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July 8th Playbook

Val Arkoosh and Jeff Bartos both announced that their U.S. Senate campaigns raised over $1 million in Q2. Here is the Playbook. 

Snyder Eyes Post-Trump Lane in GOP Senate Primary: The former chief of staff to Sen. Arlen Specter tells PoliticsPA that he thinks the GOP Senate field currently consists of people who are “firmly in the pro-Trump wing of the party,” which provides an opening for him.

Baumlin Raises $360K in Q2: The Philadelphia doctor was the first Democratic candidate to announce his campaign’s Q2 haul.

Arkoosh Raises Over $1 Million in Q2: The Montgomery County Commissioner said her U.S. Senate campaign entered July with $625,000 cash on hand.

Bartos Raises Over $1 Million in Q2: The Montgomery County Republican announced his campaign raised over $1 million from the beginning of April to the end of June, although he didn’t specify his cash on hand entering July and how much was spent in the most recent quarter.

‘Trump ally launches election audit plan in Pennsylvania’: The Associated Press reports that state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin), an “ardent supporter of former President Donald Trump is launching a “forensic investigation” of the state’s 2020 presidential election, demanding cooperation from counties and mimicking a widely criticized partisan effort in Arizona.”

‘State Senate Democrats fire back at Mastriano’s request for counties to OK ‘forensic investigation’ of elections’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) “urged Senate Republican leaders on Wednesday to put a stop to Sen. Doug Mastriano’s one-man effort to investigate the last two elections,” and “penned a joint letter with Sen. Anthony Williams, Democratic chair of the Intergovernmental Operations Committee, asking caucus leaders in the GOP to end Mr. Mastriano’s “misguided and political farce immediately.”

‘Why a funding boost for the office that exposes Pa. puppy mills stalled again’: Spotlight PA reports that “partisan divides are stymying legislation to boost funding for the Pennsylvania bureau tasked with exposing puppy mills and handling dangerous dogs, potentially endangering the state’s ability to enforce tougher animal cruelty laws.”

‘Pennsylvania property taxes: Here is a comparison of the burdens in every region in the state’: The Allentown Morning Call reports on the “recent publication by the state Independent Fiscal Office data on the average property tax burden in 38 regions across Pennsylvania, as well as the percentage of average household income the tax figure in each region represents:”

‘New Pennsylvania law requires notification to emergency contacts if patients leave rehab centers against medical advice’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “as it now stands, it’s not unusual for a parent in Pennsylvania to receive a call in the middle of the night that their son or daughter has overdosed — even though when they last checked, their child was in rehab,” however “that’s soon to change, thanks to a bill from state Rep. Eric Nelson that which was recently signed into law and will require treatment facilities to notify a patient’s emergency contacts if they leave a rehab center against medical advice.”

‘Enhanced food assistance benefits to continue as Pa. reaches agreement with Biden Administration’: PennLive reports that “some 1.8 million Pennsylvanians will see the enhanced food assistance benefits they have been receiving for over the past year continue through at least until December 31.”

PennLive Details PSERS ‘Real Estate Ambitions and the deal that drew the FBI’: PennLive wrote a story about PSERS titled, “‘Someone got hosed’: A pension system’s real estate ambitions and the deal that drew the FBI.”

‘Inside Malcolm Kenyatta’s “New Day for American Democracy”: AL Día News reports on state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D-Philadelphia), who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, and “his goals for office if elected in a new, eight-point plan.”

‘Back to (the same) class: Kids can repeat a grade, but parents must decide soon’: PennLive reports that “parents of K-12 students who are under 18 years of age have until July 15 to decide if their children should repeat a year. Under the new law, students 18 and older also can opt to repeat a year.”

‘York County judge candidates react to report that FBI is investigating Steve Stambaugh’: The York Daily Record reports that “the two other candidates who are running for York County judge offered a restrained reaction or declined to comment after the York Daily Record/Sunday News reported on Tuesday that the FBI is investigating Steve Stambaugh.”

‘Gov. Wolf shares how $100M Level Up funding will impact York City schools’: The York Dispatch reports “with $3.3 million going to the York City School District as part of a recently approved increase in Level Up funding, Gov. Tom Wolf and other officials on Wednesday shared how they expect the additional money will impact local schools.”

