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January 28th Playbook

Sens. Bob Casey and Pat Toomey vote against dismissing former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial, while a Democrat announces her candidacy for the PA Supreme Court. Here is the Playbook. 

Fetterman Raises $1 Million in Two Weeks Since Floating 2022 Senate Bid: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman announced that he has raised over $1 million with the average donation being $32, since he announced two weeks ago that he’s exploring a run for the U.S. Senate in 2022.

Casey and Toomey Vote Against Dismissing Trump Impeachment Trial: Sen. Pat Toomey was one of five Republicans to vote against dismissing former President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial.

Nichols Announces Candidacy for PA Supreme Court: Carolyn Nichols was elected to serve on the state’s Superior Court in 2017.

Tomlinson Named Chair of Drug and Alcohol Subcommittee: State Rep. KC Tomlinson (R-Bucks) has been appointed to serve as the chair of the House Human Services Subcommittee on Drugs and Alcohol, according to a release from Pennsylvania House Republicans. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. could become a national outlier in how it elects appellate judges. Here’s why experts are worried.
AP: Pennsylvania Senate OKs $912M pandemic recovery aid bill
AP: Voters to get final say on limiting governor disaster powers
AP: Child sexual abuse lawsuit ‘window’ moves near referendum
AP: Pennsylvania teacher fights suspension over DC protest
Inquirer: Bob Casey says he’s open to killing the filibuster and advancing Biden’s agenda without GOP support
Inquirer: New Pa. health secretary’s goals: Improving vaccine rollout communication and pushing feds for more doses
Inquirer: Biden’s plan to fix student loans puts spotlight on debt cancellation and easier bankruptcies
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers move to curb governor’s emergency declaration powers; voters may get their say
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers look to do away with independently elected lieutenant governor
Patriot News: Pa.’s teachers, schools struggle amid ongoing COVID-19 crisis
Patriot News: The march is on to give Pennsylvania an official state march
Patriot News: Pa. House passes measure to allow voters to create a window for child sex abuse victims to go to court 
Patriot News: Allegations pile up against Philly college kids tasked with distributing COVID-19 vaccine
Patriot News: Pa. restaurants call for financial help, reforms to survive blows from coronavirus pandemic 
Patriot News: Pa. reports 222 more COVID-19 deaths, pushing state’s toll past 21,000
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. General Assembly advances $912M COVID aid package 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: WATCH: State lawmakers commemorate Holocaust Remembrance Day 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Biden to pause new oil and gas leases on public lands in sweeping climate order 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Holocaust Remembrance Day 2021: 5 websites to help educate about the horrors of the Holocaust
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: These social media platforms are the best at dispelling antisemitism and Holocaust denial
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Backyard white supremacy: Central Pa. high school students take to social media to fight racism in the classroom | Thursday Morning Coffee 
USA Today: How the Pa, Legislature wants curtail Wolf’s emergency COVID powers
WITF: Rep. Scott Perry Confirms Election Fraud Talks With Trump, DOJ Lawyer Over Election Results
WITF: Lawmakers, Undocumented Immigrants Call On Biden For Relief For Families In Refuge
PLSReporter: $900 million housing, education and business relief bill passes Senate 
PLSReporter: House approves measure to create retroactive window for child sexual abuse lawsuits 
PLSReporter: Jan. 27 COVID-19 Update: State reports new 222 new COVID deaths
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WATCH VIDEO | ‘Staring into the abyss’: Casey links COVID-19 relief, boosting economy as top priorities
Fox News: Philadelphia sorting COVID-19 vaccinations after severing ties with ‘college students’ running distribution
Morning Call: Pennsylvania Senate passes COVID-19 relief package, including grants of up to $50,000 for small businesses
WFMZ: Sen. Toomey speaks out on impeachment trial
Reading Eagle: COVID-led job losses have overwhelmed Pa.’s unemployment system, official says
CNHI: Window for lawsuits by survivors of child sex abuse moves closer to the ballot
Post-Gazette: $407.2 million in federal stimulus money averts funding crisis at PennDOT
National Journal: Republican Lisa Scheller Promises to Run Again
The Hill: Tens of thousands of voters drop Republican affiliation after Capitol riot
Roll Call: GOP plans to use Biden action on climate against House Democrats from energy states
Philadelphia Business Journal: New Pa. report offers county-by-county look at Covid admissions during early months of pandemic
WHYY Newsworks: Advocates highlight how Pa.’s outdated school funding policy causes deep inequities 
Politico: Trump-inspired big donors plan their own campaigns
KDKA: Constitutional Amendment Could Limit A Governor’s Emergency Powers During Pandemic

