Gov. Tom Wolf signed the $40.8 billion budget, while a businessman and veteran says he’s leaning towards a Republican run for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

PA8: Daniels Meets with Trump: The wounded Army combat veteran and GOP congressional hopeful in Northeast Pa sent out a fundraising email late Tuesday night announcing that he met with former President Donald Trump and Congressman Jody Hice, Chair of the House Freedom Caucus at Trump National Golf Course.

Businessman and Vet Leans Towards GOP Run in PA7: Lisa Scheller is in, Dean Browning is out, and Kevin Dellicker is leaning toward a bid.

Reader Poll: Who Should Republicans Nominate for Governor in 2022?: Republicans have already begun lining up for the 2022 open statewide seat, while chatter on the Democratic side has been quiet. This poll will close at 2:00 PM. 

‘Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs $40.8 billion budget with more money for public schools’: PennLive reports that Gov. Tom Wolf “has signed the $40.8 billion budget that directs more money to public schools, specifically directing more aid to the state’s poorest districts.”

‘Pennsylvania governor vetoes GOP-led election overhaul citing voter ID restrictions’: Spotlight PA reports that Gov. Tom Wolf “vetoed a Republican rewrite of Pennsylvania’s Election Code on Wednesday, making clear his party’s opposition to stricter voter ID requirements and setting up a potential showdown on the issue at the ballot box.”

‘Name, image and likeness legislation for college athletes is official in Pa., after Gov. Tom Wolf signs budget’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania’s college student-athletes now have the ground rules to profit off of their name, image, and likeness for the first time,” after Gov. Tom Wolf “signed the state’s budget into law on Wednesday, and it included language in the school code part of the bill to govern NIL dealings.”

‘Wolf signs off on revisions to Pennsylvania medical pot law’: The Associated Press reports “medical marijuana patients can continue to get a three month’s supply at a time, rather than one month’s, under revisions to the Pennsylvania program signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf.”

‘Three candidates identified for state court vacancy shrouded in secrecy’: The Caucus reports that “at least three candidates with significant legal experience applied in 2019 to fill a vacancy on one of the state’s two highest appellate courts, but Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf instead tapped a well-connected lawyer for the Republican caucus in the Pennsylvania Senate.”

‘No endorsement is too small for Malcolm Kenyatta’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, “is crisscrossing the state on a hunt for endorsements — big or small.”

‘State Sen. Mastriano, eyeing governor run, appears at Star Barn campaign event’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), who is a potential candidate for Governor in 2022, “was in Lancaster County at least twice recently, including last Thursday at the Star Barn in West Donegal Township.” The event last Thursday that Mastriano attended was for Kathy Barnette, a conservative commentator and former congressional candidate who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. 

‘New Democratic ad premieres in Pittsburgh market, highlights 4th of July’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports “On Wed., June 30, a new ad from the Democratic National Committee hit Pittsburgh airwaves to highlight the progress the country has made getting Americans vaccinated and reopening businesses during the coronavirus pandemic.”

‘Gov. Wolf praises Schlossberg’s help for poor schools as Lehigh Valley districts get funding increases ranging from $117,000 to $16 million’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that state Rep. Mike Schlossberg (D-Lehigh) “collected a public kudo from Gov. Tom Wolf Wednesday for his successful push to get $100 million in state funds doled out to Pennsylvania’s 100 poorest school districts, including Allentown and Bethlehem.”

‘The complex process of name changing for the transgender community’: City & State PA reports that “Senate Democrats heard testimony Tuesday from a variety of stakeholders discussing barriers the transgender community faces when trying to legally change their name and gender.”

‘Meuser voices support for $1.2T infrastructure agreement’: The Citizens Voice reports that Rep. Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) supports the bipartisan $1.2 trillion infrastructure agreement.

‘Nearly $100M in projects within infrastructure bill for Philly, southeast Pennsylvania’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia-area House members have said that with the nearly $100 million coming to Southeastern Pennsylvania” in the proposed $973 billion infrastructure bill.

‘Scanlon talks $20.8M for the 5th Congressional District’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware) “ has earmarked $20.8 million to be directed towards seven infrastructure area projects should the INVEST in America Act make its way into law.” 

‘Ce-Ce Gerlach should resign, councilmember says. Could she be forced out if convicted?’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Allentown City Councilmember Candida Affa is “calling on Councilmember Ce-Ce Gerlach to resign a day after she was charged with endangering a teenager left in her care.” 

‘Pittsburgh Controller Lamb questions outgoing Mayor Peduto’s federal relief proposal’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb has “questioned the timing of a four-year plan released Monday by outgoing Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration for the city’s $335 million federal pandemic relief money.”

