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July 27th Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf allows a government transparency bill to become law without his signature. Here is the Playbook. 

Pennsylvania Congressional Vulnerability: July 2020 Ratings: Four seats, two held by Republicans and two by Democrats, are considered to be “vulnerable” in the July congressional vulnerability rankings.

July 24th Ups & Downs: A former state Senator is sentenced to prison on child pornography charges, a bill unanimously passes the state legislature, but still may face a veto, plus polling shows President Trump trailing former VP Joe Biden in PA. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

PA1: Warren Endorses Finello: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) endorsed Christina Finello for the 1st Congressional District in a tweet on Thursday. On Friday morning, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s (R-Bucks) campaign sent out a fundraising email off of the endorsement from the Massachusetts Senator. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Gov. Tom Wolf will allow transparency bill to become law despite veto threat 
Spotlight PA: Death reports are still lagging. Pa. hasn’t made it easy to find out just how badly.
Spotlight PA: Citing ‘overwhelming’ spread, Pa. moves to add staff, app to trace the coronavirus
AP: Ex-justice levels bias accusation at state’s chief justice
AP: Schools setting in-person teaching rules as pandemic spreads
AP: Pennsylvania sees another day of more than 1,000 infections
AP: Pittsburgh’s virus success fizzles in crowded bars, eateries
AP: Historical panel votes for removal of Columbus statue
Patriot News: Will Pat Toomey run for governor? A third U.S. Senate term? Pa. Republicans are wondering
Patriot News: How did 4,707 coronavirus cases go missing? The devil’s in the data
Patriot News: Coronavirus cases top 107K in Pa.
Inquirer: Biden is beating Trump big in Pennsylvania. Will anything change that?
Inquirer: An anti-Trump Republican group is courting ‘soft’ Trump supporters in Pennsylvania with $1 million in ads 
Inquirer: Wolf blames states with surges for testing lags; Downingtown schools will be all-online until November; cases rising among young Pennsylvanians
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Perry boosted by $200K from Big Pharma-linked group as dark money hits PA-10
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf: School districts face tough choices as start of classes loom
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Supreme Court rules that Uber driver is not a contractor; is eligible for unemployment
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Remote learning gains steam in Pennsylvania’s largest school districts
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With unemployment benefits for millions on the line, Senate recesses without action
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Weekend Recharge | Five for your weekend
KDKA: Vice President Mike Pence To Visit Pennsylvania, Host ‘Cops For Trump’ Rally 
KDKA: HUD Secretary Ben Carson Warns Some In Black Lives Matter Protests Are Being ‘Manipulated’     
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Visits Health Center In Lancaster County
KDKA: Economists Fear Mass Evictions As Federal Unemployment Benefits Dry Up, State Reminds Pennsylvanians Of State Benefits Available  
PLSReporter: Wolf renews call for a minimum wage increase
PLSReporter: As school districts, colleges make calls on fall instruction, liability concerns loom
Fox News: Philly DA warns federal officers could be arrested if they storm Pennsylvania protests
Fox News: Stanley Kurtz: Obama-era ‘Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing Rule’ an attack on suburbs
Morning Call: ‘Trapped between some really hard choices’: Gov. Wolf on the challenge of reopening schools amid Pennsylvania’s rising coronavirus cases
Post-Gazette: Pence to visit Greensburg
Tribune Review: Wolf calls for greater transparency from legislators in allowing Right-to-Know Law bill to become law
StateImpactPA: DEP fines CNX $310,000 for pipeline spills in Washington County
USA Today: In Pennsylvania, fight against wearing masks involves some key Republicans, and liberty
KYW Newsradio: Pa. officials say there are no easy choices when it comes to reopening schools
National Journal: NYT Donor Analysis Finds Biden Leads in PA, NC; Trump Leads in FL, AZ
The Hill: Pence to headline ‘Cops for Trump’ event in Pennsylvania next week
The Hill: State and local officials sue Trump over census order
The Hill: Trump campaign manager says polls understate president’s support
Philadelphia Citizen: Will The Legislature Turn Blue in 2020? 
Politico: 8 Big Reasons Election Day 2020 Could Be a Disaster
CNN: Judge denies attempt to stop order requiring release of children in immigration custody
Real Clear Politics: With VoteSafe Initiative, Both Parties Push PA Mail-In Ballots

