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July 9th Playbook

Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s U.S. Senate campaign raised $2.5 million in Q2. Here is the Playbook. 

Fetterman Raises $2.5 Million in Q2: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s U.S. Senate campaign has raised over $6.5 million since launching a bid for the seat.

CNN Keeps PA Senate Seat As Most Likely To Flip in 2022 Ratings: For the fourth consecutive ratings update, Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat remains the most likely to flip partisan control in 2022, according CNN.

‘Election audit plan a ‘disgrace to democracy,’ governor says’: The Associated Press reports “Gov. Tom Wolf on Thursday said it is a “disgrace to democracy” that a Republican state lawmaker is trying to launch what he calls a “forensic investigation” of Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential election, similar to what is happening in Arizona.”

‘‘This Is A Sham:’ Pa. Attorney General Calls State Senator’s 2020 Election Audit Request Nonsense’: KDKA reports “Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro took to the airwaves slamming State Senator Doug Mastriano, a staunch supporter of the former president, who wants to open an election audit plan.”

‘State funding for Pa. public broadcasting eliminated in new budget’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “among the few losers of Pennsylvania’s most recent state budget, passed by lawmakers and signed by Gov. Tom Wolf last month, are Pennsylvania’s public broadcasters.”

‘Allegheny County Won’t Comply With Election Audit Request From Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano’: KDKA reports that “so far, Allegheny County, the state’s second-largest county, has received no request” from state Sen. Doug Mastriano (R-Franklin) “for election data and equipment, but Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald says Allegheny County will not comply with a similar request.”

‘Pa. State System Of Higher Education Releases Final Merger Plan For 6 Universities’: KDKA reports “The Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education has come out with its final version of its merger plans for six of Pennsylvania’s 14 state-owned universities.”

‘Bill McSwain wants to talk about 2022, but Trump is dragging him back into 2020’: Philly Clout reports that Bill McSwain, “the former U.S. attorney and gubernatorial hopeful, is trying to quietly sidestep former President Donald Trump’s false election claims. But Trump isn’t making that easy.”

‘After pushback, a widely criticized mandatory minimum bill is on hold’: WHYY reports “​​Pennsylvania legislative leaders say a bill that would institute new mandatory minimum sentences for gun-related crime is “off the calendar,” at least temporarily, at the request of its sponsor, who has been inundated with criticism since introducing it.”

‘Pa.’s largest pension fund clips the wings of its high-flying staffers’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Pennsylvania’s biggest pension fund is taking steps to bring down to earth the travel spending of its high-flying investment staff.”

‘Pennsylvania would get $225M in revamped opioid agreement’: The Associated Press reports “Pennsylvania would receive $225 million to fight the opioid-addiction epidemic from a new agreement with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma, the state attorney general’s office said Thursday.”

‘Wolf highlights $30M investment in early learning programs in Lancaster’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports “Gov. Tom Wolf and other state and local leaders visited Community Action Partnership in Lancaster on Thursday to celebrate $30 million in additional funding for early childhood education in the 2021-22 state budget.”

‘NCAA panel discusses — but does not decide — future of sports at 6 Pa. state universities’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “a bid to keep a full complement of athletics at six Pennsylvania state universities facing mergers was discussed by an NCAA panel during a two-day meeting that concluded Thursday, with no action on the proposal taken.”

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

‘Proposal Would Keep Pittsburgh’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave In Effect Until State Hits 90% Vaccination Rate’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports “Pittsburgh businesses with more than 50 employees will be required to provide paid sick leave to workers who contract covid-19 or who are required to quarantine, under legislation city Councilman Bobby Wilson introduced Wednesday. The requirement would be in effect until 90% of the eligible Pennsylvania population is vaccinated.”

‘Controller Lamb wants potential Wilkinsburg-Pittsburgh merger to spur more talks about municipal consolidation’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb “thinks a potential merger between Wilkinsburg borough and the city of Pittsburgh can start a trend.”

‘’Philly Truce’ app pushed by City Council members, faith leaders in helping halt violence’: KYW Newsradio reports “a group of city and interfaith leaders have joined the push behind an app they hope can prevent lives being lost to gun violence. The free app, Philadelphia’s latest effort to combat steadily rising homicide numbers, represents just one piece of the $150 million budgeted for crime prevention.”

‘Roundtable on Mail-in Ballots in PA’: The Bucks County Courier Times hosted a roundtable discussion of elected officials in Bucks County talking about mail-in ballots. 

‘Pottstown council mulls time limit on fireworks after complaints’: The Pottstown Mercury reports that Pottstown council has discussed the option of placing a time limit on when fireworks can be used.

‘Chester County ends serving Delco residents’ COVID-19 needs after 16 months’: KYW Newsradio reports that “after 16 months, the Chester County Health Department is ending its agreement to also cover Delaware County’s COVID-19 health needs.

