PoliticsPA readers say that Republicans should nominate Rep. Dan Meuser for Governor in the latest readers poll. Here is the Playbook. 

Reader Poll: Republicans Should Nominate Meuser for Governor in 2022: Congressman Dan Meuser finished in first place by securing 35% of the vote in the 11 candidate poll. Charlie Gerow and state Sen. Scott Martin finished in second and third places respectively with 15% of the vote.

‘Wolf vetoes bill banning Pa. primary schools, colleges from requiring COVID vaccines’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports “Gov. Tom Wolf has vetoed a bill restricting the powers of the state Health Department during emergencies, and banning public agencies, including school districts from asking individuals for proof of vaccination to access government buildings or resources.”

Spotlight PA Highlights Redistricting Reform Effort in PA: Spotlight PA highlighted the current push for redistricting reform in Pennsylvania for a story titled, “Redistricting reform in Pa. is dead for now, advocates say. So what’s next?”

‘After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on proposed $34M contract’: Spotlight PA reports “The Pennsylvania Department of Health is working to hire a new company under an even pricier contract to take over its contact tracing program after it fired the previous company in May for a massive data breach that was still unsecured in June and led to a federal lawsuit.”

‘U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave York County Prison, internal memo says’: The York Daily Record reports that “York County Prison will no longer house immigration detainees as of Aug. 12 after negotiations with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement were unsuccessful, according to an internal memo that the York Daily Record/Sunday News has obtained.”

‘New law requires Pa. agencies, towns, and school boards to give more notice of meetings (and what they’re doing)’: PennLive reports “Gov. Tom Wolf on Wednesday signed into law a measure requiring state government agencies, school districts, and local municipalities to post their meeting agendas on their websites 24 hours in advance for public review. They also are required to make copies of the agenda available at their meetings, listing items that will be or may be the subject of deliberation.”

‘Pa. government employees who’ve been working remotely will begin return to office; masks are optional’: PennLive reports that “starting on Tuesday, it’s back to the office for some state government employees who have been working from home throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.”

‘Author of Pennsylvania’s fireworks law says ‘get over it,’ it’s not going to be repealed’: PennLive reports that state Sen. Gene Yaw “said Wednesday that those calling for the Legislature to repeal the 2017 law that gave Pennsylvania residents the ability to buy consumer-grade fireworks have a very long wait.”

‘Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey Ask For Data on Conservatorships After Britney Spears Testimony’: Time reports that Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Bob Casey (D-PA) “want more federal oversight of the country’s guardianship system following Britney Spears’ emotional testimony about her conservatorship, they wrote in a letter on Thursday.”

‘U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. visits Harrisburg, touts plan to help kids’: PennLive reports Sen. Bob Casey visited Harrisburg on Thursday to “promote his plan to provide more resources to help children in rural and urban communities.”

‘Sen. Bob Casey holds drive-in town hall at Penn State Behrend’: The Erie Times-News reports that Sen. Bob Casey, who “appeared at a drive-in town hall Wednesday in front of a mostly car-bound audience at Penn State Behrend, offered a spirited defense of his party’s initiatives and took aim at his Republican colleagues who continue to fight against efforts to invest in infrastructure and child care.”

‘Dwight Evans gets an $850,000 political boost from Community College of Philadelphia’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Community College of Philadelphia “shelled out about $850,000” to air a television ad that “tells the success story” of Rep. Dwight Evans (D-Philadelphia).

‘Penn’s Amy Gutmann and Comcast’s David Cohen could land plum ambassador jobs thanks to Biden ties’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Comcast Executive David L. Cohen and Penn’s president Amy Gutmann, “are reportedly in line for some of the most prestigious ambassadorships in Biden’s administration.”

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week. 

‘Coal Region school districts side-by-side with Reading, Allentown among most underfunded in Pennsylvania’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “some of the most storied names in Pennsylvania’s anthracite coal region — Shenandoah and Nanticoke — appear right up there with cities such as Reading and Allentown in a new listing of the most underfunded school districts in the state.”

