State Sen. David Argall is calling for an audit of Pennsylvania’s election results in 2020, while  eight of the nine members of the state’s GOP congressional delegation have formally endorsed Lisa Scheller’s 2022 campaign for the 7th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook. 

8 of 9 GOP Congressmen Back Scheller: Eight of the nine members of the state’s GOP congressional delegation have formally endorsed Lisa Scheller’s 2022 campaign for the 7th Congressional District.

Argall Calls for PA Election Audit: State Sen. David Argall, Chair of the Senate State Government Committee, told Spotlight PA that he backs an effort in Pennsylvania that is similar to the effort pushed by Republicans in Arizona.

Reader Poll: Who Should Democrats Nominate for U.S. Senate in 2022?: Sen. Pat Toomey’s decision to not seek a third term opened the floodgates of Democratic U.S. Senate hopefuls. The field is still forming, but chatter about the pivotal seat is well underway among politicos. The poll will close at 12:00 PM on June 24.

‘Election overhaul bill moves out of Pa. House, despite Gov. Wolf declaring it dead on arrival’: PennLive reports “The state House of Representatives has passed controversial legislation that would overhaul many aspects of how Pennsylvania conducts its elections – including adding early in-person voting and curbside and Internet voting for disabled voters.”

‘Panel agrees to put guardrails on how Pa. lawmakers draw congressional maps, but not their own’: Spotlight PA reports “a key state Senate committee agreed Tuesday to put guardrails on how Pennsylvania lawmakers draw congressional maps, while stripping out proposed limits on how the General Assembly’s own districts are drawn.”

‘Public schools will be a primary, year-one beneficiary of Pa.’s share of American Rescue Act dollars’: PennLive reports that “it looks like public education will be one of the big winners in Pennsylvania’s emerging state budget plan, thanks to Washington D.C.”

‘Pa. House sets up vote on barring COVID-19 vaccine requirements at colleges, government facilities’: PennLive reports “The Pennsylvania House of Representatives could vote as early as Wednesday on a bill that would outlaw strict COVID-19 vaccination requirements at all state or local government and higher education facilities.”

‘Pa. Senate passes bill to let local police use radar for speed enforcement’: PennLive reports that “a bill allowing municipal police across Pennsylvania to use radar guns for speed enforcement details passed the state Senate Tuesday on a 49-1 vote.”

‘Serious racial disparities’ in Pennsylvania juvenile court’: The Associated Press reports “Pennsylvania locks up far too many first-time and low-level youth offenders, with Black youth in particular disproportionately yanked from their homes and prosecuted as adults, according to a governmental task force that made recommendations on Tuesday to reform juvenile justice in the state.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans reach a deal to revive a powerful Pa. charter-school panel’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf and state Senate Republicans have reached a deal on reviving a powerful panel that can overturn local decisions to reject new charter schools or close existing ones.”

‘Rep. Fred Keller urges full reopening of House of Representatives to public’: The Williamsport Sun-Gazette reports that Rep. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) said “this week he stands by a recent statement he made throwing his support behind the full reopening of the House of Representatives.”

Sainato ‘Defends $1.8 Million in Taxpayer-Paid Expenses’: State Rep. Chris Sainato (D-Lawrence) told KDKA political editor Jon Delano that the $1.8 million in taxpayer-paid expenses during his 26 years in office is all perfectly legitimate. 

‘Argall says he had call from Trump, agrees audit could restore public’s faith in election process’: The Pottsville Republican Herald reports that state Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) “said he had a call from former President Donald Trump” after the senator announced his support for an audit of Pennsylvania’s election results. 

‘GOP Senate candidate Jeff Bartos donated to and praised Democrats in past, challenger Sean Parnell responds’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports “The Republican primary contest for Pennsylvania’s open U.S. Senate seat is just a few months old, but it’s already testing candidates on who can be seen as more conservative and who is more aligned with former President Donald Trump.”

‘Retiring Toomey looms large over Senate transport bill’: Roll Call reports that “the fate of the Senate’s surface transportation reauthorization bill might lie in part in the hands of a retiring Republican senator who has emerged as one of Congress’ most outspoken critics of transit.”

‘GOP committees are at odds over skill game contributions’: City & State PA reports that “two political committees dedicated to electing Republican state lawmakers are split over what to do with campaign contributions from a political action committee connected to manufacturers of so-called “skill games.”

