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July 2nd Playbook

Pennsylvania’s state Supreme Court rules against the GOP effort to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s COVID-19 shutdown orders. Here is the Playbook. 

Kenney Forms PAC To Boost Progressive Dems: Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney said in an email to supporters that the Kenney PAC will help progressive candidates in the upcoming legislative races in Pennsylvania to “defeat extremist pro-Trump Republicans.”

For results on races called prior to today, check out previous Playbooks starting from June 3.

Primary Election Update: 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD22 Dem: State Rep. Peter Schweyer (D-Lehigh) leads Enid Santiago by 55 votes, which is slightly more than 1%, in this majority Latino district, according to county website results. Lehigh Valley Live reports that although Schweyer declared victory in the race, Santiago is calling for a special election for the seat. 

LEADER: HD75 GOP: Mike Armanini holds a 3 point lead over Lisa Becker in the three candidate race to succeed state Rep. Matt Gabler (R-Clearfield). The winner will face Democrat Ryan Grimm in the fall for the GOP friendly district. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD175 Dem: State Rep. Mary Isaacson (D-Philadelphia) who holds a 1,109 vote lead, 7%, over Vanessa McGrath, Jeff Dempsey, and Andre Del Valle in the four candidate primary among in-person votes, declared victory in the primary. 

INCUMBENT LEADS: HD182 Dem: State Rep. Brian Sims (D-Philadelphia), who leads challenger Marisa Shaaban by 2,825 votes, 15%, with all of the in-person votes accounted for, while the mail-in votes are still coming in, declared victory in the primary. The GOP candidate in this safe Dem district is Drew Murray. Sims added 1,000 plus votes to his lead in the race as of Friday morning, when he held a 1,786 vote advantage in the race. 

INCUMBENT TRAILS: HD188 Dem: Rick Krajewski holds a 2,624 vote, 21%, lead over state Rep. James Roebuck Jr. (D-Philadelphia) in the four candidate primary and declared victory in the race on Monday