‘Pennsylvania’s billions in the bank: Lawmakers want it to ease property taxes, balance the budget’: The Allentown Morning Call reports on how some lawmakers in Pennsylvania “want to ease property taxes,” with the billions of dollars in the recent budget deal put into the state’s rainy day fund, while other lawmakers want to “balance the budget.” 

‘Bucks County Pols on Both Sides Agree: ‘Keep Our County Whole’: The Delaware Valley Journal reports “with the redistricting of Pennsylvania looming and the state set to lose a congressional seat due to lagging population, the Bucks County commissioners fired a shot across the legislature’s bow with a resolution to keep all of it in one congressional district.”

‘Kenney not ready to declare gun violence emergency for Philadelphia’: Billy Penn reports that “a day after New York became the first state to declare a disaster emergency over rising gun violence, Mayor Jim Kenney said he is not ready to declare one for Philadelphia.”

‘Philadelphia election board targeted in partisan attempt to audit 2020 election’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia has one of three election boards that have been targeted,” by state Sen. Doug Mastriano’s (R-Franklin) push for an “Arizona-style “audit” of the 2020 election.” 

‘City Debates How To Spend $335 Million in Federal COVID Relief’: WESA reports that “Pittsburgh City Council and officials with Mayor Bill Peduto’s administration discussed the city’s plans for $335 million in federal coronavirus aid Tuesday — and that is likely to be only the beginning of a debate about what’s in the plan, what’s not, and why the debate didn’t involve the public sooner.”

‘Commish: Gun offenders ‘need consequences’, says repeat offenders on the street’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia police say they have taken more guns off the street, but they and the mayor contend they are only one part of a team effort in the battle against gun violence.”

‘Wilkes-Barre mayor blames 3 city fires, boy’s death on fireworks law’: Citizens Voice reports that Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown “renewed his call to repeal Pennsylvania’s fireworks law, citing the death of a young boy in York County and three fires in his own city on Sunday.”

‘Philly study shows strong correlation between unemployment and gun violence’: WHYY reports “new research out of Philadelphia puts a fine point on the correlation between chronic unemployment and gun violence in neighborhoods with high instances of violence.”

‘Housing activists drop lawsuit against Kenney administration over encampment sweeps’: WHYY reports that “housing activists withdrew a lawsuit against Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration over a plan to allegedly displace people living in a Kensington encampment because only one of their 11 unhoused plaintiffs ended up showing up to court.”

‘Rep. Houlahan calls for national $15 per hour minimum wage’: The Daily Local News reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) called for a $15 per hour national minimum wage during her first in-person Town Hall meeting since the pandemic began. 

‘With only 27 percent fully vaccinated, Chester urges residents to get vaccines’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports “with just 27 percent of city residents fully vaccinated, a number Mayor Thaddeus Kirkland called “woefully low and dangerous,” officials are working to get more residents to get the shot.”

‘Pittsburgh teachers union president discusses education issues with City Council’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the president of the Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers on Wednesday told City Council members that in order for the city to rebuild its relationship with its school system, focus must be placed on what the district does well in addition to its existing problems.”

‘Ex-HR director says Salavantis lied’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “under cross-examination Wednesday, the former human resources director for Luzerne County testified that a sworn affidavit of former county District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis was “untrue.”

‘Lancaster County Clerk of Courts Jackie Pfursich appointed to be county solicitor in split vote’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports “Jackie Pfursich, Lancaster County’s Clerk of Courts, will become the county’s next solicitor after being appointed Wednesday by the county commissioners.”

‘DeLuca named acting chief solicitor’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Acting Luzerne County Manager Romilda Crocamo appointed Vito DeLuca as the county’s acting chief solicitor on Wednesday.”

‘Scranton City Council rejects Deeley’s appointment as IT director, narrowly approves West’s as business administrator’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Scranton City Council “unanimously rejected the mayor’s appointment of Carl Deeley as city IT director, but narrowly approved her appointment of Larry West as business administrator.”

‘President judge threatens to hold clerk of courts in contempt’: The Observer-Reporter reports that Washington County President Judge John DiSalle “is threatening to hold Clerk of Courts Brenda Davis in contempt if her office does not follow his recent orders to “cooperate fully and in good faith to ensure a successful transition of collection functions” with the Adult Probation Office.”

