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June 22nd Playbook

Gov. Tom Wolf announces that every county except Lebanon will enter the ‘green’ phase. Here is the Playbook.

June 19th Ups & Downs: Police reform is discussed in Harrisburg, infighting arises in the Philadelphia Democratic Party, plus a court rules against a Lebanon County order on medical marijuana. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

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: Wolf loosens restrictions in last of counties except Lebanon
AP: Jobless rate slides back from pandemic peak in Pennsylvania
AP: Lawmakers urged to make police discipline records public 
6 ABC: 6abc Action News Brian Taff interviews Vice President Mike Pence on Black Lives Matter movement, coronavirus
Spotlight PA: Top Pa. GOP lawmaker fast-tracking a lucrative gambling expansion that would benefit a major campaign donor 
Spotlight PA: Mother of Antwon Rose II applauds confidential police hiring database, but does it go far enough? 
Spotlight PA: The deadliest day of the coronavirus in Pa., plus other insights we can glean from the data
Post-Gazette: Both Biden and Trump campaigns put finishing touches on their Pa. strategies 
Post-Gazette: Bringing medical students to the country, a congressman hopes to solve rural physician shortage
Post-Gazette: PA Turnpike switches to cashless system despite struggles to collect mailed bills 
StateImpactPA: Pa. says 2 gas drilling companies committed environmental crimes. Here’s why corporations, not people, are usually charged
Philadelphia Citizen: Winners and Losers From The 2020 Primary 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: 12 more Pa. counties, including Philly, set to enter green phase on June 26, Wolf admin says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A Pa. board is sidelining officers with mental health histories. But advocates say it’s proof of a problematic law.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Feeding the beasts: How a Pa. aquarium and an aviary weathered the COVID-19 crisis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In NEPA, a joyous celebration of Juneteenth — and a call to action 
PLSReporter: Wolf: 66 counties will be in green phase of reopening plan by June 26
PLSReporter: As state reopens, lawmakers weigh whether the governor’s emergency powers need an overhaul
PLSReporter: 365 days after state holiday officially proclaimed, Juneteenth takes on new meaning for lawmakers, residents
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers review legislation to allow counting of mail-in ballots before Election Day 
Patriot News: Juneteenth protesters, some armed, gather peacefully at Pennsylvania Capitol 
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 81,730 cases, 6,423 deaths reported as of Sunday morning 
Fox News: The heroic moves by police officers this week
York Dispatch: Sen. Casey calls for Juneteenth to be declared a federal holiday
Inquirer: Pa. National Guard squad helped with aerial surveillance of Washington protests 
Inquirer: Convenience store chains push to sell alcohol as industry newcomers disrupt the norm
The Hill: Pennsylvania police officer fired over ‘racist and derogatory’ email
KDKA: More Than 4,000 Close Contacts Of Coronavirus Exposure Identified Through Contact Tracing In Pennsylvania 
CNN: Asked repeatedly to say ‘Black lives matter,’ Mike Pence says ‘all lives matter’
CNN: These are the states requiring people to wear masks when out in public