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s the Scathing Investigative Report on the City’s Response to Civil Unrest in 2020
Inquirer: 4 things to watch as Philly City Council gets back to work in 2021 
Inquirer: Philly police commissioner sought to use tear gas against protesters as Kenney hesitated, investigation says
Inquirer: Philly Fighting COVID’s founder met with City Council about vaccines in November. No one asked about his health-care credentials.
Inquirer: What you need to know if you signed up for Philly Fighting COVID’s pre-registration site before the city cut ties
Inquirer: Justice delayed: Philly courts backlog leaves many jailed for months without a hearing
Inquirer: Philly Fighting COVID CEO admits taking vaccine doses and administering them to friends; some Pa. counties are vaccinating more of their residents than others 
Inquirer: Philly City Council’s agenda in 2021 | Morning Newsletter
Billy Penn: Elected officials call for hearings, investigations into Philly Fighting COVID vaccine debacle 
Billy Penn: #WeStandWithUkee: Groundswell of support for CBS Philly anchor after reports of racist treatment 
WHYY Newsworks: Can Nikil Saval cancel rent during a pandemic and keep landlords whole? 
WHYY Newsworks: Why did Philly entrust a vaccine program to a young student group with no health care experience?  
WHYY Newsworks: Legal observers sue Philly police alleging brutality at protest of officer shooting of Walter Wallace Jr. 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: North Philly health center vaccinates its patients 
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly schools announces plans for students return in February
Philadelphia Business Journal: Big law firm adds full-time lobbyist in Philadelphia City Hall
Philly Voice: SEPTA rolls out ‘Mask Force Philly’ initiative to increase compliance across transit system 
KYW Newsradio: New report says city lacked leadership, planning amid Philadelphia civil unrest
KYW Newsradio: Philly City Council gets back to business, with a public bank and new police oversight commission on tap
KYW Newsradio: Former prosecutors: DA should have done more to keep Brewerytown suspect in jail
KYW Newsradio: Philly launches effort to get COVID-19 vaccine out to communities of color
KYW Newsradio: Philly Fighting COVID boss admits to taking vaccine doses home to give to friends

SEPA
Daily Local News: Town hall focuses on Pa. election system’s triumphs, challenges 
Daily Local News: Houlahan urges residents to make Valentines cards for veterans 
Daily Local News: COVID cases decrease slightly in Chester County; vaccinations continue at slow pace
Bucks County Courier Times: The de-Trumpification of a MAGA man
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. environmentalists optimistic of Biden policies 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks Judge Alan Rubenstein criticizes woman behind complaint 
Bucks County Courier Times: Cullen again faces calls for resignation
Bucks Local News: Bucks County District Attorney pens open letter to President Judge on importance of mental health court 
Bucks Local News: HAND IN HAND 2021: Democrat hoping to make history as Newtown Borough’s first woman mayor  
Pottstown Mercury: Plymouth lawyer seeks district court seat
Pottstown Mercury: Retweet about Levine sparks calls for Upper Perkiomen School Board member’s resignation
Montgomery Media: First case of U.K. coronavirus variant confirmed in Montgomery County 
Montgomery Media: Cracking down on human trafficking; Montgomery County among leading counties filing charges 
Montgomery Media: Local leaders mourn loss of Upper Moreland commissioner, architect Joseph Lavalle 
KYW Newsradio: Bucks County sets up hotline to help people sign up for COVID-19 vaccines
KYW Newsradio: Montco: Vaccine eligibility expansion means it could take up to a year before getting to essential workers
KYW Newsradio: Delco opens vaccination site, gets green light to form its first health department
KYW Newsradio: Delco offers tuition reimbursement to underemployed, unemployed residents for job training
KYW Newsradio: UK COVID-19 variant found in Montco, officials ask Pa. Health Department for vaccine increase
Delaware Valley Journal: Parents Taking Fight to Open Schools to the PSEA 
Delaware Valley Journal: From PA and NH, A Tale of Two Congressional Districts

