President Joe Biden delivered a speech in Philadelphia, while a small businessman launched his campaign for PA6. Here is the Playbook. 

McSwain Seeks Trump Support in Guv Race: Former U.S. Attorney Bill McSwain that takes shots at Gov. Tom Wolf, PA’s Secretary of State, the state Supreme Court, and Attorney General Josh Shapiro over how the 2020 presidential election was conducted in a letter from June to former President Donald Trump. McSwain also said he would be “honored” to have Trump’s support in his bid for Governor.

Small Businessman Launches GOP Campaign for PA6: Steve Fanelli said he believes that the Philadelphia suburban district needs “new and principled leadership that’s in line with the values of the average 6th district voter.”

‘Biden calls voting-rights fight ‘the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War’ in Philly speech’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “President Joe Biden called on Americans to band together to protect the right to vote and reject Republican-led efforts to change election laws, casting the battle as a globally watched test of U.S. democracy during an appearance Tuesday in Philadelphia.”

‘State politicians let the rhetoric fly following Biden speech’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “though he didn’t cite Pennsylvania by name in his stark warning of the danger of some states’ attempts to overhaul their election laws, President Joe Biden’s speech on Tuesday ignited another rhetorical back-and-forth between the Republican majority in Harrisburg, Gov. Tom Wolf and leading Democrats, who remain at a standstill over voting legislation.”

‘Supporting Trump’s election lies is becoming a litmus test for Pennsylvania Republicans seeking higher office’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “as former President Donald Trump continues promoting the fantasy of a stolen election, key Pennsylvania Republicans have amplified or nodded toward that fiction, using their loyalty to the lie as a selling point in their bids for higher office.”

‘Pa. GOP lawmaker Mastriano doubles down on election audit, requests meeting with President Biden’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “despite state Democrats’ attempt to dissuade efforts to investigate the state’s two most recent elections, the GOP lawmaker who’s leading the proposed review isn’t giving up. He’s doubling down.”

‘Bill Barr says Bill McSwain wanted to just ‘flap his gums,’ not investigate 2020 election fraud’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “former Attorney General Bill Barr sharply denied Tuesday that he ordered the top federal prosecutor in Philadelphia at the time not to investigate allegations of 2020 election fraud, and said Bill McSwain is only leveling that accusation to curry favor with former President Donald Trump in his run for Pennsylvania governor.”

‘Malcolm Kenyatta knows how to create campaign moments. But will anyone see them?’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “it remains to be seen whether Kenyatta can turn a series of campaign moments into a viable (and expensive) statewide Democratic Senate run.”

‘PA state Sen. Doug Mastriano promoted QAnon on Twitter over 50 times’: According to Media Matters for America, state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), a potential candidate for  Governor, “sent more than 50 tweets with the QAnon hashtag before entering office.”

‘Former State Rep. Rick Saccone Expected To Run For Lieutenant Governor’: Former state Rep. Rick Saccone (R-Allegheny) talked to KDKA about his potential bid for lieutenant governor. 

‘Law firm Duane Morris responds to McSwain’s letter to Trump on 2020 election’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia law firm Duane Morris is characterizing partner Bill McSwain’s political activities as “personal” and unrelated to the firm, after a letter from McSwain to Donald Trump about alleged irregularities in the 2020 election became public this week.”

‘Governor’s power-plant carbon-pricing plan nears finish line’: The Associated Press reports that “the centerpiece of Gov. Tom Wolf’s plan to fight climate change took another step Tuesday toward the final regulatory threshold to impose a price on carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants in Pennsylvania.”

‘Pa. redistricting is poised to be transparent. Will it be fair? Advocates think yes.’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “elected officials will, once again, hold all the power as the state goes through another decennial remapping of Pennsylvania’s legislative and congressional district boundaries. But advocates see some signs of hope that the political reality of divided government, plus increased public interest, may still let Pennsylvanians vote on maps without political bias.”

