Perry a Focus of January 6 Hearing. Mastriano Looks to Mend GOP Fences. Kelly, DeMarco Drawn Into Fake Elector Controversy. Get MLB Little League Classic tickets. Here is the Playbook.

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News

Lawmaker Hopes to Tie PSU Funding to Paterno Statue: Where is the Joe Paterno statue? Alumnus and lawmaker Aaron Bernstine (R-Butler/Beaver/Lawrence) wants to know. And he’s willing to tie funding for Penn State to finding that out.

How Deep Does Scott Perry’s Involvement Go?: That was one of the main questions that arose from Thursday’s hearing of the January 6th Select Committee.

Bill Proposes Moving PA Presidential Primary: Should Pennsylvania voters have a larger say in who gets the next Democratic or Republican nomination for President in 2024. State senator John Gordner (R-Columbia) says yes.

Kelly Denies Involvement in Elector Scheme: Rep. Mike Kelly (R-Butler) denied any involvement in the “fake elector” scheme after being called into question by Rep. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) on Thursday.

PA Governor Race: ‘Doug Mastriano seeks to mend GOP rifts and raise money to compete with Josh Shapiro’: Philly Clout reports that “Doug Mastriano, the Republican nominee for governor, is trying to mend GOP rifts to boost fund-raising. It’s an awkward fit. He is better known for attacking his party than making peace.”

• City & State PA: Democratic Governors Association calls on Mastriano to release potential Jan. 6 footage
• MSNBC: PA AG Shapiro: Rise in threats to lawmakers and election workers are ‘unacceptable’ 
• Politico: Governor’s race portends energy future in fossil-heavy Pa.

PA Senate Race: ‘AARP Pa. poll has Fetterman leading Oz; Shapiro and Mastriano in statistical toss-up’: PennLive reports that “a bipartisan poll released by AARP Pennsylvania shows Democrats leading in the state’s governor and U.S. Senate races but holding slimmer advantages among older voters who typically are a large percentage of the mid-term turnout.”

• National Journal: John Fetterman leads Dr. Oz in AARP poll

‘Wolf pushes $91 million for nursing homes to offset costs of proposed new staffing regulations, but industry says it’s not enough’: Spotlight PA reports that “Gov. Tom Wolf is asking the Pennsylvania legislature to spend millions to raise a key reimbursement rate for skilled nursing homes in the state to help offset costs from proposed new regulations that would increase daily required care.”

‘Pa. Republicans’ roles in attempts to overturn 2020 election draw scrutiny in congressional, FBI probes’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “members of the Jan. 6 committee have singled out those Republicans’ efforts as part of what the committee members described as an “attempted coup” by Trump and his supporters.”

‘U.S. House committee outlines how U.S. Rep. Scott Perry pushed to restructure Justice Department’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “in the days leading up to the Jan. 6, 2020, attack on the U.S. Capitol, U.S. Rep. Scott Perry pushed to restructure the Department of Justice as former President Donald Trump and his allies led efforts to overturn the 2020 election.”

‘Pennsylvania Congressman Scott Perry asked for pardon, Meadows aide said.’: WITF reports that “​according to testimony from Cassidy Hutchinson, former aide to Trump’s Chief of Staff Mark Meadows, multiple Republican U.S. House members asked for a pardon, including Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), and Louie Gohmert (R-TX). The last name she mentioned in her testimony was Pennsylvania U.S. House Rep. Scott Perry.”

​​City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers This Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics this week.

‘Western Pa. Republicans Kelly, DeMarco drawn into ‘fake elector’ controversies as Jan. 6 hearings continue’: WESA reports that “the name of western Pennsylvania Congressman Mike Kelly has surfaced in a controversy regarding an abortive effort to present false slates of electors as Congress was certifying the outcome of the 2020 election.”

‘Shaffer gets stamp of approval from top House Republican, House GOP committee’: WESA reports that “in yet another sign that western Pennsylvania will emerge as a key Congressional battleground this November, House minority leader Kevin McCarthy and a key national GOP committee, are staking out a claim in the 17th Congressional District.”

‘Toomey expects gun safety legislation to pass the Senate by week’s end’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that “on the heels of bipartisan gun legislation passing a procedural vote in the U.S. Senate on Thursday, Pennsylvania’s Pat Toomey told reporters on an afternoon conference call he expects the bill to pass the full Senate very soon.”

‘Sen. Pat Toomey hails Senate’s passage of bipartisan gun bill as a ‘significant step’’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Pennsylvania’s Sen. Pat Toomey, one of the GOP negotiators on a gun bill that was passed by the Senate late Thursday, said that while the Toomey-Manchin background check bill faltered after the 2012 Sandy Hook school massacre, the Senate’s newly negotiated bipartisan gun legislation will take a “significant step” in keeping firearms out of the wrong hands.”

‘Rep. Mike Kelly denies involvement in transfer of fake electors to Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly, R-Butler, a Trump loyalist who pushed to overturn Pennsylvania’s 2020 presidential election results, denied Thursday that he had any hand in assisting Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson’s attempt to transfer a slate of fake electors to Vice President Mike Pence on Jan. 6.”

