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July 27th Playbook

Auditor General Tim DeFoor delivered an address at the PA Press Club on Monday. Here is the Playbook. 

Biden To Visit Lehigh Valley on Wednesday: According to a release from the White House Press Office, President Joe Biden will be in Macungie to “emphasize the importance of American manufacturing, buying products made in America, and supporting good-paying jobs for American workers.”

Reader Poll: Who Should Republicans Nominate for U.S. Senate in 2022?: The Republican Party race to succeed Sen. Pat Toomey is well underway, although the field is still forming. This poll closes at 12:00 PM.

‘Malcolm Kenyatta and his former boss Sharif Street share an interest in the Senate’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the talk of North Philadelphia Democratic political circles is whether Kenyatta jumped the line by declaring his candidacy in February, knowing Street had an interest in the race.”

‘Gov. Wolf: PA to rely on vaccine, not mitigation, to contain COVID-19 surge sparked by variants’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “as Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 cases rise due to highly contagious variants, Gov. Tom Wolf” said on Monday in downtown Lancaster that he “has no intention of bringing back mitigation measures put in place when the virus first tore through the state in spring 2020 or offering hard-hit businesses in the hospitality sector any additional aid.”

‘The $66 billion question: How can we fix Pa.’s pension crisis?’: PennLive reports that “the state’s two largest pension systems report unfunded liabilities of roughly $66 billion, a debt all taxpayers will eventually be on the hook for, and the FBI is investigating one of those systems (the Public School Employees’ Retirement System),” and provides eight solutions to fix the crisis. 

‘What would a partisan election review look like for Pennsylvania?’: City & State PA talked with “three elections experts on the impacts” state Sen. Doug Mastriano’s (R-Franklin) “forensic investigation” could have. 

‘What does a recent Pa. Supreme Court ruling mean for survivors of childhood sexual abuse?’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward hasn’t officially ruled out legislation that would open a two-year window for victims of child sexual abuse to sue their abusers. But a recent state Supreme Court decision to throw out a case that would have given hope to now-adult victims — even with outdated claims — reaffirms Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward’s, R-Westmoreland, concerns about legislatively extending a statutory window, her office said Monday.”

‘2021-22 Budget Breakdown: Criminal Justice, Policing and Courts | The Numbers Racket’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star “dissects funding the Pennsylvania State Police, Judiciary, Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency and criminal justice measures” in their latest 2021-22 budget breakdown. 

‘Casey Wants To Revive The Civilian Conservation Corps To Address Climate Change’: WESA reports that “The Civilian Conservation Corps could get a second life under a new proposal from U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. The Pennsylvania Democrat recently introduced a bill to create a “revitalized” corps that would address current challenges like climate change, economic instability, and racial injustice.”

‘Pa. nursing home strikes put ‘on hold’’: PennLive reports that “unionized nursing home workers who planned to strike at 21 homes around Pennsylvania said late Monday they have reached tentative agreements putting all of the strikes “on hold.”

‘Pa. eviction moratorium set to end. What renters, landlords need to know’: USA Today reports that “when the federal moratorium on eviction expires this week, hundreds of thousands of Pennsylvania residents could lose their homes,” and details what renters and landlords “need to know.” 

‘Merger talk has Wilkinsburg locals hopeful for positive impact on businesses’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette talked to the residents of Wilkinsburg about how they believe the business community would be positively impacted by a merger with Pittsburgh.

‘What’s at stake in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race? Educators say teaching race, racism in schools’: Chalkbeat Philadelphia reports that “Pennsylvania is poised to become another battleground in the growing fight over teaching race and racism in public schools” and that “two Republican state lawmakers have introduced legislation that would constrain how schools teach the concept of race — and the conflict over critical race theory, or CRT, will likely become a key part of the upcoming Pennsylvania governor’s race.”

‘Lawmaker asks state to turn down energy company’s request to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “A lawmaker has asked Pennsylvania’s top environmental official to turn down a plan by PennEnergy Resources to draw as much as 3 million gallons of water a day from Big Sewickley Creek and one of its tributaries for natural gas drilling.”

‘Mask up in Bucks? County ‘has no plans’ to require masks for vaccinated residents’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that Bucks County officials said that “calls for vaccinated Americans to wear masks send the wrong message to the public and Bucks County will not recommend or require face coverings.”

