Senate Republicans refused to swear in state Sen. Jim Brewster, while Jim Bognet hints at challenging Rep. Matt Cartwright in 2022. Here is the Playbook. 

GOP Senate Blocks Brewster: On Tuesday, Senate Republicans refused to swear in state Sen. Jim Brewster. Meanwhile the caucus removed Lt. Gov. John Fetterman from presiding over the chamber.

Bognet Hints At Rematch Against Cartwright: Jim Bognet, the 2020 GOP candidate for the 8th Congressional District, sent out a press release on Monday saying that Rep. Matt Cartwright is in for a “rude awakening” in 2022 if the incumbent votes like Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

House Dems Announce 2021-22 Committee Chairs: 14 members return to lead the same committees from the previous session, while several members take on new roles.

Former Casey Aide Named to Biden White House Staff: Erin Wilson, a former senior aide to Sen. Bob Casey, has been named the Deputy Director of Political Strategy & Outreach in the office of Political Strategy and Outreach, according to a release from the Biden-Harris transition. Wilson, a Pennsylvania native and graduate of University of Pennsylvania, currently serves as Deputy Executive Director to the Presidential Inaugural Committee. 

FairDistricts PA To Host Judicial Gerrymandering Town Hall: On Wednesday afternoon, Fair Districts PA, League of Women Voters of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts will host a town hall about judicial districts and gerrymandering. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. GOP senators refuse to seat Democrat and remove Lt. Gov. Fetterman from presiding
Spotlight PA: Pa. lags nation in people tested per day, is nowhere near level needed to suppress the virus
Spotlight PA: Frustrated by the Pa. legislature? How obscure rules kill reforms and fuel partisan gridlock
AP: Fight over close race mars first day for Pennsylvania Senate
AP: 8 Pa. House GOP members to oppose Biden’s electoral votes
AP: ACLU sues county court officials, alleging double billing
Patriot News: Fireworks erupt in Pa. Senate over refusal to seat a Democratic senator
Patriot News: ‘Hear Us Roar’ rally attendees call for decertification of vote in Pa. 
Patriot News: Pa. House passes rules ensuring remote participation in debates; masking remains an issue 
Patriot News: Lancaster County Rep. Bryan Cutler re-elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House 
Patriot News: Businessman convicted of bribing Pa. sheriff gets no mercy from federal court 
Patriot News: New COVID-19 cases and deaths rebound in Pa. after holiday reporting lag
Patriot News: Former U.S. Attorney David Freed signs on with major Pa.-based law firm
Inquirer: Eight Pennsylvania Republicans in Congress will join a push today to reverse Trump’s election loss
Inquirer: Republicans in Congress are about to object to Pennsylvania’s election results. Here’s what you need to know.
Inquirer: Congress is about to formalize Biden’s win. Busloads of Pa. Trump supporters are heading to D.C. to protest.
Inquirer: Election routines bring chaos to Harrisburg and D.C. | Morning Newsletter 
The Caucus: Republicans’ airing of unfounded election fraud claims cost Pa. taxpayers $3,000
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Democrats decry ‘farce’ as Senate descends into chaos over swearing-in
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. House approves bipartisan rule tweaks as Senate rages
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Dozens of GOP lawmakers, including many from Pa., to reject certifying Biden as president
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pittsburgh Rep. Lee says she has coronavirus, skips swearing in-day
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Looking to boost minimum wage, Pa. Dems want to end preemption. That’s a heavy lift
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Where’s the count? An update on the status of the 2020 Census
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With fate of the Chesapeake Bay on the line, Pa. needs to up its game, advocates say
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. brought down enforcement hammer on restaurants that defied indoor dining ban | Wednesday Morning Coffee
WHYY Newsworks: In chaotic session, GOP seizes control from Fetterman, refuses to seat Democratic member who won election
WHYY Newsworks: The electoral vote count; and mayhem in the Pa. state house 
USA Today: Pa. senators battle at state Capitol. Here’s what happened
USA Today: Senate chaos: Fetterman replaced, Brewster removed
PLSReporter: ‘Quite a first day’: Senate swearing-in devolves into shouting, removal of Fetterman as GOP refuses to seat Dem senator 
PLSReporter: General Assembly members pay tribute to Reese on swearing-in day 
PLSReporter: House Republicans name committee chairs for 2021-22 session 
PLSReporter: Map: Meet Pennsylvania’s 31 new freshman lawmakers 
PLSReporter: Jan. 5 COVID-19 Update: 8,818 new positives; health officials underscore importance of testing, precautions despite increasing vaccinations
CNHI News: COVID relief and election reform appear likely to take center stage at state Capitol
Fox News: Pennsylvania legislature erupts into chaos over GOP refusal to seat Democratic senator 
Fox News: Trump posts letter from Pennsylvania Senate encouraging Electoral College certification delay 
Delaware Valley Journal: Republican State Rep. Still Hoping to Repeal Act 77 that Created Mail-In Voting
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania House holds moment of silence for the late Mike Reese, who was to have been sworn in today for 7th term
StateImpactPA: State gives $34 million for water cleanup
Philly Voice: Here are the Pa., N.J. lawmakers who plan to object to President-elect Biden’s Electoral College win
The Hill: Pa. governor calls GOP refusal to seat Democrat a ‘shameful power grab’
Politico: Trump privately admits it’s over, but wants to brawl for attention
CNN: Chaos ensues as Pennsylvania GOP refuses to seat Democrat 
CNN: Pennsylvania GOP state senators’ refusal to seat Democrat leads to chaotic ceremony 

