The state Senate votes to confirm Pennsylvania’s Education and Labor Secretaries. Here is the Playbook. 

State Senate Confirms PA Education and Labor Secretaries: On Tuesday, the state Senate confirmed Noe Ortega to lead the state’s education department by a 44-6 vote, while Jennifer Berrier was confirmed by a 45-5 vote to serve as the Labor & Industry Secretary.

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 today. 

‘Senate launches voter ID constitutional amendment process’: The Associated Press reports “a divided Pennsylvania Senate on Wednesday approved a constitutional amendment to require identification for voters each time they cast a ballot, starting the lengthy amendment process that usually takes years to complete.”

‘Pa. House passes bill prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine requirements at colleges, public facilities’: PennLive reports that “the state House of Representatives voted 112-89 Wednesday to pass a bill that would bar state, county and local governments and colleges from requiring a proof of COVID-19 vaccine to enter or use their facilities.”

‘Pa. House passes bill allowing students to repeat a grade to combat learning loss’: PennLive reports that the state House approved a bill by a 201-0 vote in which “Pennsylvania parents could opt to have their child repeat this past school year to help combat learning loss during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Ward Talks to FOX43’s Capitol Beat: Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward (R-Westmoreland) joined FOX43’s Capitol Beat to talk about “elections, federal funding, and statute of limitations.”  

‘Anti-gerrymandering activists concerned as Senate moves forward with limited redistricting bill’: According to the PLS Reporter, “Fair Districts PA is not supportive of the amended version” of SB222, also known as the Legislative and Congressional Redistricting Act (LACRA), which “passed out of committee, but with a significant change.”

‘Sen. Pat Toomey Supports Jan. 6 Commission And A Compromise Infrastructure Bill, Though He Draws A Line On Public Transit’: Sen. Pat Toomey talked to KDKA in a wide-ranging interview where he said he “supports a bipartisan commission to investigate the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and is waiting for a second vote to be taken on the issue,” and “rejected claims that he was holding up a transportation bill because he opposed more funding for public transit.” 

‘Sen. Pat Toomey denounces voting reform bill, calls it a ‘power grab’ after no vote’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Sen. Pat Toomey “joined all other Senate Republicans Tuesday night in blocking Democrats’ federal voting reform bill, potentially setting up a larger fight over the filibuster.”

‘Philly Councilmember Helen Gym was detained in Harrisburg during a protest for education funding’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports “a debate over Pennsylvania’s funding for public schools escalated Wednesday as authorities detained Philadelphia City Councilmember Helen Gym and education activists after they staged a protest inside the state Capitol.”

‘Pa. Senator Mike Regan cited for motorcycle crash’: ABC27 reports that state Sen. Mike Regan (R-York) “pleaded guilty to two summary offenses related to his motorcycle crash in March.”

‘Justices rule for student in ‘cursing cheerleader’ case’: The Associated Press reports “in the case of the cursing cheerleader, the Supreme Court notched a victory for the free speech rights of students Wednesday, siding with a high school student whose vulgar social media post got her kicked off the junior varsity squad.”

‘Philly to join national anti-violence collaboration’: WHYY reports that “Philadelphia is among 15 metro areas selected by the White House to work together on violence prevention strategies, the Biden administration announced Wednesday.”

‘Philadelphia’s ban on plastic bags begins next week’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports “Philadelphia’s ban on single-use plastic bags will go into effect Thursday, July 1, though strict enforcement won’t happen for nearly another year, the city announced Wednesday.”

‘Local lawmaker calls for health department to release data on ‘wasted’ vaccines’: WFMZ reports state Sen. David Argall (R-Schuylkill) “wants more vaccine information from the Pennsylvania health department.”

‘York County begins investigation of troubled primary election, excludes public’: The York Dispatch reports “York County officials last week began a promised investigation of May’s troubled primary election — but the public wasn’t invited to participate or even notified of the first meeting.”

‘Pittsburgh unionized Google contractors met with Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Walsh’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports Vice President Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Marty Walsh “met with several labor groups at the IBEW Local 5 union hall” on Monday. 

