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July 29th Playbook

A Morning Consult poll shows former VP Joe Biden leading President Donald Trump by 8 points in the state, while the Cook Political Report rates the state House and Senate in PA as Leans Republican for the upcoming election. Here is the Playbook.

Cook: PA State House and Senate Remains Leans Republican: The ratings say that Democrats will probably be able to flip some seats in the fall, but Republicans have the advantage of maintaining a majority in both chambers.

Center-Left Think Tank Pins Erie County as PA’s Bellwether: Third Way’s analysis cites Erie County being the lone county in the commonwealth that has correctly picked the winner of the seven previous statewide elections.

National Journal: Perry Stays on Top 20 Most Vulnerable House List: The latest rankings from National Journal has Rep. Scott Perry’s seat as the 17th most likely to flip parties in November, and rates the York County Republican as the third highest rated incumbent Republican seeking reelection in danger of losing his seat.

Morning Consult Poll: Biden 50, Trump 42: Former Vice President Joe Biden leads by 8 points over President Donald Trump in the Pennsylvania poll and has a 12 point edge over the president on Independent voters as well.

Harris Endorses Ahmad: Sen. Kamala Harris (D-CA) endorsed Democratic candidate Nina Ahmad for Pennsylvania Auditor General. 

Trump Campaign Adds Manz As Comms Adviser for Strategy: According to Politico’s Playbook on Tuesday morning, Greg Manz, who previously worked for Steve Bannon’s “War Room” show and the Pennsylvania GOP, has been hired by the Trump campaign as a comms adviser for strategy.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Campaigns bring dueling messages to Pennsylvania this week
AP: Health secretary hits back after transphobic attacks 
AP: Bars, restaurants challenge virus restrictions  
AP: Resignation calls grow after NAACP head’s anti-Semitic post 
AP: AP source says Yankees-Phillies game postponed for 2nd straight day amid virus concerns; Marlins have outbreak in Philly
Inquirer: Trump is struggling but Pennsylvania Republicans have an important advantage compared to 2016  
Spotlight PA: Pa. health secretary denounces transphobic attacks: ‘Our children are watching’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: School officials tell Pa. Senate panel they need to be shielded from lawsuits to reopen safely 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We want Pa. to thrive, not just survive,’ progressive coalition says as it rolls out its legislative agenda 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How a Supreme Court ruling on an Uber driver could remake Pennsylvania’s gig economy 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Full text: Pa. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine’s response to transphobic attacks
Patriot News: How long will it be before residents of Pa. nursing homes can have visitors again? 
Patriot News: Dr. Rachel Levine: Transphobic incidents are ‘hurting the thousands of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians’ 
Patriot News: Wolf challenges Congress to do better on unemployment assistance as initial $600 weekly supplements expire 
Patriot News: Restaurant workers sound off to GOP lawmakers about Gov. Tom Wolf’s latest restrictions on their establishments 
Patriot News: Where are Pennsylvania’s 109,384 coronavirus cases? July 28 map, county-by-county breakdown 
KDKA: Pa. Secretary Of State Predicts 50 Percent Of Voters Will Vote By Mail For November Election
KDKA: Report: Dr. Rachel Levine Declined To Attend Struggling Restaurant Owners Meeting With Pa. GOP Lawmakers Over Shutdown 
KDKA: Dr. Rachel Levine Says Recent Depictions, Comments About Her Gender Identity Are ‘Transphobia’ And ‘Harassment’
PLSReporter: ‘It is okay to be you’: Levine denounces transphobia, urges acceptance of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians
PLSReporter: Restaurant owners, industry leaders voice support for state aid, loosened restrictions
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
The Bulwark: Electoral ‘Chaos’ in Pennsylvania?
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: 100 days out
StateImpactPA: DEP urged to close ‘loopholes’ in new regulation on VOCs and methane
StateImpactPA: Climate change, structural racism pose double threat to Black parents. Birth workers can help
Morning Call: Pennsylvania restaurant official predicts Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus mitigation order could lead to closure of 7,500 PA restaurants 
KYW Newsradio: Pa. health secretary addresses LGBTQ harassment, transphobia directed at her
National Journal: Planned Parenthood’s Campaign Wing Invests $1.3M in PA 
National Journal: Finello Withdraws From Debate 
National Journal: 2020 Election Toolbox
LNP | LancasterOnline: These Pennsylvania counties had the highest rates of new coronavirus cases over the past 7 days 
The Hill: Pa. health official says she’s faced transphobic attacks while handling coronavirus response
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pa. auditor general hosts Facebook live event about COVID-19 impacts on independent colleges 
Politico: Trump’s Biggest Problem Isn’t Wealthy Suburbanites. It’s the White Working Class. 
CNN: Barr clashes with Democrats over policing and Roger Stone sentencing at fiery Hill hearing

