinction
WHYY Newsworks: ‘A new era for Philly’: Spanish-speaking Catholics praise Hispanic archbishop
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney tells Mummers: No blackface, or no parade
Philly Voice: Former Rep. Motiva Johnson-Harrell sentenced to three months in prison, then house arrest
Philly Voice: Mayor Kenney threatens to end Mummers Parade amid blackface controversy

SEPA
Montgomery Media: GOP members endorse Neafcy in 146th District state rep contest
Montgomery Media: Montco commissioners urge residents to participate in 2020 census
Daily Local News: Judge denies Chesco’s request for injunction to halt pipeline work
Daily Local News: Comitta hosting telephone town hall meeting Jan. 29
Daily Local News: Rep. Shusterman invites families to annual Winter Kids Fest on Feb. 1
Bucks Local News: State Rep. Wendi Thomas backs bills to fight human trafficking
Bucks Courier Times: Divided Lower Southampton board picks new tax collector
Bucks Courier Times: Morrisville appoints new council member
Pottstown Mercury: Congresswoman Madeleine Dean calls for EPA action after PFAS water report
Delco Daily Times: Delco council posts job openings, will focus on ethics
Delco Daily Times: Pisani named public safety director in Ridley

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Turzai Announces Retirement, Will Not Seek Another Term
Pittsburgh Current: Breaking: State Rep. Candidate Who Made Offensive Facebook Posts Apparently Staying In Race
Pittsburgh Current: On Anniversary Of Roe V. Wade, Dickinson Calls Out Doyle For Previous Hyde Amendment Support
Post-Gazette: Pa. Speaker Mike Turzai will retire from state House after current term
Post-Gazette: DEP issues Code Orange air quality alert for Pittsburgh region
PLSReporter: County Council gives Civilian Review Board legislation a second chance
Tribune Review: Western Pa. pro-life activists excited for Trump appearance at March for Life
Tribune Review: DeVito hopes famous name, plans for future translate to votes for state rep
Tribune Review: House passes package boosting human trafficking penalties
City Paper: Pa. GOP House Speaker Mike Turzai is retiring
City Paper: With the first temperature inversion of the year, the ACHD has yet to implement its proposed regulations
KDKA: Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai Will Not Seek Re-Election
KDKA: Highmark Recognized As Supportive Workplace For LGBTQ Community
KDKA: Clairton-Liberty Area Sees Recent String Of Code Orange Air Quality Action Days

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WATCH VIDEO | Meyersdale resident to run for 13th District House seat 
Beaver County Times: MSNBC visits Midland to talk to voters about impeachment
Beaver County Times: DePasquale urges PA Senate to act on pharmacy benefit manager bills
Observer-Reporter: O’Neal seeking re-election to state House
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners set compensation for new county solicitor
Observer-Reporter: Washington County contracts with professional movers for voting-related devices
Tribune Review: Westmoreland Dems seeking new leadership for party committee
Altoona Mirror: Tea party sets meeting on guns
Altoona Mirror: State awards grant money to 2 area dairies

NEPA
The Times Leader: Bognet announces run for 8th Congressional District 
The Times Leader: Legislators seek funding to reclaim abandoned mine lands
The Times Leader: Leadership Wilkes-Barre’s Keystone Generations on a ‘mission’ to help
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County Commissioners table vote on tax hike
Times-Tribune: March for Life expects a lift from Trump
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County first responders receive more than $750,000 in grants
Times-Tribune: Scranton annual trash fee to remain at $300 in 2020
Citizens Voice: County election board picks chairman, seeks poll workers

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Turzai not seeking reelection puts Cutler next in line to become next speaker of Pa. House
LNP | LancasterOnline: Zimmerman wins Elanco GOP’s support for endorsement in straw poll
LNP | LancasterOnline: Stedman submits bill for lawsuit against commissioners, teeing up new legal battle
LNP | LancasterOnline: State legislators discuss human trafficking bills, name January ‘National Human Trafficking Awareness Month’
York Dispatch: Two York County school districts accused of violating religious freedom
Carlisle Sentinel: Election 2020: Miller announces run for Rothman’s statehouse district in Cumberland County
Carlisle Sentinel: Election 2020: Crossley announces run for 199th state House seat
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County GOP groups to hold speaker series Thursday with Sen. Mastriano

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: One way Northampton County plans to avoid repeat of 2019 election fiasco
Morning Call: Marty Nothstein: Former velodrome chairman’s response to lawsuit attempts to damage his reputation
Morning Call: Lehigh County changes collective bargaining policy, ceding authority to county executive
Morning Call: Bethlehem mayor: ‘No decision has been made to close Packer Avenue. Period.’
Express Times: More new electronics for voting in Northampton County? Election officials hit pause.  
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Eddie Moran fired former managing director
Reading Eagle: Berks County activist warns commissioners not to privatize prison
Reading Eagle: Concern over Pennsylvania Skill machines varies in Berks County 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie anti-abortion advocates head to March for Life 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners mull ordinance for hunting preserve
Centre Daily Times: Mayors across the country — including State College’s — band together to help save minor league teams 

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Disability rules: Proposed change to Social Security plan has high cost
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Safety in class: PPS must explain how a child was burned
Inquirer Editorial Board: New Archbishop Nelson Perez’s track record should inspire hope
Citizens Voice Editorial Board: State bungles census effort  
John Baer: Pennsylvania Democrats and Republicans play long game on voting laws 
Bernard J. Rabik: Ask Attorney Bernie: A look at Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act and drugs in the workplace
John L. Micek: New report finds PFAS exposure much more widespread than previously reported | Thursday Morning Coffee
Ray E. Landis: Who are the real winners and losers in the Pa. Lottery’s jackpots?
JD Swerzenski, Donald T. Tomaskovic-Devey, and Eric Hoyt: Where are all the Hispanic executives? How Pittsburgh explains the gap | Analysis
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Taxpayer money for religious schools
Sharif El-Mekki: Is Progressivism Letting Down Our Kids? 
Will Bunch: Saudi Arabia murdered a journalist and blackmailed Jeff Bezos. Trump sent them U.S. troops 
Mike Newall: Our new archbishop is a Philly guy – and he’s speaking our language 
Jenice Armstrong: Philly ranks 3rd in STD transmissions partly because too many don’t use condoms 
Bruce Katz and Colin Higgins: Can Big Money Rescue the Climate? 
Brian O’Neill: Studies come and go as Earth heats up