‘Bill Cosby is released from prison after the Pa. Supreme Court overturns his sexual assault conviction’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosby’s 2018 sexual assault conviction on Wednesday and ordered him freed from prison, a dramatic development that upended the first high-profile celebrity conviction of the #MeToo era.”

AP Details Why Cosby Conviction Was Overturned: The Associated Press provides an “explainer” on why Bill Cosby’s conviction was overturned.  

‘Read the Pa. Supreme Court’s opinion in the Bill Cosby trial’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has overturned Bill Cosby’s 2018 sexual assault conviction. Here, you can read the opinions of the justices in full.”

‘Montgomery County D.A. reacts to Supreme Court overturning Cosby conviction’: Montgomery Media reports that Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele “reacted to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s decision overturning entertainer Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction saying he hopes it “will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims.” 

‘Spokesman for Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto leaves post for job with the Pittsburgh Penguins’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s spokesman, Timothy McNulty, has “resigned from his position after accepting a similar role with the Pittsburgh Penguins.” 

‘Bradford County Coroner resigns amid Luzerne County probe’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports “The Luzerne County District Attorney Wednesday said his office is investigating the former Bradford County Coroner Thomas Carman in connection with a video of Carman allegedly contacting who he thought was a teenage boy for sex.” 

‘Report outlines what state could do to help coal communities’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “an environmental advocacy and research institute stepped further into the debate over Pennsylvania’s plans to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, releasing a report Wednesday suggesting that experience from other RGGI states show the way to helping communities that will see economic distress over future closings of coal-fired power plants and mines.”

‘Christopher Columbus bust toppled, glass door pane shattered at Lancaster County Courthouse’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “for the third time in a little more than a year, the Christopher Columbus bust at the Lancaster County Courthouse was vandalized.”

‘State lawmakers seek to impeach Quincy Township official charged with fraud, theft’: The Chambersburg Public Opinion reports that the “Pennsylvania’s House Judiciary Committee on Friday passed a resolution to start impeachment proceedings against Quincy Township Supervisor Kerry Bumbaugh,” who was “ indicted last month on allegations that he used his position of power for his own financial gain.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Wolf signs budget package, celebrates public school funding 
AP: Wolf vetoes GOP bill with voter ID, other elections changes 
AP: Wolf signs off on revisions to Pennsylvania medical pot law 
AP: EXPLAINER: Why Bill Cosby’s conviction was overturned
AP: Bill Cosby freed from prison, his sex conviction overturned
The Caucus: Three candidates identified for state court vacancy shrouded in secrecy
Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania governor vetoes GOP-led election overhaul citing voter ID restrictions
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf signs $40.8 billion budget with more money for public schools
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf touts record school spending in Pa. budget, but some say it’s not enough to avoid tax hikes
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes election overhaul bill with voter ID requirement 
Patriot News: Name, image and likeness legislation for college athletes is official in Pa., after Gov. Tom Wolf signs budget 
Patriot News: State launches annual ice cream trail with 31 creameries across the state
Patriot News: With family ties to Carlisle Indian School, U.S. official investigates boarding centers and their painful legacy 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We’re still in the game.’ Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf praises $40.8B budget for education investments 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf vetoes Republican voting bill; GOP pivots to constitutional referendums 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Supreme Court overturns Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction, freeing him from prison 
City & State PA: Wolf signs state budget, touts increased funding for education 
City & State PA: Pa. GOP eyes new voter ID strategy as Wolf rejects election changes 
City & State PA: The complex process of name changing for the transgender community
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed funding that Republicans had pushed for a new Pa. election audit bureau
Inquirer: No endorsement is too small for Malcolm Kenyatta 
Inquirer: Bill Cosby’s release from prison again shines a light on Bruce Castor. And Castor feels ‘vindicated.’
Inquirer: Bill Cosby is released from prison after the Pa. Supreme Court overturns his sexual assault conviction
Inquirer: Read the Pa. Supreme Court’s opinion in the Bill Cosby trial
Post-Gazette: Pa. state university chancellor largely silent on NCAA but cites moves to address merger worries
Post-Gazette: Joining Gov. Wolf, Secretary Buttigieg announces infrastructure grants with focus on climate and equity
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes GOP-backed voting bill, calling it ‘riddled with unacceptable barriers’
Post-Gazette: College athletes in Pennsylvania can now earn compensation for their name, image and likeness
WESA: Pennsylvania Plans To Spend $1B In American Rescue Plan Money. A Few Similar-Sized States Plan To Spend More.
WESA: Some Pennsylvania Nursing Homes Will Still Require Masks, Despite Mandate Lifting
USA Today: How a boost in education funding will benefit Pa. schools. Here’s where the money will go
USA Today: Pa. Republicans to put voter ID on ballot after Gov. Wolf vetoed voting reform bill
USA Today: Transgender Pennsylvanians are facing higher costs to change name, gender on state documents
Fox News: Bill Cosby’s sex assault conviction overturned by Pennsylvania court
Erie Times-News: ‘A good ol’ fashioned fight’: Casey vows to battle Republicans to pass sweeping legislation
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf signs state budget
Pittsburgh Business Times: PA budget sees largest funding increase for public education in state history
StateImpactPA: Pa. efforts to halt plastic bag bans recede as Philadelphia begins to enact its own law
Delaware Valley Journal: In Major Win for PA Energy Sector, SCOTUS Rules in Favor of PennEast Pipeline
Tribune Review: Hempfield resident John Ventre announces bid for Pa. governor
WHYY Newsworks: Bill Cosby freed from prison after sex assault conviction overturned by Pa. Supreme Court
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pennsylvania’s stalled to-go cocktails bill also poses a problem for outdoor dining. Here’s why.
The Hill: Bill Cosby leaves prison after Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision 
The Hill: Former DA in Cosby case: ‘Justice system and Constitution won today, not Bill Cosby’ 
The Hill: Pennsylvania governor vetoes GOP-backed elections bill
KYW Newsradio: ‘Sad day’: Sexual assault survivor advocate warns of Cosby ruling’s effect on victims
Politico: Republicans go all-in on immigration as a political weapon
KDKA: State Leaders Search For Ways To Fund Fixes To Pennsylvania’s Aging And Crumbling Infrastructure
KDKA: Pennsylvania Task Force Headed To Florida To Assist In Search-And-Rescue Efforts At Condo Collapse
KDKA: Governor Tom Wolf Approves Changes To Medical Marijuana Law In Pennsylvania
CNN: Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vetoes GOP-backed election overhaul bill 
CNN: Bill Cosby is a free man after Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns sex assault conviction  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: No endorsement is too small for Malcolm Kenyatta 
KYW Newsradio: Nearly $100M in projects within infrastructure bill for Philly, southeast Pennsylvania
KYW Newsradio: New Philadelphia law protects potential renters when landlords screen them
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Is Reopening. What’s Taking SEPTA So Long?
Philly Voice: Philly plastic bag ban takes effect July 1: What you need to know
Philly Voice: Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction thrown out by Pennsylvania Supreme Court