‘Two large air pollution sources will soon be offline. Will Allegheny County’s air quality future be as clean as it can be?’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “recent announcements from two heavy-industry facilities in Allegheny County could play a large role in improving Pittsburgh’s air quality.”

‘Scales of justice must be balanced’: Allegheny County president judge calls for systemic racism to be addressed’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports “Allegheny County Common Pleas President Judge Kim Berkeley Clark in a letter pinned to the court’s website called for the country’s top court and Allegheny County courts to ensure the development of a justice system that not only promotes equality but also ensures equity.”

‘Allentown bill aims to give minority-owned businesses a better shot at city contracts’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Allentown would give preference to minority-owned businesses in awarding city contracts if forthcoming legislation spearheaded by City Councilmember Ce-Ce Gerlach is adopted.”

‘Council chairman’s apology accepted after remark about resident’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports “an attempt at humor resulted in an apology from City Council Chairman Tony Brooks whose comment about the last-minute arrival of a resident at public meeting was picked up by a microphone.”

‘Former Derry mayor acquitted in case involving gun pulled on 4 children’: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports that Derry Borough’s former mayor, Kevin M. Gross, “was acquitted of all charges against him Wednesday in a 2019 incident in which he pulled gun during a fight among three children at a park.”

‘State, Chester County officials honor Dinniman with garden dedication for charitable legacy to feed the hungry’: The Daily Local News reports that “scores of county residents united to honor the recently retired state Sen. Andrew Dinniman with a triumphant garden dedication at Springton Manor Farm on Tuesday.”

Maggie’s List Endorses Scheller: First reported by Fox News, Lisa Scheller, a former Lehigh County Commissioner and businesswoman who lost to Rep. Susan Wild (D-Lehigh) by just under 4 points in 2020 for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District and has filed to run again in 2022, has been endorsed by Maggie’s List, which is a group “dedicated to electing fiscally conservative women who promote the values of less government, more personal responsibility & strong national security.”

‘Al Franken to launch 15-stop comedy tour’: The Hill reports that “Former Minnesota Sen. Al Franken (D) is launching a comedy tour nearly four years after he resigned over sexual misconduct claims,” which includes a stop in Pennsylvania. 

