The GOP selects a businessman to run for the vacant state House seat previously held by Rep. Fred Keller, while budget talks continue in Harrisburg. Here is the Playbook.

June 14th Ups & Downs: The Governor vows to veto a bill that expands taxpayer support to private and religious schools, a bill dealing with nurse practitioners overwhelmingly passes the Senate, while super PACs are making an entrance in the state prior to the 2020 election. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC  
AP: Pennsylvania has a surplus, and lots of budget patches, too
AP: Judge: UPMC’s 5-year deal with Highmark can’t be extended
AP: Traffic deaths up in 2018 in Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Pa. working to pass a $34B budget this month. Will the minimum wage be increased?
Inquirer: Trump asks Lockheed Martin CEO to save Coatesville plant that makes White House helicopters and employs 465
Inquirer: Uber is discriminating against disabled riders, Pennsylvania lawsuit claims
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s 14 state universities release number of professors who have applied for phased retirement
WITF: Pa. senate Republicans still don’t want to fund Wolf’s voting machine upgrades
WITF: Wolf meets with protesters outside his home to talk General Assistance
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Republicans pick Lewisburg businessman to run for House seat formerly held by Rep. Fred Keller
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Who gets Pennsylvania’s educational tax credits, and who gets money? Search the EITC data yourself.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: EITC, explained: How Pennsylvania’s educational tax credits are used, who benefits, and more
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As Pennsylvania’s budget deadline approaches, is a minimum wage increase still on the table?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Gov. Wolf renews Pa.’s opioid disaster declaration for the sixth time
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania aims to become top organic producing state in country
PLSReporter: 5 bills to watch for the week of June 17
PLSReporter: Wolf signs sixth opioid disaster deceleration renewal
PLSReporter: CPR curriculum signed into law
PLSReporter: Commonwealth Courts rule Attorney General can’t prevent UPMC/Highmark Split
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Restore PA through video gaming terminals, state store cannabis and drinking water carcinogens
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 11: Can you hear me now?
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania regulators launch broad effort to rethink pipeline safety
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf asked to investigate possible link between Pa. fracking, childhood cancers
Post-Gazette: Study: An increasing number of Pa. kids living in high-poverty areas
StateImpactPA: How would a wastewater spill affect shellfish in Delaware Bay? Scientest are using red dye in streams to find out
StateImpactPA: PUC launches review of safety regulations on hazardous liquids pipelines
StateImpactPA: Delaware River Basin commission confirms plan to build LNG export terminal at new South Jersey port
Philadelphia Magazine: The Best Thing That Happened This Week: Rick Santorum Clears Up That Whole Bitcoin Business for Us
Patriot News: Are the kids all right? Pennsylvania has some work to do to improve children’s lives, report says
Patriot News: Medical marijuana rollout marked by ‘significant errors and irregularities,’ records show
Reading Eagle: A good week for 20 of the 23 Democrats running for president
Morning Call: Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick wants Congress to have to vote on any increases to their paychecks

