The annual Pennsylvania Society Dinner is cancelled due to COVID-19, while an internal poll from Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s campaign shows him with a double digit lead in PA1. Here is the Playbook.

Heidelbaugh Under Fire from Philly FOP After Ad with Slain Officers: The GOP Attorney General hopeful slammed incumbent Josh Shapiro with an ad that featured the names and faces of fallen Philadelphia police officers. Philly’s FOP President called it “a new low.”

PA Society Cancelled Due to COVID-19: The annual dinner in New York City is cancelled due to concerns about the coronavirus pandemic, although the PA Society plans to salute the state’s frontline workers in place of awarding a Gold Medal winner for 2020.

Cartwright Blasts Bognet on Healthcare: The Democrat criticized his opponent’s opposition to the Affordable Care Act in his first television ad of the campaign.

Fitzpatrick Poll: Fitzpatrick 53, Finello 39: The Public Opinion Strategies survey, commissioned by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, shows a double digit lead over Dem challenger Christina Finello. Meanwhile former VP Joe Biden leads President Donald Trump by 9 points in the district.

PA1: DCCC Adds Finello to Red to Blue Program: Finello is now the second Pennsylvania Democrat this cycle to be added to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s “red to blue” program.

Former Chesco Coroner Elected County GOP Chair: Dr. Gordon Eck, the former Chester County coroner, was unanimously elected GOP county chair on Tuesday.

For results on races called prior to today, check out previous Playbooks starting from June 3.

Primary Election Update: 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD22 Dem: State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) leads Enid Santiago by 55 votes, which is slightly more than 1%, in this majority Latino district, according to county website results. Lehigh Valley Live reports that although Schweyer declared victory in the race, Santiago is calling for a special election for the seat. 

LEADER: HD75 GOP: Mike Armanini holds a 3 point lead over Lisa Becker in the three candidate race to succeed state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield). The winner will face Democrat Ryan Grimm in the fall for the GOP friendly district. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD175 Dem: State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) who holds a 1,108 vote lead, 7%, over Vanessa McGrath, Jeff Dempsey, and Andre Del Valle in the four candidate primary among in-person votes, declared victory in the primary. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD182 Dem: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia), who leads challenger Marisa Shaaban by 2,828 votes, 15%, declared victory in the primary. The GOP candidate in this safe Dem district is Drew Murray. 

INCUMBENT TRAILS: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski holds a 2,625 vote, 21%, lead over state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the four candidate primary and declared victory in the race.

LEADER: TOSSUP: HD198 Dem: Darisha Parker now holds a 273 vote lead in the primary over Bernard Williams, while Fareed Abdullah and Supreme Dow also trail for the seat held by outgoing state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf yanks virus funding from rebellious county
AP: Pennsylvania casino revenues down 18%, hammered by pandemic
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘A Pyrrhic victory’: Pa. Senate sends House probation bill that reformers say doesn’t fix a broken and expensive system
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Some Pa. workers can get a temporary $3 an hour raise under new state grant
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf says he opposes open records bill, despite unanimous support
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: No Christmas in NY for Pa. politicos: Pandemic prompts cancellation of annual Pa. Society bash
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State pushes hybrid school week as COVID-19 cases surge 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Border officials didn’t follow guidelines on migrant children’s health care, government investigators find
Patriot News: Lebanon County excluded from CARES funds; rules should have been followed: Gov. Wolf
Patriot News: Annual PA Society gala in NYC cancelled due to COVID-19 concerns
Patriot News: Pa. teachers union urges Gov. Wolf to require schools have an online option in re-opening plans 
Patriot News: Wolf Administration offers $50 million in business grants to cover “hazard pay” for essential workers 
Patriot News: Have Pa. bars, restaurants found a loophole in Gov. Wolf’s new mandates? 
Patriot News: Pa. State System of Higher Education exploring costs of combining some universities  
Patriot News: Pa. offers guidance for schools to open: Wearing masks, staggered class times and virtual events  
PLSReporter: Masks required once schools reopen, as Wolf Administration continues to grapple with fall instruction 
PLSReporter: Unemployment group calls for resignation of L&I Secretary Jerry Oleksiak 
PLSReporter: With occupancy at Pa. bars and restaurants limited, industry leaders fear long-term impacts
KYW Newsradio: Pa. Public Utility Commission keeps in place moratorium protecting customers unable to make payments during pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Wolf announces hazard pay grants for frontline workers  
Morning Call: 5 takeaways on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s new coronavirus orders
Morning Call: Pennsylvania announces coronavirus ‘hazard pay’ program of $3 an hour for front-line workers making less than $20 an hour
Philadelphia Magazine: Rachel Levine Is Saving Pennsylvania — and Becoming an Accidental Icon in the Process
Inquirer: Coronavirus ban on utility shutoffs in Pa. stays in place after PUC vote ends in a tie
Inquirer: Major change could be coming for Pennsylvania’s state universities  
National Journal: Fitzpatrick Internal Poll Shows Him Leading Finello
National Journal: Everytown for Gun Safety Plans to Spend $1M in PA State Legislative Races
National Journal: Hotline’s Q2 House fundraising chart: Democrats continue to rack up huge quarters
The Hill: DCCC adds six candidates to program aimed at flipping GOP-held seats 
The Hill: Democratic group plans to send 13 million hand-written postcards to voters in swing states
Politico: POLITICO Playbook: What Parscale’s ouster means, and what it doesn’t
CNN: Judge agrees to extend deadline for releasing children from immigration custody 
CNN: GOP to Trump: Change tune on mail-in voting or risk ugly November
Fox News: Poll shows Biden topping Trump in Pennsylvania
Fox News: Pennsylvania voters raise concern over ‘secret Trump voters’ in their communities 

