Former Speaker Mike Turzai accepts a role as general counsel for Peoples Gas, former VP Joe Biden is set to deliver an address in Delaware County, plus a Democratic internal poll shows a close race in PA1. Here is the Playbook.
Finello Poll: Fitzpatrick 40, Finello 38: The Public Policy Polling survey commissioned by Dem challenger Christina Finello shows her close to Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, and former VP Biden with a 16 point lead over President Trump.
Turzai Named General Counsel of Peoples Gas: One day after resigning from the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, the former Speaker announced that he will serve as general counsel of Peoples Gas.
Biden to Visit Delco June 17: Former Vice President Joe Biden’s speech on Wednesday in Darby will be on “making sure the country’s reopening is effective, safe, and gets Americans back to work.”
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
AP: Ex-House speaker, a gas industry ally, joins gas utility
AP: Pennsylvania sees 3rd straight day of under 400 infections
AP: Court ordered to look at state police social media policy
AP: Justices say child welfare agency can’t mandate drug testing
AP: Officer seen kicking seated protester suspended, mayor says
AP: Black reporter sues paper over ban on her protest coverage
Spotlight PA: Parts of Pa. reopened without robust coronavirus contact tracing to keep residents safe
Pittsburgh Business Times: Turzai talks about why he chose Peoples for post-politics job
Pittsburgh Business Times: A day after leaving Pennsylvania General Assembly, Turzai has new job
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: W. Pa. Rep. Metcalfe files impeachment articles to ‘remove dictator Wolf’ over pandemic response
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With focus on diversity and inclusion, Pennsylvania rolls out new contractor policies
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Report: Ex-House Speaker Turzai lands a job in the natural gas industry
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: School safety grants to cover laptops, hand sanitizer in 2020
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Shameful!’ 3-day suspension for Erie cop caught on video kicking protester lights up social media
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Bucknell expert: COVID-19 pandemic could mark a lasting change on the way we work
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House Dems call for more federal aid to schools
Patriot News: Pa. lawmaker introduces resolution to impeach Gov. Tom Wolf
Patriot News: Advocates push for Pa. to take action on climate change in a virtual rally
Patriot News: LCB can’t withhold liquor license auction information from state legislator, Pa. court says
Patriot News: ‘We believe there’s a clear and present danger’: Three Mile Island decommissioning in question
Inquirer: Pennsylvania Turnpike toll collectors are blindsided by sudden layoff
Inquirer: Medical marijuana CEOs tout jobs in newly opened dispensaries, count on legalization for adult use
Inquirer: What if students won’t wear masks in class? Professors want assurances that universities will enforce a mandate.
Fox News: Philadelphia family court supervisor fired after video shows him ripping down Black Lives Matter signs
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: 362 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday, the third consecutive day of fewer than 400 new cases
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce resolution calling for impeachment of Gov. Tom Wolf
Post-Gazette: Union miners sue Trump administration over COVID-19 workplace protections
StateImpactPA: Company buying bankrupt PES refinery promises 18,000 jobs in next 10 years
Politico: Lawmakers ask: What’s the coronavirus impact?
PLSReporter: Metcalfe, 24 others formally introduce articles of impeachment against Wolf
PLSReporter: Turzai named general counsel for Pittsburgh-based natural gas company
PLSReporter: COVID-19 by the numbers: A statewide look at the coronavirus in Pa.
Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Kenney announces Juneteenth now an official city holiday
KYW Newsradio: South Philly pro-police demonstrators outraged over reassigned captain; city boxes up Columbus statue
KYW Newsradio: Encampment protesting for homeless rights grows as organizers prepare to send demands to city
KYW Newsradio: The Roots and Michelle Obama team up to make ‘Roots Picnic’ virtual
KYW Newsradio: Mass. man charged for sending ‘vile, racist’ emails to Philly police commissioner
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials warn restaurants to separate tables or risk being shut down again
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Defund the police’: The view from Philly
WHYY Newsworks: Mayor Kenney declares Juneteenth an official Philadelphia holiday
WHYY Newsworks: Company buying bankrupt PES refinery promises 18,000 jobs in next 10 years
WHYY Newsworks: Protesters call to divert police dollars; counter-protesters support South Philly police captain
WHYY Newsworks: Massachusetts man charged for racist, threatening emails sent to Philly Police Commissioner Outlaw
WHYY Newsworks: Delbert Africa, longtime MOVE member recently released from prison, has died
Inquirer: Philly elections officials caught 40 cases of double voting. It’s not fraud, but it’s still a problem.