‘Cognetti, other mayors call for path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, including essential workers’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Scranton Mayor Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and more than 80 other American mayors signed a letter calling for a pathway to citizenship for “Dreamers” – undocumented immigrants brought to the United States illegally as children – as well as holders of Temporary Protected Status, essential immigrant workers and their families.”

‘Luzerne County expecting update on DA election timing legal challenge’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “an outside law firm should have a status report this week on its pursuit of legal action over the Luzerne County Election Board’s decision to place the county district attorney’s race on this November’s general election ballot, said county Councilwoman Kendra Radle.”

‘Luzerne County manager search process up for discussion Tuesday’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “in addition to figuring out how to proceed with forming an outside manager search committee Tuesday, Luzerne County Council is set to start discussing details about the manager job itself.”

‘Lackawanna County emergency director resigns with no notice’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “David Hahn resigned Monday as Lackawanna County emergency management director with no notice and without a clear explanation of why.”

‘Forty Fort mayor settles lawsuits with Wyoming Valley West’: The Citizens Voice reports that “Forty Fort Mayor Andy Tuzinski settled a pair of lawsuits he filed against the Wyoming Valley West school district over alleged violations of the Sunshine Act.”

‘Forish says he’ll remain on Latrobe Council while defending theft charges’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Robert “Stuffy” Forish said he intends to continue serving on Latrobe Council while he defends theft charges relating to his previous role as treasurer of the city fire department’s Goodwill Hose Company.”

‘Reading City Council interested in investing in electric car infrastructure’: The Reading Eagle reports that “more vehicle manufacturers are shifting to or vowing to shift to electric vehicles in the coming years, and Reading is looking to meet the needs of those driving the vehicles.”

‘Reading to receive nearly $4 million to educate minority populations on COVID’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading will receive nearly $4 million from the federal government to educate people on COVID-19 vaccines and mitigation efforts.” 

‘Lawmakers And Physicians Concerned About Anti-Vaccination Signs In Greene County’: KDKA reports that “lawmakers and physicians are concerned” about “signs spreading messages like “The Vaccine Will Kill You” that are popping up along Route 19 in Greene County.”

‘’Aging in place’: Westmoreland among tops in nation for natural population loss’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “Westmoreland County had the seventh-largest natural population decline last year compared to counties across the country, according to population estimates from the census.”

Fyke Talks to Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast: The Pennsylvania Kitchen Table Politics Podcast talks with Field Organizer Ejay Fyke about Erie County.  

Ryan Endorses Bartos: State Rep. Frank Ryan (R-Lebanon) has endorsed Jeff Bartos for U.S. Senate, according to a press release from the Bartos campaign. 

Street Campaigns in Centre County and Pittsburgh: State Sen. Sharif Street (D-Philadelphia), who is considering a run for U.S. Senate, campaigned in Centre County on Thursday and Pittsburgh on Saturday. Street talked about dairy farming while campaigning in Centre County and participated in a panel on gun violence and mass incarceration in Pittsburgh, according to the email from Street’s campaign.