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Pompeo releases human rights report in Philly, denounces destruction of monuments 
WHYY Newsworks: City backs down from evicting homeless camp; Kenney to meet directly with protesters
WHYY Newsworks: Only half of Philly has filled out the census. Help is heading to low-response neighborhoods 
WHYY Newsworks: Child care dilemma: Philly parents scrambling to plan for three days a week of virtual school 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly sanitation workers blame filthy streets on ‘poor management’; apologize for rotting trash 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: State makes $50M in hazard pay grants available for frontline workers
Inquirer: Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visits Constitution Center, says America’s founding principles are under assault 
Inquirer: Philly postpones clearing out of Parkway homeless encampment 
Inquirer: Pa. recommends 6-foot distancing all day in schools; teachers union calls for districts to plan for online-only learning 
Inquirer: ‘I couldn’t breathe’: Inside the West Philly neighborhood teargassed by police 
Inquirer: Philadelphia gyms can reopen Monday, with rules on masks and social distancing 
Inquirer: Ousted Lincoln University president Brenda Allen has sued the trustees, saying they illegally conspired to fire her
Billy Penn: A $2 million Vision Zero budget cut could imperil future Philly traffic safety projects 
Billy Penn: Philly’s allowing fitness centers to reopen, but some gym owners are wary 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly to Allow Gyms to Reopen on Monday 
Philadelphia Magazine: Governor Wolf’s New Guidelines Require Bars and Restaurants to Serve a “Sit-Down Meal” With Alcohol 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Colleges Plan to Return In-Person. Some Professors Aren’t So Sure.
Philadelphia Tribune: Protesters pledge to defy PHA order to vacate, picket outside CEO’s home 
Philadelphia Tribune: Most Philadelphia public school students to return to school two days per week in 2020-21 school year
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia halts removal of parkway encampment while negotiations proceed
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia gyms can reopen Monday, officials announce
Philly Voice: Philly postpones plans to clear homeless encampment on Ben Franklin Parkway
Philly Voice: Philly to reopen gyms, fitness centers with strict mask requirement
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia gyms will reopen next week with tight restrictions 
Philadelphia Citizen: “Recovery Doesn’t Happen By Accident”

SEPA
Daily Local News: Houlahan: Paycheck Protection Program has saved 190,000 jobs
Daily Local News: Chester County Commissioners urge patience with new restrictions
Daily Local News: Kennett Township recovers $1 million of embezzled taxpayer funds
Daily Local News: West Whiteland gets $940,000 in funding for Ship Road project
Daily Local News: Dorsey added to Borough Council line up
Inquirer: National groups come to the aid of Democrat challenging U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick in Bucks County
Bucks County Courier Times: New COVID-19 rules for bars need clarification, Bucks County says
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks DA clears Lower Makefield supervisor in residency complaint
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsbury OKs safety policy, taps vote on reopening plan
WHYY Newsworks: Inside one Pa. county’s effort to stay ‘hot on the trail’ of every COVID-19 case
KYW Newsradio: Pa. school districts get new guidance from the state; Bucks County students will get plastic face shield
KYW Newsradio: Montco officials give examples of how lack of cooperation could spark outbreaks
Inquirer: ‘We’re scapegoats,’ say suburban Philly restaurant and bar owners fighting back at tighter coronavirus restrictions
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County official: ‘no way possible to guarantee that any school will be free of the coronavirus’
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County officials: partygoers uncooperative with coronavirus contact tracers
Pottstown Mercury: PA attorney general shows interest in New Hanover police racism probe
Bucks Local News: DA’s OFFICE: Lower Makefield chairman Fred Weiss not in violation of residency requirements