‘If Pa. state universities merge, how will their most vulnerable students fare?’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “when the system board casts what could be a historic vote, members and others will have hashed and rehashed the mergers’ impact on athletics, on massive construction debt, suitable pathways to careers and whether Pennsylvania’s Legislature and governor are to blame for the predicament by underfunding the state’s universities for so long.”

‘Human error,’ lack of oversight led to multimillion-dollar unemployment mistake, Wolf admin discloses’: Spotlight PA reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration completed its internal investigation into a multimillion-dollar unemployment mistake in mid-2017, but failed to make the findings public until this week, according to newly released documents.”

‘Cosby DA: Chief judge’s TV interview ‘fuels’ misinformation’: The Associated Press reports that “the lead prosecutor in Bill Cosby’s sex assault case believes the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overstepped its power in reversing the comedian’s conviction and added “fuel on the fire” when the chief justice gave a weekend television interview — and appeared to misstate the key issue in the appeal.”

‘Rep. Mike Kelly’s chief of staff heads to lobby for Pfizer ahead of Big Pharma debate’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Matt Stroia, who previously served as Rep. Mike Kelly’s (R-Butler) chief of staff, “joined Pfizer as the senior director of federal government relations last month.”

‘Congressional plan would reconnect neighborhoods like Philly’s Chinatown, fractured by highways’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “on Monday, Democratic U.S. Reps. Dwight Evans of Philadelphia and Lisa Blunt Rochester of Delaware said at a discussion in Chinatown that it’s long past time to right some wrongs as they discussed legislation they are sponsoring to reconnect urban neighborhoods around the nation shattered by highway construction — many of them home to brown, Black and low-income people.”

‘Consultant in Reading ex-mayor’s bribery scheme asks to leave prison early’: The Reading Eagle reports that Michael Fleck, “a political consultant who was a central piece in the federal corruption cases of former Reading Mayor Vaughn D. Spencer and former Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski is asking to be released from prison early.”

‘Pittsburgh City Council Urged To Delay Vote On Aid Plan’: WESA reports “after four-and-a-half-hours of public testimony — and a follow-up 45-minute rally — on how to spend $335 million of federal coronavirus aid, the big message for Pittsburgh City Council was: You haven’t heard from the public enough. And while a preliminary vote on the plan is slated for Wednesday morning, it won’t be the last word.”

‘Motion urging inclusion of critical race theory sent to Allegheny County Council’s education committee’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “a motion urging Allegheny County school districts to include critical race theory perspectives in their curriculum was introduced at county council Tuesday.”

‘Democratic candidate for North Braddock mayor arrested’: WTAE reports that Cletus Lee, the Democratic Party candidate for mayor in North Braddock, “was arrested after an incident that sent two people to an area hospital.”

‘Reading City Council approves $3M for stadium upgrades’: WFMZ reports that “​​Reading City Council voted 6-0 Monday night to commit to using $3 million to help fund needed renovations at FirstEnergy Stadium.”

‘Luzerne County Republicans seeking DA contenders’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County’s Republican Party is seeking lawyers interested in running for county district attorney in the Nov. 2 general election.”

‘No Left Turn in Education’ To Lead Rally Against Critical Race Theory in Harrisburg: “No Left Turn in Education” will be holding a rally on Wednesday morning at the Pennsylvania Capitol to “express their opposition to the imposition of Critical Race Theory philosophy and teaching in our schools,” according to a press release. State Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland), Jonathan Butcher from the Heritage Foundation, Laura Zorc, Director of Education Reform at FreedomWorks, Marc Scaringi, local attorney and conservative talk radio host, and Pastor Joseph L. Green Jr. are scheduled to speak at the rally. 

Bartos Announces 67 County Bus Tour: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer and former Lt. Governor candidate who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in PA, announced that he will be going on a statewide bus tour, making appearances in all 67 counties. The tour will begin on July 19th and end on July 31st.

Dellicker To Make Announcement About PA7 Race: Kevin Dellicker, a businessman and veteran, will be making an announcement about the 7th Congressional District race on Thursday, according to a press release. Dellicker has events scheduled in Stroudsburg, Nazareth, and Bethlehem during the day and a “campaign rally” scheduled in Allentown on Thursday night. Dellicker, a Republican, told PoliticsPA earlier this month that he was “leaning towards a run.” 