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia region becomes the backdrop for Biden’s presidential campaign
KYW Newsradio: Southeastern Pa. will move to ‘green’ phase on June 26, Wolf says
KYW Newsradio: Hunger crisis remains as Philadelphia area moves toward ‘green’ reopening phase
KYW Newsradio: Students, parents, teachers weigh in on how Philly schools should reopen in the fall
6 ABC: 6abc Action News Brian Taff interviews Vice President Mike Pence on Black Lives Matter movement, coronavirus
Philadelphia Citizen: Winners and Losers From The 2020 Primary 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Southeastern Pennsylvania counties moving to green phase next week  
WHYY Newsworks: ‘This is a protest’: Philly Pride march draws hundreds to rally for Black trans lives
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Say her name’: Protesters seek justice for Black, trans women amid ongoing unrest 
Inquirer: Philly suburbs to move to green next Friday; city to enter a modified green phase 
Inquirer: Black Lives Matter marches continue in Philadelphia, hundreds turn out for Breonna Taylor and Dominique ‘Rem’mie’ Fells 
Inquirer: Rename Taney Street in Philly is the latest campaign to erase a racist past 
Inquirer: The loss of Hahnemann resonates a year later as COVID-19 and Black Lives Matter protests roil Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Juneteenth celebrations fill the city and region, alongside protests against police brutality and racism 
Inquirer: Man accused of sending racist threats to Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw will be jailed until trial 
Inquirer: On Father’s Day, protesters call for love, justice and fairness on the 23rd straight day of protest in Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Whole Foods employees demand right to show support for Black Lives Matter; Philly Queer March attracts hundreds; fathers honor George Floyd and other men 
Inquirer: Whole Foods employees demanding the right to wear Black Lives Matter apparel at work  
Inquirer: Independence Park, Valley Forge, Pinelands could benefit from bill with billions for conservation
Inquirer: The despair of being a black cop in Philly: ‘We’re ostracized from two sides’
Philly Voice: Philly City Council approves housing act extending eviction moratorium 
Philly Voice: Philly artist’s George Floyd protest photography featured in The New Yorker 
Philly Voice: Philly residents call for Taney Street to be renamed
Philadelphia Tribune: A call to rename Philly street named for slavery defender
Philadelphia Tribune: ‘Say Her Name’: Protesters seek justice for Black, trans women
Philadelphia Tribune: Community leaders talk race, Columbus statue in South Philly
Philadelphia Tribune: Major corporations make Juneteenth a company holiday 
Billy Penn: PAFA tells faculty not to affiliate the school with Black Lives Matter movement

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: Poll: Finello edging closer to Fitzpatrick for 1st Congressional seat
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County police chiefs to discuss policing following COVID-19, George Floyd death
Bucks County Courier Times: County’s Marseglia calls on planning commission member to resign over controversial posts
Bucks County Courier Times: Middletown supervisors: We support Black Lives Matter, but not defunding township police 
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield could fetch up to $56M for sewer system
Bucks County Courier Times: Gannett starts up capitol bureau for Pennsylvania
Daily Local News: Complaints over vote in 167th House Dist. made by Kerslake camp
Daily Local News: What going green will mean in Chester County
Daily Local News: June 22 Update: Department of Health reports a 2-day total of 968 new coronavirus cases to bring total to 81,730
Bucks Local News: GOING GREEN: Bucks among 12 counties moving to COVID-19 green reopening phase on June 26
Bucks Local News: Marseglia seeks resignation of Bucks County Planning Board member, citing online posts
Inquirer: Philly suburbs to move to green next Friday; city to enter a modified green phase 
Pottstown Mercury: NAACP wants answers in months-old New Hanover police racism probe
Delco Daily Times: Juneteenth is a day of celebration and education in Delaware County
Delco Daily Times: ‘Destroy the system of racism:’ Peaceful protests marches through Glenolden
Delco Daily Times: Video gambling pushed as possible lifeboat for bars

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Local Democrats push for wider safety net, want state to ‘re-imagine’ policies quickly
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council committee hears arguments on paid leave law 
Post-Gazette: Calls increase to remove police officers from Pittsburgh Public Schools; rally planned today 
Post-Gazette: A joke no longer? Infrastructure gains steam as Congress looks to economy 
Post-Gazette: Voter registration remains stable in Pennsylvania through the pandemic 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh region marks Juneteenth with celebrations of history, calls for action 
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County reports 17 new cases of COVID-19 and 0 new deaths 
WESA: Community Members Remember Antwon Rose On Juneteenth 
WESA: New Report Gives Initial Snapshot Into Shutdown’s Impact On Regional Labor Market 
WESA: Pittsburgh Airport’s On-Hold New Terminal Is Getting A Post-Pandemic Design
WESA: Antwon Rose Key To Advancing ‘Long Fight’ For Racial Justice, Organizer Christian Carter Says
KDKA: Organizations Plan To Protest The Use Of Police Officers At Pittsburgh Public Schools 
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Distributes Thousands Of Meals To Children, Seniors Amid Coronavirus Pandemic 
KDKA: Hundreds Gather For Peaceful Rally In Downtown Pittsburgh For The Fourth Saturday In A Row 
KDKA: Hundreds Gather For Black Lives Matter Rally In Canonsburg 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 17 New Coronavirus Cases, Bringing County Total To 2,175
Tribune Review: 3rd ‘Civil Saturday’ demonstration takes place in front of Pittsburgh’s City-County Building 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County reports 17 more covid-19 cases, 2 new hospitalizations 
Tribune Review: Protests bring ‘moment of hope’ after decades of racial justice rallies in Pittsburgh, region
City Paper: Allegheny County Council considers removing email comments after receiving hundreds in response to proposed tear-gas ban 
City Paper: Pittsburgh’s first two BLM protests led to dozens of arrests; about 90% of those charges have been dropped 
City Paper: Photos: March for Juneteenth: Direct Action
City Paper: Photos: Hundreds attend balloon release and march honoring life and legacy of Antwon Rose II 
City Paper: Hundreds march to Pittsburgh’s City-County Building in support Black trans lives
Pittsburgh Business Times: Allegheny County: Masks required by state inside businesses 