LEADER: TOSSUP: HD198 Dem: Darisha Parker now holds a 267 vote lead in the primary over Bernard Williams, while Fareed Abdullah and Supreme Dow also trail for the seat held by outgoing state Rep. Rosita Youngblood (D-Philadelphia). As of Friday morning, Williams held a 122 vote lead in the primary. The margin between first and last place is also slim. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. GOP can’t unilaterally end Gov. Tom Wolf’s coronavirus disaster declaration, state Supreme Court rules
Spotlight PA: Pennsylvania mandates masks in public for most people amid coronavirus increases
Spotlight PA: A promising year for Pennsylvania’s state budget ends with a $3.2 billion thud
AP: Pennsylvania court turns down lawmakers’ bid to end shutdown
AP: Pennsylvania finishes year $3B behind because of pandemic
AP: Wolf expands mask order, wants new restrictions to be local 
AP: Eviction ban nears an end with renter aid still in pipeline 
AP: Wolf signs bill to reform professional licensing rules 
AP: US signals it will resist freeing detained migrant families 
AP: Troubled nursing home sued over housekeeper’s COVID-19 death
PA Post: The Dispute Over The Wolf Administration’s Handling Of Coronavirus In Nursing Homes, Explained
Inquirer: Coronavirus isn’t scaring Trump’s Pa. supporters away from his Republican convention in Florida
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf mandates wearing masks in public as Pa. and N.J. prepare to reopen attractions
Inquirer: These college conservatives say climate change is real. Now to convince their elders. 
Patriot News: Pa. Supreme Court sides with Gov. Wolf on emergency order
Patriot News: Pa. Republican leaders rebuke court decision that ‘essentially granted the governor king status’
Patriot News: Wolf tightens Pa. mask-wearing order, saying they are now required outdoors, effective immediately
Patriot News: What we know, don’t know about Pa.‘s expanded facemask order: Enforcement, dining with a mask, more
Patriot News: ‘Overreach’ or life-saver? Gov. Wolf’s enhanced mask-wearing order draws mixed opinions
Patriot News: Gov. Tom Wolf says he’ll defer more to counties, local leaders on coronavirus response
Patriot News: Pa. builds on second-chance reforms for ex-offenders by easing employment barriers
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 87,242 cases, 6,687 deaths reported as of July 1
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Supreme Court throws out GOP challenge to Wolf’s COVID-19 emergency order 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf administration orders mandatory masks for public spaces  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Legislative plastic bag study utilized industry research, finds fee effective, 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With Trump veto threat looming, Pa.’s Toomey pushes for new weapon in fight against fentanyl 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Fitzpatrick, Houlahan make another push to crack down on toxic PFAS chemicals 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa’s Fitzpatrick votes with Dems to pass massive infrastructure bill; GOP calls it ‘nonsense’ 
Post-Gazette: Toomey measure to crack down on fentanyl imports moves forward in Senate
Washington Post: After George Floyd’s killing, a mother asks: What about my daughter?
WITF: Court Rules ICE Must Release Children At Berks Residential Center, Bud Advocates Are Concerned
PLSReporter: State Supreme Court sides with Wolf in tussle over emergency disaster declaration
PLSReporter: Wolf Administration expands mask-wearing requirements statewide 
PLSReporter: Wolf signs bill expanding professional license opportunities for formerly incarcerated individuals 
PLSReporter: Lawmakers take step to roll back fireworks law–but some want more aggressive action 
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
Fox News: Philadelphia issues travel advisory for 15 states seeing spikes in coronavirus cases
StateImpactPA: Household chemicals that harm fish were found in Susquehanna River. This Penn State research aims to help lessen the problem
National Journal: NDRC Announces $1M Investment in State Legislative Races
The Center Square: Coalition says paper ballots key to preventing voter disenfranchisement in Pennsylvania 
The Hill: Rep. Lloyd Smucker added to House GOP leadership 
The Hill: Alumni of George W. Bush administration launch pro-Biden super PAC 
The Hill: Pennsylvania issues order requiring people to wear masks in public 
The Hill: Pennsylvania’s top court rejects GOP effort to end shutdown
Politico: King sees ways to make cyber director a reality 
Politico: Why Trump’s attempt to tag Biden as a tool of the radical left isn’t working
CNN: Gun-violence prevention organizations launch voter rights campaign  

Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: Philly police held protesters overnight at decommissioned, ‘inhumane’ House of Corrections
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner plans ‘truth, justice, and reconciliation commission’ to review harm caused by justice system
Inquirer: Rizzo supporters file lawsuit to take possession of removed statue
Inquirer: Philly police got more than 8,500 fireworks complaints in one month
Inquirer: What’s happened so far at the encampment on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Inquirer: Philly parents, staff’s most favored option is a return to schools this fall on alternate days, district survey finds
Inquirer: Coronavirus and Philly School District shutdown means thousands of kids have no camp to attend this summer
Inquirer: Immigration judges sue Trump administration over alleged free-speech violation
Inquirer: Philly’s small landlords can apply for loans to offset missed rent during the pandemic
Inquirer: ‘Robots don’t get sick’: Is this the future of work? | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Krasner launches truth and reconciliation panel inspired by post-apartheid South Africa’s efforts
WHYY Newsworks: Philly’s counterterrorism unit interrogated protester who picketed Mayor Kenney’s right-hand man
WHYY Newsworks: Emergency arts fund pays out $4 million in Philadelphia region
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus recovery: Masks mandatory in public spaces
Philadelphia Tribune: New program offers emergency assistance for renters and homeowners
Philly Voice: Philly museums announce reopening plans with health, safety protocols
Philadelphia Business Journal: Former Hahnemann owner Joel Freedman: ‘We were dead in the water the day we got there’
Philadelphia Business Journal: CHOP to lead $75M project to study health disparities in racial minorities
Philadelphia Business Journal: The best and worst Philadelphia-area stocks as markets boomed in the second quarter