Houlahan To Host Telephone Town Hall: Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) is scheduled to host a telephone town hall “focused on environmental justice” with Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44) on Wednesday evening, according to a press release. 

Finchem Endorses Daniels in PA8: Arizona State Rep. Mark Finchem, who was a supporter of the Arizona election audit, has endorsed Teddy Daniels, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Pennsylvania’s 8th Congressional District.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Governor’s power-plant carbon-pricing plan nears finish line 
AP: Cosby DA: Chief judge’s TV interview ‘fuels’ misinformation 
AP: Ex-federal prosecutor seeks Trump backing in governor’s race
Inquirer: Supporting Trump’s election lies is becoming a litmus test for Pennsylvania Republicans seeking higher office
Inquirer: Bill McSwain tried to walk a political tightrope on Trump’s election lies. Bill Barr just cut it.
Inquirer: Bill Barr says Bill McSwain wanted to just ‘flap his gums,’ not investigate 2020 election fraud
Inquirer: Malcolm Kenyatta knows how to create campaign moments. But will anyone see them?
Inquirer: Biden calls voting-rights fight ‘the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War’ in Philly speech
Inquirer: President Biden delivers remarks on voting rights at the National Constitution Center
Inquirer: Law firm Duane Morris responds to McSwain’s letter to Trump on 2020 election
Spotlight PA: ‘Human error,’ lack of oversight led to multimillion-dollar unemployment mistake, Wolf admin discloses
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. GOP lawmaker Mastriano doubles down on election audit, requests meeting with President Biden 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State regulatory board gives Pa. greenlight to join regional cap-and-trade program 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. redistricting is poised to be transparent. Will it be fair? Advocates think yes.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘The Big lie is just that, a big lie’: In Philly, Biden calls for concerted effort to fight assaults on voting rights 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Ahead of Biden’s Philly speech, anti-poverty advocates urge Congress to act on voting rights, minimum wage, filibuster  
Washington Post: William Barr clashes with former Trump appointee from Pa. over handling of election-fraud claims
Post-Gazette: State politicians let the rhetoric fly following Biden speech 
Post-Gazette: If Pa. state universities merge, how will their most vulnerable students fare?
Patriot News: Pa.’s participation in regional cap-and-trade program gets a push from state board; it’s a cornerstone of Gov. Wolf’s climate change policy
Patriot News: COVID-19 patients in ICU drops below 50 in Pa.: daily update
WPSU: Gov. Wolf, Penn State Athletes Celebrate NIL Legislation Allowing Endorsement Deals
City & State PA: In Philly, Joe Biden pushes back against ‘21st century Jim Crow’
Express Times: A new fee on package deliveries pitched as way to help pay for Pa.’s roads and bridges
WHYY Newsworks: Biden decries ‘assault’ on voting rights in the city where ‘we the people’ began  
Fox News: Senate Democratic candidates in key races fundraise off scrapping filibuster 
Fox News: Professor singles out ‘average White guy’ in lecture, says skin color benefits him over Black students
Washington Post: The Trailer: Based or cringe? A new way of explaining the same old political brawls
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania reinstates work search requirements for unemployment claimants 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Why it could be a bumpy road for RGGI in the next several months
Morning Call: More than 1 million in Pennsylvania have missed their second COVID shot. Health officials say the second shot is needed against Delta variant
StateImpactPA: Board approves RGGI rule, moving Pa. a step closer to joining carbon emissions program
StateImpactPA: Study: Biden climate policy would have $1T in health benefits, save thousands of lives
York Daily Record: Workforce shortage across many sectors in Pennsylvania is ‘a full-blown crisis’
USA Today: Biden in Pa.: President pushes voting rights as Republicans challenge his election
USA Today: Mastriano: Democrats using ‘scare tactics’ in telling Pa. counties to ignore election audit
KYW Newsradio: Pa. woman accused in US Capitol attack claims divine immunity from prosecution
Philadelphia Business Journal: 8 Pennsylvania cities ranked among the best places to live in 2021 by U.S. News & World Report
The Hill: Labor, environment groups push Congress for ‘bold’ manufacturing investments 
The Hill: Senate Republicans’ campaign arm raises $10.5M in June
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 334 New Coronavirus Cases
Politico: Barr shoots down former prosecutor’s election-fraud claims 

