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January 27th Playbook

The Pennsylvania Republican Party endorses candidates for Auditor General, Attorney General, and Treasurer. Here is the Playbook. 

PAGOP Endorses DeFoor for Auditor General, Heidelbaugh for Attorney General, Garrity for Treasurer: DeFoor received 199 votes in the three candidate field for Auditor General, while Garrity and Heidelbaugh did not face an opponent for the offices they are seeking.

January 24th Ups & Downs: A Philadelphia Democrat faces prison time one month after resigning from office, social media posts in a Congressional and state House race makes news for local news outlets, plus the House Minority Leader offers an endorsement in the crowded PA8 GOP primary. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed Dies at 70: Stephen Reed, who served in the state House from 1976-1980 and as mayor of Harrisburg from 1982-2010, died on Saturday at the age of 70 after a battle with cancer. 

Gisele Fetterman To Phone Bank For Warren’s Campaign on Thursday: Second Lady of Pennsylvania Gisele Fetterman will be phone banking for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s presidential campaign on Thursday evening at the Warren campaign’s Philadelphia field office

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-28: Rob Mercuri, a West Point graduate and Iraq War veteran, announced that he is seeking the Republican nomination for the seat held by Speaker Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny). Turzai, who announced last week that he would not be seeking reelection in 2020, has also endorsed Mercuri’s campaign. Turzai won his most recent reelection bid in 2018 by about 9 points over Democrat Emily Skopov

HD-165: Robert Smythe Jr., a classroom teacher and a second-generation first responder being a member of the Springfield Fire Company, received the Republican Party nomination by the Springfield Republican Party for the seat held by state Rep. Jen O’Mara (D-Delaware), according to the Delco Daily Times. O’Mara defeated former state Rep. Alex Charlton (R-Delaware) by 1.6 points for the seat in 2018. 

HD-39: State Rep. Mike Puskaric (R-Allegheny) announced his intentions to seek a second term in the state House, according to the Observer-Reporter. Puskaric bested Democrat Robert Rhoderick Jr. for the open seat by 11.6 points

HD-171: State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) announced his intentions to seek another term in the state House. The House Majority Whip won his most recent reelection bid over Democrat Erin McCracken by 18 points in 2018. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania legislative campaign season on brink of kickoff
AP: Pennsylvania’s December jobless rate rises, payrolls shrink
AP: Pennsylvania pays off $2.8B unemployment compensation debt
AP: Republican seeks party nod to run for Pennsylvania treasurer
AP: Gov. Wolf to seek school construction aid amid health issues
AP: Longtime former Harrisburg mayor dies at 70
New York Times: The Swing Issue That Could Win a Swing State 
Patriot News: Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed dies at 70
Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse orders flags lowered to half-staff for Stephen Reed  
Patriot News: GOP gathers amid optimism for 2020: ‘The president will bring out Republican voters’
Patriot News: ‘Politicians had to lie to discredit him’: Ex-superintendent Gerald Kohn on Stephen Reed
Patriot News: Critics, rivals remember Stephen Reed for his warmth, charm: ‘People still knew that he loved this city’
Patriot News: Stephen Reed’s dying thoughts on Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, as revealed by Fred Clark
Patriot News: Stephen Reed loved Harrisburg Senators baseball so much, he bought the team
Patriot News: Whitaker Center thanks Stephen Reed for his help in establishing it as Harrisburg’s ‘Crown Jewel’
Patriot News: Stephen Reed ‘wasn’t afraid to change the world’: Harrisburg University’s president
Patriot News: Stephen Reed was dedicated public servant who put Harrisburg before himself: Former Gov. Tom Ridge
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Fetterman, Shapiro say they both believe in second chances. Pardons board votes tell two different stories
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In budget sneak peek, Gov. Wolf rolls out $12.35M grant program to fund manufacturing research
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pennsylvania lawmaker aims to stamp out hair-based discrimination
PLSReporter: In hotly contested race, Bucks County Democrats nominate candidate for special election
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Medicaid fraud, prescription costs and broadband funding
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 39: Turzai out
Inquirer: Pa. auditor general presses for new laws on pharmacy benefit managers
StateImpactPA: Trump administration rescinds protections for streams and wetlands
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Unveils $12M Budget Proposal Promoting Innovation In Pa.
Beaver County Times: Shapiro joins nationwide opposition to federal tolling orders
Beaver County Times: Casey: Request for impeachment trial witnesses ‘reasonable’
National Journal: RNC Will Send 300 Field Staffers to Battleground States
Morning Call: Pat Toomey sets his benchmark on question of allowing Trump impeachment trial witnesses 
Philly Voice: Sen. Pat Toomey put in charge of ‘candy desk’ during President Trump’s impeachment trial
Politico: Pro-Trump groups have a new impeachment enemy: Republicans
CNN: Biden picks up endorsement from key Iowa swing district congresswoman
The Hill: Liberal super PAC to run digital ads slamming Trump over Medicare comments
The Hill: 21 states file lawsuit against selling blueprints online to print 3D guns
The Hill: Candy desk gets restocked during impeachment trial