Barletta to Visit Humane Society of Harrisburg Area and York State Fair: Former Congressman Lou Barletta, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, is scheduled to visit the Humane Society of the Harrisburg Area and the York State Fair this afternoon, according to a press release from his campaign. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Lawyer says governor candidate struck motorcycle, not driver
Spotlight PA: A police killing in Philadelphia could change Pa. use-of-force cases forever
Patriot News: Lawyer for Pa. governor candidate says Charlie Gerow happened upon fatal crash, but did not cause it
Patriot News: The $66 billion question: How can we fix Pa.’s pension crisis?
Patriot News: Pa. nursing home strikes put ‘on hold’ 
Patriot News: Pa. nursing home workers threaten strike Tuesday, hope to transform ‘poverty wage’ occupation
Patriot News: President Joe Biden promised to cancel some student loan debt once elected, months later here’s where he stands
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations rise by 50 over weekend in Pa.: update
Inquirer: Malcolm Kenyatta and his former boss Sharif Street share an interest in the Senate 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What does a recent Pa. Supreme Court ruling mean for survivors of childhood sexual abuse? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Lancaster, Wolf touts COVID relief to Pa.’s bars, restaurants 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As federal eviction moratorium ends, state officials tell Pennsylvanians to apply for rental assistance 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 2021-22 Budget Breakdown: Criminal Justice, Policing and Courts | The Numbers Racket 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: States, including Pa., weigh bans on ransomware payoffs
WESA: Casey Wants To Revive The Civilian Conservation Corps To Address Climate Change
USA Today: What we know about the fatal Pa. Turnpike accident involving a GOP candidate for governor
USA Today: Why this Pennsylvania city called the proposed $21B opioid settlement ‘unacceptable’
USA Today: Pa. eviction moratorium set to end. What renters, landlords need to know
Newsweek: CNN’s Jake Tapper Confronts Pat Toomey on GOP Resistance to Jan. 6 House Committee
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers make renewed effort to expand compassionate prison releases, so the elderly and terminally ill don’t have to die behind bars
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Case rate triples in 30 days with 1,696 additional cases since Friday
City & State PA: What would a partisan election review look like for Pennsylvania? 
City & State PA: Two Republicans seeking Senate seat trade jabs for Trump’s endorsement 
ABC27: Pa. Auditor General DeFoor: The 2020 election’s been certified, we’re moving on
Delaware Valley Journal: Police Interview Gubernatorial Candidate After Fatal PA Turnpike Accident
Delaware Valley Journal: A Tale of Two States: PA, NH Reflect Divide on Fed Unemployment Cash
StateImpactPA: DEP to require landfills to test for radioactivity from fracking waste
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 3-Day Total Of 1,696 New Cases, 7 Additional Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Nursing home caregivers put state’s largest nursing home strike on hold
Tribune Review: PA. law enforcement, lawyers, legislators try to raise awareness of human trafficking
KYW Newsradio: After Lower Merion firefighter death on I-76, PennDOT re-emphasizes Move Over Law

Philadelphia 
Chalkbeat Philadelphia: What’s at stake in Pennsylvania’s gubernatorial race? Educators say teaching race, racism in schools
KYW Newsradio: More COVID-19 cases in Philadelphia; delta cases expected to become more dominant
Billy Penn: Vaccination rate in Philly varies widely by demographic, with Latinos seeing a surge and Gen-X overtaking Post War seniors
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia police retirements tick up in 2020 amid pandemic and protests

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Mask up in Bucks? County ‘has no plans’ to require masks for vaccinated residents 
Delco Daily Times: More than 6,000 reached by Emergency Rental Assistance Program
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County issues COVID safety guidelines for upcoming school year 
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus positivity rate increases in Montgomery County, six neighboring counties
Bucks Local News: Commissioners urge vaccinations as Bucks County sees slight uptick in COVID-19 cases
Bucks Local News: Newtown area district judge candidate completes course work and training; earns certification to serve

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Merger talk has Wilkinsburg locals hopeful for positive impact on businesses
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania funding will go toward water projects
Post-Gazette: PPS holds public forum to discuss health and safety proposal
Pittsburgh Business Times: PWSA receiving $23.97M from PENNVEST for repairs 
WESA: Local Restaurants Battle Red Tape To Get Federal COVID Funding Only To Have The Money Snatched Away
WESA: Courts Are Working Through Backlogs In Criminal Cases Postponed Due To The Pandemic 
WESA: PWSA To Receive Nearly $24 Million For Sewer Line Upgrades, Other Repairs 
Tribune Review: PWSA receives $24 million state loan for sewer line repairs
Tribune Review: Abraham Lincoln statue returns to street corner in Wilkinsburg
Tribune Review: Lawmaker asks state to turn down energy company’s request to draw water from Big Sewickley Creek for fracking
City Paper: A Pittsburgh Burger King closes temporarily as workers apparently walk out
WTAE: Masks, social distancing included in Pittsburgh Public Schools plan for full in-person learning
KDKA: Mars Area School Board Seeks To Promote Patriotism In School District While Banning Controversial Social Theories
KDKA: Public Hearings Surrounding Amazon Proposal In Churchill Set To Continue
KDKA: Allegheny County Workers Return To Office As Questions Swirl For Some Employees
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Parents Weigh In On District’s Health And Safety Plans
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 3-Day Total Of 176 New Cases, No Additional Deaths

SWPA 
Tribune Review: Forish says he’ll remain on Latrobe Council while defending theft charges
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: COVID-19 surge continues, 556 new cases reported
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria DA unveils 3 safe exchange zones
Altoona Mirror: Water works: Bellwood dam project on tap