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: ‘The big lie is just that: A big lie’: Biden steps up against Trump with Philly voting rights speech
Inquirer: Biden calls voting-rights fight ‘the most significant test of our democracy since the Civil War’ in Philly speech 
Inquirer: President Biden delivers remarks on voting rights at the National Constitution Center
Inquirer: Malcolm Kenyatta knows how to create campaign moments. But will anyone see them? 
Inquirer: Congressional plan would reconnect neighborhoods like Philly’s Chinatown, fractured by highways
Philly Voice: William McSwain, former U.S. Attorney in Philly office, seeks Trump’s backing in run for Pa. governor
Philly Voice: Philly families struggling with food insecurity will receive meals through Michelle Obama’s ‘Pass the Love’ campaign
Philly Voice: MOVE victims’ remains returned to Africa family, city begins investigation
Philly Voice: Watch President Biden’s voting rights speech in Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Performance review: How the Philadelphia region’s largest public companies stacked up in 2020
Philadelphia Citizen: The Citizen, Fitler Club and Comcast Launch Event Series 
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Pass the Love’: Michelle Obama’s campaign to fight food insecurity coming to Philly

SEPA
Daily Local News: West Chester businessman launches bid for Houlahan’s seat in 6th Congressional Dist. 
Bucks Local News: Bucks County to reach out to partially-vaccinated residents; case rates remain low
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks urges 58,000 residents to get second dose of COVID vaccine as cases rise slightly

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Urged To Delay Vote On Aid Plan 
KDKA: Former State Rep. Rick Saccone Expected To Run For Lieutenant Governor
KDKA: Groups Push Back On Pittsburgh’s Spending Plans For Federal COVID Relief Funding 
KDKA: Pittsburghers Can Now Take Electric Scooters For A Spin
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council To Consider Changes To COVID-19 Sick Leave Mandate 
KDKA: Wilkinsburg Leaders Say More Community Dialogue Is Needed During Pittsburgh Merger Talks 
Post-Gazette: Motion urging inclusion of critical race theory sent to Allegheny County Council’s education committee 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh community groups want City Council to hold off on taking vote tied to American Rescue Plan 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh council puts extended COVID-19 sick leave bill on hold 
Post-Gazette: When critical medicine is out of reach: A Bellevue woman’s story 
Post-Gazette: Ex-Shaler teacher charged in Capitol riot had more guns and talked of fleeing, prosecutors say 
Post-Gazette: City Council public hearing on historic structure designation ends with a promise of opposition
WTAE: Democratic candidate for North Braddock mayor arrested
WTAE: Critical race theory motion to be introduced at Allegheny County Council
City Paper: Inclusionary zoning proposed for Bloomfield and Polish Hill to create more affordable housing 
City Paper: Allegheny County Jail releases information on solitary confinement rates of June 
City Paper: Pittsburgh police and community health experts to develop crisis response model
Pittsburgh Business Times: Council hearing on American Rescue Plan funding reveals depth of need and ideas on spending $335M in federal funding
Tribune Review: Wilkinsburg group seeking merger with Pittsburgh delays action
Tribune Review: Inclusionary zoning could be expanded to Bloomfield, Polish Hill, under proposed legislation  

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Board of governors to vote on university mergers
Observer-Reporter: Pa. courts notified of rent assistance programs as eviction moratorium set to expire
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rep calls for creation of state board to cap drug prices
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Out-of-state workers answering Pa.’s unemployment assistance hotline
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New COVID-19 cases jump more than 300 statewide
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State tally of COVID vaccinations cut by 500,000
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Seven new COVID-19 cases, no deaths reported across region
Tribune Review: Westmoreland commissioners blast airport authority over vote on Arnold Palmer restaurant lease
Tribune Review: Greensburg officials lay out plans for 1st payment of American Rescue Plan funds
Beaver County Times: Beaver County reports 24 new COVID-19 cases; PA cases holding steady
Altoona Mirror: Protest rally set for Wednesday