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: 8 Prominent Philadelphians on What Being Black in Philly Should Look Like 
Philadelphia Magazine: Rebecca Rhynhart on Her Political Aspirations and the One Book Everyone Should Read 
Philadelphia Magazine: Indoor Dining Still Not Coming Back Yet, Says Farley   
Inquirer: Philadelphia Historical Commission votes in favor of moving Christopher Columbus statue from Marconi Plaza 
Inquirer: Teachers, supporters take to the street for an all-virtual school opening, police-free schools 
Inquirer: ‘We’re all hurting’: Stagehands, florists, ushers, and other events professionals rally at City Hall
Inquirer: Philly’s school reopening plan is put on hold after an outcry: ‘We should not have to teach students to death’
Inquirer: Jewish groups call for ouster of local NAACP head over anti-Semitic Facebook post
Inquirer: Philly gyms are reopening, but restrictions and a worried public have them wondering if they can survive
Inquirer: Wolf blames states with surges for testing lags; Downingtown schools will be all-online until November; cases rising among young Pennsylvanians
Inquirer: Several police cars set on fire overnight across Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Face masks are required on SEPTA. Now if only more riders would comply. 
Inquirer: For local Native Americans, a reckoning over hurtful images goes way beyond one South Philadelphia statue
Inquirer: Lincoln University’s president must be reinstated immediately, judge rules
Inquirer: School-year uncertainties intensify as coronavirus cases climb in Pa.; Philly fights ‘astronomical’ trash backlog
Inquirer: What’s next for Philly’s school reopening plan? | Morning Newsletter
Philadelphia Tribune: Groups preparing to get out the vote in election unlike any other
Philadelphia Tribune: Judge orders Lincoln U. Board of Trustees to reinstate Brenda Allen as president
Philadelphia Tribune: Food insecurity expected to worsen as coronavirus pandemic drags on 
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials scrambling to address primary election problems before November
KYW Newsradio: Unemployed workers in live events industry rally at City Hall for extended benefits, reopening guidance
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia NAACP president under fire for social media post
KYW Newsradio: COVID-19 continues to impact trash collection in Philadelphia
Billy Penn: Philly NAACP president shares anti-Semitic meme with misattributed neo-Nazi quote 
Billy Penn: Philly’s coronavirus curves: Daily updated stats on COVID-19
Philly Voice: Protesters call for police-free schools, all-virtual learning in Philly this fall 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. unemployment offices have doubled staff, but thousands still waiting on claims
Philadelphia Citizen: Will The Legislature Turn Blue in 2020? 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Killion’s digital assets bill signed into law 
Daily Local News: Lawrence bill on coronavirus testing signed into law 
Daily Local News: Race and police discussed during community conversation
Daily Local News: Chester County officials test return of jury trials 
Daily Local News: Mascot issue polarizing Unionville community 
Daily Local News: Chester County continues coronavirus webinar series July 30
KYW Newsradio: State agencies investigating sinkholes near Chesco pipeline construction
WHYY Newsworks: Elcon scraps plan for controversial wastewater plant in lower Bucks County 
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. lags in COVID-19 nursing home inspections tied to pandemic money

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Money, messaging likely headed to Western Pa. in effort to flip state Legislature
Post-Gazette: Thousands of feet on the street for police reform. Will demands be met in Pittsburgh? 
Post-Gazette: Congress poised to approve big boost in federal help for a cracking lock on the Ohio River 
Post-Gazette: U.S. Department of Transportation releases framework for hyperloop development 
Post-Gazette: After COVID-19 cases rose dramatically, so did hospitalizations 
Post-Gazette: As pandemic unfolded, OSHA complaints around Pittsburgh highlighted supply shortages 
Post-Gazette: 133 new cases, no new deaths from COVID-19 in Allegheny County; 800 new cases in Pa.
WESA: City Police Review Board Could Get More Power If Voters Say So In November 
KDKA: ‘An Investment In Our Future’: HUD Sec. Ben Carson Marks Anniversary Of Foster Care Transitional Program In Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Pa. Legislators Send Letter To Gov. Tom Wolf, Requesting Restrictions Be Readjusted For Bars And Restaurants
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Reflects On The 30th Anniversary Of The Americans With Disabilities Act 
KDKA: ‘I Will Keep Fighting For Business Owners’ State Rep. Candidate Danny DeVito Files Right To Know Request About Allegheny Co. COVID-19 Field Response Team
KDKA: Allegheny County’s COVID-19 Field Response Team Releases First Report On Inspections     
KDKA: School Districts Struggle To Create Definitive Reopening Plans As Local, State Guidance Constantly Changes     
KDKA: McKeesport Community Rallies Against Having Police Officers In Schools 
KDKA: Yelp: 60 Percent Of Closed Restaurants Will Not Reopen
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 133 New Coronavirus Cases, Bringing Countywide Total To 7,294
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania officials make no promises on when restaurant limits could ease
City Paper: Pittsburghers for Public Transit distribute masks to riders, push for additional public transit funding 
City Paper: PennDOT now allows drivers to put an X in place of binary gender on license
Tribune Review: For young adults with nowhere to go after foster care, federal program offers hope 
Tribune Review: Heidelberg’s Mayor LaSota named Mayor of the Year  
Tribune Review: Photos: Black Lives Matter, Back the Blue rallies held in Shaler 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 133 new coronavirus cases, no new deaths