‘Allegheny County GOP chair Sam DeMarco interviewed by FBI in 2020 election probe’: “KDKA-TV has confirmed that FBI agents interviewed the chairman of the Allegheny County Republican party, Sam DeMarco, on Thursday morning as part of an ongoing investigation into the 2020 presidential election.”

‘Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson says fake electors came from Pennsylvania lawmaker Mike Kelly’: KDKA reports that “in Tuesday’s January 6 Committee hearing, it was revealed that Wisconsin Senator Ron Johnson’s chief of staff attempted to hand fake elector votes to Vice President Mike Pence ahead of the joint session of the United States Congress.”

‘Former AG Kathleen Kane appeals driver’s license suspension’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “former state Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane appealed the suspension of her driver’s license for refusing to submit to a blood alcohol test after she was involved in a suspected drunken driving crash.”

‘U.S. Rep. Perry opponent predicts voters will ‘break away’ after Thursday’s allegations’: PennLive reports that “Democrat Shamaine Daniels predicts the newest alleged details of U.S. Rep. Scott Perry’s involvement in events leading up to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol will mark a turning point in his re-election bid.”

‘‘Fireworks are not toys’: Officials warn of hazards ahead of July 4 holiday’: PennLive reports that “acting state Fire Commissioner Charles McGarvey joined with local leaders on Thursday to discuss fireworks safety with the Fourth of July approaching.”

‘Biden teams with East Coast governors to boost offshore wind’: The Associated Press reports that “the White House on Thursday launched a formal partnership with 11 East Coast governors to boost the growing offshore wind industry, a key element of President Joe Biden’s plan for climate change.”

‘PHEAA offers new round of incentives to keep employees till year’s end’: PennLive reports that “the state’s student aid agency is offering as many as 375 of its employees a new financial incentive to remain in their jobs through the end of the year to assist with its transition out of the federal student loan servicing business.”

‘What could U.S. Supreme Court ruling on NY state gun law mean for Pennsylvania?’: WTAE reports that “while Thursday’s U.S. Supreme Court ruling doesn’t directly affect current Pennsylvania law now, some experts believe it sets the stage for new gun legal battles in our state and around the country.”

 ‘Harrisburg hospitality executive named Pa. Restaurant & Lodging Association president/CEO’: PennLive reports that “Joe Massaro will fill the role of President and CEO for the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association. Massaro recently worked in a dual role as regional director of operations for Greenwood Hospitality and general manager of the Hilton Harrisburg.”

‘Bozinski chosen as Luzerne County Democratic chairwoman’: Citizens Voice reports that “Luzerne County Democratic Committee members gathered Wednesday and voted to keep Kathy Bozinski as committee chairwoman.”

Regional Spotlight: North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: PA lawmaker wants Penn State to reveal location of Joe Paterno statue. Or risk losing money
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Sweepstakes for MLB Little League Classic tickets now open
Erie Times-News: Erie Mayor Joe Schember: city still pursuing $14.5M policing plan
Erie Times-News: Erie County DA starts security-camera registry
Centre Daily Times: Thousands of dollars went to projects boosting Happy Valley tourism this year. Here’s the list
Centre Daily Times: Local health professionals want State College Water Authority to keep fluoride. What’s next?
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners bring in 23 new hires
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Local municipalities receive over $10M in impact fees
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Representatives seek gas breaks, solutions in ‘time of war’

Opinion  
John Baer: Q&A with the Answer Man on Pa.’s Senate and governor races
Mark O’Keefe: Will the Jan. 6 hearings turn the tide against Trump backers Oz, Mastriano?
Chad Saylor: America can achieve energy independence
John L. Micek: The imprisoned are living with mental illness. States are ill-equipped to help | Thursday Coffee
Kyle Sammin: Philly is finally cutting taxes. It’s about time.
Will Bunch: The planet’s alarm clock is blaring but Pa. politicians hit the snooze button
Suzanne Biemiller: How to fund public parks and wild places in Pennsylvania
Inquirer Editorial Board: End the Krasner impeachment sideshow
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Hear Foundation shows the fruits of talking, and listening, across divides
Aja Beech: After assessments, rents will go up. Here’s what renters like me need.
Helen Ubiñas: While the nation’s attention is on the latest bipartisan deal on gun safety, there’s another bill that could help
Paul Muschick: Federal gun legislation is promising, but here’s my concern
Mark Zandi: What economists like me got wrong about inflation
Roosevelt Allen: Recent research connects gum disease to Alzheimer’s and dementia
Stephen F. Thode: When gun control becomes gun confiscation
Sarah Cowell: Gun violence is ‘not a one-time event.’ Each new incident compounds past trauma
Mike Hirsch: Morning Call editor with ALS: I have journeyed to the mountains to die
Jenice Armstrong: Let’s help a Penn professor get the U.S. to declare racism a public health crisis