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bartolotta’s Criminal Justice Reform Caucus begins tackling police reforms 
Beaver County Times: Through the glass: Despite drop in cases, long-term care facility visits still restricted 
Beaver County Times: Gannett forms Capitol bureau for Pennsylvania; Times reporter part of team
Beaver County Times: Wolf signs bill requiring report on primary election
Observer-Reporter: Activists meet with local leaders to discuss race 
Observer-Reporter: Washington, Greene reports 11 new COVID cases 
Observer-Reporter: Peaceful protesters take to streets of Canonsburg
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reports 11 new covid-19 cases, no new deaths
Post-Gazette: Inspection at Beaver County nursing home found residents were in ‘Immediate Jeopardy’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Bedford, Clearfield counties add 3 COVID-19 cases each in latest state report
Altoona Mirror: Burns: $150 million available for schools
Altoona Mirror: Martinsburg ag parade on again

NEPA
Times-Tribune: If money talks, Bognet reduced to whispers 
Times-Tribune: Juneteenth Jubilee celebrates Black freedom at Nay Aug 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna, Susquehanna going green on June 26 
Times-Tribune: Wright Center’s graduate program receives more than $6 million 
Times-Tribune: Region sees COVID-19 case-count increase by 12 on Sunday
Citizens Voice: Dozens march for Black Lives Matter in W-B
Citizens Voice: ‘Perfect storm’ led to challenges for primary
Citizens Voice: District judge faces harassment citation
Citizens Voice: W-B mayor: Body cam initiative will ‘come to fruition’
Citizens Voice: Policy on filing police complaints not always clear
Citizens Voice: Council to vote on settlement in jail death suit
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre City Hall reopening Monday 
Citizens Voice: County adds 11 COVID-19 cases; no new deaths 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In NEPA, a joyous celebration of Juneteenth — and a call to action 
The Times Leader: Meuser co-introduces bill to support lending to infrastructure projects
The Times Leader: House Democrats put forth vision for a more just, stronger Pennsylvania
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre City Hall to reopen to the public on Monday
The Times Leader: Juneteenth celebration held on Public Square
The Times Leader: District Judge cited with harassment; President judge reassigns criminal cases
The Times Leader: Senate hearings focus on law enforcement/criminal justice issues
The Times Leader: Slain Exeter Township supervisor mourned
The Times Leader: Restaurants, patrons rejoice as Luzerne County goes to green
The Times Leader: 3 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County

