State Sen. Doug Mastriano and Sean Parnell won the Pennsylvania Leadership Conference’s Straw Poll for Governor and U.S. Senate, respectively at the annual gathering this past weekend. Here is the Playbook. 

Full Results: Mastriano, Parnell Win PLC2021 Straw Poll: Conservative activists favored State Sen. Doug Mastriano and Sean Parnell for Governor and U.S. Senate, respectively at the annual gathering.

June 11th Ups and Downs: Dauphin County has a new commissioner, a former Chester County sheriff has to pay back thousands of dollars, plus PA Society is slated to return in December. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

DNC Chair To Deliver Video Address at PA Dems Summer Meeting: In addition to Jaime Harrison’s address, the virtual meeting will also include speeches from the four statewide judicial candidates.

2021 Pennsylvania Leadership Conference Preview: The conservative conference in Camp Hill this weekend will feature addresses from multiple 2022 statewide hopefuls and panels on topics like Critical Race Theory, Big Tech, and redistricting.

The Caucus Highlights PA’s 2022 U.S. Senate Race: The Caucus reports “’The stakes are pretty high:’ Pennsylvania will be center stage in 2022 battle for U.S. Senate.”

City & State PA Releases 2021 Pennsylvania Power 100: City & State Pennsylvania released its Pennsylvania Power 100, “which recognizes the most influential people in the public and private sectors statewide.”

Perry Talks to CBS21’s Face the State: Rep. Scott Perry (R-York) joined CBS21’s Face The State for an interview to discuss “the January 6 attacks, a new bill on treating PTSD in veterans, and his no vote on the Asian American Hate Crimes Law.”

‘Pennsylvania lawmaker to GOP: ‘Are you not 100% White?’: CNN reports that “During a debate over a controversial fetal remains bills, Democratic state representative Brian Sims called out Pennsylvania’s House Republicans for being overwhelming white and male.”

Krasner Talks to POLITICO: POLITICO interviews Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner for a story titled, “This D.A. won by a landslide. He’s still mad.”

Ramsey Talks to Smerconish on CNN: CNN reports that “Police in northwest Philadelphia will no longer stop or detain citizens for certain “quality of life” violations in a pilot program. Here’s why former Philadelphia Police Commissioner Charles Ramsey tells Michael Smerconish it may “erode trust even more” between police and the public.”

‘Erie County GOP Facebook post calls for audit of 2020 election’: The Erie Times-News reports that “A post on the Erie County Republican Party’s Facebook page urges people to sign a petition calling for a partisan audit of the Nov. 3 presidential election — similar to the ongoing GOP-backed audit in Arizona.”

‘Kenney, Council still at impasse on tax plan for next Philadelphia city budget’: KYW Newsradio reports that “Philadelphia City Council has advanced the city’s next capital budget, but differing factions on Council were still negotiating on Friday with Mayor Jim Kenney about the operating budget.”

‘Lancaster County Commissioner proposes making Juneteenth a county holiday’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “Lancaster County Commissioner Craig Lehman wants the county to recognize Juneteenth by adding it to the county’s official list of holidays.”

‘Recount determines future of York district judge race in the Nov. 2 election’: The York Daily Record reports that “A district judge race in York will be contested for the Nov. 2 election.”

‘Luzerne County primary election turnout: 25.7%’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “With 56,720 ballots cast and 220,554 voters registered countywide, turnout was 25.7%,” in Luzerne County for the 2021 primary election. 

‘Cambria election office under state investigation’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “Pennsylvania State Police are investigating the Cambria County Election and Voter Registration Office after a search warrant was served June 3.” 

‘U.S. District Court rules that fracking ban in Delaware River Watershed stands’: The Bucks Local News reports state Sen. Steve Santarsiero (D-Bucks) “announced on June 11 that a federal judge sided with Senate Democrats to protect the drinking water of five million Pennsylvanians.”

Werley Promoted to Doyle’s Legislative Director: POLITICO reports that Kate Werley, who most recently was Rep. Mike Doyle (D-Allegheny) health policy adviser, has been promoted to be Doyle’s legislative director. 