‘26 Inquirer employees accept buyout packages in latest round’: The Philadelphia Business Journal reports that “The Philadelphia Inquirer fell well below its goal of reducing its workforce by 10% with its latest round of buyouts. According to a note to employees from Publisher Lisa Hughes, 26 employees accepted the buyout package, short of the company’s goal of 40.”

‘Philly judge suspended over failure to pay health club and filing incomplete financial forms’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Common Pleas Court Judge Scott DiClaudio has been suspended for two weeks and put on probation until 2026 for ethical violations.”

‘Verona Councilman Michael Forbeck resigns to take state government job’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Verona Councilman Michael Forbeck “has resigned from his elected post a little more than one-and-a-half years into his first four-year term,” and in a letter “indicated he is stepping down to take a state government job.”

‘Scranton aims to make new public health coordinator a permanent post’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Scranton “wants to make the job of public health coordinator a permanent post after three years of funding by an outside organization expires, Mayor Paige Cognetti said Thursday during an event held to thank the donor.”

‘U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan hears about labor shortage in visit to Berks County business’: The Reading Eagle reports on Rep. Chrissy Houlahan’s (D-Chester) visit to a business in Berks County on Thursday. 

‘Rep. Wild visits LVIA to discuss $8-million grant’: WFMZ reports that Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) “took to the tarmac at Lehigh Valley International Airport Thursday to talk about a new $8 million grant from the Department of Transportation.”

‘Carlisle Borough councilman blasts Rep. Perry for saying Democrats want to destroy the country’: Carlisle Sentinel reports that “Carlisle Borough Councilman Joel Hicks fired back at comments made last month by Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) in which the Congressman for the 10th District said Democrats want to destroy the country.”

‘Should Bellefonte have a new policy for fireworks? Solutions sought after complaint-filled July 4th’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “after dozens of complains on the Fourth of July, Bellefonte Borough may consider a new, stricter policy around fireworks.”

‘Butler County Commissioners Formally End Public Health Emergency Declaration’: KDKA reports that “on Wednesday, Butler County County Commissioners have formally ended the public health emergency declaration.”

‘Staniszewski negotiating plea deal in DUI crash on Pa. Turnpike’: The Observer-Reporter reports that “Washington City Councilman Matthew Staniszewski, who is accused of driving drunk when he crashed his vehicle on the Pennsylvania Turnpike near Bedford in February, waived his preliminary hearing and is now in discussions with prosecutors on a plea deal.”

‘How new state budget affects Erie: More money for education, rental assistance’: The Erie Times-News reports that “more money for education, health departments, nursing homes, child welfare services and to continue an emergency rental and utility assistance program are bright spots in Pennsylvania’s new state budget, local officials say.

Richey To Campaign In Butler County: Jason Richey, a partner at Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates law firm who is seeking the Republican Party nomination for Governor in 2022, will be visiting Butler County on Saturday, according to a press release from his campaign. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Election audit plan a ‘disgrace to democracy,’ governor says 
AP: Pennsylvania would get $225M in revamped opioid agreement
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As child advocates plan for action, top Senate GOP lawmaker Ward considers the ‘best legal path’ to justice 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State funding for Pa. public broadcasting eliminated in new budget
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: Pa. sees record natural gas production, more compliance violations in 2020
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. to receive $225M from Sackler family opioid settlement 
Inquirer: Pa.’s largest pension fund clips the wings of its high-flying staffers
Inquirer: Pa.’s Amazon workers have almost twice as many serious injuries as other warehouse workers here
Patriot News: PHEAA plans to stop servicing federal student loans, expects to lay off employees 
Patriot News: Trump expanded base by 10 million yet lost; a new survey helps explain why 
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations remain below 300 in Pa.: daily update
WHYY Newsworks: New Pa. law allows students to repeat a grade, but the deadline to decide is one week away
KDKA: Pa. State System Of Higher Education Releases Final Merger Plan For 6 Universities
KDKA: ‘This Is A Sham:’ Pa. Attorney General Calls State Senator’s 2020 Election Audit Request Nonsense
City & State PA: This week’s biggest Winners & Losers 
City & State PA: Fetterman raises $2.5 million for Senate bid in second quarter
Post-Gazette: NCAA panel discusses — but does not decide — future of sports at 6 Pa. state universities 
Post-Gazette: A long road ahead: Democrats walk fine line with Biden’s pursuit of two infrastructure bills
York Daily Record: Pennsylvania man, facing serious charges for Jan. 6 riot, built Capitol out of Legos
Pittsburgh Business Times: PA State System of Higher Ed puts final merger plans to board vote
USA Today: In Pennsylvania, many still lack broadband access
WESA: Millions In Potential Sales Tax Breaks For Server Farms Are Tucked Into The New State Budget
Morning Call: Parents can decide if they want their kids to be held back in school this year — but must do so by July 15
Washington Post: The Trailer: Ranked-choice winners, special election battle lines, and the Republican who wants another 2020 audit
National Journal: Senate Democrats weigh merits of anointing primary candidates
CNN: Their children vanished at an Indigenous boarding school. This tribe is bringing them home after 140 years
The Hill: Fetterman raises more than $2.5M in second quarter 
The Hill: 15 states drop opposition to OxyContin maker Purdue’s bankruptcy plan 
The Hill: 2020 Hispanic voter participation surged 30 percent compared to 2016: Analysis  