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: WATCH VIDEO | Election 2020: Pittsburgh attorney and GOP candidate for AG challenges Shapiro’s legal experience, grand jury process
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: UPDATED: Indiana County adds 12 COVID-19 cases, Bedford 10 in latest state report
KDKA: Vice President Mike Pence To Visit Pennsylvania, Host ‘Cops For Trump’ Rally 
Post-Gazette: Pence to visit Greensburg
Beaver County Times: Beaver County continues to lead PA with positive testing
Beaver County Times: COVID hospitalizations up, but doctors are ready
Tribune Review: VP Mike Pence set to make Greensburg campaign stop
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reports 31 new cases of covid-19 
Altoona Mirror: Lawmakers brace for relief battle 
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases continue to rise

NEPA
Standard Speaker: Barletta, Bognet in attendance as Trump Victory team opens Hazleton office
Times-Tribune: Scranton officials push for revenue-loss relief with city finances, jobs in jeopardy
Times-Tribune: Senators withdraw request to join fracking lawsuit
Times-Tribune: Washington Post: How Biden, Clinton and ‘The Office’ made Scranton the nation’s best known small city
Times-Tribune: Local school districts share $10M in CARES, other COVID-19 relief funding
Times-Tribune: Region sees 45 new coronavirus cases but no new deaths
Citizens Voice: Mayor, councilwoman clash on Facebook over police review board
Citizens Voice: Senators withdraw request to join fracking lawsuit
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County hires new planning/zoning executive director 
Citizens Voice: 14 new COVID-19 cases reported Sunday in Luzerne County
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council halts plan for in-person meeting
The Times Leader: Luzerne County has new planning/zoning executive director
The Times Leader: Area man remembers meeting civil rights icon
The Times Leader: 14 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 800 statewide

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wolf blames test delays on ‘irresponsibility’ of other states, defends restaurant and bar restrictions in Lancaster visit
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Visits Health Center In Lancaster County
York Dispatch: Sunday update: No new virus deaths in York County, one less positive case than thought
Carlisle Sentinel: Monument Movement: Local historians say community, consensus key to deciding future of memorials
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 13 cases of COVID-19 reported for Cumberland County Sunday
York Daily Record: York County resumes jury trials in era of COVID-19
York Daily Record: Central Pa. counties see increased COVID-19 positivity
Patriot News: Coronavirus cases top 107K in Pa.

