Kathy Barnette raises $595K in Q2, while Sean Parnell raises $560K. Here is the Playbook.

Barnette Raises $595K in Q2: Only one other Republican running for U.S. Senate in the state raised more than Kathy Barnette in the second quarter, however, that candidate was bolstered by a loan he gave to his own campaign.

Parnell Raises $560K in Q2: The Allegheny County Republican entered July with just under $600,000 cash on hand.

USA Today Highlights Who Is Running for Senate in 2022: USA Today highlights the 2022 race for U.S. Senate in a story titled, “The race to replace Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey: Here’s who is running, so far.”

City & State PA Breaks Down PA’s Budget: City & State PA breaks down Pennsylvania’s budget in a story titled, “Everything you need to know about PA’s 2021-22 budget.”

‘Pa. GOP lawmaker eyes constitutional amendment to avoid veto, limit top health official’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that state Rep. Ryan Warner (R-Fayette) “announced plans for an amendment in a Friday memo to colleagues that would curtail the Pennsylvania secretary of health’s emergency powers.”

‘2021-22 Budget Breakdown: Conservation, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Ag | The Numbers Racket’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star “dives into the numbers for the departments of Conservation and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Agriculture,” for the 2021-22 Pennsylvania budget. 

‘Fraud continues to plague Pa.’s unemployment claims system’: PennLive reports that “unemployment numbers are on the downward trajectory in Pennsylvania as more employers are looking to hire. Yet at the same time, unemployment benefits claims have seen an uptick – signaling to state officials a rise in fraudulent claims.”

‘Pa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversight’: Spotlight PA reports that “lawmakers this week will probe whether state agencies had too much leeway in securing emergency contracts during the pandemic, following controversy over a data breach with a vendor hired to administer Pennsylvania’s contact tracing program.”

‘Bill Advances In Harrisburg To Ban Cell Phone Use by Drivers, But Some Lawmakers Worry About Racial Profiling’: KDKA reports that “a bill allowing local police to pull over any driver holding a cell phone to crack down on distracted driving has raised concerns about racial profiling.”

‘House Democrat Introduces Bill To Block Trump From Becoming Speaker’: Forbes reports that Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-Philadelphia) has “introduced a bill to block non-House members from becoming speaker of the House in response to speculation that former President Donald Trump may launch a bid for the speaker’s gavel if Republicans win the chamber in 2022.”

‘Pennsylvania smashes record for gambling revenue in a year’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania smashed its record for gambling revenue, state regulators said Monday, reporting nearly $3.9 billion in the last fiscal year as every category of wagering showed growth in one of the nation’s largest casino and gambling states.”

‘DJOP expresses disappointment following state assembly’s defunding of Act 83 security-grant program’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “following the Pennsylvania General Assembly’s decision to defund the Act 83 grant — which provided security support for at-risk groups such as Jewish community centers and synagogues — board members of the Democratic Jewish Outreach Pennsylvania group expressed disappointment with the decision and shared concerns for future safety. House officials, however, say the money will still be available in a separate violence prevention grant program.”

‘Reschenthaler proposes blocking federal funding to PennDOT if it adds tolls to federal roads and bridges’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Rep. Guy Reschenthaler (R-Washington) “wants to block the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation from accessing federal funding if it moves ahead with its plans to charge tolls to fund the replacement of nine bridges across the state.”

‘Houlahan leads effort to secure paid family leave for all working Americans’: The Daily Local News reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) and “several of her Democratic colleagues have launched an effort to pass a universal, comprehensive paid family and medical leave policy as part of the Build Back Better infrastructure package.”

‘State System students ponder new opportunities after merger approval’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on how students are responding to the news that the “Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education voted in favor to merge Clarion, Edinboro and Cal U into one institution.”

‘Gov. Wolf visits Reading, announces funding to expand early childhood education’: WFMZ reports that Gov. Tom Wolf “visited the YMCA in Reading Monday to announce and celebrate 30 million dollars of additional funding in the budget that will go toward Pre-K and headstart programs.”