‘Local lawmakers weigh in on bipartisan infrastructure bill’: WFMZ reports on Sen. Pat Toomey’s and Rep. Susan Wild’s (D-Lehigh) response to the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure agreement.

‘Election officials learn someone may have voted in Berks and Florida’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Berks County election officials have been notified that Florida election officials are investigating whether an individual voted in two states in the November presidential general election.”

‘Baker bill to enhance penalties for child pornography becomes law’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf has signed a law to strengthen penalties against individuals charged with possession of child pornography, according to Sen. Lisa Baker, who sponsored the measure.”

‘Langerholc opioids, human-trafficking bills signed into law by governor’: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat reports that “two bills introduced by state Sen. Wayne Langerholc Jr., R-Richland, 35th District, were recently signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf.”

‘North Huntingdon event to promote auditing 2020 vote in Pennsylvania’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), who is a potential candidate for Governor, is “planning to speak at the Audit The Vote event in North Huntingdon on July 18. 

‘Wilkinsburg councilmembers, residents speak out against proposed merger with Pittsburgh’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “members of the Wilkinsburg Borough Council gathered Thursday evening to again repudiate the effort to merge the borough with the city of Pittsburgh.”

‘Why Krasner is asking Pa.’s high court to change how jurors hear use-of-force law’: WHYY reports why Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner’s Office “wants the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania to order all judges in the state to change their instructions to jurors on when police officers can legally use deadly force.” 

‘Houlahan’s Global Learning Loss Assessment Act passes House’: The Pottstown Mercury reports that Reps. Chrissy Houlahan’s (D-Chester), Brian Fitzpatrick’s (R-Bucks), and Mike Quigley (D-IL) Global Learning Loss Assessment Act passed through the House by a 366-46 vote.

‘Montgomery County launches economic recovery office amid coronavirus pandemic’: Montgomery Media reports that “Montgomery County officials Thursday launched an agency to designate millions of dollars in federal funding for COVID-19 economic recovery programs.”

‘Bucks County to add 7 ballot drop boxes for General Election in November’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that “Bucks County voters unsure if their mail ballot will arrive in time for the Nov. 2 election will now have nearly a dozen drop boxes to use instead.” 

Fitzpatrick Supports Bipartisan Infrastructure Deal: The Philadelphia Inquirer’s Jonathan Tamari reports that Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) said he’s “100%” supportive of the bipartisan infrastructure deal. Tamari also reported that Fitzpatrick supports the deal “even if Democrats push through a separate bill on party lines.”

AFSCME 1199C, Philly Elected Officials Endorse Kenyatta for U.S. Senate: State Rep. Malcolm Kenaytta (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, has been endorsed by AFSCME 1199 President Chris Woods, state Rep. Regina Young (D-Philadelphia), and Philadelphia City Councilmembers Isaiah Thomas, Jamie Gauthier, and Katherine Gilmore Richardson, according to a press release from his campaign. 

Barletta Announces Co-Chairs for Election Integrity Advisory Board: Former Congressman Lou Barletta, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, announced that he has assembled an “election integrity advisory board” which will be co-chaired by Fayette County Commissioner David Lohr, Butler County Commissioner Leslie Osche, and Columbia County Commissioner Chris Young, according to a press release from his campaign. 

Barletta Announces New Endorsements: Former Congressman Lou Barletta, who is seeking the GOP nomination for Governor, announced that he has been endorsed by Carbondale Mayor Justin Taylor, Clarion County Sheriff Rex Munsee, Columbia County Commissioner Chris Young, Borough of Bath Mayor Fiorella Reginelli Mirabito, Deer Lake Borough Councilwoman Doris “Dee” Pozarowski, and Montrose Borough Councilman Edward T. Herd, according to a press release from his campaign.