Inquirer: The fight over South Philly’s Christopher Columbus statue has gone to court: ‘It’s not mob rule’
Inquirer: This is how small businesses affected by looting can get the insurance money they deserve
Inquirer: Philly protests call for defunding police in favor of arts and affordable housing
Inquirer: Philly Mag editor to step down after newsroom discussions on race
Inquirer: Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw was the target of racist threats, U.S. Attorney says
Inquirer: Mayor Kenney declares Juneteenth a city holiday; supporters rally for transferred South Philly police captain
Inquirer: Protest observers say police allowed South Philly Columbus ‘defenders’ to assault them
Inquirer: Philly restaurants that disregard COVID-19 rules could jeopardize outdoor dining, officials warn
Inquirer: Delbert Africa, MOVE member released from prison in January after 41 years, has died
Inquirer: Columbus statue to get ‘boxing apparatus’ to ‘preserve’ it | Morning Newsletter
Billy Penn: Michelle Obama partners with Roots Picnic for virtual concert and voter registration drive
Billy Penn: South Philly police captain removed after Columbus statue protests, amid larger PPD shakeup
Billy Penn: Why Philly Mag’s editor is resigning after 10 years on the job
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia budget hole grows to $749M as officials scramble to finalize spending plan this month
Philadelphia Tribune: Independent investigation to probe Philadelphia police tactics, use of force against protesters
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Mag Editor Announces He’ll Leave at the End of the Summer
Philadelphia Magazine: Feds Charge Man With Threatening Philly Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw
Philadelphia Magazine: Those Assault Rifles Down at the Columbus Statue May Be Perfectly Legal
Philadelphia Business Journal: Here’s how the Philadelphia region ranks for PPP loan approval rate
Philadelphia Business Journal: Roots Picnic organizers recruit Michelle Obama for star-studded virtual event
Philly Voice: Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda to headline virtual broadcast of Roots Picnic on June 27
Philly Voice: Philly officials address encampment protest on Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philly Voice: Man sent racist, threatening emails to Philly police commissioner, feds claim
Philly Voice: Philly’s Christopher Columbus statue boxed up until fate determined
SEPA
Daily Local News: Joe Biden to visit Darby today
Daily Local News: Five seek to replace Rep. Comitta on ballot
Daily Local News: Chester County on target to transition to ‘green’ later this month
Daily Local News: OJR School Board picks Proffitt as new president
Montgomery Media: Crowd gathers in front of Montgomery County courthouse to denounce Gale’s comments
Montgomery Media: Tuesday Update: Montgomery County officials report 18 new coronavirus cases, 1 death
Inquirer: Delaware County forms a task force to reform policing in the suburbs
Delco Daily Times: Joe Biden to visit Darby today
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County forms task force to address criminal justice reform
KYW Newsradio: Delaware County creates task force for criminal justice reform
Bucks County Courier Times: Proposed legislation would make “upskirt” photos of minors a felony in Pa.
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks Health director issues back-to-school guidelines
Pottstown Mercury: New zoning gives green light to ‘green’ energy plant in Pottstown
Pottstown Mercury: Council forgives $237K in taxes, fees, on blighted property
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Health Department provides guidelines for public schools to reopen in the fall
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Business Times: Turzai talks about why he chose Peoples for post-politics job
Pittsburgh Business Times: A day after leaving Pennsylvania General Assembly, Turzai has new job
Pittsburgh Business Times: Greater Pittsburgh Chamber of Commerce applauds SCOTUS gay rights ruling
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Says He Hasn’t ‘Spoken With One Mayor’ Who Thinks It’s A Good Idea ‘To Put Less’ Into Law Enforcement
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto Says Climate Change Is Key Issue In 2020 Presidential Race
KDKA: President Trump References Antwon Rose In Speech Before Signing Executive Order On Police Practices
KDKA: Alexis Johnson Files Lawsuit Against Post-Gazette
KDKA: Ivanka Trump Visits Church, Participates In Food Distribution Event In Pittsburgh
KDKA: Demonstrators Block Intersections During Peaceful Downtown Protest
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 1 New Death, 27 Additional Cases, Bringing Coronavirus Case Total Countywide To 2,113
Post-Gazette: Former Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai takes job as general counsel for Peoples Natural Gas
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh LGBT workplace protections exceeded federal standards for years
Post-Gazette: Labor group holds rally on racial injustice, lack of health protections
Post-Gazette: Zoning an issue in battle over shale gas well proposal at Edgar Thomson site
Post-Gazette: Pa. reports 34 new COVID-19 deaths; 44 new cases in Western Pa.