Harrisburg & DC   
The Caucus: ‘The stakes are pretty high:’ Pennsylvania will be center stage in 2022 battle for U.S. Senate
Spotlight PA: Wolf again vows to veto any bills that limit abortion access in Pa.
AP: Gov. Tom Wolf signs bill to extend pandemic regulatory waivers
AP: Pa. election officials join nationwide exodus, raising concerns of partisanship
AP: Judge tosses suit seeking end to Delaware River drilling ban
AP: Pennsylvania man facing robbery, assault in Capitol riot
Inquirer: A Pa. Republican lawmaker eyes a run for governor — with a pitch that breaks from Trump 
Inquirer: PSERS fund dissidents, short of votes, pull back on move to oust top staff
Patriot News: The COVID-19 disaster is ending in Pa. What does that mean for us?
Patriot News: Attempt to oust PSERS leadership stalls amid marathon public meetings 
Patriot News: To mask or not to mask? That is the question – at least for a couple more weeks
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP lawmakers want to change Pa.’s voter ID requirements. Here’s how 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: What’s holding up Harrisburg lawmakers from making to-go cocktails permanent? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How common is identity theft in Pa.? Here’s a look at the data | The Numbers Racket 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Extending a hand to LGBTQ community, Pa. seeks to dispel COVID vaccine myths, misinformation 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Looking for a summer read? Join our book club | Five for the Weekend
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: Philly’s Black maternal morbidity rates ‘among the highest in the nation’
USA Today: Pa. House GOP unveils election reform bill that calls for voter identification cards 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: GOP lawmakers want voter ID mandate in Pa. Constitution; ballot question route chosen to skirt Wolf’s veto pen
WITF: Counties fear desired election law changes will get lost in sprawling GOP bill
City & State PA: The 2021 Pennsylvania Power 100 
City & State PA: GOP election reform bill would bring voter ID, early voting to Pa. 
City & State PA: PASSHE integration plan faces fierce opposition
WHYY Newsworks: ‘No more excuses’: Pa. Dems want to use stimulus to fix crumbling schools
The Times Leader: Casey plan would support nation’s children, invest in future generations
PLSReporter: Lawmakers end disaster declaration but preserve many of its provisions
PLSReporter: The Capitol Recap: Proposed consolidation of PASSHE schools creates tension in the legislature
Fox News: Pennsylvania election reform bill mandates voter ID but faces stern opposition 
Fox News: Critical Race Theory: These states are already cracking down on the controversial concept
KDKA: Republican Election Reform Package Brings Swift Reaction From Democrats
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf signs bill continuing pandemic waivers
Politico: This D.A. won by a landslide. He’s still mad.
Politico: ‘Full of s—‘: Candidates warned not to fake Trump endorsement
CNN: Pennsylvania lawmaker to GOP: ‘Are you not 100% White?’ 
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania Senate to consider Down Syndrome abortion bill
The Hill: Arizona election audit draws Republican tourists  

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Kenney, Council still at impasse on tax plan for next Philadelphia city budget
KYW Newsradio: Many Philadelphians still cautious as city mask mandate is lifted
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania marks 8 weeks of continued COVID-19 case declines 
Inquirer: Philly budget talks stalled again as lawmakers add money for the Art Museum, Zoo, and Penn’s Landing
Inquirer: ATVs and dirt bikes take to the streets of Philly as the city tries to step up enforcement 
Inquirer: The city warned of a clear-out of Kensington homeless people. A Villanova professor is planning to sue to stop it. 
Inquirer: As Philly tops two dozen exonerations, city may face tens of millions in civil liability 
Inquirer: Parents grapple with protecting kids who can’t get a COVID-19 vaccine as the Philadelphia region reopens 
Philly Voice: Philly City Council votes to stiffen penalties against dirt bike riders
Philly Voice: Bike lane improvement project begins across Philly 
WHYY Newsworks: Kia Ghee, a lifelong Philadelphian, to lead city’s Commission on Human Relations
Philadelphia Tribune: Democratic state lawmaker ‘deathly afraid’ GOP will squander $10B in surplus, federal stimulus
Bucks County Courier Times: Mishandling of MOVE remains example of scientific racism, experts say
Philadelphia Citizen: The $100 Million Gamble
Billy Penn: Philly LGBTQ history: An overview of the city’s legacy of pride

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delco legislators call for $1.5 B more towards education
Delco Daily Times: Delco chairman blasts $12,500 a month lobbyist hire
Daily Local News: Chester County gets $18 million for key infrastructure projects
Reading Eagle: Chester County says Pa. dashboard number for its partial COVID vaccinations is too high
KYW Newsradio: Judge tosses suit seeking end to Delaware River drilling ban
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania marks 8 weeks of continued COVID-19 case declines
Delaware Valley Journal: Is Philly’s Tide of Violent Crime Washing Into the Suburbs? 
Delaware Valley Journal: Federal COVID Funds Trickle In, but Local Spending Plans Remain Unfinished 
Delaware Valley Journal: Race for Peace To Hold Event Saturday in King of Prussia
Bucks Local News: U.S. District Court rules that fracking ban in Delaware River Watershed stands
Bucks Local News: Delaware Riverkeeper: Court dismisses GOP suit to over turn moratorium on fracking in the Delaware River Basin
Pottstown Mercury: Advocates say Pa.’s $3B surplus puts fair school funding in reach
Pottstown Mercury: In Chester County, health department ‘rallied the network’ to battle the pandemic