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Bill McSwain wants to talk about 2022, but Trump is dragging him back into 2020
WHYY Newsworks: After pushback, a widely criticized mandatory minimum bill is on hold 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Haitian community reacts to assassination and chaos
Inquirer: Philly judge suspended over failure to pay health club and filing incomplete financial forms 
Inquirer: The delta variant isn’t dominant yet in the Philly region. More vaccinations could keep it that way. 
Philadelphia Tribune: Chronic unemployment linked to higher risk of early death, city report finds
Philadelphia Citizen: Using Your Voice Against You 
KYW Newsradio: ‘Philly Truce’ app pushed by City Council members, faith leaders in helping halt violence
KYW Newsradio: Nearly 6 in 10 Philly adults fully vaccinated from COVID-19
Philly Voice: Amtrak orders new trains to replace rail cars on Northeast Corridor
Philadelphia Business Journal: 26 Inquirer employees accept buyout packages in latest round
Billy Penn: Some Philly teens still don’t want the vaccine. Others are making the case.

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Roundtable on Mail-in Ballots in PA 
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown council mulls time limit on fireworks after complaints 
Daily Local News: Chester County ending pact as public health lead for Delaware County
KYW Newsradio: Chester County ends serving Delco residents’ COVID-19 needs after 16 months
Delco Daily Times: Sheriff, D.A. team up for gun lock giveaway

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Allegheny County Won’t Comply With Election Audit Request From Republican Sen. Doug Mastriano
KDKA: Proposal Would Keep Pittsburgh’s COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave In Effect Until State Hits 90% Vaccination Rate
WESA: City Council Moves To Extend COVID Sick Leave Benefits Indefinitely 
WESA: City Council Debates State Of Educational Emergency, Though Superintendent Absent
WESA: With No Climate Action In Congress, CMU Prof Says ‘Green’ Interest Rate Could Help, But Some Warn Of Risks 
Post-Gazette: Local early education officials welcome increased funding for programming in state budget 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh restaurants want outdoor seating to stay, even as pandemic restrictions loosen 
Post-Gazette: Feds: Shaler teacher had guns, model of Capitol, militia notebook after insurrection arrest 
Tribune Review: Proposal would keep Pittsburgh’s covid paid sick leave until 90% of Pa. is vaccinated 
Tribune Review: Verona Councilman Michael Forbeck resigns to take state government job 
Tribune Review: Rep. Jason Silvis hosts Disability Awareness Day at Keystone State Park 
City Paper: Controller Lamb wants potential Wilkinsburg-Pittsburgh merger to spur more talks about municipal consolidation 
City Paper: Pittsburgh’s Chinatown receives historic designation, group seeks funds for a plaque 
WTAE: PPS officials cancel meeting with City Council on ‘educational emergency,’ willing to try again 
WTAE: ‘We will find a way to address this’: State senator pledges help for flooded Monongahela Fire Department

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Joyce appointed to health task force
Altoona Mirror: Cambria names emergency chief
Beaver County Times: Public input sought for new county hazard mitigation plan 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 41% of people fully vaccinated
Observer-Reporter: Staniszewski negotiating plea deal in DUI crash on Pa. Turnpike 
Observer-Reporter: Two new COVID-19 deaths reported in Washington County
KDKA: Butler County Commissioners Formally End Public Health Emergency Declaration
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria offers refunds to exit lawsuit; Class action by state municipalities focuses on overcharges by prothonotary’s offices 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Most area counties average fewer than two COVID-19 cases a day

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton aims to make new public health coordinator a permanent post
Times-Tribune: Opponents appeal Keystone Sanitary Landfill expansion
Times-Tribune: Jill Garrett, first Black news anchor in NEPA, dies at 66
Times-Tribune: Region adds 17 new COVID-19 cases
Citizens Voice: Pension, severance questions unclear after C+Y investigation
Citizens Voice: Children’s Service Center of Wyoming Valley receives $3.8M grant
Citizens Voice: Jill Garrett, first Black news anchor in NEPA, dies at 66
Citizens Voice: 300 added to county’s fully vaccinated list
The Times Leader: DeLuca named Luzerne County acting chief solicitor
The Times Leader: Cartwright announces $3.8M for Children’s Service Center
The Times Leader: Rep. Toohil announces state grants for local fire and EMS companies
The Times Leader: 8 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Thursday; 222 statewide
Pocono Record: PA dentist and friend of Donald Trump charged with assault for groping a patient, police say