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Tensions are boiling over between Philly DA Larry Krasner and bail reform advocates 
Inquirer: Black and Jewish leaders blast the NAACP’s Philly president for an anti-Semitic Facebook post 
Inquirer: Philly public schools will stay all-online at least until November 
Inquirer: Philly Free Library board chair thanks Black workers for ‘bravery’ in speaking out against ousted director 
Inquirer: Virus spread ‘likely to be worse before it gets better,’ Philly’s top doctor says 
Inquirer: Philly students to stay at home at least until November | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Reversing course, Philly now plans to begin school year 100% online 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. business owners to Wolf: Please police mask requirement so we don’t have to 
WHYY Newsworks: Black Doctors Consortium calls on Philly hospitals to offer rapid community testing 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Universal testing complete at nursing homes 
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: 100 days out 
Billy Penn: Free Library board mostly silent as workers demand involvement in selecting new leader
Philadelphia Tribune: As homicides surge, Philadelphia to roll out long-awaited anti-violence strategy 
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia public schools to start school year remotely 
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials to meet with encampment protesters, seek peaceful end
KYW Newsradio: Superintendent backtracks plans, announces all-digital start for Philly schools in fall
KYW Newsradio: Summer of activism sparks enormous demand for more diversity officers
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia extends indoor dining ban through September
KYW Newsradio: City leaders, Philadelphia NAACP clash over calls for president’s resignation following anti-Semitic post
KYW Newsradio: Administrators say lack of ‘specific’ school reopening guidance from state is a problem
Philly Voice: Philly schools reverting to remote learning through mid-November 
Philly Voice: In Philly, COVID-19 contact tracing shows relatives, Jersey Shore trips a big source of spread
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia extends indoor dining ban as ‘second wave of the epidemic’ reaches city
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia’s tech job postings fluctuate since soaring 35% from May to June

SEPA
WBCB: Finello Withdraws From WBCB 1490 Congressional Debate
Delco Daily Times: ‘There will never be another:’ Former state Rep. Nick Micozzie dies at 89 
Bucks County Courier Times: Finello withdraws from WBCB debate, radio station reports
Bucks County Courier Times: Public hearings set on proposed water rate hikes in Bucks, Montgomery counties 
Bucks County Courier Times: COVID-19 in southeastern Pa. climbs as southwest sees drop 
Bucks County Courier Times: Neshaminy board president criticizes Black Lives Matter organization
Daily Local News: Panel gets input on how to safely open local schools 
Daily Local News: Kennett sets tentative school reopening plan 
Daily Local News: Spring-Ford School District to start year with full online schedule
Bucks Local News: BUCKS COUNTY JULY 27 COVID-19 UPDATE: County shows first weekly decrease in more than a month 
Bucks Local News: Yardley Borough councilman stepping down; submits resignation letter
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County officials: Only 1 COVID-19 death over past 7 days