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Child Tax Credit To Help Thousands Of Pittsburgh-Area Families
KDKA: Pittsburgh Bus Rapid Transit Project Gets $19.3 Million From American Rescue Plan
KDKA: Pittsburgh Police, Mayor Bill Peduto Teach Young Kids During Youth Bike Safety Day
KDKA: Leaders Talk Curbing Gun Violence After Span Of Shootings In Pittsburgh Area
WESA: Labor Leaders Accuse Long-Favored Hotel Of Using Non-Union Labor, Ignoring Permit Requirement
WESA: June 5-11 Explained: DA Zappala Could Face Ethics Charges, PPS Wants A Relationship With Ed Gainey & New Unemployment System Launches
Post-Gazette: Amid wave of private sector hacks, feds face pressure to aid businesses on cybersecurity response
Post-Gazette: Shaler substitute social studies teacher charged in U.S. Capitol riot
Post-Gazette: SPECIAL REPORT | Surge in fentanyl overdoses ravages Pittsburgh region
The Allegheny Front: EPA Listens To Pittsburgh Leaders At Roundtable On Lead In Drinking Water
Pittsburgh Business Times: U.S. Department of Transportation announces $19.3 million in funding for Port Authority’s BRT project
Pittsburgh Business Times: Appalachian officials urge replenishment of mine cleanup fund
Tribune Review: Sen. Devlin Robinson offering services for veterans in Bethel Park office
City Paper: Pittsburgh Parks Conservancy looking for local Black vendors for Juneteenth celebration market 
WTAE: Addressing gun violence in Pittsburgh

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: Cambria election office under state investigation
Observer-Reporter: Bartolotta leads effort to end noncompete clauses for Pennsylvania broadcasters
Observer-Reporter: State audit claims county’s community service punishment ‘short-changing taxpayers’
Observer-Reporter: Washington council decides on police review board
Observer-Reporter: Charleroi hires Washington councilman as borough manager
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases remain low in state, region
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County launches clean energy program for property development
KDKA: Auditor General Timothy DeFoor: After Audit In Washington County, State Out More Than $500,000
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: How they voted: Actions taken last week in the state Legislature
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Eye on the Capitol: Congressional votes for the week of June 4-10
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: City seeking $24.4 million federal grant for downtown improvements
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County has lone COVID-19 death reported in region

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County primary election turnout: 25.7%
The Times Leader: Baker, Yudichak vote to end Gov. Tom Wolf’s emergency declaration
The Times Leader: Mayor Brown proposes reducing meter parking rates in Wilkes-Barre, forgives emergency loans to small businesses
The Times Leader: Luzerne County seeks dismissal of election recount request
The Times Leader: All but two county ZIP codes report a week of single-digit COVID-19 cases
The Times Leader: 12 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Sunday; 226 statewide
Citizens Voice: Mayor wants to cut Wilkes-Barre’s parking meter rate in half
Citizens Voice: Forty Fort mayor expects citation after confrontation at WVW school board meeting
Citizens Voice: Municipalities hike wages to attract part-time summer help
Citizens Voice: 12 new COVID cases reported in Luzerne County
Times-Tribune: When it rains, it leaks: Rear corner of historic Scranton City Hall to get roof repairs
Times-Tribune: Scranton wants residents, business owners to weigh in on usage for federal funds
Times-Tribune: Attorney: Former Scranton School District employee to appear for hearing waiver; Kirijan to apply for ARD
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna far outpaces other local counties in COVID-19 vaccinations
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases in state lowest in nearly 15 months

South Central 
CBS21: Face the State | 1-on-1 with Rep. Scott Perry
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County Commissioner proposes making Juneteenth a county holiday
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 6 new COVID-19 cases reported over weekend
York Dispatch: As York County officials investigate primary woes, Republicans renew calls for elections director’s removal
York Dispatch: York County restaurants to receive an additional $6.4 million in COVID-19 relief
York Daily Record: Recount determines future of York district judge race in the Nov. 2 election

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Easton has its first $10M of COVID rescue cash, and is adding jobs
Express Times: Weekly Pa. COVID update: New cases down 80% over last month, 72.8% of adults have 1st shot
Morning Call: ‘This is American history’: Two days of celebrations scheduled in Lehigh Valley for Juneteenth, marking anniversary of slavery’s end
Morning Call: Vaccine rates are dropping in Pennsylvania, including in the Lehigh Valley, but ‘we still have work to do,’ health officials say 
Morning Call: From the editor: Celebrating Juneteenth and diversity in the Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Reading Juneteenth committee plans celebration of the end of slavery in the U.S.
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council creates list of dangerous intersections [Map]
Reading Eagle: Newsmakers for June 13
Reading Eagle: Berks County reaches 160,000 completed COVID inoculations as state passes 5 million
WFMZ: Council discusses plans to make Reading roads, intersections safer