South Central 
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough councilman blasts Rep. Perry for saying Democrats want to destroy the country 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: Four new cases of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County Thursday
York Dispatch: ‘The situation is bad’: York County fireworks lead to complaints, fires and a death
York Dispatch: York City Council to resume in-person meetings 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wolf highlights $30M investment in early learning programs in Lancaster
Patriot News: York’s director of Economic and Community Development ‘excited’ about return in a new role 

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan hears about labor shortage in visit to Berks County business 
Reading Eagle: Berks County passes 180,000 completed COVID vaccinations 
WFMZ: Rep. Wild visits LVIA to discuss $8-million grant 
WFMZ: Man in Berks arrested in connection with U.S. Capitol riot, facing court date next week 
WFMZ: Berks residents react to Fleetwood man’s involvement in U.S. Capitol riot
WFMZ: Local Haitian community leader reacts to president’s assassination
Express Times: Bethlehem gets $700K to rehab blighted properties into affordable homes
Morning Call: Amtrak is finally upgrading its fleet. Here’s what trains could one day look like if service returns to Lehigh Valley 
Morning Call: Lost your job during the pandemic and want to finish a degree? Lehigh Valley program may be able to help 
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Case rate ticks up again as hospitalizations level 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: How new state budget affects Erie: More money for education, rental assistance 
Erie Times-News: Erie County Community College gets first state line item allocation of almost $5 million 
Erie Times-News: Meet Christopher Gray: Community college president has a history with community education 
Centre Daily Times: Should Bellefonte have a new policy for fireworks? Solutions sought after complaint-filled July 4th
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Reps support bill aimed at fighting human trafficking
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: University merger plans draw mixed emotions

Opinion  
Larry Platt: What’s So Wrong With David Cohen and Amy Gutmann Being Ambassadors?  
John Baer: Three ways Pennsylvania government can crawl back toward credibility 
Chad Baker: Stand with poll workers and send a message to Mastriano
Ernest Owens: Philly’s New Budget Makes It Clear City Hall Will Never Defund the Police
John L. Micek: An Az-style audit? Welcome to #HotMessSummer, Pennsylvania | Thursday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: Report: 3 ways states can help local governments in Pa. and beyond shore up their bottom lines | Friday Morning Coffee
Bruce Ledewitz: Yes, Allegheny Co. DA Zappala should resign or be impeached. No, he shouldn’t be the target of legal discipline 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philadelphia’s pension led on guns and private prisons. Could fossil fuel divestment be next?
Major General (Ret.) Jessica Garfola Wright: U.S. military offers a model for child care dilemmas threatening economic recovery
Christopher Brooks: Historically Speaking: The big problem with teaching critical race theory
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Leave our votes alone
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Enough with the noisy, dangerous consumer-grade fireworks. Pennsylvania’s dud of a fireworks law ought to be repealed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: President Biden must disclose partisan science 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Getting more information into the hands of the bereaved is needed 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The Cosby case and the cool virtue 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Battling human trafficking
Tony Norman: Nikole Hannah-Jones is not your (tenured) Negro
Inga Saffron: Yorktown was supposed to be Philly’s Black suburb. Now development is converging on the neighborhood.
Michael Cogbill: Our streets are awash in guns. To stop the violence, cut off the supply of weapons with a 20-year ban on new guns 
Paul Muschick: How to solve the Lehigh Valley’s swimming pool problem
Erin Buchner: Rural or urban, we all bear the economic cost of gun violence. Here’s how to fix it 
Will Bunch: Live free and die: Inside the bizarre political philosophy of America’s unvaccinated 
Jenice Armstrong: That same energy we saw on display earlier this week in Mount Laurel needs to be directed toward gun violence, too 
Nancy Ironside: Don’t disrespect today’s students by referring to 2020 as a ‘learning loss’ 
Andy Tan and Angela Shen: The danger of ‘wait and see’ when it comes to vaccines for kids | Expert Opinion
Members of the Growing Green Coalition: An open letter to members of the General Assembly and Gov. Wolf 
Alim Howell: Race for peace
Trudy Rubin: Biden needs to get real on Afghanistan exit to prevent Taliban takeover

3 Responses

  1. Why the fascination with how much money a candidate raises? But almost nothing about his ethics and credentials.

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