KGR Talks to City & State PA: Philadelphia City Councilwoman Katherine Gilmore Richardson talked to City & State PA about how she is “attempting to lead the charge on workforce development by pushing to connect employees to new opportunities.” 

‘Clergy, teachers rally outside Martin’s district office to equitably fund Lancaster’s public schools’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports “Clergy and public school advocates from around Lancaster County piled onto the porch of state Sen. Scott Martin’s new district office in Strasburg to urge the Republican lawmaker to use his Senate Education Committee chairmanship to ensure equitable funding for the state’s public schools, a goal the advocates called a “moral imperative.”

‘Meet the new Philly budget. Same as the old budget.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Philadelphia ended up with a largely status quo budget despite huge political pressure to make something more of an extraordinary moment.”

‘How Philly will spend $155 million to stop surging violence’: Billy Penn reports that “as Philadelphia officials prepare to approve what they say is a historic commitment to anti-violence funding City Council and Mayor Jim Kenney’s administration are forming a new committee to evaluate the effectiveness of anti-violence grant spending.”

‘Pennsylvania’s Fetterman uses old mullet photo to fundraise’: The Hill reports that Lt. Gov. John Fetterman, who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for U.S. Senate, sent out a fundraising email on Tuesday that included an old picture of him with a mullet. 

‘Luzerne County Chief Solicitor Romilda Crocamo named acting county manager’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports “Luzerne County Chief Solicitor Romilda Crocamo will oversee the county as acting manager until a permanent manager is selected, a county council majority decided Tuesday evening.”

‘Luzerne County Democrats seek prospective DA candidates’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports the “Luzerne County’s Democratic Party is seeking lawyers interested in running for county district attorney in the Nov. 2 general election.”

‘Reading City Council wants additional oversight on how $61 million in federal funding is spent’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading is expected to receive more than $61 million from the American Rescue Plan passed by Congress this year and City Council wants to make sure every cent is accounted for and spent properly. Council President Jeffrey S. Waltman Sr. said council wants to implement a policy that requires council approval to spend any of the rescue plan money.”

‘Berks County commissioners vote to lift county’s COVID emergency declaration’: The Reading Eagle reports that “after more than 15 months under an emergency declaration put in place in response to the COVID pandemic, the Berks County commissioners voted Tuesday to lift the order starting next week.”

‘Mike Reese Memorial 5K will help establish foundation in late lawmaker’s memory’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that the Mike Reese Memorial 5K Roast, Run & Family Fun event is set to take place on July 4 at Mammoth Park. 

Wild to Host Facebook Live on Housing and Rental Assistance: Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) will be hosting a Facebook Live conversation on Wednesday evening starting at 7 PM on “housing and rental assistance provided as part of the American Rescue Plan, ahead of the expected June 30th expiration of the federal eviction moratorium.”