South Central 
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon officials say Gov. Wolf should be ignored after he keeps only their county yellow
Patriot News: Lebanon County Republicans call Gov. Wolf ‘dictator,’ ‘loser’ after not moving to green phase
Patriot News: Lebanon County officials, business people seeing red over staying yellow in state’s reopening plan 
Patriot News: Carlisle car show goes on with ‘smaller,’ but ‘excited’ crowd, event spokesman says
Patriot News: Juneteenth protesters, some armed, gather peacefully at Pennsylvania Capitol 
Patriot News: Amid racial reckoning, Harrisburg remembers neighborhood razed to make room for Capitol
Patriot News: ‘Enough is enough:’ Weekend protests in Harrisburg highlight Black history, lack of opportunity for community
Patriot News: Some wearing Juneteenth shirts said they were denied service at Dockside Willies restaurant
Patriot News: York County nursing home sees spike in cases, increased testing likely reason
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 81,730 cases, 6,423 deaths reported as of Sunday morning
Patriot News: CBS21 anchor Robb Hanrahan’s wife provides update, says he’s ‘still on life support in ICU’
York Dispatch: Alone in ‘yellow’ phase: Lebanon County lawmakers tell constituents to ignore Wolf
York Dispatch: Sunday update: 41 new cases of COVID-19 in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: Mechanicsburg rally highlights need for historical reckoning with race
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 18 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County over the weekend
LNP | LancasterOnline: East Lampeter police chief addresses department’s use of force policies 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Both parents work in nursing homes, then one got COVID-19: How this Manor. Twp. family relied on God during the pandemic
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sunday’s COVID-19 updates: Lancaster County prepares to move to ‘green’ phase, total cases in the state hits 81,266
York Daily Record: ‘Giant step forward’: York County to create two diversity, equity and inclusion positions 
York Daily Record: Gannett forms state capitol bureau for Pennsylvania
York Daily Record: Love and unity shape Chambersburg’s Juneteenth

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Federal lawmakers call for transparency about coronavirus risk at Berks County Residential Center
Reading Eagle: Berks County moving to least restrictive coronavirus green phase in a week
Reading Eagle: Berks Patriots organize overpass rally to support law enforcement
Reading Eagle: Black Lives Matter supporters rally on Main Street in Fleetwood
Morning Call: ‘We are not OK:’ Allentown community members discuss white supremacy during virtual town hall
Morning Call: Juneteenth observers in Allentown, Bethlehem say recent uprising against structural racism is just the beginning
Morning Call: Allentown protesters join national chorus calling for cities to defund police departments
Morning Call: Locked out in East Penn, Zoom bombed in Bethlehem Township: Virtual meetings raise Sunshine Act issues
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 464 new cases; including four deaths
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley gets green light to lift additional restrictions on businesses, gatherings next Friday
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: 526 new infections statewide as last of counties set to move to green phase next week, except Lebanon
Morning Call: Monitor your credit, police advise, as pandemic unemployment fraud pops up in the Lehigh Valley
Express Times: ‘Zoom-bombing’ brings porn, racial slurs and more to Lehigh Valley government meetings
Express Times: A Juneteenth candlelight vigil for George Floyd illuminates Allentown (PHOTOS)
Express Times: Northampton County businesses to secure $28M grant in pandemic relief funds
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 464 new COVID-19 cases as state nears 82K total

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending June 19
Erie Times-News: On Juneteenth, Erie marchers rally, kneel for justice
Erie Times-News: Jefferson report featuring Gannon professor examines systemic racism
Erie Times-News: Erie police officer fired over email about race, protests
Erie Times-News: Transcript: Former Erie Police Sgt. Jeff Annunziata’s email 
Erie Times-News: Erie’s Juneteenth: ‘It’s beyond celebration’
Centre Daily Times: State College NAACP hosts area’s first-ever Juneteenth celebration
Centre Daily Times: Reopening updates: No new COVID-19 cases in Centre County, and other updates for June 21 
Post-Gazette: Erie County finally will enter green phase, reopen June 26
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Businesses get relief from pandemic’s pain through grants, loans
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City has loans for pandemic-hit businesses
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County one new COVID-19 case