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: City Council’s Kendra Brooks on the Big Change She’d Like to See at City Hall
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Media Giant Entercom Is Doubling Down on the Future of Radio
KYW Newsradio: PES picked buyer for shuttered refinery but objection from creditors leave deal in doubt
KYW Newsradio: Community groups host hearing to share stories about the perils of cash bail
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia Water Department defends drinking water supplies after report claiming high levels of PFAS
KYW Newsradio: With only 7 certified librarians in Philly School District, teachers demand more
KYW Newsradio: School Board of Philadelphia vice president announces he will not return
KYW Newsradio: Hundreds at St. Charles Borromeo board buses bound for March for Life in D.C.
KYW Newsradio: Flashpoint Extra: Another Philadelphia man exonerated after serving 28 years in prison for 3 murders he didn’t commit
KYW Newsradio: Villanova professor says Philadelphia’s new archbishop is more in the mold of Pope Francis than predecessor
Philadelphia Tribune: City controller calls for new — and less expensive, and faster — approach to addressing gun violence in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Tribune: City Council eyes lawsuit route to enact gun regulations
Philadelphia Tribune: Germantown community stands together for wage increase
Philadelphia Business Journal: Councilman: PES refinery buyer says redevelopment could create 10,000 jobs
WHYY Newsworks: New City Council bill requires Philly employers to give paid family medical leave
WHYY Newsworks: Mummers leader says he wants to work with Mayor Kenney to keep parade
WHYY Newsworks: Project HOME, insurance companies seek to alleviate harm caused by poverty
WHYY Newsworks: Philly just took a step toward getting LED streetlights citywide
WHYY Newsworks: Community leader Ryan Kellermeyer pushes for a green space to replace illegal junkyard
Inquirer: ‘Their timeline is aggressive’: Hilco plans to clean up polluted South Philly refinery site, city says
Inquirer: Philadelphia ‘city slickers’ have received millions in federal farm subsidies over 25 years
Inquirer: Philly’s got the worst school librarian ratio in the U.S. This group is protesting
Inquirer: Leslie Richards has taken over as SEPTA’s general manager. She’s all ears.
Inquirer: The Philadelphia school board is getting at least one new member
Inquirer: Asbestos cleanup continues; McClure closure extended
Billy Penn: Philly declares all Indego e-bikes ‘stolen property’ and orders police dragnet
Billy Penn: Teen-repelling ‘Mosquito’ devices to stay in Philly public parks indefinitely
Philly Voice: Mummers leader says he wants to work with Mayor Kenney to improve annual New Year’s Day parade