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials say it could take a year to vaccinate every resident against COVID-19
Inquirer: Philadelphia could expand vaccinations as soon as February, but the number of incoming doses ‘is not enough,’ official warns 
Inquirer: St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Philly canceled again; Air travel sets pandemic record as health officials brace for post-holiday surge; racial disparity among vaccine recipients in Philly 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: More doses of vaccine, faster distribution and more federal funding needed
Philadelphia Business Journal: ‘This is not enough’: Philadelphia health chief says vaccinating city could take a year 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia-area hospitals get $5.5M in state funding for expansion, renovation projects 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Exit interview: Dan Hilferty reflects on 10 years at the helm of Independence Blue Cross  
Philly Voice: Philly’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout will take 12 months at current pace

SEPA
Daily Local News: Carolyn Comitta sworn in as state senator
Daily Local News: Casner rolls out plans for COVID vaccinations
KYW Newsradio: Chester County officials lay out COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County records 26 coronavirus deaths over 7-day period 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County restaurants eligible for coronavirus relief grants
WHYY Newsworks: ACLU, civil rights attorneys accuse Montco court of overcharging defendants
Philadelphia Gay News: Three suburban Philly townships enact LGBTQ-inclusive anti-bias ordinances
Inquirer: Montgomery County illegally double-bills defendants for court costs, ACLU alleges in lawsuit
Bucks Local News: Falls Township adopts 2021 budget, maintains 1992 tax rate

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Pa. Sen. Jim Brewster Not Sworn In As State Senate Dissolves Into Chaos Over Contested Election
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: State Rep. Summer Lee Tests Positive For Virus
KDKA: Pittsburgh Penguins Received $4.8M PPP Loan To Pay Rent
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: 6 Western Pa. Restaurants Forced To Close For Defying Indoor Dining Restrictions
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Confirms 29 More Deaths, County-Wide Toll Surpasses 1,000
Post-Gazette: Pa. Senate GOP refuses to seat Democrat Brewster, removes Lt. Gov. Fetterman from running session 
Post-Gazette: Congress set to certify Biden’s win amid ‘sound and fury’ from some GOP lawmakers
Post-Gazette: Hamlet: Task force will examine disparities, biases in safety at Pittsburgh’s public schools 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Allegheny County passes 1,000 virus deaths
Tribune Review: GOP seizes control of Pa. Senate floor, blocks Brewster from being seated 
Tribune Review: State Rep. Summer Lee tests positive for covid-19 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Public Schools announces new equity task force, lays out plans for return to buildings  
Tribune Review: Allegheny County tops 1,000 coronavirus deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County’s Covid-19 milestone: 1,000 deaths since March
City Paper: Pittsburgh artists, musicians, politicians, and others reveal the first thing they want to do after getting the COVID-19 vaccine
City Paper: An ongoing tally of confirmed coronavirus cases and deaths in Allegheny County

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Joyce will object to vote count
Altoona Mirror: Lang, Bedford commissioner, resigns
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Program created in honor of U.S. Rep. John Murtha
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Post-holiday bump remains under 10,000 new COVID-19 cases
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania House holds moment of silence for the late Mike Reese, who was to have been sworn in today for 7th term
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County adds 228 new coronavirus cases, 8 deaths
Observer-Reporter: COVID continues to take toll on nursing homes