‘Gov. Wolf says Bethlehem business incubator has the stuff to make small companies grow big’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Gov. Tolf Wolf, “seeking to promote investment in startup companies, toured a Bethlehem business incubator Monday that he described as a creator of “the magic pixie dust” that allows small companies to grow into large businesses.”

‘Pa. secretary of agriculture visits GoggleWorks garden initiative’: The Reading Eagle reports that “State Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding kicked off the fourth annual urban agriculture week with a tour of new garden projects in downtown Reading on Monday.”

‘Chester County officials call for pipeline shutdown’: The Pottstown Mercury reports that “Chester County Commissioners fired off a letter Monday asking the Public Utilities Commission to halt operation of two Mariner East pipelines while further investigation is conducted.”

‘Mayor Jim Kenney won’t declare a state of emergency over gun violence in Philadelphia’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney on Monday said he will not declare a state of emergency over the city’s gun violence crisis, writing in a letter that such a move “is not a solution that will demonstrably change conditions in Philadelphia.”

‘As U.S. overdose deaths soar, Rhode Island legalizes supervised injection sites. Philly’s effort remains in limbo.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Rhode Island’s decision to allow sites where people in addiction can use drugs safely has sparked new optimism that momentum for the movement may be building despite Philadelphia’s own stalled bid to open a supervised injection site.”

‘Philly is expanding street sweeping — but won’t fulfill a Kenney campaign promise. Here’s what you need to know.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration is “resuming plans to expand” the street sweeping program, “but it won’t be citywide by the end of the mayor’s term in 2023. The administration blames the pandemic for coming up short on that campaign promise.”

‘The Pennsylvania Healthcare Power 100’: City & State PA has released it’s Healthcare Power 100, which “recognizes the public officials, health care executives, innovators, academics, advocates and activists that have played a part in the state’s response and its plan for the future.”

‘Rep. Joe Hamm talks state budget with Muncy Borough leaders, residents’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that state Rep. Joe Hamm (R-Lycoming) “recently visited the Muncy Borough Council on a tour of municipal governments around the county,” and “delivered several updates to the borough council and residents in attendance and fielded questions afterward during what was his 27th stop countywide.”

‘Scranton plans to offer additional relief grants with American Rescue Plan funding’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Scranton “plans to use up to $3 million in federal coronavirus relief money to provide grants to qualifying small businesses, nonprofits and other eligible entities.” 

‘Luzerne County seeking new Children and Youth director’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Luzerne County is seeking applicants for the Children and Youth director position vacated by Joanne Van Saun,” after Van Saun “resigned earlier this month around the time she was charged with endangering the welfare of children and two counts of obstruction in child abuse cases for allegedly directing employees in May 2017 to terminate at least 217 reports of child abuse and neglect without investigating them.”

‘Westmoreland commissioner says sheriff ‘derelict’ for refusing to transport sick inmates’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland Commissioner Doug Chew on Monday accused Sheriff James Albert of ignoring a court order that officials say requires his deputies to take sick inmates to and from the county jail.”

Emgage PAC Endorses Street for U.S. Senate: Emgage PAC Pennsylvania, the national organization dedicated to raising political awareness and engagement among Muslim Americans, has endorsed state Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia) for U.S. Senate in PA. 

Sayers Endorses Bartos for U.S. Senate: Clearfield County District Attorney Ryan Sayers has endorsed Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who was the GOP Lt. Governor nominee in 2018, for U.S. Senate, according to a press release. 

Jones Endorses Dickinson in PA18: Braddock Mayor Chardaé Jones has endorsed Jerry Dickinson for Congress, according to a press release. Dickinson, a law professor at the University of Pittsburgh, is challenging Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) in the 2022 Democratic primary. Doyle defeated Dickinson in the Democratic primary in 2020. 

Sims Talks To ‘Life Out Loud with LZ Granderson’ Podcast: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for Lt. Governor, joined LZ Granderson on the “Life Out Loud” podcast for an interview. 