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delco council appoints native Lazarus new executive director
Bucks County Courier Times: Does PFAS exposure make you more vulnerable to coronavirus? Senators want a study to find out
Bucks County Courier Times: Pa. nursing, personal care homes to resume visitations under state plan 
Daily Local News: Sappey, Dinniman honored for support of equine industry
Daily Local News: Rep. Shusterman calls for updated nursing home guidance
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County unveils six coronavirus testing sites
Pottstown Mercury: Wednesday Update: There are 636 new positive coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania, bringing total to 87,242

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: City Council hears little public input on creating racial equity commission
Post-Gazette: Interfaith groups line Fifth Avenue in Oakland to support Black Lives Matter movement
Post-Gazette: Grants of $50,000 each go to five Pittsburgh arts organizations through CARES Act
Post-Gazette: Wilkinsburg mayor denies waving gun during protest in front of her home
KDKA: Protesters Gather In Front Of Wilkinsburg Mayor’s Home, Demanding Justice For Romir Talley
KDKA: Allegheny County Says On-Site Alcohol Consumption Ban Applies To Businesses Hosting Weddings
KDKA: Leechburg Mayor And Councilman Say A Noose Was Found In Riverfront Park
KDKA: Restaurant And Bar Owners To Meet With Allegheny Co. Executive Over Alcohol Ban
KDKA: ‘We Want Transparency’: Healthcare Workers Protest In East Liberty, Demanding To Know Where Funds Sent To Nursing Homes Have Gone
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Shatters Daily Record With 110 New Coronavirus Cases, Bringing County Total To 2,780
Pittsburgh Business Times: County officials provide more details about Covid cases
Pittsburgh Business Times: Conference of Mayors resolution urges fossil fuel divestiture
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council poised to create LGBTQ commission, address racial divide
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials to enforce fireworks laws, restrict large gatherings during Fourth of July weekend
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials say coronavirus is infecting more young people
Tribune Review: Marcellus Shale Coalition strikes back at grand jury report blasting fracking industry
Tribune Review: 110 new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County, 1 death
City Paper: Restaurant owner organizing protest against bar closure shuts down business after employee contracts COVID-19
WESA: Pennsylvania Legislature Considers Voting Reforms Before Next Election
WESA: ‘We Are All Created In God’s Image’: Interfaith Vigil For Black Lives Lines Fifth Avenue

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Advocates, lawmakers look back on one year anniversary of Clean Slate Law
Beaver County Times: Laughlin remembered as legislator dedicated to helping constituents
Beaver County Times: U.S. commerce chief announces $5.4M in virus funds for region
Beaver County Times: Federal court rules to end tolling orders on pipeline, electricity projects
Tribune Review: Family of Brighton Rehab employee sues over covid-19 death; federal lawsuit dropped
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County logs double-digit covid-19 cases for 3rd time this week
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset maintenance, dispatchers union rejects county deal
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: With stimulus jobless benefit ending, state offers help for struggling families
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: UPDATED: Local COVID-19 surge continues; Cambria, Bedford add multiple cases 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Election board seeks new chairperson
Citizens Voice: County audit expected next week; missed deadline blamed on pandemic
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre City Hall closed Friday
Citizens Voice: 5 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
Times-Tribune: County receives $18.9M in CARES Act funding
Times-Tribune: As fireworks complaints rise, state could allow Scranton to ban fireworks
Times-Tribune: Sen. Casey opposes landfill expansion in letter to DEP
Times-Tribune: Airport receives federal funding
Times-Tribune: Region sees 11 new COVID-19 cases, two new deaths
The Times Leader: 5 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; no new deaths