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Shapiro: PWSA to donate $500K, hire independent monitor for lead project failures 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh’s LGBTQIA+ commission seeking volunteers to serve as commissioners 
Tribune Review: Plum residents show support for, opposition to school director over Facebook post 
Tribune Review: Longtime Pittsburgh City Hall reporter Bob Bauder retires from Trib, capping 31-year career 
Tribune Review: Plum School District officials approve reopening plan, options for parents 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 140 new coronavirus cases; health officials reviewing restrictions
WESA: Head Of Police Review Board Says Power To Broaden Authority Would Have To Come From State 
WESA: Trump Administration Finalizing Rollback Of Rules For Landmark Environmental Law 
WESA: July 13-17 Explained: COVID-19 Cases Rise, Zone 5 Police Station Protest & PPS Considers Reopening 
WESA: Shaler Alumni Demand That District Commit To Anti-Racism Curriculum In The Largely White District 
Post-Gazette: PWSA, state Attorney General’s Office reach settlement in lead contamination  
Post-Gazette: Peters council member diagnosed with COVID-19 
Post-Gazette: High-stakes decisions, including mergers, will be needed to grow State System, chancellor says 
Post-Gazette: Commission taps Michelle Sedlak to fill Sixth Ward vacancy 
Post-Gazette: New COVID-19 data system led by local firm steps up load on hospitals, raises transparency woes 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County health director offers new guidance on who should be tested 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County sees decrease in COVID-19 cases for second straight day
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh seeking applicants for newly created LGBTQIA+ Commission 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County to announce any changes to Covid-19 restrictions Friday
KDKA: Allegheny County’s Stricter Safety Guidelines Could Change Following State’s New Order
KDKA: Around The Table: Local Leaders Weigh In On Gov. Tom Wolf’s New Restrictions On Bars, Restaurants 
KDKA: NEXTransit: Port Authority Looking For Public Input During Online Meetings 
KDKA: Plum School Board Approves Reopening Plan 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Department Reports 140 Coronavirus Cases, Countywide Total Grows To 5,750

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bernstine’s Sunshine Act bill moves ahead in Senate 
Beaver County Times: COVID outbreaks in two more Beaver County nursing homes 
Beaver County Times: Edgeworth police chief named president of Pa. Chiefs of Police Association 
Beaver County Times: One in nine Beaver County COVID tests come back positive
Beaver County Times: Shell launches COVID-19 testing lab at cracker plant as cases rise
KDKA: Butler County State Rep. Demands Gov. Tom Wolf Resign Or Face Impeachment
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County to cap initial coronavirus grants for small businesses, nonprofits at $25K
Observer-Reporter: In split vote, county commissioners firm to review purchase of Crossroads Center office building 
Observer-Reporter: Repair of courthouse doors deemed too high; county will readvertise 
Observer-Reporter: Washington County registers one new COVID-19 death
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Greater Johnstown Water Authority officially approves purchase of city’s sewage collection system 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Conemaugh: A ‘few’ staff test positive for virus; Cambria County adds 10 COVID-19 cases
Altoona Mirror: Blair prison visitation to restart
Altoona Mirror: HASD offering virtual option

NEPA
The Times Leader: WB Council rejects Citizen Police Review Board ordinance
The Times Leader: Hybrid return to school may be best, Pa. education chief says
The Times Leader: 6 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 781 statewide
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre police civilian review board ordinance fails on vote 
Citizens Voice: State releases more guidance on school reopening 
Citizens Voice: 6 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County; 781 statewide
Times-Tribune: Scranton would get big budget break from state tax bill 
Times-Tribune: Organizers working to establish Lackawanna County chapter of NAACP 
Times-Tribune: Scranton, Pittston get state grants for projects 
Times-Tribune: County gets money for Stauffer paving 
Times-Tribune: NEPA records two new COVID-19 deaths, only 19 cases