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: State Sen. Dan Laughlin forms exploratory committee for possible gubernatorial bid
Erie Times-News: Erie County GOP Facebook post calls for audit of 2020 election
Erie Times-News: Driven by data, Daneri wants domestic violence unit for Erie DA’s Office
Erie Times-News: Why are Crawford County’s COVID-19 hospitalizations rising?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Local lawmakers support election reform legislation
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council resumes in-person meetings
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City ordinance make private firework use ‘nearly impossible’
Centre Daily Times: COVID-19 cases fall again in Centre County, PA as vaccine demand rises in state

Opinion  
Mary Jo Daley, Morgan Cephas, Amanda Cappelletti, and Judy Schwank: Choice is crucial, and we will keep fighting anti-choice legislation
Susan Wild, Flora Cardoni, and Lisa Frank: Jobs plan offers view of greener, more secure future
Paul Muschick: Pa. lawmakers had to admit: COVID declaration was not a complete disaster 
Paul Muschick: Here’s an easy way to improve transparency in Pennsylvania government
Margaret Reif: Chester County Controller: Bunny Welsh should accept responsibility for her crime
Rich Askey: Say no to largest transfer of taxpayer dollars out of public schools in Pa. history
Ken Smukler: Playing The Race Card in The Race to Vaccinate
Diana Reimer: Biden’s so-called infrastructure bill wastes trillions and would not help rebuild Pa.
John L. Micek: With attacks on voting, abortion access, GOP looks to post-Wolf era. Are Dems ready? | Friday Morning Coffee
 John L. Micek: U.S. Sen. John Fetterman, D-W.Va? How the Dem Senate hopeful is trying to turn progressive rage over Joe Manchin into votes | Monday Morning Coffee
USA Today Editorial Board: Police diversity key to rebuilding trust, reforming criminal justice
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The state health department’s decision to drop legal action against restaurants that violated rules is OK
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Stop suspending little kids
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Capitol safety is paramount
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Will Bibi go quietly?
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Biden in Europe
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: More than a year after the police killing of George Floyd, policing reform makes progress in Lancaster city, if slowly. It must happen elsewhere, too. 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lancaster County high school graduates, tested by the pandemic, offer some words of wisdom
PennLive Editorial Board: Cumberland County taxpayers should decide if they want to keep paying for a nursing home 
Matthew Jeffrey Vegari: Let’s give $1,000 to babies in Pennsylvania 
Letrisha Weber: Gov. Wolf wants to cut a lifeline to families
Bill White: What Lehigh Valley developers could learn from Pennsylvania’s Levittown
Helen Ubiñas: ‘We’re about to see our boys again’: Two Philly mothers visit the Gun Violence Memorial Project 
Solomon Jones: It’s time to support the Black men in Philadelphia being destroyed by gun violence 
Priya Mammen: Philly had a year of existential crisis, but I’ve never been more hopeful for our public health 
Nancy Eshelman: Stop whining. We don’t need laws to deal with all these simple issues 
Maria Panaritis: Little League for pandemic fatigue: ‘It was a gift.’ 
Frank Pizzoli: ‘I’m not one of the boys’: Inside one transgender Latina woman’s personal journey
Arthur H. Garrison: Why we must pay attention to whites killed by police
Chris Kelly: The bagman did it, too
Rann Miller: Teaching Juneteenth in schools is crucial amid debates about how to tackle U.S. history 
Dick Polman: Texas is whitewashing its racist history 
David M. Shribman: Mike Pence hasn’t gone away
Ruth Ann Dailey: A long road to ‘instant’ gratification
Aviva Rosenberg: Health insurers can double-charge for meds, and it’s not illegal
Sheila Rawlings: Freedom and flexibility equals student success
Greg Miller: A call for legislators to act to help our most vulnerable people survive COVID-19
Walter Tsou, MD, MPH: We need to finance a new model of energy 
Dorothy Baiza: The rich get richer especially during the pandemic
Mark and Judy Harvey: Two changes are necessary to protect Pennsylvanians
Oren Spiegler: Mike Pence has sold out
Margaret R. Hope: We have become numb to gun violence
Liza Baron: Stop calling it day care
John Cole: The Republican way of school funding | Editorial Cartoon
Keith C. Burris: Love for animals