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Western PA Teachers Tell Jill Biden That They Need Reopening Plan 
WESA: Pittsburgh City Council Passes Bills On Changes To Police Policies And Budget 
WESA: As COVID-19 Vaccine Phase 3 Trials Begin, Experts Say It’s ‘Important To Be Realistic’ 
KDKA: ‘If My Husband Joe Were President, We Would Have A Strategic Plan’: Dr. Jill Biden Virtually Visits Pittsburgh Teachers, Criticizes Trump Administration’s Reopening Schools Plan 
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Council Unanimously Approves Police Reform Measures 
KDKA: Pa. Secretary Of State Predicts 50 Percent Of Voters Will Vote By Mail For November Election 
KDKA: ‘There Will Be No Recovery If Our Cities Are Left To Die’: Mayor Bill Peduto Says Direct Federal Funds Need To Be Provided To Pittsburgh Amid Revenue Losses 
KDKA: President Judge Rules Against Closing Entire Allegheny County Court System Over Coronavirus Fears 
KDKA: School Districts Across Region Approving A Variety Of Return-To-School Plans 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools Holding Virtual Hearing Regarding School Reopening 
KDKA: Plum School District Delays Start Of The School Year Due To Coronavirus Concerns 
KDKA: New Kensington-Arnold School District To Send Reopening Plan To Department Of Health 
KDKA: Pittsburgh International Airport Receives $3 Million In Federal Funds 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 7 More Deaths, 20 More Hospitalizations As Total Coronavirus Cases Countywide Nears 7,600
Post-Gazette: City Council approves five police reform bills, ban on chokeholds 
Post-Gazette: Peduto: Cities like Pittsburgh at ‘critical juncture’ if federal relief for COVID-19 falls short 
Post-Gazette: PPS board member on reopening schools: ‘There’s more questions than answers’ 
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette implements new contract 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports highest spike in new July infections
City Paper: Faces of Activism: Nicholas Anglin, founder of Black, Young, and Educated
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh International Airport receives more than $3 million for runway work, snow equipment
Tribune Review: In meeting with Jill Biden, Pittsburgh schools union leader supports delay for in-person instruction
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh jobless rate dips slightly to 12.5% in June 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council approves police reforms supported by Mayor Peduto 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh Mayor Peduto joins other mayors asking for federal help during pandemic  
Tribune Review: State, Westmoreland see drop in OD deaths; Allegheny sees increase 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh International Airport gets $3M in federal funding for runway rehab 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 20 new covid-19 hospitalizations, 7 new deaths 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Jobless rates decline in Washington, Greene
Beaver County Times: Brighton Rehab cited for use of hydroxychloroquine 
Beaver County Times: Levine: No change on bar/restaurant capacity 
Beaver County Times: Levine addresses transphobic comments 
KDKA: Brighton Rehab And Wellness Center Gave Patients Hydroxychloroquine Without Permission, Pa. Department Of Health Says
KDKA: Fayette County Offices Will Operate On Limited Hours After County Employees Test Positive For Coronavirus
Post-Gazette: State report: Brighton knew it didn’t have state OK to use experimental drug on residents
Tribune Review: State: Brighton Rehab nursing home failed to get proper approval to use hydroxychloroquine on residents
Altoona Mirror: Virus funding subject of meeting
Altoona Mirror: Local barbers, salons returning to normal 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pittsburgh-area educators talk school issues with Biden
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Testing puts nursing homes ‘one step closer’ to in-person visits, state says 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Some area counties’ new COVID-19 cases reach double digits, among 1,120 in state

NEPA
Citizens Voice: County council rejects extension of tax deadline 
Citizens Voice: Local jobs report shows labor force is retreating 
Citizens Voice: Activist Stilp plans to burn flags at courthouses Thursday 
Citizens Voice: Bloomsburg Fair canceled over COVID-19 concerns 
Citizens Voice: Pittston Area and Wyoming Area disclose school reopening plans 
Citizens Voice: 35 new COVID-19 cases in Luzerne County
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council calls for termination of tax firm contract, action on sale of trash delinquencies 
Times-Tribune: Local jobs report shows labor force is retreating 
Times-Tribune: Bloomsburg Fair canceled over COVID-19 concerns 
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District could lose $426k of stimulus funds to private schools 
Times-Tribune: Activist Stilp plans to burn flags in protest on Courthouse Square, despite county saying no 
Times-Tribune: Wyoming County reports first new COVID-19 death in two months 
The Times Leader: Bloomsburg Fair canceled; Levine weighs in on transphobic attacks
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council won’t forgive penalty on 2020 real estate taxes after Aug. 18
The Times Leader: Activist Stilp seeks permit to burn Nazi, Confederate, Russian, Trump flags outside courthouse
The Times Leader: Pittston Area declares emergency, approves re-opening plan
The Times Leader: DOH: Most of Luzerne County’s 35 new cases of COVID-19 ‘community spread’

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County jobless rate drops to 11.1% in June, but triple the rate before COVID-19
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa.’s private colleges ‘reimagine what the classroom is’ in preparation for Fall 2020 semester 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s CRIZ Authority to consider additional support for economic development projects 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster school formerly named after Revolutionary War Gen. Edward Hand to be temporarily called Southeast Middle School 
Patriot News: ‘An emotional moment’: Peyton Walker’s mother reacts to passed Pa. law that carries her late daughter’s name
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Cumberland County sees another report of 20-plus new COVID-19 cases Tuesday
York Dispatch: Wolf: Senate GOP COVID-19 relief could strain state 
York Dispatch: PHOTOS: Gov. Wolf stresses employment at Pa. CareerLink 
York Dispatch: Why aren’t local police departments enforcing Pennsylvania’s mask mandate? 
York Dispatch: York County has 3 new deaths linked to COVID-19, 14 new cases
York Daily Record: Pa. law targets sudden cardiac arrest in student-athletes