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Republicans seeking DA contenders 
The Times Leader: Toomey, Yudichak work to honor Korean War veterans 
The Times Leader: Rep. Pashinski: Cost of prescription drugs driving up health care costs 
The Times Leader: Appointments, paving and streetscape projects on Wilkes-Barre City Council’s agenda 
Citizens Voice: County GOP seeks letters of interest for DA election
Citizens Voice: Committee reviewing ideas to reduce prescription drug costs
Citizens Voice: Toomey, Yudichak to honor Korean War veterans with medals
Citizens Voice: County council reduces funding match for Hazleton Public Transit 
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre expected to get $2.1 million for new police equipment 
Citizens Voice: More than 200 added to county’s fully vaccinated list
Times-Tribune: Dunmore requests audit of landfill expansion approval 
Times-Tribune: Money to combat gangs in Lackawanna County among appropriations pending in House 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County is second in state for vaccinating adults 

South Central 
Patriot News: Cumberland County awards $2.8M to 92 hospitality businesses 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council Budget Update 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 13 new cases of COVID-19 reported for Tuesday in Cumberland County

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Consultant in Reading ex-mayor’s bribery scheme asks to leave prison early
Reading Eagle: Reading commits $3 million to keep Fightin Phils in town
Reading Eagle: 2 groups with Berks County ties get federal grants to help veterans at risk of homelessness
Reading Eagle: COVID cases increase in Berks County and Pa.
Express Times: Political consultant Mike Fleck wants his federal corruption sentence reduced 
WFMZ: Pa. AG visits Lehigh Valley, pushes back against potential changes to mail delivery services 
WFMZ: Reading City Council approves $3M for stadium upgrades 
WFMZ: ‘I still have family in Cuba’: Local residents react to protests in Cuba 
Morning Call: North Whitehall residents: Leaders want your input for the future of the township

North by Northwest
Post-Gazette: Rep. Mike Kelly’s chief of staff heads to lobby for Pfizer ahead of Big Pharma debate
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Vote to integrate Mansfield, Lock Haven universities set for this week
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Official: High vaccination rates lead to low transmission of coronavirus
Centre Daily Times: State College’s Council denies developer request to close downtown street for 2 years. Here’s why

Opinion  
Sean Parnell: Push to end filibuster a threat to US stability
Sean Parnell: I Will Vote To Ban Critical Race Theory In Schools And The Military
Susan Spicka: University consolidation plan should be delayed
Jon Geeting: Drawing The Lines 
Dr. Max Cooper: My patients deserve to know why drug costs keep going up
John L. Micek: In Philly, Biden threw down the gauntlet in the battle over voting rights. It’s a fight we can’t shirk | Wednesday Morning Coffee
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: The Phillies, and the United States, need more team players willing to get vaccinated against COVID-19 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop talking about November 2020 election 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The modern general
Morning Call: ‘Don’t we pay enough taxes?’ Readers reject idea of charging package fee to fix Pennsylvania’s roads
Inquirer: Should the Olympics really be happening right now, as COVID-19 surges in Tokyo? | Pro/Con
Inquirer: The September 11 attacks: Share your story
Flora Cardoni: With wind and solar potential, Pennsylvania should lead toward renewable future 
Fletcher McClellan: State governments are flush with stimulus cash. Is that a blessing — or a curse? 
Will Bunch Newsletter: Pa.’s sneak attack on its public radio, TV 
Tony Norman: Democracy, civil rights and an ice-cream truck
Jonathan Wilson Jr.: Gun buyback programs in Philly should expand 
Amal Bass and Susanna Greenberg: Ease the overwhelming burden on families during pregnancy and early parenting
Frank Ford and Laurie Gostley Hackett: How we are focused on the health of our Allentown neighborhood
Sharif El-Mekki: Believe in Black Students 
Paul W. Faust: No surprise in Florida, just surprised it isn’t happening more often