South Central 
Patriot News: Pa. senator calls for moment of silence in schools to observe anniversary of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the nation
Patriot News: Upturn in Harrisburg region COVID cases surely contributed to Wolf expanding face mask rule
Patriot News: Watsontown Black Lives Matter rally attendees advised to be tested for COVID-19
Patriot News: Harrisburg official charged with 3 counts of indecent exposure after naked gardening
York Daily Record: Q & A with York County commissioners 
York Dispatch: York County has 16 new cases of COVID-19, statewide cases break 87K
York Dispatch: More York County police departments release use-of-force policies
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 4 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Wednesday and one additional death
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates: Pa. up to 6.6K deaths; Lancaster County has 346 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster business owners offer solutions for economic recovery in places like Sight & Sound Theaters, Rock Lititz
LNP | LancasterOnline: Coronavirus numbers looking a little brighter in Lancaster County over past 3 days

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Green doesn’t always mean go: Some Lehigh Valley officials see coronavirus trouble brewing in crowded public spaces
Morning Call: Allentown, Bethlehem, Reading could ban consumer fireworks use in future under proposed law
Morning Call: Easton City Council delays controversial zoning decision another week
Morning Call: New Pennsylvania mask order requires everyone to wear one whenever leaving home in certain circumstances
Express Times: Wear a mask! Pa. now requires them in all public places to slow spread of COVID-19.
Express Times: Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: 87K cases, nearly 6.7K deaths; Lehigh County hits grim milestone; did protests spread COVID-19? | Coronavirus Pa. map (07/01/20)
Reading Eagle: New census numbers show Berks County is older and has fewer residents of working age
Reading Eagle: U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey’s legislation to curb fentanyl imports likely to move forward in Senate
Reading Eagle: Sen. Bob Casey and colleagues release report detailing failures at nursing homes during coronavirus pandemic
Reading Eagle: Columbus statue in Reading City Park vandalized
Reading Eagle: 32 new coronavirus cases for Berks, most in a month as state numbers continue to climb 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: US commerce chief touts new trade deal in Erie stop
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council, mayor to start discussion on citizen’s review board
Erie Times-News: City defends removal of Erie Equal chalk mural
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County reports 4 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for July 1
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County extends emergency declaration
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City residency ordinance adopted amid pandemic issues
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms talk subtitles for meeting videos
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County five new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Joe Hohenstein: After weeks of nightly fireworks, it’s time to tighten Pa.’s laws 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The battle is far from over
York Dispatch Editorial Board: During fireworks season, we must obey law, use common sense and show courtesy
Sharon Dietrich: As COVID-19 continues, expanding Clean Slate legislation will help people in need 
Salena Zito: The future still lies in coal, oil, and nuclear
Jeffery W. Perkins: We must confront the short and long-term threats of methane emissions. This is how
John L. Micek: Trump’s attack on mail-in balloting in Pa. is the next step to discrediting the November election | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: The bucket list for Philadelphia’s budget
Thomas Koenig: On Rizzo, Columbus, and The Confederacy 
Charles D. Ellison: Cracking The Youth Voter Code 
Dino Pinto: Living on an Indian reservation changed my mind about Christopher Columbus | Perspective
Inga Saffron: ‘Robots don’t get sick’: Coronavirus could accelerate automation and hurt Philly’s low-wage workers 
Bruce Ledewitz: Are we witnessing the death of reason and truth in American public life? 
Brian O’Neill: Take me out to, well, anything would be good
JD Mullane: In Falls, a lie sics cancel culture on Black-owned business

3 Responses

  1. Why aren’t prison inmates given masks instead of being released? Are the masks helpful or not Dr Levine. If they are, then stop letting criminals out of jail. If they are not, then stop ordering people around.

  2. We all can enter the 4th of July Weekend knowing that Pa State Senate Republicans were doing their best with this litigation of trying to conclude Gov Wolf’s shutdown orders in a country that leads the world in infections and people passing on from the covid 19 virus with many states on the rise in infections. This action is compounded by the fact the State Senate Republicans are in the majority as well in the house with hapless State Senate Dem leadership as Gov’s main support. Great ruling to stop State Senate Republicans who forgot what nonpartisanship is all about.

    1. Actual we went into the 4th of July weekend with the Court forgetting what “freedom” means. Had the court down its job and rightly struck down Tyrant Wolf’s order, we could celebrate. Instead, they choose tyranny.

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