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: “We cannot reform something that’s rotten to its core”: Allentown activists offer state legislators their perspective on police oversight 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania restaurant official predicts Gov. Wolf’s coronavirus mitigation order could lead to closure of 7,500 PA restaurants 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 1,120 more cases reported Tuesday; all nursing home residents tested
Express Times: Tracking COVID-19: Interactive charts on Pa. cases, hospitalizations, deaths and more 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 1,120 new cases reported as state nears 110K total; why hospitalizations aren’t rising as fast; no return to yellow phase planned | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (07/28/20)
Reading Eagle: Pa. school officials share challenges of preparing for new year amid ongoing coronavirus pandemic 
Reading Eagle: 36 new coronavirus positives for Berks County

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: English joins bipartisan VoteSafe 
Erie Times-News: Millcreek schools poll parents on reopening plans 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Flag burner takes legal action against Lewisburg
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Police pension board approves retirements
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Jobless payments top the $30 billion mark statewide
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County two new COVID-19 cases
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 8 cases of COVID-19, and other updates for July 28

Opinion  
Will Bunch Newsletter: Will AG Shapiro’s ties to FOP sink his hopes of becoming governor? 
Wade Albert: Pennsylvania’s voters deserve automatic voter registration before the 2020 election 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Government transparency must be central to the new normal of coronavirus 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: We can do better 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Test results too long delayed 
Jamie Martin: Pa. college students and their families need Toomey to step up on COVID-19 relief funding
John L. Micek: Luzerne County voters went for Trump in 2016. Can the Lincoln Project change their minds? | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Dan Simpson: China should not be election issue
Chris Kelly: NO SHIRT, NO SHOES, NO MASK, NO SERVICE
Phil Gianficaro: Reopening schools now will be hard lesson to learn
Marc Vetri: We’re paying huge costs for not reopening restaurants
Rachel Fleishman: Studies find coronavirus eradicated preterm births in Europe. Why hasn’t that happened in Philadelphia? | Expert Opinion
Maria Panaritis: The coronavirus scourge of the under-30 crowd is upon us and it is dangerous
Paul Muschick: Two stylists with COVID-19 cut the hair of 139 people. They wore masks, and no one got sick.
Chris Freind: Federal agents In Portland: America’s protectors
Trudy Rubin: Putin, facing resistance, needs a Trump win more than ever 
Fletcher McClellan: Trump, monuments and the failure of memory 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Virtually learning how to reopen schools

12 Responses

  1. Nobody is mentioning this: IF BIDEN DIES IN OFFICE: If the President dies, resigns, or is removed from office, the Vice President becomes President for the rest of the term. If the Vice President is unable to serve, the Speaker of the House acts as President. NANCY PELOSI WOULD BECOME Vice President. A seriously sobering thought.

    1. Hey moron, that would be the exact same scenario right now if TRUMP DIES IN OFFICE……

    2. That’s not how it works. The Speaker doesn’t become the Vice President. If the President dies, then the Vice President becomes President and appoints a new VP subject to approval by majority vote of both houses of Congress per the 25th Amendment. Gerald Ford was the first VP appointed this way (following the resignation of Spiro Agnew) and ironically also had to appoint a new VP (Nelson Rockefeller) just over a year later, after Nixon resigned and Ford became President.

      ONLY if the both POTUS and VPOTUS are incapacitated/die/resign/etc at the same time does the Speaker assume the duties of the President, but as Acting President. Constitutionally, the Vice President is the only person who can *become* President, everyone else in the line of succession serves as *Acting* President.

      Also I’d be more worried about Trump’s health than Biden’s. Biden exercises regularly, plays sports, and has released his medical records. By all accounts, he’s in great shape for his age. Trump is clinically obese and his public reports about his health are questionable at best. He has a terrible diet that includes a lot of fast food and he thinks exercise is bad for you because the body only has a finite amount of energy.

  2. Nobody is winning Pennsylvania by 8 points this year. Most Republican voters aren’t even included (half don’t even pick up the phone). There is no indication that Trump’s core base vote (which includes disaffected Dems) is moving away from him.

    Biden may well win PA, but it won’t be a blowout. 2-3% race either way.

    1. Reality check confirms PA GOP are total and complete winners unlike me

    1. Maggot liar confirms he is delusional cheater and thief of posting names.

    2. Maggot Biden keeps sending out fake polls. He is a delusional cheater and thief of reality

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