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh City Council overwhelmed with calls for police reform
Tribune Review: Former Speaker Mike Turzai starts as Peoples’ general counsel
Tribune Review: Western Pa. police chiefs support some reforms in Trump executive order, question others
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh residents decry grant funding for city police
Tribune Review: Scott residents ask commissioner to resign for health secretary comments
City Paper: Antwon Rose’s mother says she ‘can’t stand the lies!’ after denying Trump’s claims he met with her family
City Paper: Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Michael Santiago on why he is leaving the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
City Paper: Photos: Police brutality and environmental racism protest march in Downtown Pittsburgh
City Paper: An extensive list of 2020 Juneteenth events in the Pittsburgh area
City Paper: Post-Gazette sued for allegedly violating civil rights laws when barring Alexis Johnson from protest coverage
City Paper: Scott Township commissioner condemned for transphobic comments concerning Dr. Rachel Levine
WESA: Federal Lawsuit Alleges Post-Gazette Violated Civil Rights Laws In Treatment Of Black Reporter
SWPA
Beaver County Times: Bernstine co-sponsors articles of impeachment against Wolf
Beaver County Times: COVID cases not spiking locally during protests
Beaver County Times: Petrochemical growth in region ‘unlikely,’ academics say
KDKA: Butler Co. State Rep. Introduces 5 Articles Of Impeachment Against Gov. Tom Wolf
KDKA: ‘No Soap, No Masks’: Pa. Dept. Of Health’s Inspection Findings For Brighton Rehab And Wellness Center Leave Family Members Concerned
Altoona Mirror: Blair officials continuing remote meetings amid virus
Altoona Mirror: Council moves meeting on Confederate flag
Tribune Review: Westmoreland officials planning to dole out $30 million in pandemic relief money
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Location of Ebensburg meeting on Confederate flag changed
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Bedford, Indiana counties add positive COVID-19 cases in daily state report
Observer-Reporter: Greene Cove Yacht Club, county commissioners at odds over trail access
Observer-Reporter: Peaceful protest planned for Saturday in Canonsburg
NEPA
Times-Tribune: President’s Son, WaPo Columnist Chime in to Help Bognet in 8th CD Race
Times-Tribune: Scranton revenue could drop by $6-10M as a result of pandemic, officials estimate
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s new business administrator brings private-sector experience to post
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County still in yellow
Times-Tribune: Two more die from COVID-19 in NEPA counties
Citizens Voice: Flood authority solicitor to explore imposing levee fee on all county properties
Citizens Voice: 5 new COVID-19 cases, 1 more death in county
The Times Leader: Brown: Advisory board ‘a work in progress’
The Times Leader: Luzerne County hotel tax revenue declining due to coronavirus travel impact
The Times Leader: State releases reopening guidance for senior centers, adult day centers
The Times Leader: 5 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 1 more death
South Central
LNP | LancasterOnline: Zimmerman signs on with 24 Pa. House reps to impeach Gov. Tom Wolf
LNP | LancasterOnline: $2.5 million available to farmers in Lancaster, York counties for soil retention
Patriot News: ‘We believe there’s a clear and present danger’: Three Mile Island decommissioning in question
Patriot News: Harrisburg grieves loss of another community leader to COVID-19
Patriot News: HACC president concludes COVID makes it too risky for fall return to class
Patriot News: Middletown borough council votes to censure councilman who posted controversial Facebook posts
Patriot News: Harrisburg’s latest Black Lives Matter protest aims to keep the spotlight on push for social justice reforms
Carlisle Sentinel: Auditor general recommends update to state anti-bullying law after audit of Cumberland Valley
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 8 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death reported in Cumberland County
York Dispatch: Attorney: Trump promised probe into death at York County Prison
York Dispatch: York County has 14 new cases of COVID-19
York Daily Record: Trump meets with family of Everett Palmer Jr.