NRCC Targets Houlahan in Digital Ad: The National Republican Congressional Committee released a 15 second digital ad targeting Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester).  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania legalizes compensation for college athletes 
AP: Wolf vetoes ban on governmental, college ‘vaccine passports’ 
AP: State law against municipal plastic bag bans on track to end 
AP: Pension contribution rates rise for 94K school employees 
AP: Hard lessons for lawyers in Cosby case; tougher for victims
Spotlight PA: Redistricting reform in Pa. is dead for now, advocates say. So what’s next? 
Spotlight PA: After contact tracing data breach, Pa. sidesteps scrutiny on proposed $34M contract 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Cocktails to-go helped Pa. businesses stay afloat. Now they’re in for an even slower recovery
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf vetoes bill banning Pa. primary schools, colleges from requiring COVID vaccines 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. state prison inmates mount hunger strike, calling for end to solitary confinement
Time: Exclusive: Elizabeth Warren, Bob Casey Ask For Data on Conservatorships After Britney Spears Testimony
Patriot News: New law requires Pa. agencies, towns, and school boards to give more notice of meetings (and what they’re doing)
Patriot News: Pa. government employees who’ve been working remotely will begin return to office; masks are optional
Patriot News: Author of Pennsylvania’s fireworks law says ‘get over it,’ it’s not going to be repealed
Patriot News: Before you ignite, know where you can legally set off fireworks in Pa.
Patriot News: Pa. coroner resigns after ‘predator catcher’ video surfaces
Patriot News: Who was the worst U.S. president? Not Donald Trump, historians say
Patriot News: More than 60% of Pa. adults fully vaccinated: COVID-19 update
Morning Call: List: These 25 Pennsylvania school districts are most underfunded in a formula backed by lawmakers, Gov. Tom Wolf
Morning Call: MAP: Where coronavirus is in Pennsylvania
City & State PA: Pa. college athletes can now cash in on their name, image or likeness
City & State PA: Fireworks fuss: Pa. lawmakers want to reverse law that made them legal
City & State PA: This week’s biggest Winners & Losers
Inquirer: Pennsylvania senator wants answers after judge rules against Britney Spears
Inquirer: York County detention center will no longer confine people facing immigration proceedings
Inquirer: 1 million Pennsylvanians have missed their second shot. They’ll need it against the Delta variant.
WESA: Latest Pennsylvania Budget Touts $300 Million Increase For K-12 Schools
USA Today: Medical marijuana in Pennsylvania: What new changes were just made
Pocono Record: PA health officials push COVID vaccines as Delta variant looms, but no sign mask mandate will return
Reading Eagle: How accurate are Pa. vaccine statistics since they show many people still need second COVID shots?
KDKA: New Laws Will Allow College Athletes To Profit Off Their Likeness
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Department Reports 186 New Cases, 9 Additional Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: State budget includes funding for PASSHE redesign
Pittsburgh Business Times: PA municipalities can still receive Covid-19 support funding via ARPA
The Atlantic: The Senator Who Decided to Tell the Truth
Politico: Team Trump quietly launches new social media platform
CNN: House Democrats call on McCarthy to ‘take immediate action’ to address Greene’s behavior

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Dwight Evans gets an $850,000 political boost from Community College of Philadelphia
Inquirer: Penn’s Amy Gutmann and Comcast’s David Cohen could land plum ambassador jobs thanks to Biden ties 
Inquirer: Before filing for eviction, Philly landlords must continue to attend mediation until Aug. 31 
Inquirer: Southeast Pa. would get millions for transportation projects in a bill that passed the House  
Inquirer: Worker shortages are real in the Philly region’s nursing homes
Inquirer: Philly’s backyard chickens are surging despite a city law that forbids it 
Inquirer: Bill Cosby wore a Central High School shirt when he came home from prison. Alums are not happy.
Billy Penn: The reasons Philly can’t have to-go cocktails this summer
WHYY Newsworks: Why Krasner is asking Pa.’s high court to change how jurors hear use-of-force law 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. efforts to halt plastic bag bans recede as Philadelphia begins to enact its own law 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly courts just extended eviction protections again. Here’s what that means 
KYW Newsradio: Philly plastic bag ban begins; some are slow to catch on
Philly Voice: SEPTA ridership remains low, despite rising vaccination rates and eased restrictions 
Philadelphia Magazine: It’s Not Just Amy Gutmann. Philly-Area College Presidents Are Leaving in Droves