South Central 
Lebanon Daily News: Wolf withholding millions in pandemic relief funding from Lebanon County
York Dispatch: DePasquale raised more cash than Perry in Q2
York Dispatch: Wolf will veto Grove’s bill targeting RTKs
York Dispatch: York County has one new death linked to COVID-19, 16 total statewide 
York Daily Record: Groves bill to restore RTK process sent to Wolf
York Daily Record: York County voting machine flaws expose danger 
Patriot News: Lebanon County excluded from CARES funds; rules should have been followed: Gov. Wolf
Patriot News: Community member calls for Susquehanna Township to change ‘offensive’ Indians mascot: Report 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Senate approves measure for constitutional amendment to create judicial districts
LNP | LancasterOnline: Commissioners approve $3 million grant for Lancaster Convention Center Authority
LNP | LancasterOnline: Nearly 1,100 Lancaster County residents lost jobs last week, up 31%, as COVID-19’s impact continues
LNP | LancasterOnline: Thursday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 98K cases; Lancaster County up to 4.9K
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH investigates complaints, finds no issues at 7 nursing homes in Cumberland County 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 3 new COVID positives, 2 new deaths reported in Cumberland County Thursday

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Video shows ‘clear example of excessive force’ by Allentown police, U.S. senator says
Express Times: Allentown council recites 30K words of public comment. Almost all were about the police video.
Express Times: $4M grant program a ‘lifeline’ for Northampton County small businesses
Express Times: Easton Area hopes to start school year with half-full high school, rotating kids in
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 781 new COVID-19 cases as state clamps down on bars, restaurants to halt surge | Pa. county map (07/16/20)
Reading Eagle: Sen. Bob Casey calls for families to be released from ICE centers, including in Berks
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioners create panel of health care professionals to help guide coronavirus response
Reading Eagle: Wyomissing gets $633,000 for transportation-related projects
Reading Eagle: Berks County extends deadline for coronavirus needs assessment
Reading Eagle: Here’s how Pa. thinks schools can reopen safely from the coronavirus shutdown
Reading Eagle: Berks County has 19 new coronavirus cases as Pennsylvania reports 781 statewide
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley lawmakers blast, praise Gov. Wolf’s latest coronavirus order; ‘I don’t believe that the governor understands rural Pennsylvania’
Morning Call: Pennsylvania announces coronavirus ‘hazard pay’ program of $3 an hour for front-line workers making less than $20 an hour
Morning Call: For three hours, Allentown City Council read comments from the public about police video as protesters demanded reform outside City Hall

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmaker sponsors ‘green plus’ phase bill
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Report: Nearly $5 million needed in city hall repairs
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Center for Independent Living, ADAPT file ADA lawsuit against City of Williamsport
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County eliminating seven drop-off sites for recycling
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Montoursville outlines school-day changes during COVID-19
Erie Times-News: Erie economic development director to lead new county office 
Centre Daily Times: Why commissioner Pipe would like Centre County residents to wear masks
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Here’s what to know in Centre County on July 16

Opinion  
Rick Santorum: How Republicans can embrace environmentalism and win
John Baer: The Pa. legislature has had plenty of bad ideas, but this one’s a doozy 
Mike Krancer: Grand jury report on fracking will not help Pennsylvanians 
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania mail-in voting: Following the directions is crucial to making your vote count
Diana Polson: Toomey’s opposition to HEROES Act is bad for Pennsylvania
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Gov. Wolf was right to impose new COVID-19 restrictions, but he missed an opportunity to work with GOP lawmakers
York Dispatch Editorial Board: School reopening plans might be moot
Inquirer Editorial Board: Reopening plan for Philly schools exposes bigger weaknesses in system  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Feds should help schools, not hinder 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: U.S. must take responsibility for actions abroad
John L. Micek: COVID-19 in Pa.: If the priority is making sure schools reopen, why didn’t we plan for that first? | Thursday Morning Coffee
Mari Carmen Aponte: Puerto Rican votes count too 
Daniel Taylor and Mayssa Abuali: Schools can’t reopen safely without better COVID testing for kids, say these Philly pediatricians l Expert Opinion
Caitlyn Hunter: Fighting through her grief, Duquesne University student’s mother searches for justice
Bethany Watson-Ostrowski: COVID forced working moms like me to prove we’re superheroes. But how long can we last? 
Will Bunch: That ‘life after coronavirus’ is a recipe for mass shooters, climate disaster. We can do better. 
Trudy Rubin: White House attack on legal immigration is an attack on patriotism and the U.S. economy