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon talks $20.8M for the 5th Congressional District
Delco Daily Times: Delco women help organize ‘Let Freedom Ring’ rally at Independence Mall
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County D.A. reacts to Supreme Court overturning Cosby conviction
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus cases, hospitalizations continue to decline in Montgomery County
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County to use grant funds to address homelessness 
Bucks County Courier Times: Cosby team decries ‘corruption’ as DA urges sex assault victims not to be deterred by overturned conviction
Pottstown Mercury: Local schools get boost from Pa. budget but not fair funding 

Pittsburgh  
WESA: Allegheny County Council Dusts Off Year-Old No-Knock Warrant Bill 
WESA: Coronavirus Cases Continue To Drop In Allegheny County, Yet Delta Variant Poses Threat
Post-Gazette: Controller Lamb’s ‘reader friendly’ look at Pittsburgh’s 2020 finances released today  
Pittsburgh Business Times: Report outlines what state could do to help coal communities 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Delta variant found in Allegheny County, but transmission rates and cases remain low
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Controller Lamb questions outgoing Mayor Peduto’s federal relief proposal
Tribune Review: Controller: Pittsburgh’s finances took hit in 2020, but population loss is bigger worry 
Tribune Review: Council, business leaders say Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership’s work is needed amid pandemic recovery
Tribune Review: Spokesman for Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto leaves post for job with the Pittsburgh Penguins
Tribune Review: ‘The numbers prove it’: Allegheny County officials point to rising vaccination rates and falling case counts
City Paper: New Democratic ad premieres in Pittsburgh market, highlights 4th of July
City Paper: State lawmakers join Pittsburgh restaurant owners in revolt against food delivery apps 
KDKA: FBI Pittsburgh’s New Special Agent In Charge Wants To Tackle Gun Violence, Opioid Crisis 
KDKA: 2 Cases Of Delta Variant Reported In Allegheny County
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 2-Day Total Of 27 New Cases, 1 Additional Death