Gaydos Selected to Team Pennsylvania Foundation Board of Directors: According to a press release from House Republicans, state Rep. Valarie Gaydos (R-Allegheny) has been nominated by House Majority Leader Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre) and approved by the Team Pennsylvania Foundation to serve on its board of directors. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Senate launches voter ID constitutional amendment process
AP: House votes for ‘vaccine passports,’ Health secretary limits
AP: Justices rule for student in ‘cursing cheerleader’ case 
AP: Ex-mayor acquitted in armed encounter with minors in park
AP: Philadelphia To Pay Bail Funds Over Lack Of Out-Of-Cell Time
Patriot News: Aiming to avoid a veto, Pa. Senate moves voter ID constitutional amendment
Patriot News: Pa. House passes bill prohibiting COVID-19 vaccine requirements at colleges, public facilities
Patriot News: Pa. House passes bill allowing students to repeat a grade to combat learning loss
Patriot News: Protesters detained at Pennsylvania Capitol during Senate proceedings
Patriot News: Sen. Mike Regan cited for motorcycle crash: Report
Patriot News: Is the Pa. law that police used to charge a woman for Facebook posts constitutional?
Patriot News: COVID-19 hospitalizations fall below 400 in Pa.
FOX43: Senate Majority Leader Ward talks elections, federal funding, and statute of limitations | FOX43 Capitol Beat
USA Today: Drivers beware: Local Pa. police may soon be able to use speed radar
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Senate sends Voter ID constitutional amendment to House for review 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: GOP bill stripping powers from Secretary of Health, banning public vaccine checks advances through Pa. House 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Calling for fair school funding, clergy, activists, Philly Councilmember Gym detained after interrupting Pa. Senate session 
KDKA: Sen. Pat Toomey Supports Jan. 6 Commission And A Compromise Infrastructure Bill, Though He Draws A Line On Public Transit
Morning Call: Sen. Pat Toomey denounces voting reform bill, calls it a ‘power grab’ after no vote
Morning Call: Pennsylvania House passed bill that curtails vaccine passports, ability to issue masking orders
Morning Call: Supreme Court sides with Schuylkill County cheerleader suspended over profane Snapchat post; school district calls decision a victory 
WITF: Councilmember Helen Gym amongst those arrested as state budget deal inches closer to finish line 
Inquirer: Pennsylvania plans to merge 6 state universities. But some fear ‘a slow death’ for troubled schools.
Inquirer: Delco teacher files suit against investing consultants to PSERS
Inquirer: A Pa. high school cheerleader’s profane Snapchat rant didn’t warrant suspension, Supreme Court rules
City & State PA: Proof of ID at the polls? Dems say ‘No way’ as budget deadline looms
City & State PA: Philly-based technicians at NBC, Telemundo threaten to go on strike
WTAE: Bill to protect lemonade stands run by Pa. kids passes state Senate
PLSReporter: Anti-gerrymandering activists concerned as Senate moves forward with limited redistricting bill
Post-Gazette: COVID confusion? Pa. university system says it can’t require student vaccinations, but 1 public campus already does
Fox News: Pennsylvania school district cites copyright concerns to hide teachers’ racial equity training curriculu
WFMZ: Legislation passes clarifying authority of Pa. Secretary of Health
WFMZ: Pennsylvania Senate votes for common sense voter ID legislation
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania election reform bill marches on in state Senate
KYW Newsradio: US Supreme Court sides with Pa. cheerleader punished for Snapchat post full of F-bombs
The Hill: Al Franken to launch 15-stop comedy tour
Politico: Supreme Court sides with teen in speech case over Snapchat outburst
CNN: Supreme Court sides with high school cheerleader who cursed online  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Philly Councilmember Helen Gym was detained in Harrisburg during a protest for education funding
Inquirer: Biden’s antiviolence plan calls for Philly to work with other cities fighting rising gun crimes
Inquirer: Philadelphia’s ban on plastic bags begins next week
WHYY Newsworks: Philly to join national anti-violence collaboration 
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney stands by his violence prevention plan as homicides show no sign of ebbing
KYW Newsradio: Suburban remote workers’ reprieve from Philly wage tax comes to an end

SEPA
Daily Local News: State, Chester County officials honor Dinniman with garden dedication for charitable legacy to feed the hungry 
Delco Daily Times: Task force reports racial, economic inequalities permeate juvenile justice system
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 45% of people fully vaccinated

Pittsburgh 
City Paper: Pittsburgh unionized Google contractors met with Kamala Harris and Labor Secretary Walsh 
City Paper: Two large air pollution sources will soon be offline. Will Allegheny County’s air quality future be as clean as it can be? 
Post-Gazette: ‘Scales of justice must be balanced’: Allegheny County president judge calls for systemic racism to be addressed
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council again delays bill to increase lifeguard wages
Post-Gazette: Community leaders discuss the ‘educational emergency’ in Pittsburgh Public Schools
Post-Gazette: Three Western Pa. men in custody on charges stemming from U.S. Capitol riot
KDKA: City Council Discusses Providing Emergency Oversight Of PPS To Improve Quality Of Education
KDKA: DOJ: 3 More Western Pa. Natives Taken Into Custody In Connection With Capitol Riots
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 21 New Coronavirus Cases, 2 Additional Deaths
WESA: Pittsburgh Region Sees Economic Growth Compared To Early In The Pandemic, Expected To Accelerate 
WESA: Three More Western Pennsylvanians Charged In Jan. 6 Attack On The U.S. Capitol 
WESA: New Project Will Make Pittsburgh’s City Archives More Accessible To Public
Tribune Review: 3 more Western Pa. residents, including Scottdale man, charged in Capitol riots
Tribune Review: Covid cases, hospitalizations drop in Pennsylvania, Allegheny and Westmoreland counties; vaccine rates inch up