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Houlahan’s Global Learning Loss Assessment Act passes House
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County launches economic recovery office amid coronavirus pandemic
Daily Local News: Chester County officials: Children must get caught up on vaccinations before school starts
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County to add 7 ballot drop boxes for General Election in November
Delaware Valley Journal: Rep. Williams To Wolf: Why Are You Afraid of Voter ID? 
Delaware Valley Journal: Bill Cosby Freed by Court, Back in MontCo

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Wilkinsburg Council Members And Residents Discuss Proposed Merger With City Of Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Wilkinsburg councilmembers, residents speak out against proposed merger with Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Many Southwest Pa. schools to receive funding boost from equity measure in state budget 
Post-Gazette: Carnegie Mellon and Pitt are next door but separated by state law on COVID-19 vaccination policy 
Post-Gazette: Sparks fly over solitary confinement, addiction treatment at Allegheny County Jail 
WESA: As City Emerges From Pandemic, Officials Ponder Next Steps
WESA: Pittsburgh’s Housing Opportunity Fund Is Gearing Up For 2022
Tribune Review: Some Wilkinsburg residents campaign for Pittsburgh merger, borough leaders opposed
Tribune Review: Plum Democrats working with family of late mayoral candidate to find replacement for November election
WTAE: Allegheny County reaches 800,000 who have received COVID-19 vaccine
City Paper: Single-use plastics ban cleared for Pa. cities as Pittsburgh moves to eliminate plastic bags
City Paper: Pittsburgh to get e-scooter pilot program thanks to provision included in budget bill
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pittsburgh launches $2 million grant program for eligible child care centers 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Timothy McNulty to leave communications director role with City of Pittsburgh

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay announces he will not run for governor
Beaver County Times: Wolf: Local governments can still request American Rescue Plan funds
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 41% of people fully vaccinated
Tribune Review: North Huntingdon event to promote auditing 2020 vote in Pennsylvania
Tribune Review: Westmoreland elections director fired days before her ouster was made public
Tribune Review: Westmoreland commissioner forms nonprofit to help students land skilled labor jobs
Altoona Mirror: First responders receive state grants
Altoona Mirror: Wolf vetoes GOP-led election reforms
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Langerholc opioids, human-trafficking bills signed into law by governor
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Most area counties average 2 COVID-19 cases or fewer, five deaths reported
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Wolf vetoes vaccine passport ban

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Dems ratify Welby as 113th state House special election nomineee
Times-Tribune: Judge dismisses disorderly conduct case against Forty Fort mayor
Times-Tribune: Few new COVID-19 cases in NEPA
Citizens Voice: Council postpones vote on manager search committee
Citizens Voice: Judge dismisses disorderly conduct case against Forty Fort mayor
Citizens Voice: More than 400 added to county’s fully vaccinated list; no new cases reported
The Times Leader: Baker bill to enhance penalties for child pornography becomes law
The Times Leader: Acting state Physician General stops in Wilkes-Barre to promote vaccines
The Times Leader: Local school districts set to see $13.3 million more in state money
The Times Leader: Mullery announces nearly $325,000 in fire, EMS grants
The Times Leader: Disorderly conduct citation dismissed against Tuzinski
The Times Leader: No new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County Thursday; 186 statewide

South Central 
Patriot News: U.S. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. visits Harrisburg, touts plan to help kids
Patriot News: ICE detention center to leave York County Prison, taking $18.4M in revenue with it: reports
York Daily Record: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to leave York County Prison, internal memo says
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 4 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County Thursday
York Dispatch: County official: After nearly 30 years, ICE ends contract with York prison 
York Dispatch: York County’s ICE contract one of several across country that’s ending 
York Dispatch: All York County school districts receive funding increases in state budget 
York Dispatch: COVID-19 cases in York County continue to drop
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘We loved him’: Pequea Twp. mourns ‘unexpected’ death of supervisor Anthony Cazillo