‘Parents say they’re running for local school boards to fight ‘poisonous’ critical race theory’: Greg Dolan, a father of two who is running for Fox Chapel Area School director in Pennsylvania, talked to Fox News about his bid for school board and his fight against critical race theory (CRT) in the school district.

‘Pennsylvania Ranks 26th Best State For Retirement’: KDKA reports that “according to a new bankrate.com report,” Pennsylvania is listed as the 26th best state for retirement.

‘Penn State officially launches search for next university president. Here’s what comes next’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “after several months of soliciting feedback, Penn State announced Tuesday it has officially kicked off the national search for its next president.”

Schmidt Talks to CNN About Arizona-Style Election Audit: Philadelphia GOP City Commissioner Al Schmidt told CNN in an interview that the 2020 election “was safe, secure,” and that “there was no doubt about the outcome” as some Republicans in Pennsylvania push for an “Arizona-style election audit.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Trump ally launches election audit plan in Pennsylvania 
AP: Man charged in attack on AP photographer, police at Capitol
Spotlight PA: Why a funding boost for the office that exposes Pa. puppy mills stalled again
Inquirer: A key Pa. Republican asks counties to hand over ballots and election equipment for an Arizona-style ‘audit’
Inquirer: Val Arkoosh has raised $1 million for her Pennsylvania Democratic Senate campaign
Patriot News: Enhanced food assistance benefits to continue as Pa. reaches agreement with Biden Administration 
Patriot News: ‘Someone got hosed’: A pension system’s real estate ambitions and the deal that drew the FBI 
Patriot News: Back to (the same) class: Kids can repeat a grade, but parents must decide soon 
Patriot News: Should we be worried or relieved? Black fly spraying gets a big funding boost in Pa. budget 
Patriot News: PennDOT to disperse more than $15M in Green Light-Go grant funds to improve traffic safety 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. GOP lawmaker — and Trump ally — Mastriano initiates ‘forensic investigation’ into state elections 
USA Today: Sen. Doug Mastriano vows ‘forensic investigation’ of 2020 presidential election in Pa. 
USA Today: Bill Cosby case: Why Pa. lawmakers want to change the law that let him free
Post-Gazette: State Senate Democrats fire back at Mastriano’s request for counties to OK ‘forensic investigation’ of elections
Post-Gazette: New Pennsylvania law requires notification to emergency contacts if patients leave rehab centers against medical advice
York Daily Record: Pa. Turnpike: How to get E-ZPass, use the new app and save money – even on toll-by-plate
York Daily Record: 50th person from Pennsylvania arrested in U.S. Capitol riot, charged with assaulting cop
York Daily Record: Expect to wait longer for an ambulance as EMS staff shortage grows in Pennsylvania 
York Daily Record: Unvaccinated people ‘highly at risk’ in PA: Concern grows over COVID-19 Delta variant
Fox News: Parents say they’re running for local school boards to fight ‘poisonous’ critical race theory
AL Día News: Inside Malcolm Kenyatta’s “New Day for American Democracy”
KDKA: Pennsylvania Ranks 26th Best State For Retirement
Reading Eagle: COVID weighed heavily on Pennsylvania hospitals, financial records show [Map]
The Hill: Trump’s former ambassador to Denmark launches Pa. Senate bid 
The Hill: Trump ally asks Pennsylvania counties to submit to ‘forensic investigation’ of election 
The Hill: Capitol riot suspect charged with attacking AP photographer 
The Hill: Cosby accuser says legal system ‘threw us really under the bus’
Philadelphia Business Journal: About one-third of local eateries that applied for Restaurant Revitalization Fund grants were approved
Politico: Trump ally seeks to export Arizona-style election review to Pennsylvania 
CNN: Trump-allied lawmaker floats Pennsylvania audit plan that Democrats slam as political ploy
CNN: McCarthy nailing down GOP members for Capitol riot panel as Republicans’ defense strategy comes into view
CNN: More than 2,800 have been wrongly convicted in the US. Lawmakers and advocates want to make sure they’re paid their dues.  