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: GOP voting law bill clears state House amid Wolf veto threat
AP: ‘Serious racial disparities’ in Pennsylvania juvenile court
AP: Pennsylvania Senate OKs local police using radar for speed enforcement, with limits
Spotlight PA: Panel agrees to put guardrails on how Pa. lawmakers draw congressional maps, but not their own 
Spotlight PA: As Pa. House advances doomed election overhaul, Senate GOP charts different course to voter ID, other changes
Patriot News: Election overhaul bill moves out of Pa. House, despite Gov. Wolf declaring it dead on arrival 
Patriot News: Pa. Senate confirms Gov. Tom Wolf’s picks to lead education, labor departments
Patriot News: Public schools will be a primary, year-one beneficiary of Pa.’s share of American Rescue Act dollars 
Patriot News: Pa. House sets up vote on barring COVID-19 vaccine requirements at colleges, government facilities
Patriot News: Pa. Senate passes bill to let local police use radar for speed enforcement 
Patriot News: New Pa. chamber for Black-owned business launches 
Patriot News: For first time in months, no counties in Pa. have high spread of COVID-19
Patriot News: COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations dwindle in Pa.
Inquirer: Gov. Tom Wolf and Republicans reach a deal to revive a powerful Pa. charter-school panel
Inquirer: Longtime C-SPAN host Steve Scully leaving the network after three decades
Inquirer: Defender of big pension fund fires back against critics
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP election bill with voter ID, tighter mail-in ballot deadlines passes Pa. House 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Senate Democrats’ voting rights push stalls in the face of GOP opposition; Pa.’s Toomey votes to block 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Poll: Majority of Pennsylvanians think slot revenue should be reallocated from horse racing industry 
Roll Call: Retiring Toomey looms large over Senate transport bill
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House passes major election changes including pre-canvassing, photo ID despite veto threat from Gov. Wolf
Morning Call: Pennsylvania isn’t the only state to consider extending last call. Here are the commonwealth’s laws and why science says they should stay that way
City Paper: GOP Senate candidate Jeff Bartos donated to and praised Democrats in past, challenger Sean Parnell responds
City & State PA: GOP committees are at odds over skill game contributions
City & State PA: Philly Councilwoman KGR is leading the charge on workforce development
KDKA: Study Highlights Pennsylvania’s Aging And Crumbling Infrastructure 
PLSReporter: Veto-bound, Republican-backed election bill passes Pa. House
Post-Gazette: After all the talk of fully reopening, this Pa. state university expects to require masks in classes this fall
WFMZ: Senate passes Judy Ward Bill to expand senior access to prescription drugs
StateImpactPA: Poll shows Pennsylvanians support climate action amid pandemic
KYW Newsradio: State Supreme Court ruling puts many tenants in Pa. at risk of eviction
National Journal: For Democrats, Trump’s base cuts both ways
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Juvenile Justice Task Force finds most young people detained for low-level infractions 
The Hill: Ryan Grim: EMILY’s List endorsing Arkoosh could ‘rebound’ to Fetterman’s benefit in Pennsylvania Senate race
The Hill: Pennsylvania’s Fetterman uses old mullet photo to fundraise
Express Times: More Sunday hunting coming to Pa. if state lawmakers pass this new bill  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Meet the new Philly budget. Same as the old budget. 
Billy Penn: How Philly will spend $155 million to stop surging violence
WHYY Newsworks: After first federal Juneteenth holiday, reformers say harder racial justice work remains
Philadelphia Tribune: Acting Philadelphia health commissioner warns residents about COVID-19 Delta variant
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia surpasses 1,000 shooting victims so far in 2021
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly’s Ex-Litter Czar on Why the Hell the City Can’t Pick Up Trash on Time

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: The cost of change in Radnor: $158,000 to rid school of Raiders
Delaware Valley Journal: Supporters Outnumber Opponents at Mariner East Public Hearing
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 34 new coronavirus cases over 7 days
Pottstown Mercury: Rep. Shusterman invites area veterans to summer barbecue on July 10

Pittsburgh 
Tribune Review: Republicans condemn election reform bill as an ‘extreme power grab’ 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County president judge acknowledges systemic racism in the courts
Tribune Review: Al Franken, Richard Marx among shows scheduled for Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pennsylvania reaches milestone: No counties with substantial Covid transmission
City Paper: Police-reform activists call for decrease in Pittsburgh police funding and increase in community investment
WESA: Seasonal Parks Workers, Interns Would Get $15 Minimum Wage Under Bill Headed For Allegheny County Council 
WESA: Allegheny County Receives Funds For Adult Parole And Probation Programs
Post-Gazette: Ordinances on Picklesburgh, hourly pay and more head to Allegheny County Council committees

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Senate passes bill to let local cops use radar for speed enforcement
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Senate confirms Education, Labor & Industry heads
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Daily COVID-19 case average dropping, 3 area deaths reported
Tribune Review: Mike Reese Memorial 5K will help establish foundation in late lawmaker’s memory
Tribune Review: Expert testifies on use of force at former Derry mayor’s trial 
Observer-Reporter: Push underway to expand state’s film tax credit program 
Observer-Reporter: Washington council hires park administrator 
Observer-Reporter: No COVID-19 deaths reported in region
WTAE: Felony charges dropped against former Derry mayor
Beaver County Times: New COVID-19 cases plummet in Pennsylvania
Altoona Mirror: CBRC to hold meeting