Philadelphia   
Philadelphia Tribune: Ballot question could help Black, minority businesses win more city contracts
Billy Penn: Philly’s getting 2 new gas plants — unless neighbors can stop them
Inquirer: U.S. attorney pushes back against Philadelphia supervised injection site’s religious liberty argument
Inquirer: Philly courts’ website, e-filing still down for 4th week
Inquirer: ‘A man who built bridges’: Philadelphia deputy sheriff eulogized
WHYY Newsworks: Bills would boost gender-neutral bathroom access at Philly City Hall, charter schools  
WHYY Newsworks: Congress eyes ban on firefighting foams that have tainted drinking water in the Philly region  
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia City Council approves PGW’s $60 million liquified natural gas plant
Philadelphia Magazine: The So-Philly Tale of How the City Nearly Sold My House Without Telling Me
Philadelphia Business Journal: Inquirer employees fear layoffs after tepid interest in buyout offers
KYW Newsradio: Proposed legislation aims to make Philly’s trans and gender non-conforming youth feel safe
KYW Newsradio: Activists hold Trump protest, Mueller report reading at Independence Mall
KYW Newsradio: Crowds gathered in Center City to advocate, celebrate Disability Pride
KYW Newsradio: Curb cuts: Why Italian Market merchants are asking City Council to ban them
KYW Newsradio: There won’t be a bay window ban in Point Breeze after all
SEPA
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan welcomes Trump to help her fight to save Sikorsky jobs
Daily Local News: Chester County officials act to minimize impact of Sikorsky closure
Daily Local News: Muth applauds funding initiative to reduce gun violence
Daily Local News: Dinniman discusses legislative efforts to battle Alzheimer’s
Daily Local News: 100 activists gather at Chester County rally for Trump impeachment
Daily Local News: Killion bill would allow digital transfer of wills, trusts
Daily Local News: Chesco crime prevention gets $1.25 million boost in federal funding
Daily Local News: Blogger paints worst-case scenario for pipeline tragedy
Inquirer: ‘Political stunt’ or ethics reform? Delaware County Council spars over status quo in the suburbs
Philadelphia Magazine: Drag Queen Storytime in Haverford Township Attracts National Opposition
Bucks Local News: State Senator Steve Santarsiero cuts the ribbon on his new district office in Newtown
Delco Daily Times: Wolf still pushing plan to slap fee on towns that rely on state police
Delco Daily Times: Hundreds turn out for Drag Queen Storytime in Haverford
Bucks County Courier Times: Defense bill includes funding for PFAS cleanup, phaseout
Pottstown Mercury: Comitta named West Chester University Legislative Fellow

Pittsburgh
WESA: Policing A Key Issue Among Allegheny County Council Hopefuls
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf asked to investigate possible link between Pa. fracking, childhood cancers
Post-Gazette: Court ruling: Highmark members lose UPMC access June 30
Post-Gazette: Righting a wrong: New park over I-579 to reconnect Downtown and the Hill District
Post-Gazette: Study: An increasing number of Pa. kids living in high-poverty areas
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Announces Urban Connector Project
KDKA: Property Tax & Rent Rebate Program Deadline Extended
Tribune Review: How residents grapple with life in the shadows of U.S. Steel’s Clairton Plant
Pittsburgh Business Times: Casey expects UPMC/Highmark agreements in ‘days, not weeks’
Pittsburgh Business Times: Why judge’s latest ruling isn’t the end of the UPMC-Highmark saga
Pittsburgh Business Times: Commonwealth court sides with UPMC on June 30 end date to consent decrees
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s what UPMC, Highmark told Casey about Medicare Advantage, Hillman

SWPA
Beaver County Times: State Sen. Camera Bartolotta’s bill on nurse practitioners again passes Senate
Beaver County Times: State Sen. Elder Vogel Jr.’s bill delaying emissions equipment upgrade passes committee
Beaver County Times: Egley: Shift vet center money to fund VA transport
Observer-Reporter: Ortitay proposes change in disbursement of school safety money
Observer-Reporter: Cecil supervisor takes colleagues to court over law firm firing
KDKA: Religious Leaders In Westmoreland County Object To ‘Drag Queen Bingo’ Fundraisers
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Big believer in second chances’: Former Bedford DA Higgins aims to ‘move the ball forward’ after criminal charges, disbarment
Altoona Mirror: Senate OKs emissions bills

NEPA
The Times Leader:Barletta not ruling out 8th Congressional District run
The Times Leader: Potential new Luzerne County voting machines under review
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Councilman Harry Haas said River Common looking better
The Times Leader: List of local opioid suits growing
The Times Leader: Ex-Brown campaign staffer to Councilman Brooks: ‘We are coming after you’
The Times Leader: Cartwright rally in WB seeks support for health care bill
The Times Leader: Capitol Roundup: Sen. Toomey introduces bill allowing schools to offer whole milk to kids
Citizens Voice: Cartwright lacks challengers so far
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre employee overtime rose 67% in 3 years
Times-Tribune: Experts, officials give cybersecurity tips after Luzerne County attack