Philadelphia 
Billy Penn: Kenney not ready to declare gun violence emergency for Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia election board targeted in partisan attempt to audit 2020 election
KYW Newsradio: Commish: Gun offenders ‘need consequences’, says repeat offenders on the street
KYW Newsradio: Philly city-run office buildings re-open; many departments still operate by appointment
Inquirer: In N.Y., Cuomo declared a statewide emergency to tackle gun violence. In Philly, Kenney remains skeptical.
WHYY Newsworks: Housing activists drop lawsuit against Kenney administration over encampment sweeps 
WHYY Newsworks: Knockout: Philly design board approves plan for housing at Blue Horizon boxing site
WHYY Newsworks: Philly study shows strong correlation between unemployment and gun violence
Philly Voice: Man charged in Fishtown assault on cyclist during last year’s George Floyd protests
Philadelphia Citizen: “The Narrow Path That We’re Walking”  
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia officials demand more action to reduce gun violence 
Philadelphia Gay News: ACT UP Philadelphia calls for revamp of city’s housing services
Philadelphia Magazine: We Provided COVID Testing for All of Our \Guests the Morning of Our Fitler Club Micro-Wedding
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Entrepreneur Creates Search Engine for Jobs That Don’t Require Marijuana Testing

SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan calls for national $15 per hour minimum wage 
Delco Daily Times: With only 27 percent fully vaccinated, Chester urges residents to get vaccines
Delco Daily Times: Delco votes to proceed with Don Guanella eminent domain filings
Delaware Valley Journal: Bucks County Pols on Both Sides Agree: ‘Keep Our County Whole’
Delaware Valley Journal: DelVal Legislators Announce Legislation to Close ‘Bill Cosby Loophole’ 
Delaware Valley Journal: T/E School Board Member to Parents: Our Use of CRT Isn’t The Problem, You Are 
Montgomery Media: Coronavirus cases, deaths continue to decline in Montgomery County
Bucks Local News: Lawmakers announce $271K for traffic improvements in Newtown Borough
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 46% of people fully vaccinated

Pittsburgh 
WESA: City Debates How To Spend $335 Million in Federal COVID Relief 
WESA: Pittsburgh Wants To Spend American Rescue Plan Funds To Protect City Workers, Support Housing 
WESA: With County Council’s Blessing, Picklesburgh Is Back 
WESA: After The Surfside Tragedy, Pittsburgh-Area Condominiums Take Stock 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh teachers union president discusses education issues with City Council
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh-area groups step up to share resources, prevent evictions as CDC moratorium nears an end 
Post-Gazette: Picklesburgh is back, baby! 
KDKA: Meeting On ‘Educational Emergency’ In Pittsburgh Public Schools Hits Snag After Cancellations 
KDKA: Public Input Requested Ahead Of Roberto Clemente Bridge Construction Project 
KDKA: Allegheny County Council Honors Long-Time KDKA Anchor Stacy Smith
KDKA: Picklesburgh Officially Cleared To Return To Downtown Pittsburgh This Summer 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 21 New Coronavirus Cases In Last 48 Hours 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh council, teachers’ union leader talk about ’emergency’ in school system 

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: President judge threatens to hold clerk of courts in contempt 
Observer-Reporter: No new COVID-19 deaths, cases reported in three-county region 
Altoona Mirror: State invests in agriculture
Altoona Mirror: Farm Service accepting nominations
Altoona Mirror: Program aims to assist youths leaving foster care
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to fall, 13 new cases in region 
KDKA: Exclusive: Former Westmoreland County Prison Warden Sues County Commissioner Gina Cerilli Thrasher
Beaver County Times: Beaver County reports 12 new COVID-19 cases; Pennsylvania cases holding steady

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre mayor blames 3 city fires, boy’s death on fireworks law 
Citizens Voice: DeLuca named acting chief solicitor 
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council rejects Deeley’s appointment as IT director, narrowly approves West’s as business administrator
Times-Tribune: Domenick hired Lackawanna County employee, trusted friend for pool installation project 
Times-Tribune: Here’s what else happened at Scranton City Council’s meeting Tuesday
Times-Tribune: DeLuca named acting chief solicitor 
Times-Tribune: Former Luzerne County C&Y director charged with child endangerment
Times-Tribune: Johnson College mobile lab to bring technology to rural schools  
Times-Tribune: Scranton gets $488,000 state funds for new traffic lights at two Cedar Avenue intersections 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 cases rise by 14 in NEPA
The Times Leader: Ex-HR director says Salavantis lied 
The Times Leader: Mayor: fireworks led to fires in Wilkes-Barre 
The Times Leader: 2 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County Wednesday; 186 statewide