SWPA  
Tribune Review: No word on new Westmoreland election director while ‘restructuring’ presses on; last results certified
Tribune Review: Former Derry mayor acquitted in case involving gun pulled on 4 children
Observer-Reporter: Washington County Coroner’s Office releases annual report
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases remain low in region, state
WTAE: Former Derry mayor acquitted in armed encounter with minors in park
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: House passes bill providing optional COVID do-over year for school students
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Pa. House passes ban on vaccine requirements; Wolf says he’ll veto it
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Senate takes up election bills
Altoona Mirror: City Parking Authority gets unexpected funding
Altoona Mirror: More funding needed for CBRC
Altoona Mirror: Authority to remove Homers Gap reservoir
Beaver County Times: Beaver County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 40% of people fully vaccinated

NEPA
The Times Leader: Council chairman’s apology accepted after remark about resident
Times-Tribune: County to receive share of lien attorney fees paid by delinquent Scranton taxpayers
Times-Tribune: Almost 90% of Lackawanna senior citizens fully COVID-19 vaccinated
Citizens Voice: Councilman regrets ”flippant’ comment caught on hot mic 
Citizens Voice: More than 300 added to county’s fully vaccinated list

South Central 
York Dispatch: York County begins investigation of troubled primary election, excludes public
Patriot News: Protesters detained at Pennsylvania Capitol during Senate proceedings
Patriot News: Sen. Mike Regan cited for motorcycle crash: Report
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: No new COVID-19 cases reported Wednesday in Cumberland County
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 42% of people fully vaccinated
LNP | LancasterOnline: City Council gets update on mayor’s Neighborhood Week; Celebrate Lancaster set to kick off
LNP | LancasterOnline: Daily COVID-19 cases drop to single digits in Lancaster County

Lehigh Valley      
WFMZ: Local lawmaker calls for health department to release data on ‘wasted’ vaccines
WFMZ: Rep. McNeill asks lawmakers to make mental health a top priority
WFMZ: State senators debate on where to spend budget surplus
WFMZ: New bill may allow local police to use radar to catch speeding
Morning Call: Supreme Court sides with Schuylkill County cheerleader suspended over profane Snapchat post; school district calls decision a victory
Morning Call: Allentown bill aims to give minority-owned businesses a better shot at city contracts
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Lehigh Valley goes a week without COVID-19 deaths as cases dwindle
Reading Eagle: Radar for local police might soon be available to Berks municipalities
Reading Eagle: Pace of vaccinations continue to slow in latest Berks and Pennsylvania statistics

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Pa. Republicans say bill is ‘commonsense,’ Democrats dismiss it as partisan ‘sham,’ ‘farce’
Erie Times-News: Not just a convenience issue: COVID-19 vaccinations slow in Erie County
Erie Times-News: Erie property owners, take notice: A citywide stormwater fee could be coming
Erie Times-News: American Rescue Plan funding needed in hardest hit communities
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners talk American Rescue Plan funds
Centre Daily Times: Community members speak out after State College removes memorial for Black lives

Opinion  
Mike Schlossberg: How Pennsylvania bill is a blatant effort to suppress Democratic votes
Anthony Hardy Williams: NYC’s primary should inspire Philly to change our votes
Bill White: Pennsylvania excels – at corruption and stalling important bills
Stephanie Catarino Wissman: Pipelines Deliver the Energy That Powers Pennsylvania – and the U.S.
Rich Askey: Say no to largest transfer of taxpayer dollars out of public schools in PA history
Art Levinowitz: Over 400 PA school districts call for charter school funding reform
Paul Muschick: Amtrak from Allentown to New York? No thanks.
Breena Holland: How Bethlehem Council fails first test of climate action plan
David Wojnar: Expanding the distribution channels of spirits-based RTDs will benefit all
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Pennsylvania elections are secure; our laws need fine-tuning, not an overhaul 
Solomon Jones: It shouldn’t have taken SCOTUS to confirm student athletes deserve to get paid 
Joyce M. Davis: The Delta Variant headed our way is one very good reason to get the shot – now | Social Views
Josh Kruger: Outdoor seating shouldn’t be unfettered greed with disability access issues
Helen Ubiñas: Children shot in Philadelphia bear the scars of our ineptitude 
Jobert E. Abueva: Carl Nassib’s coming out shouldn’t be a big deal — but it is
Geoff Glatt: Let’s vote Scott Perry out in 2022
The Angry Grammarian: Walnut Street Theatre’s poor grammar may incite a revolution