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks Democrats choose union-backed Harold Hayes over Rachel Fingles in 18th District race
Bucks Courier Times: Human trafficking bills take on victim blaming, witness reform and harsher penalties
Bucks Courier Times: Warminster tax increase waiting on court approval
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan delivers ‘State of the Sixth’ at town hall in Phoenixville
Daily Local News: Chesco appeals pipeline order, but fails to halt work
Daily Local News: Pipeline demonstrators march at Chester County Library 
Daily Local News: Roundtable looks at affordable housing, transit in Chester County
Delco Daily Times: Media’s McMahon endorses Bloomberg for president
Delco Daily Times: GOP nominates challenger to face O’Mara in 165th Pa. House race
Delco Daily Times: Delco Council OKs $1M 911 center upgrade; total tab likely to approach $30M
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Board of Elections schedules public training sessions for new voting machines 
Bucks Local News: Yardley Borough Council sets wheels in motion to fill empty seat 
Pottstown Mercury: PennEnvironment honors Congresswoman Madeleine Dean for championing parks and open spaces
Pottstown Mercury: Upper Pottsgrove moves to scrap planning commission

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Turzai endorses West Point grad, GOP conservative stalwart as his replacement
Post-Gazette: Lamb tells constituents Congress has tackled issues, aside from impeachment
Post-Gazette: Duquesne’s Gormley on impeachment trial: ‘Just clear partisanship’
Post-Gazette: Hand-offs, not handcuffs: National program for nonviolent criminals may soon be coming to Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Port Authority ‘listening tour’ on major decisions begins Wednesday
WESA: GOP Newcomer Hopes To Replace Turzai
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Unveils $12M Budget Proposal Promoting Innovation In Pa.
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh City Council decides to hold ‘hateful activities’ bill
Pittsburgh Business Times: Governor Wolf’s proposed budget focuses on statewide innovation strategies
Tribune Review: State House scales back proposed emissions inspection overhaul
Tribune Review: Farmers, conservation districts applaud rollback of Obama-era clean water rule
Tribune Review: Lead levels in Pittsburgh water drop below federal threshold
City Paper: How America’s new trade deal could undermine Pittsburgh’s plastics future
City Paper: Why current regulations didn’t prevent an air quality warning during this week’s inversion

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bartolotta credits ‘meaningful public policy reforms’ with reducing state inmate population
Beaver County Times: Beaver County nonunion employees to pay health-care increase, deductible
Beaver County Times: Beaver County property reassessments to start in April
Observer-Reporter: State Rep. Puskaric running for second term
Observer-Reporter: Kotula to receive development award
Tribune Review: South Huntingdon carpenter is GOP nominee for 58th House special election 
KDKA: Washington County To Use New Voting Machines In Pa. Presidential Primary
Altoona Mirror: Taxing for the greater good

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Hazleton native seeks GOP nomination in 8th District
Citizens Voice: Meuser, Cartwright both know where Trump trial’s headed
Citizens Voice: Lawmakers tout bill to clean up mine-scarred land
Citizens Voice: March for Life will include regional presence 
Times-Tribune: Another bid in 8th District
Times-Tribune: League of Women Voters Campaign School opens the toolbox on running for office 
The Times Leader: Rally held on Public Square in Wilkes-Barre demanding ‘fair trial’ for Trump
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman criticizes use of word ‘corrupt’
The Times Leader: New Luzerne County drug and alcohol director announced

South Central 
Patriot News: Former Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed dies at 70
Patriot News: Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse orders flags lowered to half-staff for Stephen Reed  
Patriot News: GOP gathers amid optimism for 2020: ‘The president will bring out Republican voters’
Patriot News: ‘Politicians had to lie to discredit him’: Ex-superintendent Gerald Kohn on Stephen Reed
Patriot News: Critics, rivals remember Stephen Reed for his warmth, charm: ‘People still knew that he loved this city’
Patriot News: Stephen Reed’s dying thoughts on Harrisburg Mayor Eric Papenfuse, as revealed by Fred Clark
Patriot News: Stephen Reed loved Harrisburg Senators baseball so much, he bought the team
Patriot News: Whitaker Center thanks Stephen Reed for his help in establishing it as Harrisburg’s ‘Crown Jewel’
Patriot News: Stephen Reed ‘wasn’t afraid to change the world’: Harrisburg University’s president
Patriot News: Stephen Reed was dedicated public servant who put Harrisburg before himself: Former Gov. Tom Ridge
Patriot News: TMI watchdog denied hearing on downsized emergency response at closed nuclear power plant
LNP | LancasterOnline: An 8% tax increase in Lancaster? It probably won’t happen.
LNP | LancasterOnline: Judge with Lancaster ties cited for nearly running down a police officer: report
York Dispatch: York City budget could get a boost from bill tackling tax-exempt properties
York Dispatch: $1.3 million software can’t handle York City’s finances