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Labor PACs Stay Quiet On Campaign Donations Following Insurrection
WESA: Under Half Of COVID Vaccine Doses In Allegheny Co Have Been Given To Residents. Where Are The Rest?
WESA: Man Injured In East Liberty Protest Sues Police, Mayor Peduto
Tribune Review: State Rep. Frankel builds support for hate speech bill in wake of Capitol riots
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials expecting improvements to vaccine rollout
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council supports no-knock warrant ban, but will wait to pass a proposed law
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council accused of ‘grandstanding’ as it seeks involvement in school district’s pandemic response
Tribune Review: Man injured in East Liberty protests sues Pittsburgh officials, police
Tribune Review: Allegheny County covid cases continue to trend lower than past months
Post-Gazette: With the March for Life now a virtual event, Pittsburgh organizations pivot plans
Post-Gazette: For immigrants, relief and hope with new administration
Post-Gazette: Man sues Peduto, police officials for injuries in East Liberty protest
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County officials optimistic but cautious amid dropping cases
City Paper: Frack check: Debunking natural gas pipeline claims made in a recent Energy Transfer commercial
Pittsburgh Business Times: County working on ways to streamline vaccine registration process 
KDKA: Man Sues City Of Pittsburgh For Fractured Skull During East Liberty Black Lives Matter Protest 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: Health Department Frustrated With Lack Of Vaccine Registration System At State Level 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 8 More Deaths, 376 Additional Coronavirus Cases

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Rep. Frank Burns reelected to third term as chairman of the state House of Representatives’ Northwest Delegation
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Chief deputy running for Somerset County coroner 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Five Somerset COVID-19 deaths lead region, state reports 222 deaths
Tribune Review: Ligonier Valley police officer seeks GOP nod for House 59th District seat
Tribune Review: Pleasant Unity man charged with threatening Gov. Wolf pleads guilty to reduced charge
Tribune Review: Westmoreland pension fund hits record value of more than $500M
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County covid cases continue downward climb
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Westmoreland County Commissioners Set Up Vaccination Webpage
Observer-Reporter: Teachers awaiting their turn for COVID-19 vaccinations
Observer-Reporter: Bridgeville man charged in Jan. 6 insurrection allegedly livestreamed assault on Capitol
Altoona Mirror: Weeks plans run for DA
Altoona Mirror: Patience urged in wait for COVID-19 vaccine

NEPA
The Times Leader: Cartwright elected chairman of House Appropriations Subcommittee 
The Times Leader: Rep. Toohil to lead House Government Oversight Committee
The Times Leader: West Pittston attorney Laura Dennis announces campaign for county judge
The Times Leader: Pa. Senate passes $912 million COVID relief package 
The Times Leader: ‘A rare individual who earned and kept the respect of everyone’
The Times Leader: Luzerne County had 9th highest rate of COVID-19 hospitalizations in spring
The Times Leader: 468 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 12 more deaths
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases jump sharply regionally and statewide
Citizens Voice: County council OKs tax break for massive Hazleton commercial project
Citizens Voice: More than 400 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Wednesday  

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council calls on state General Assembly to give municipalities authority to set minimum wage 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 107 new cases of COVID-19 and 9 deaths for Cumberland County Wednesday
Patriot News: Cumberland County judge who’s facing charges for his outbursts will not run to keep his seat
Patriot News: Woman accused of stealing Nancy Pelosi’s laptop delays abuse hearing against man who called FBI
York Dispatch: Man accused of threatening Gov. Wolf pleads to summary in York district court  
York Dispatch: Study: York County hospitalization rate low during first four months of pandemic
York Dispatch: Seven new deaths in York County attributed to COVID-19
York Daily Record: Pa. man who had been accused of threatening Wolf over COVID-19 closures is fined $100