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Bognet realizes he lost, hints at 2nd run for Congress
Times-Tribune: Scavo leads busloads to capital to protest Biden election
Times-Tribune: Scranton aims to modernize City Hall internal processes 
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases rise again
Citizens Voice: Scavo leads busloads to capital to protest Biden election
Citizens Voice: County adds more than 200 new COVID-19 cases
The Times Leader: Eight apply for Luzerne County election director position
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Branch NAACP elects officers
The Times Leader: 224 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 8,818 statewide

South Central 
Patriot News: Lancaster County Rep. Bryan Cutler re-elected as Speaker of the Pennsylvania House 
Patriot News: ‘Hear Us Roar’ rally attendees call for decertification of vote in Pa. 
Patriot News: Former U.S. Attorney David Freed signs on with major Pa.-based law firm
Carlisle Sentinel: Freed to join Harrisburg law firm after stepping down as federal attorney 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Mayor Tim Scott will not seek a third term 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 146 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Tuesday 
York Dispatch: York County inching closer to health department proposal, waiting for study 
York Dispatch: 11 more in York County die due to COVID-19
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County unemployment rate drops for 7th straight month in November 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 7 more Lancaster County restaurants got closure notices for defying Gov. Wolf’s just-expired indoor dining ban 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County reports over 400 new cases of COVID-19 in past 24 hours [Tuesday’s COVID-19 updates]

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: How Berks County’s congressional delegation plans to vote on Electoral College certification
Reading Eagle: Berks County legislators share their top priorities for a new session in Harrisburg
Reading Eagle: Reading mayor pledges thorough investigation of police interaction with residents during arrest recorded by bystander [Video]
Reading Eagle: 11 more COVID deaths reported by the Berks County coroner; month already at 29
Morning Call: Two new Lehigh Valley members of Pennsylvania Legislature plan to help coronavirus-ravaged small businesses; top Republican says
Morning Call: Allentown gets tough with Amazon, Uber and others, taxing them for the privilege of doing business in the city 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 8,818 new cases, 185 deaths statewide; Lehigh Valley approaching 40K total cases, 1K deaths | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (01/05/21)
WFMZ: Local groups heading to Washington D.C. as Congress prepares to count Electoral College votes
WFMZ: Patricia Mulqueen announces run for Lehigh County common pleas judge
WFMZ: Palmer Township supervisors to maintain leadership for 2021
WFMZ: Manny Guzman takes oath for first term in Pa. House
WFMZ: Reading council OKs parking enforcement on Saturdays

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: ‘Appalled’: State College’s council president rails on Keller, Thompson for electoral votes stance
Centre Daily Times: How State College’s COVID-19-related ordinance was extended, tweaked by Borough Council
Centre Daily Times: Jan. 5 update: Centre County reports 66 new cases of COVID-19; Pa. adds 8,818 positives
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Prosecutor again appointed acting U.S. attorney for Middle District
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 92 new COVID-19 cases. Tioga County sees 18 new cases, Clinton 12, Sullivan 2.
Erie Times-News: Anderson to chair County Council in 2021 

Opinion  
Chrissy Houlahan, Madeleine Dean, Mary Gay Scanlon and Susan Wild: The people have spoken. The courts have spoken. President Trump lost
Inquirer Editorial Board: In Pennsylvania state Senate fiasco, Republicans show how fast democracy can be eroded 
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Work hard on election protections
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Give ‘Dreamers’ a path 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Give ‘Dreamers’ a path
Paul Muschick: COVID-19 vaccines: It’s disgusting how the rich are trying to skip the line
Michael McGough: What’s the matter with Pennsylvania? Trumpism and blind partisanship
Richard Hooker and Jed Dodd: Philly’s protection of workers’ rights doesn’t make business an underdog 
Jenice Armstrong: Trump’s mishandling of the pandemic is partly to blame for the death of Daphne Goggins and others 
Maria Panaritis: ‘I weep for my country’: Electoral College vote challenge is a menace that could maul us 
Sean P. Quinlan: In an administration full of flunkies, we owe U.S. Attorney David Freed some thanks 
Helen Ubiñas: The U.S. can’t afford to just ‘look forward’ after Trump’s criminal behavior 
Trudy Rubin: A warning to Trump from ex-defense secretaries: Don’t use the military to overturn the election
Anwar Curtis: Black people made progress in 2020. But we need to stop being our own Achilles heel 
Gene Therapy: Two weeks on the edge of reason
Will Bunch Newsletter: Tale of two tapes traces America’s downfall