South Central 
York Daily Record: York County judge candidates react to report that FBI is investigating Steve Stambaugh
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 43% of people fully vaccinated
York Dispatch: Gov. Wolf speaks on education in York City 
York Dispatch: Gov. Wolf shares how $100M Level Up funding will impact York City schools 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Clerk of Courts Jackie Pfursich appointed to be county solicitor in split vote 
WFMZ: Gov. Wolf visits York City School District to talk about closing state funding gap
Patriot News: York city council, city boards, authorities and commissions to go back to in-person meetings 
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County treasurer to accept doe applications by mail only starting July 12 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 3 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County Wednesday

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Pennsylvania property taxes: Here is a comparison of the burdens in every region in the state
Morning Call: Pennsylvania’s billions in the bank: Lawmakers want it to ease property taxes, balance the budget
Morning Call: Fleetwood man charged in Jan. 6 Capitol riot; he used stun gun on police, attacked news photographer, complaint states 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Here’s which counties have been hit hardest since start of pandemic
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council wants to review public art projects [Map] 
Reading Eagle: Fleetwood man charged in Jan. 6 U.S. Capitol insurrection 
Reading Eagle: 5 Berks municipalities get $1.58 million to upgrade traffic lights 
Reading Eagle: 6 more COVID cases for Berks County as averages stay at 5
WFMZ: Berks man identified, arrested for participating in U.S. Capitol riot 
Express Times: Berks County man attacked officers, news photographer during the Capitol riot, feds say 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Deadline to apply for American Rescue Plan Act funding from Lycoming County extended to July 29
Erie Times-News: Erie County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 44% of people fully vaccinated
Centre Daily Times: Centre County to seek $3.5M in grants to add crisis residential center, enhance mobile services
Centre Daily Times: Penn State officially launches search for next university president. Here’s what comes next

Opinion  
Doug Mastriano: Why I am initiating a forensic investigation of the 2020 General Election and 2021 Primary
Fred Keller: Why not investigate COVID’s origins?
Patrick Beaty: A note to Pa. Republicans: Just because you can amend the state Constitution, it doesn’t mean you should 
Brendan Boyle and Jacquelyn Bonomo: Manufacturing decline and climate change both threaten Philadelphia
John L. Micek: New Pa. law imposes tougher public meeting requirements | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Paul Muschick: Fireworks are here to stay in Pennsylvania. So get used to them.
Mary Collier: For our future, Pa. needs a robust Civilian Conservation Corps 
Joanne Corte Grossi and Rawle Andrews Jr.: Special enrollment period presents opportunity to save on health insurance
George Fernandez: Pennsylvania’s migrant farmworkers deserve to live and work here without fear
Joyce M. Davis: If you’re battling anxiety, fear, isolation, distress and depression, you’ve got company | Social Views
James A. Mehaffey: To avoid a Surfside tragedy in Philly, building codes need scrutiny now 
James Sikorski Jr.: Local municipalities need to slow their roll on radar 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: True freedom comes with being vaccinated against COVID-19. Thaddeus Stevens College shouldn’t have caved. 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Public bank could help Philly overcome troubling racial wealth gap
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The final folly? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop feeding the birds. For now.
Todd Shepherd: What’s The School District Trying To Hide?  
Gene Therapy: If guns made us safe, the USA would be the safest place on Earth
Ariana Genna: Dismantling disinformation surrounding Black Lives Matter 
Natalie Gildea: Stop-and-Frisk: An Ineffectual and Invasive Practice in Policing
Jill Ebstein: Our Ever-Dwindling Attention Span
The Angry Grammarian: Banning the word ‘literally’ is George W. Bush’s next war

2 Responses

  1. Mastriano’s Trump based recounts are a gift from heaven for PA Dem statewide candidates in 2022. Say goodbye to your Senate and Gov chances R’s because this will drive the vote out for Dems in an off year election where Pres is not running. Super gift for Dems! Same thing with bogus claims of vote fraud. We all know in the computer age this is darn near impossible so passing restrictions trying to limit Dem votes will surely drive Dems out to vote! Ironic?

  2. GOP continues drumbeat for Trump’s Big Lie about any fraud in PA elections.

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