Lehigh Valley       
Morning Call: Republican Lisa Scheller to make another PA-7 congressional bid in 2022
Morning Call: Former city administrator Dana Grubb is second Democrat to announce a run for Bethlehem mayor 
Morning Call: Drug overdose deaths surge 19% in Lehigh Valley region as Pennsylvania coronavirus restrictions compromise addiction recovery
Reading Eagle: Upper Bern Township Republican announces second run for Berks County coroner
Reading Eagle: Berks County hospitals expanding vaccine effort 
Reading Eagle: 215 more COVID cases for Berks County
WFMZ: Lehigh County controller says county wasted at least $1.4 million on healthcare costs in 2019
WFMZ: Northampton County Council vice president running for re-election
WFMZ: Bethlehem councilwoman running for re-election
Express Times: It’s a race: Dana Grubb enters Democratic Bethlehem mayoral field
Express Times: The Lehigh Valley had among Pa.’s highest COVID hospitalization rates at start of pandemic, new study shows
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 5,874 new cases, 222 deaths; death toll reaches 21K; Lehigh Valley about to hit 50K total cases | Pa. COVID county case map (01/27/21)

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Dahlkemper to deliver ‘State of County’ Thursday
Erie Times-News: Town hall series to focus on pandemic effects
Erie Times-News: County Courthouse extends limited closure
Patriot News: State College man charged with being inside U.S. Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
Centre Daily Times: Pennsylvania Senate OKs $912M pandemic recovery aid bill
Centre Daily Times: Jan. 27 update: Centre County adds 124 cases of COVID-19; statewide deaths again top 200
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County comms worried over lack of vaccines
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Over 1,300 people vaccinated in county
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: UPMC reports falling virus numbers
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 63 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Kendra Brooks and Hannah Laurison: Here’s what Philly voters who elected Biden want from his first 100 days
Bruce Ledewitz: Pa. Rep. Mike Kelly came closer than you think to stealing the election for Trump 
Lauren Hughes and Sameer Vohra: Rural health care is in crisis. Pa.’s innovation can help lead the way. 
Larry Ceisler: A challenge for Congressman Perry to help clear his name
Lauren Vidas: Be mad at Philly Fighting COVID. But also be mad at Kenney administration for letting this scandal happen. 
Christine Flowers: The case for reopening schools is compelling
Inquirer Editorial Board: Danielle Outlaw’s failure should push Kenney to ask for her resignation — but she didn’t fail alone 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Judicial districts are a bad idea 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Not good enough
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Sticking with the WHO
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Vision shortsightedness
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Leaders of the Lancaster County GOP, like other Republicans, need to start telling the truth to Trump supporters
Maria Panaritis: A vaccine site in Delaware County shows how you keep promises in a pandemic. 
Solomon Jones: Philly Fighting COVID disaster strikes another blow to vaccine trust in Black communities 
Dan Simpson: What’s ahead for future leaders?
Paul Muschick: Sniffing out COVID: Could dogs be our next hope?
Jenice Armstrong: He’s not ‘jive.’ He’s our own Ukee Washington and Philly stands with him 
Gene Therapy: Of Fauci and Birx, and the skunk in the moonlight
Justin Spencer: Joe Biden didn’t earn my vote in 2020. But he can if he puts reparations on the table. 
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: Let’s insist on the Three T’s from our leaders: Truth, trust and thoughtfulness

5 Responses

  1. The Trump era bringing forth the Capitol riots which really impact the core of democracy with angry mobs roaming the halls of government sitting in offices and sitting in the President of the Senate’s chair while rummaging through desks in the Senators—this is scary stuff if you think about it. What is the health of the democracy if this ugly mob stormed into the heart of our government showing horrible disregard for the “church of democracy” our nation’s Capitol? And it was all video recorded by the angry Capitol mob! It surely appears the angry mob has given up on democracy and wants some type of authoritarian rule.

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