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Coal Region school districts side-by-side with Reading, Allentown among most underfunded in Pennsylvania 
Reading Eagle: U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser applauds the $1.2 trillion Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework
Reading Eagle: Election officials learn someone may have voted in Berks and Florida
Reading Eagle: Plan to save the Fightin Phils starts to take shape
Reading Eagle: Berks County official warns that COVID cases could rise if people go unvaccinated
Reading Eagle: 4 COVID cases for Berks County
WFMZ: Local lawmakers weigh in on bipartisan infrastructure bill
WFMZ: Senator Casey releases statement on new funding for Lehigh Valley Airport
WFMZ: Spike in suspected overdose deaths has Lehigh County coroner sounding the alarm
Express Times: 2 Lehigh Valley creameries among 31 featured on Pa.’s annual ice cream trail

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Sen. Bob Casey holds drive-in town hall at Penn State Behrend
Erie Times-News: ECCC Board announce temporary sites, new president
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Williamsport officials OK 6-year capital projects budget, call it a ‘wish list’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Jersey Shore officials aim to replace traffic lights in borough

Opinion  
John Baer: Pennsylvania’s ‘easy’ budget isn’t exactly a sign of bipartisan peace or fiscal responsibility 
Kerry Benninghoff: Pennsylvania budget secures state’s fiscal future
Todd Spaulding (PhD): Sixty days is not enough to address unanswered questions in PASSHE consolidation plan 
Paul Muschick: Why there’s no reason Ce-Ce Gerlach should resign from Allentown City Council  
Josh Kruger: Mayor Kenney should channel the spirit of Ed Rendell and open all pools, despite financial woes
Christine Flowers: What I saw at Charlie Gerow’s gubernatorial campaign launch
Ernest Owens: Helen Gym and Kenyatta Johnson, Grandstand Less and Legislate More
Chris Deluzio: Pennsylvania’s election audit moves follow the partisan playbook
Will Bunch: The cruelty is the point of GOP-driven Pa. budget that won’t help Pennsylvanians 
Christine Flowers: ‘The arc of justice’ bends for Bill Cosby
Kathleen Bogle and Caitlin Taylor: Cosby decision proves that legal system can’t deliver justice to sexual assault survivors 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Ranked choice voting is worth exploring in Philadelphia
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lawmakers who sought to undermine the last election shouldn’t be trusted with writing the laws for future elections
Inquirer: Regulating big tech: Should Congress pass the most sweeping antitrust bills in generations? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Colleges should offer an alternative to a vaccine requirement 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Medicine-assisted addiction treatment must be expanded at the Allegheny County Jail
John Dawes: Thanks to stimulus funding, Pa. has a chance to Grow Greener again. We can’t miss it 
Rory Fleming: Pa. Att’y Gen. Shapiro is putting the focus on ghost guns – but that’s the wrong place to look for a solution to Philly’s violence problem  
Keisha Jordan: Parents Want School Choice. Let’s Help Them Get It. 
Larry Platt: Why Richard Vague Still Thinks Business Can Save America  
John L. Micek: Personal income is up in Pa. and all 50 states. But many still struggle | Thursday Morning Coffee
Jackson Morris: RGGI is good for our economy and our health
Helen Ubiñas: Black and Latino professionals run through city neighborhoods with a message against gun violence 
Rebecca L. Watts, Ph.D.: Schools need to help students build character as well as gain knowledge for the workplace
Jasmine Schley: Philly’s nonprofits already fight to stem the bleeding of gun violence
Helen Ubiñas: Why Phylicia Rashad’s latest Bill Cosby defense is another example of women not believing women 
Jamie Davis Smith: Bill Cosby is not, and never will be, a Central High alum 
George A. Nation III: Anti-racism industrial complex continues our obsession with racial categories
Phil Gianficaro: Cosby release from prison ‘gut punch’ to alleged victim
Paul Muschick: Bake Oven Knob: Nature or graffiti? That’s a no-brainer
Joan M. Conrad: Do not touch my ballot!
Trudy Rubin: For July 4th, progress against COVID-19 offers hope and warnings about the future