NEPA
Pottsville Republican Herald: Argall says he had call from Trump, agrees audit could restore public’s faith in election process
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Chief Solicitor Romilda Crocamo named acting county manager 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Democrats seek prospective DA candidates 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Democrats lost most voters due to recent purge 
The Times Leader: 13 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Tuesday; 177 statewide
Citizens Voice: County council names solicitor Crocamo as acting county manager 
Citizens Voice: County Democratic Party seeks DA candidates 
Citizens Voice: 271 residents added to county’s fully vaccinated list
Times-Tribune: Cognetti appoints privately funded Scranton public health coordinator  
Times-Tribune: Capitol riot case against Olyphant man inches forward 
Times-Tribune: New COVID-19 cases trending even lower 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Clergy, teachers rally outside Martin’s district office to equitably fund Lancaster’s public schools 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Fair Education Funding Protest at the office of Sen. Scott Martin [photos]
Patriot News: Impeachment resolution filed to investigate central Pa. township supervisor accused of fraud 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 3 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Cumberland County Tuesday

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council wants additional oversight on how $61 million in federal funding is spent
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners vote to lift county’s COVID emergency declaration
Reading Eagle: Berks County’s population growth slowed in 2020, and 5 other facts from newest census data [Charts]
Reading Eagle: Berks County records 10 new COVID cases for third straight day
WFMZ: Muhlenberg commissioner calls on residents to stop criticizing township on social media 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Rep. Fred Keller urges full reopening of House of Representatives to public
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County Health Improvement Coalition and ‘Let’s End COVID’ encourage vaccination ahead of July 4
KDKA: Pennsylvania Lawmaker Chris Sainato Defends $1.8 Million In Taxpayer-Paid Expenses
Erie Times-News: Not just a convenience issue: COVID-19 vaccinations slow in Erie County

Opinion  
Jay Costa and Adam Garber: This Pa. budget season, we must invest in safer communities
Gary Eichelberger: There has been no rush to sell Claremont, but the time has come for action 
Paul Muschick: Close the bars at 4 a.m.? If people want to drink that late, they can do it at home
Dwayne D. Royster and Kenyatta Johnson: Philly’s airport workers need higher wages and health benefits
Jacquelyn Bonomo: Wolf must veto these bills defanging Pa.’s power to fight climate change
John L. Micek: ‘We carry each other, we help each other’: These Pa. moms lost sons to gun violence. They want Harrisburg to help | Wednesday Morning Coffee 
John L. Micek: On his way out the door, Pa.’s Toomey calls for Biden admin. to be investigated over personnel practices | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Forensic ‘audit’ only election fraud
York Dispatch Editorial Board: By coming out, former Penn State standout Carl Nassib proves his courage
Inquirer: Should pro-choice Biden be allowed to receive communion? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: States should promote and enforce ‘self-exclusion’ policies for those struggling with gambling addiction
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The ban on importing dogs from 113 countries is necessary but should be temporary
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Music therapy for COVID burnout
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fireworks safety
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: School officials must heed experts, remain flexible in planning for fall return 
Salena Zito: Violent destruction for a good cause
The Rev. Sandra L. Strauss: Pennsylvania must protect and expand our sacred right to vote
Anthony R. Wood: Richard G. Jones is named The Philadelphia Inquirer’s top opinion editor
Allen L. Robinson: Pa. needs to act now to close its ‘low producing well’ loophole to fight methane emissions
Dr. Sanul Corrielus: To improve health care disparities, close the digital divide
Tony Norman: Is the road to autocracy paved with open-mindedness?
Gene Therapy: Bishops v. Biden a nonstarter
Anton Andrew: ‘Color-informed’ policies improve all our lives
Christine Flowers: Threats Made Over Israeli Food Truck Show Lack of Brotherly Love in Philly
Marilyn Dyson: Even with budget increase, Free Library is still not funded to fulfill its mission 
Trudy Rubin: President Biden, where is the plan to rescue Afghan translators who helped us? 
Michelle Mardenborough: Democracy works best when all citizens participate
Joyce M. Davis: Doctors will discuss the impact of COVID-19 on mothers and babies in Tuesday’s webinar streamed live to Facebook
Jeffrey Fishman: Giving A Face To Gun Violence
Lauren Vidas: Partners Not Problems 
Ajay Raju: Boston V. Philly 
Bruce Ledewitz: We are all Jews now. To fight anti-semitism, it’s time to don a Kippah 
Dena Davis: Would I give new Alzheimer’s drug to my mother?
Joe Czarnecki: The US is not superior in reducing our carbon footprint