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County expecting update on DA election timing legal challenge
The Times Leader: Contract released for law firm investigating Luzerne County Children and Youth
The Times Leader: Luzerne County manager search process up for discussion Tuesday
The Times Leader: New planned flood maps impact Luzerne County communities
The Times Leader: 12 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Monday; 556 statewide
Times-Tribune: Cognetti, other mayors call for path to citizenship for millions of undocumented immigrants, including essential workers
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County emergency director resigns with no notice
Times-Tribune: Wolf: Landfills will soon be required to test for radium 
Times-Tribune: NEPA sees 25 new COVID-19 cases Monday; no deaths
Citizens Voice: Law firm will update progress on DA election question soon
Citizens Voice: County finalizes agreement with law firm to review Children and Youth 
Citizens Voice: Forty Fort mayor settles lawsuits with Wyoming Valley West 
Citizens Voice: Wolf: Landfills will soon be required to test for radium
Citizens Voice: 69 residents added to county’s full vaccinated list 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Gov. Wolf: PA to rely on vaccine, not mitigation, to contain COVID-19 surge sparked by variants 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s 2005 sale of Conestoga View mandated quarterly reports, meetings — but few happened
LNP | LancasterOnline: Buchanan is still the worst-rated president on C-SPAN’s 2021 Presidential Historians Survey; here’s where Trump, Obama and others rank 
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 vaccination rates remain low among staff at Lancaster County nursing homes
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 12 new cases of COVID-19 reported for Monday in Cumberland County
Patriot News: Central Pa. school districts plan for return of kids: What you should know about masks, seating and buses
Patriot News: Video contradicts Harrisburg police officer’s testimony against district judge: defense attorney
Patriot News: Trial begins for Harrisburg district judge accused of interfering with police investigation
York Dispatch: York County increases wages for 911 dispatchers by $2.50 an hour

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council interested in investing in electric car infrastructure
Reading Eagle: Reading to receive nearly $4 million to educate minority populations on COVID
Reading Eagle: COVID cases climb in Berks, as 9 people are hospitalized with the disease
Express Times: Every City of Easton employee’s 2020 salary and the reason we’re showing them
Express Times: Wilson schools will stop all future use of Native American logo, superintendent says
WFMZ: Reading awarded funding to help combat COVID-19 in vulnerable communities
Morning Call: How close is Pennsylvania to recreation for all? In the Lehigh Valley, disparities are wide
Morning Call: Switch to new Pa. unemployment system has led to spike in fraud cases, including dozens in the Lehigh Valley, police say
Morning Call: Wilson Area School District will stop future use of Native American logo

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers unhappy with decision on nursing homes
Patriot News: Significant water damage to Williamsport City Hall may force offices to be relocated: mayor

Opinion  
John L. Micek: Pa.’s Casey: GOP voter suppression bills are ‘really just about white supremacy’ | Monday Coffee
Jon Geeting: Fighting Crime Through… Home Repairs? 
Janel Myers and Fletcher McClellan: Politics or Practice: What shape will post-pandemic education reform take?
Eddie Bernice Johnson and Tim Murphy: Our approach to schizophrenia is failing
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Arrest proves need to end per diems
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A fresh start for the State System of higher ed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: No guns for 18-year-olds
Inquirer Editorial Board: Delayed Washington Avenue traffic changes shouldn’t compromise on safety 
John Seager: How smaller families can benefit our country
Aviva Legatt: Colleges’ grand promise of ‘test-optional’ admissions is self-serving 
Christopher Fee: Don’t evict the homeless from my backyard
Victor Guillen: I fled Venezuela, but staying in America isn’t guaranteed unless the law changes 
Christine Flowers: Papa Roger and the virtue of vaccine-shaming
Mariel Lorenz: Unseen side of the pandemic: an increase in scammers, making the elderly more vulnerable 
Larry E Arnold: Mastriano’s audit of failure
Margaret Craggs: Ban harmful, single-use plastic bags and foam containers
Christine Robbins: The Freedom Foundation is mainly free of truth

2 Responses

  1. I once worked on a campaign where the candidate lost a big race by a few votes. He went through the normal process and he still lost in the final count. He congratulated the winner and moved on. He never accused anyone of anything. He just lost. He was gracious. I can think of other close races were the loser was not a “sore loser” but somehow being honorable now is not as important as being a jerk.

  2. GOP insurrectionists in Congress may regret refusing to participate in 1/6 hearings. Nobody is their to defend their Orange Traitor or themselves from the Truth.

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