South Central  
Patriot News: Hearing on state takeover of Harrisburg schools to begin this morning
Patriot News: Old enough to marry? Or buy cigarettes? Age matters in bills before Pa. lawmakers
Patriot News: Harrisburg School Board holds executive meeting hours before hearing on state takeover
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council notes: Candland resignation official, nuisance ordinance passed
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County president judge at traffic stop: ‘You better check the registration on this plate soon’

Lehigh Valley    
Morning Call: Out of the spotlight, Pennsylvania Congresswoman Susan Wild sidesteps Capitol Hill drama, so far
Morning Call: Lehigh County Authority eases commissioners’ concerns on 43-year extension
Morning Call: Allen Township plans limits on fireworks
Reading Eagle: Berks area lawmaker’s call to censure Rep. Brian Sims gets louder
Reading Eagle: Berks lawmakers talk about minimum wage, education and welfare to work at legislative breakfast
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners face questions about future of Allegheny Aqueduct Park
Express Times: Impeach Trump rally draws dozens, and 1 counter-protester who calls him ‘greatest president since Ronald Reagan’

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie not alone: Other cities not reimbursed for Trump rallies
Erie Times-News: Sen. Dan Laughlin seeks tougher smoking ban for Pennsylvania
Erie Times-News: Vote nears on voting machines in Erie County
Erie Times-News: Erie City Council to hear from financial consultant
Erie Times-News: State representatives announce $1.3 million in grants for Erie County programs
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Constance Snyder: A trailblazer in local politics

Opinion  
Inquirer Staff: What does ‘reentry’ into society after prison mean? Here’s what people living it have to say
Inquirer Editorial Board: It’s up to the states to protect our drinking water
Inquirer Editorial Board: Lead poisoning is a crisis Philadelphia can actually fix
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A middle way on guns: Closing background check gap is a place to start
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Workers wanted: Allegheny County lags in gearing up for career-focused jobs
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Closing down Riverbend: Greed and political indifference make a lethal cocktail
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Hong Kong on edge: Huge protests reflect angst over China’s meddling
John L. Micek: Pa.’s Fitzpatrick backs bill to permanently pay for Land Water Conservation Fund | Friday Morning Coffee
Aryanna Berringer: Simple math: A $15 minimum wage won’t make anyone rich. But it is a livable wage
Kevin Sunday: Regulatory reform is a key step in moving Pa.’s economy forward
Tim Hartman: So what’s happening with Daylin Leach’s political support anyway? | Editorial Cartoon
Will Bunch: 4 years since Trump came down that escalator and the cycle of empty outrage has become unbearable
Christopher Paslay: Diversity training shouldn’t be based on flawed implicit bias research
Paul Muschick: On veterans health care: Access to more private doctors, urgent care is good news
Lawrence Feinberg: Pa. needs more money for public schools. Not tax credits for private schools
Keith C. Burris: Not the first to punt
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Facebook friending
David M. Shribman: The president courts double trouble
Trudy Rubin: Campaign help from Russia? Trump says it’s no problem
Michael J. Cozzillio: How many times are Republicans going to give Trump a mulligan?
Derek M. Griffith and Elizabeth C. Stewart: Father’s Day 2019: Fathers need to care for themselves as well as their kids – but often don’t
Tony Norman: Sorry means sometimes having to admit you’re racist
Jenice Armstrong: Father’s Day Rally Committee still promoting black fatherhood after 30 years
Mike Newall: After her father was murdered, she vowed to get the education he never could. Now she’s a two-time Fulbright scholar.
Eric Westbrook: ‘I’m living for more than myself’: One dad’s commitment to good health on Father’s Day
Joseph N. DiStefano: Do those born in the U.S. deserve citizenship? The Federalist Society thinks it’s debatable
Ruth Ann Dailey: What would Teddy do?
Jenice Armstrong: Man’s compassionate response after brutal attack by teens in Old City is a lesson in civility
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philly goes to pot