Opinion  
Jordan Harris, Matt Bradford, and Frank Dermody: We can’t address racial injustice in Pa. without fixing our unfair public school funding system
Kristin Phillips-Hill: State laws and rules should apply to everyone – including the governor
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The law was clear 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Peace through farming 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Athletic eligibility 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Social media backtrack 
Mark O’Keefe: To avoid a crisis on Election Day, Pa. needs to count its mail-in ballots much sooner 
Tim Hartman: The Pa. GOP masterplan, revealed | Editorial Cartoon
Paul Muschick: Summer vacation? Why the Pennsylvania Legislature shouldn’t take one
Paul Muschick: Amid calls for police reform, Bethlehem police went beyond call of duty
Chris Kelly: Like Dimock, Keystone expansion is a preventable disaster
JD Mullane: Seeking a haircut in the Wolf Zone
Keith C. Burris: The cracked foundation
Brian O’Neill: Defund the police? No. Reform? Yes.
David M. Shribman: Polls don’t predict winners, but they do highlight issues
Gene Therapy: Tulsa rally Trump’s worst idea yet, and that’s saying something
Charles D. Ellison: Reality Check: In Policing, Prevention Is The Best Medicine 
John L. Micek: For Juneteenth, we’re ceding the floor | Friday Morning Coffee
Rob Tornoe: Cartoon: With Columbus under scrutiny, the explorer who beat him should get his due
Bethany Watson-Ostrowski: I tried not to be an ‘angry Black woman’ in the suburbs. But I have reasons to be angry. | Perspective
Helen Ubiñas: Their sons died behind bars. They hope the public outcry for police reform reaches prisons 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Statues in context
Gregg Sangillo: Financially depending on my wife is making me rethink gender roles | Perspective
Will Bunch: Not worth impeaching AG William Barr? America’s shattered democracy can’t afford not to. 
Joseph N. DiStefano: The leaders of Pa.’s giant school pension plan are stumped by how to invest in this economy
Bruce Ledewitz: Racism is white people’s fault. It’s our responsibility to end it 
Maria Panaritis: Boston stock investor shares heartfelt message for his old Upper Darby teachers
Julian Agyeman and Kofi Boone: Land loss has plagued Black America since emancipation. Is it time to look again at ‘Black commons?’
Gregory B. Fairchild: From grandfather to grandson, the lessons of the Tulsa race massacre

11 Responses

  1. Gov Wolf and Dr Levine disrupted many lives and businesses in the name of protecting the health of the people.
    But they let the casinos open with cigarette smoking, just take off mask and smoke. No matter that secondhand smoking causes cancer, affects the respiratory system every bit as bad as the virus. Where are you to stop that, Gov? Levine? Guess the casino money more important now than saving lives? Not using your emergency powers now, when they are needed to protect thousands of employees and patrons?

  2. Hezbollah, funny. Maybe if you cared about people getting their butts back to work and funding the state (the only reason you would seem to care about getting back to work, really), you would pay attention to the fact that we face a shortfall due to the Governor’s clownish actions.

  3. The Pa Republican Party did nothing but play politics every step of the way with Gov Wolf’s handling of Covid-19. They wanted to have County Commissioners declare if a county was ready to leave virus restrictions. They had Rep Metcafe start removal process. They were always criticizing the Sec of Health during this covid-19 process. This bitter endless and tiresome partisanship has done nothing but try to impede the work of the Gov during a once in a 100 year pandemic.

    1. LOL. More like Wolf did nothing but play politics by acting like a petty tyrant. The only reason we have so many cases is he sent infected people back to homes so they could infect more people.

      You should be ANGRY at Wolf (and his health secretary who removed his mother from homes nice and conveniently) for killing people.

      He should be impeached for his tyranny and death of so many innocent people.

        1. Where precisely are all of these caves you’re telling people to return to in your comments? Do you think this quip is as funny to other people as you yourself clearly believe it is?

    2. Governor Jeep assumed emergency powers for . . . a THREE MONTH emergency? He didn’t even have the courtesy to inform the legislature that he was issuing the stay at home order with more than two hours advance notice.

      And you don’t think someone assuming emergency executive powers with no input from the Legislature deserves a smidge of criticism? How about his Quasimodo in pearls – someone clearly unwell, lecturing the Commonwealth about the citizens’ health. This man, and his sideshow sidekick, are disgusting.

  4. Lebanon County officials are clowns. Maybe if they focused on getting their businesses to social distance instead of calling this a hoax they’d be in the green.

    1. OR maybe they did the right thing and Wolf is punishing them by acting like a child.

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