Dahlkemper Talks to Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast: The Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast talks with Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper about the “most pressing policy and political issues in Erie County” as they “explore why Erie is so purple.”

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. GOP lawmaker eyes constitutional amendment to avoid veto, limit top health official 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 2021-22 Budget Breakdown: Conservation, Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Ag | The Numbers Racket
Erie Times-News: The race to replace Pennsylvania Sen. Pat Toomey: Here’s who is running, so far
AP: Charlie Dent on possible election audit: ‘Why bring the Arizona clown show to Pennsylvania?’
AP: Pennsylvania smashes record for gambling revenue in a year 
Spotlight PA: Pa. requested $340 million in emergency contracts in 2020 with little oversight
ABC27: Pa. counties resist election audit, GOP leadership mum on topic
ABC27: Despite republicans voting against it, child tax credit payments began
City & State PA: Everything you need to know about PA’s 2021-22 budget 
City & State PA: Ed Gainey hopes to usher in a more equitable Pittsburgh 
City & State PA: The Pennsylvania Healthcare Power 100
KDKA: Bill Advances In Harrisburg To Ban Cell Phone Use by Drivers, But Some Lawmakers Worry About Racial Profiling
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 3-Day Total Of 996 New Cases, 9 Additional Deaths
Forbes: House Democrat Introduces Bill To Block Trump From Becoming Speaker
Patriot News: Fraud continues to plague Pa.’s unemployment claims system
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations rise in Pa.: daily update
Post-Gazette: DJOP expresses disappointment following state assembly’s defunding of Act 83 security-grant program
Post-Gazette: State System students ponder new opportunities after merger approval
StateImpactPA: Southwestern Pa. network takes on ‘unnecessary’ environmental risks for cancer
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 88% weekly case increase is steepest jump since first weeks of pandemic
WTAE: COVID-19: Pennsylvania reports 996 new cases over 72 hours, 61% of adults fully vaccinated  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney won’t declare a state of emergency over gun violence in Philadelphia 
Inquirer: As U.S. overdose deaths soar, Rhode Island legalizes supervised injection sites. Philly’s effort remains in limbo. 
Inquirer: Philly is expanding street sweeping — but won’t fulfill a Kenney campaign promise. Here’s what you need to know.
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia responds to overdose epidemic with grief support for loved ones left behind
KYW Newsradio: With more than 120 kids shot so far this year, neighbors ask: Where is the outrage?
KYW Newsradio: Philly COVID-19 cases double in past week, but 60% of adults fully vaccinated
WHYY Newsworks: EPA takes up environmental justice complaint against Philly’s permit for SEPTA power plant in Nicetown

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County officials call for pipeline shutdown 
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County’s unemployment rate declines amid coronavirus pandemic
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown flubs ‘chicken law’ citation in court  
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown looks to state to fund $700K lead water line replacements
Daily Local News: Houlahan leads effort to secure paid family leave for all working Americans
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate increases in SE Pa. counties

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Reschenthaler proposes blocking federal funding to PennDOT if it adds tolls to federal roads and bridges
Post-Gazette: Affordable housing plan approved in Mt. Lebanon
Post-Gazette: Churchill Borough Council begins public hearing on redevelopment application
Post-Gazette: PPS health and safety proposal includes universal masks, social distancing 
City Paper: Special-election loser and insurrectionist Rick Saccone eyes bid for lieutenant governor
City Paper: Pitt faculty efforts to unionize continue with upcoming election to join USW
Tribune Review: Legalizing marijuana could stem opioid abuse, Pitt study suggests 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council To Vote Tomorrow On COVID Relief Funds, Despite Objections
KDKA: Hearing Set For Discussion On Proposed Amazon Center In Churchill
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 3-Day Total Of 82 New Cases, 2 Additional Deaths