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: PennDOT plans for busy summer of construction in southwestern PA
Observer-Reporter: New COVID-19 death reported in Washington County
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to fall across region
Observer-Reporter: Deadlines loom for more than 120 write-in winners in Cambria, Somerset to accept ballot spots
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown native Ashcom named assistant city manager
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf signs $40B budget, touting historic school funding increase
Post-Gazette: Accused Capitol rioter from Beaver County ordered held on all counts
Altoona Mirror: City asked to reserve $5.8M for broadband
Altoona Mirror: Airport gets $423K grant for runway improvements

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Meuser voices support for $1.2T infrastructure agreement 
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County DA investigating former Bradford County coroner
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre council reduces parking meter, garbage bag fees 
Citizens Voice: Questions remain about county manager search committee applicants 
Citizens Voice: More than 300 added to county’s fully vaccinated list
The Times Leader: Bradford County Coroner resigns amid Luzerne County probe 
The Times Leader: Charter rules an issue for Luzerne County manager search committee 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre Mayor Brown terminates State of Emergency declaration issued at outset of pandemic 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre City Council lowers parking meter and garbage bag fees 
The Times Leader: Toohil to resume outreach for area veterans 
The Times Leader: 11 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday; 1 death 
Times-Tribune: State education budget provides boost for local districts but falls short for fair funding
Times-Tribune: Chermak states opposition 10% lien attorney fee amid dispute between Lackawanna County and Scranton
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases jump sharply in last day

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: State Sen. Mastriano, eyeing governor run, appears at Star Barn campaign event
LNP | LancasterOnline: Most of Lancaster County’s rent relief money remains unspent, mainly due to document issues
LNP | LancasterOnline: Christopher Columbus bust toppled, glass door pane shattered at Lancaster County Courthouse
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County mass vaccination site permanently closing its doors today
Chambersburg Public Opinion: State lawmakers seek to impeach Quincy Township official charged with fraud, theft
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 43% of people fully vaccinated
Patriot News: With family ties to Carlisle Indian School, U.S. official investigates boarding centers and their painful legacy 
Patriot News: Dauphin County flag-burning activist settles free speech suit against Wellsboro
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. Agriculture secretary launches ice cream trail at Hampden’s Urban Churn
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 2 new probable COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County Wednesday

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: DA defends steps surrounding councilwoman’s arrest, stresses she’s ‘presumed innocent’
Morning Call: Gov. Wolf praises Schlossberg’s help for poor schools as Lehigh Valley districts get funding increases ranging from $117,000 to $16 million
Morning Call: Ce-Ce Gerlach should resign, councilmember says. Could she be forced out if convicted?
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: State has 7th-lowest case rate in U.S., Lehigh Valley lower still
Morning Call: COVID vaccines are widely available, but in some Allentown neighborhoods, there is still hesitancy to receive the shot
KYW Newsradio: Allentown council member charged with child endangerment
Reading Eagle: Reading mayor joins colleagues in urging Congress to make $500 million investment in local parks
Reading Eagle: Pa. budget includes historic funding increases for education, but falls far short of governor’s proposal
Reading Eagle: 8 COVID cases for Berks as weekly inoculations number steady
WFMZ: Wolf signs budget with historic funding for education
WFMZ: Mayor Morán of Reading announces return of Friday night events
WFMZ: State Rep. Guzman of Berks County set to host virtual town hall on education funding in schools

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Commissioners extend disaster declaration
Erie Times-News: Erie County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 44% of people fully vaccinated
Centre Daily Times: A ‘win-win’? Developer withdraws proposal in State College’s ‘park vs. affordable housing’ issue

Opinion  
Paul Muschick: Who to blame when you can’t get a cocktail to go in Pennsylvania
Scott Bohn: Why it’s dangerous to allow heavier semi trucks on our roads
Michael Helfrich: Please repeal Pa. fireworks law that creates terror in our city 
Nicolas O’Rourke: I got arrested for protesting in Harrisburg because Pennsylvania’s students deserve more 
Charles F. McElwee: The Life of Jane Jacobs’s Hometown
Michael A. MacDowell: What happened in Flint, Michigan, could happen in PA 
Joyce M. Davis: PennLive invites officials and community to Zoom Town Hall to address mental health crisis and gun violence | Social Views 
Jenice Armstrong: Bill Cosby was freed from prison. I’m shocked. I’m angry. But also a little happy.
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pennsylvania doesn’t need yet another audit of 2020 election 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: National Geographic’s decision to include five oceans on its maps is a reminder that consensus evolves
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: A pup named Libre inspired a law that’s helped to curb animal cruelty in Pennsylvania. Those of us who want dogs in our lives must do our part, too. 
John L. Micek: Report: Number of Americans who need long-term care will double by 2065 | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Betty Ann Golden: The Ocean City arrests of teenagers were a crying shame 
Nicole Brunet: Stop the sale of toxic Neonic pesticides