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Calls for bipartisanship, calling out GOP leadership: From Susan Wild’s Easton town hall
Express Times: Northampton County has a new director of elections
Express Times: Easton mayor on high-rise: ‘I’m not really in favor of this project at all.’
Morning Call: From impeachment to the cost of college, U.S. Rep. Susan Wild fielded wide-ranging questions at Town Hall
Morning Call: Trump first president to attend annual March for Life, and Lehigh Valley abortion foes take notice
Morning Call: Bethlehem mayor: ‘No decision has been made to close Packer Avenue. Period.’
Reading Eagle: Berks County officials pledge $250,000 to boost workforce development
Reading Eagle: Indivisible Berks changes its name to Berks Stands Up 

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Pa. State Rep. Kerry Benninghoff announces reelection bid for 171st Legislative District
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area senators voted, week ending Jan. 25
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council president gives tips after protest at meeting
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council president gives tips after protest at meeting
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Pace-O-Matic injunction application denied; judge states its games not illegal

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Who should pay for private and religious schools?
Inquirer Editorial Board: New Archbishop Nelson Pérez’s track record should inspire hope
Inquirer Staff: What’s missing from Philadelphia’s approach to opioid crisis? Experts from outside the city weigh in 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Political ad monitoring: Facebook makes right call not to act as moderator
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gun buyback success: Homewood church makes a difference
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Plastic roads: Experimenting with recycled materials
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Taming a tax war: U.S., France reach truce on tech taxes
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Flawed hazing reports: Some schools don’t list all incidents
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Why the attacks?: Treasury secretary taunts teen climate activist
Adam Bonin: Could rogue electors swing the results of a presidential election? An election law attorney’s view. 
John L. Micek: New poll: Majority of Pa. voters want Toomey to keep an open mind on impeachment | Friday Morning Coffee
Tim Hartman: The two sides of Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai’s retirement announcement | Editorial Cartoon
Dena Ferrara Driscoll: As summer camp panic increases for parents, Philly government can help ease the pain 
Mark O’Keefe: The cost of these Pa. special elections is anything but special for the taxpayers 
Mark Zandi: Why is Philadelphia’s poverty rate sky high, and what can be done about it? 
Tony Norman: The radical spirit of the Homewood gun buyback
Larry J. Schweiger: Defined by its three rivers, Pittsburgh must continue to fight for clean water 
Sr. Mary Scullion and Daniel J. Hilferty: By addressing both health and socioeconomic needs, Philly can begin to reduce poverty 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia Energy Solutions sells their dinosaur refinery
Keith C. Burris: Who has ‘Big Mo’?
David M. Shribman: Anything can happen in Iowa
Gene Collier: Attention spans taxed heavily at impeachment trial
Ruth Ann Dailey: Schiff’s folly
Chris Kelly: Toomey’s sweet nothings
Trudy Rubin: A visit to the epicenter of the U.S.-China struggle in the race for 5G 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Jeff Bezos’ Saudi hacker
Corilee Christou and David H. Rothman: Tired of waiting for e-books? Two national digital library systems might help. 
John L. Micek: Fox News says impeachment is boring. Don’t listen. It’s history before your eyes
Kirsten Carlson: Precedent? Nah, the Senate gets to reinvent its rules in every impeachment
Seth Berger: The Impeachment In Black, Brown and White
JD Mullane: Holocaust survivor asks, ‘If we don’t remember, who’s next?’
Will Bunch: White male rage is Team Trump’s only response to impeachment. We shouldn’t put up with this 
Paul Muschick: Allentown Parking Authority has backed itself into a corner. How it can get out.
Nancy Eshelman: We have Stephen Reed to thank for City Island, Harrisburg U, Restaurant Row and more 
Alison Smith: Waiting lists and GaGa pits: A parent’s timeline to survive the pain of summer camp registration | Perspective

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