Lehigh Valley
Reading Eagle: Berks lawmaker Barry Jozwiak backs resolution to impeach Gov. Wolf
Reading Eagle: Pennsylvania announces $40 million relief program for dairy farm losses due to coronavirus
Reading Eagle: Berks County has 17 new coronavirus cases and 1 more death, though 2-week average continues to fall
Reading Eagle: Reading doing well with completing capital projects despite pandemic, consultant says
Reading Eagle: Berks County Coroner Dennis Hess announces his retirement with 18 months to go in his term
Express Times: Want to help Bethlehem fight climate change? This meeting is for you.
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: Cases creep toward 80K. Lehigh Valley rates hold steady. U.S. retail sales see record 17.7% rebound. | Pa. COVID-19 county case map (6/16/20)
Express Times: For now, Northampton County Prison is coronavirus-free. How they got there.
Express Times: Gracedale COVID-19 cases down to single digits as testing expands
Morning Call: U.S. Rep. Susan Wild proposes $120 billion in federal aid for smaller, most endangered restaurants
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: 362 new COVID-19 cases reported Tuesday, the third consecutive day of fewer than 400 new cases
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers introduce resolution calling for impeachment of Gov. Tom Wolf
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Rep. Mike Kelly challenges own awareness of racial equality
Erie Times-News: Rep. Brad Roae backs Gov. Tom Wolf’s impeachment
Erie Times-News: Erie Equal members march peacefully at Frontier Park, past mayor’s residence
Erie Times-News: City of Erie’s Michael Outlaw: ‘We need to listen’
Erie Times-News: Erie protester’s lawyer: City’s response ‘maddening’
Erie Times-News: Mercyhurst will provide police sensitivity training
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Shameful!’ 3-day suspension for Erie cop caught on video kicking protester lights up social media
Patriot News: More than 1,000 faculty and other employees raise concerns about Penn State’s fall reopening plans
Centre Daily Times: Resolution aimed at ‘past due’ police reform, racial equality efforts proposed in State College
Centre Daily Times: Philipsburg council member removed from committees after social media comments
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: Centre County adds 6 new cases of COVID-19, and other updates for June 16
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City targets costly, but needed blight removal
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners OK money for ailing businesses
Opinion
Education Secretary Pedro Rivera: Change is needed; inequities in education structures must be dismantled
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Officials must prepare mail-in voting for November
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: FCC ignored China
Inquirer Editorial Board: Supreme Court decision a civil rights victory for LGBT employees
John L. Micek: Pa. is facing a wave of evictions. Two state House lawmakers have a plan to help | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Lawrence A. Feinberg: After 20 years it’s past time for the Legislature to act on cyber-charter school funding reform
Paul Muschick: Why Supreme Court ruling isn’t a bigger victory for LGBTQ people
Andy Metzger: Ideas We Should Steal: Open Checkbook
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Neil Gorsuch steps up for equality
Cynthia Golembeski: Regardless of its length, a prison term is a life sentence for too many Americans. Here’s why
Dan Simpson: Making sense of the Battle of Lafayette Square
Chris Freind: Trump zones out on dismantling Seattle ‘autonomous zone’
Will Bunch Newsletter: Can big protests change the world … on climate?
Trudy Rubin: Trump’s support for Israeli annexation in West Bank will endanger the Jewish state
4 Responses
TurdsEye was the inside man for Peoples Gas for years. Now they are paying him off.
It is beyond mind boggling that Pa is intent on not taxing frackers. It makes no sense to not use companies making money off of the people of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as a source of tax revenue. Our resistance to alternative sources of energy and this infatuation with the past sources is counterproductive.
Natural gas is not a “past source” of energy, it is a current source supplying a larger proportion of the nation’s energy needs than all of your silly fantasies combined. Why don’t you do an investigation and determine how what a percentage of energy generation is reliant upon the much dirtier coal sources and get back to us.
Of course he accepted that role. They don’t even hide it anymore.