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: ‘Trapped between some really hard choices’: Gov. Wolf on the challenge of reopening schools amid Pennsylvania’s rising coronavirus cases
Morning Call: In place of the annual celebration, this year’s Puerto Rican Day march in Allentown focuses on oppression, resistance
Morning Call: Lehigh County small businesses can receive up to $15,000 through new relief grants
Morning Call: Even as Lehigh Valley schools prepare to reopen, ‘we have a lot of teachers who are nervous’
Morning Call: Bethlehem schools looking to reopen with both in-person and online classes
Morning Call: Pa. coronavirus update: State reports 800 new cases, 4 new deaths
Express Times: Armored vehicles, rifles and more head to local police each year. See what Pa. departments got.
Express Times: Easton budgets $610K in grants for ‘tsunami of evictions,’ COVID prep and business help
Express Times: $5M earmarked for financially-strapped Lehigh County small businesses
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 800 new cases push state towards 108K | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (07/24/20)
Reading Eagle: The real face of Reading’s Christopher Columbus statue was a pioneer of a different sort
Reading Eagle: Berks adds nine positive coronavirus cases 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending July 24
Erie Times-News: Roae introduces bill to cut life-sustaining prescription medication costs
Erie Times-News: Erie officials concerned about city park parties
Erie Times-News: Hammered: COVID-19 nails Pennsylvania’s lumber industry
Erie Times-News: Solicitor: Fired Erie officer not expected to file grievance
Erie Times-News: Erie County school reopening plans remain fluid
Erie Times-News: State reports 800 new COVID-19 cases, 4 new deaths
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners approve CDBG funds for four agencies
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Longtime city official announces formal retirement
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Courts to resume jury selection with social distancing, masks
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County two new COVID-19 cases
Centre Daily Times: State College mayor: Direct aid to local government must be part of any new emergency assistance package
Centre Daily Times: State College updates fall reopening options, extends deadline for families to decide
Centre Daily Times: Attorney Cynthia Baldwin was formally reprimanded for her handling of the Jerry Sandusky scandal at Penn State
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County reports 43 new COVID-19 cases, highest single-day increase

Opinion  
John Fetterman and Celeste Trusty: The trial penalty weighs heavily on Pennsylvanians
Brendan F. Boyle: The U.S. should value NATO now more than ever
Jordan Harris: What Should Being Black in Philly Look Like? It Should Look Like Real Policy Change
Joseph Otis Minott: Grand jury report on fracking should be a catalyst for change. This is why
Ismail Smith-Wade-El: Honoring John Lewis and his legacy of causing ‘good trouble’
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Sign the bill, governor
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Legislature presides over toll disaster
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Just count everybody
Inquirer Editorial Board: It’s not ‘unconstitutional’ to cancel a parade — or to call out racist cops 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Why did the Blue Jays face a double standard? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Wrong time to delay mail service 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Remaking a neighborhood 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A nod to thrill-seekers 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Ex­er­cise may ben­e­fit oth­ers, too 
Observer-Reporter Editorial: Proposed Cal U. merger with Clarion portends further changes in higher education
John L. Micek: Progressives are mounting a massive mail-in ballot campaign. Is Pa. ready? | Friday Morning Coffee 
Tim Hartman: Tom Wolf, the Musical | Editorial Cartoon
Salena Zito: America’s mindset recovered from Spanish flu for one reason: unity
Ana White: The insanity behind voting: Why your mental health matters at the polls  
Paul Muschick: Systemic racism can be covert. Here’s one way Pennsylvania and the nation can reduce it.
Adam Sanchez: Philly schools’ initial reopening plans spell disaster 
Aryanna Hunter: Women are patriots who serve. The VA’s motto needs to reflect that. Right now, it doesn’t 
David M. Shribman: Obstacles remain to reach full ADA integration
Christine Flowers: Why teachers need to get back in the classroom
Helen Ubiñas: We published the names of Philadelphians killed by guns this year. Their loved ones are helping fill in the blanks.
Francis Cretarola: Le Virtù owner: Restaurants, including mine, should be shut down and given coronavirus relief 
Wendy Ross: Autism should be covered by Americans with Disabilities Act 
John A. Tures: We can’t let the gross abuse of power in Portland spread to other cities 
Dr. Leon Kraybill: America: Our COVID-19 experiment has failed 
Keith C. Burris: Teachers and creeds
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Troops to Independence Hall
Will Bunch: As long as Breonna Taylor’s killers walk the streets, none of us are truly free 
Judith Higgins: Maybe it is time to think about delivering education in a different way
Gene Therapy: We’re awash in potential election problems, but the president just trumped all of them
Maria Panaritis: A journalist, an Inquirer reader, and a fine man’s life and farewell 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philly’s left holding the trash bag
Rob Tornoe: Can we please stop spitting on grocery store workers? | Cartoon

9 Responses

  1. Did somebody say theres a Pence party in Westmoreland County? Count me in.

    1. No, that was not me. Probably some dickface from Politics PA, who they let steal my posting name and pretend to be me.

      1. On second thought, yes that was me, Probably I am a dickface, Politicspa is nice guys who they let snuggle my posting name and pretend to be them.

      1. At least Politicspa knows Stack’s not a republican. Back at ya….

      2. On second thought, I’m ashamed of me and Politics PA should be too, very ashamed of me.

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