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Amtran touts capital projects
Tribune Review: Westmoreland commissioner says sheriff ‘derelict’ for refusing to transport sick inmates
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Nearly 1,000 new COVID-19 cases since Friday, average tops 300 cases a day
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State budget boosted early childhood ed by $30 million
Observer-Reporter: California Borough names new police chief
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s COVID cases up 29.2%; Pennsylvania cases surge 62.8%

NEPA 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County seeking new Children and Youth director
The Times Leader: Tax credits approved for Hotel Altamont rehabilitation
The Times Leader: 5 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Monday; 212 statewide
Times-Tribune: Scranton plans to offer additional relief grants with American Rescue Plan funding
Times-Tribune: Deeley now serving Scranton as interim IT networks systems manager
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County Commissioners to meet Wednesday in Jefferson Twp.
Times-Tribune: Local region adds 20 COVID-19 cases
Citizens Voice: Five more cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Monday 

South Central 
Patriot News: All along the Carlisle Pike, employers struggle to fill job openings amid debate over true cause
Patriot News: Some central Pa. restaurants got millions of dollars in COVID-19 relief funds: Here’s who got the most
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 cases tick up in Lancaster County after falling to record lows
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Two new cases of COVID-19 reported for Monday in Cumberland County as hospitalizations jump

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Gov. Tom Wolf visits Reading to showcase funding to expand early childhood education
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council ready to kick in $3 million to Santander venues
Reading Eagle: Pa. secretary of agriculture visits GoggleWorks garden initiative
Reading Eagle: Why is there a labor shortage? Berks, Pa. employers say there’s no one answer
Reading Eagle: Historic Berks County building will get $250K in state tax credits for preservation
Reading Eagle: New COVID cases continue to rise in Berks County
Morning Call: Gov. Wolf says Bethlehem business incubator has the stuff to make small companies grow big
Morning Call: With $1.7 billion in sales, this grocery retailer was ranked top in the Lehigh Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf visits Bethlehem business to highlight Pa. start-ups
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf visits Reading, announces funding to expand early childhood education
WFMZ: PA Secretary of Agriculture visits GoggleWorks garden during Urban Ag Week
Express Times: Gov. Wolf tours Bethlehem’s Factory to highlight investments in start-up businesses (PHOTOS)

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Rep. Joe Hamm talks state budget with Muncy Borough leaders, residents
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Pennsylvania Democrats seek health, home care overhaul
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Past River Valley Transit audits clean, but with suggestions
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Muncy Borough purchases cameras for park, rescue plan, wood chipper

Opinion  
Lou Barletta: It should be easy to vote, but hard to cheat
Amanda M. Cappelletti: We need to do more to protect the people who protect Pennsylvanians 
Jon Geeting: Saving Sagging SEPTA
John L. Micek: Experts warn against ‘sham election audits’ movement | Tuesday Morning Coffee 
Cassie Miller: Department of Health logs 453 inspections, $44k in fines in June report | Monday Morning Coffee
Jon Shifrin: ​​The Rust Belt is still reeling
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Redistricting amendment shows Harrisburg hypocrisy
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Wrong messenger, wrong fix
Inquirer Editorial Board: Evicted without warning, again: As lockouts resume, tenants are left scrambling for homes 
Inquirer: Should Philly schools change their start times? | Pro/Con
Frank Miele: The Walls Are Closing In — on Biden!
Bennett Levin: I was responsible for building safety in Philly. We don’t need more codes to prevent another collapse. 
Glenn S. Kratzer: ‘It never hurts to get a second opinion’ on political controversies
Mary Frances Berry: To honor John Lewis, we must turn back the rising tide of voter suppression 
Katherine Mato: Cuba’s protests are fueled by social media and artists’ history of resistance
Alfred Lubrano: I can fly the flag, love my country, and know its failings at the same time 
Dick Polman: Biden told us what we already know about the MAGA assault on voting rights. Now to stop it 
Judy Martin: Kids aren’t just littler adults – here’s why they need their own clinical trials for a COVID-19 vaccine
George Magakis, Jr.: Trump Republicans are a bunch of con artists
Frank Stearns: Who should pay back student loans?