Does abortion rights make PA a one-issue state? House targets Pitt’s fetal research. Expanding Amtrak service in western PA. Sheetz lowers gas prices. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Pittsburgh | Sunny, 79
Harrisburg | Sunny, 79
Philadelphia | Sunny, 80

PA Sports
Phillies (39-35, 8.0 GB) | TUE-THU vs. Atlanta
Pirates (29-44, 12.0 GB) | lost vs. Washington, 3-2; TUE-WED vs. Washington

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News

Does Abortion Rights Make PA a One-Issue State?: Will the Roe v. Wade decision make Pennsylvanians focus on abortion rights only?

NPR/Marist Poll: Americans Respond to Roe Decision: In the first poll issued following the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade, 61 percent of Americans say the Court’s decision will make them more likely to vote in the midterms.

PA-01 Poll: Fitzpatrick Leads Ehasz: In an internal poll conducted by Global Strategy Group, Republican incumbent Brian Fitzpatrick holds a seven-point lead over Democrat Ashley Ehasz in the 1st Congressional District race.

PA Governor Race: ‘Doug Mastriano touts 3-part plan to fight opioid abuse, including harsh sentence’: PennLive reports that “Republican candidate for governor Doug Mastriano called Monday for a three-pronged attack on Pennsylvania’s ongoing opioid epidemic including harsh mandatory minimum sentences for drug dealers whose sales result in fentanyl-related deaths, a new statewide reporting and mapping system for all drug overdoses, and expanded state funding for faith-based recovery houses.”

• Inquirer: Doug Mastriano is sticking to his MAGA playbook in the general election for Pa. governor
• WHYY: Doug Mastriano has extreme abortion views. Suddenly, he’s not talking about them

‘Pennsylvania House targets colleges’ fetal research in bill’: The Associated Press reports that “a proposal to require Pennsylvania’s four state-related universities to promise they are not conducting research or experiments with fetal tissue from elective abortions was added to a state budget bill by House Republicans on Monday.”

‘Latest Pennsylvania budget estimate has modest economic growth, dip in tax revenue’: The Center Square reports that “Pennsylvania’s economy will have modest real economic growth but also a dip in tax revenues in the next fiscal year as one-time boosts fade away, according to the latest revenue estimates from the Independent Fiscal Office.”

‘With new federal gun laws in place, Pa. lawmakers push for state ‘red flag’ laws’: WHYY reports that “following Saturday’s federal passage of the Bipartisan Safer Community Act, Pennsylvania is one of many states considering adopting so-called ‘red flag’ laws.”

‘Pa. Democrats hold 2 rallies as part of ‘call to action’ to protect abortion rights’: PennLive reports that “at two Capitol events held on Monday in response to the Friday’s court decision, an army of Democratic legislators and abortion rights supporters told voters to get involved and urge others to stand up to ensure women’s reproductive rights are protected in this state.”

‘Bill would criminalize running away from police in Pa.’: PennLive reports that “a bill that would criminalize fleeing from police officers passed the state House Judiciary Committee in a 15-9 party line vote on Monday.”

‘Sen. Lisa Boscola proposes temporary halt in Pa. gas and diesel fuel taxes: ‘Give it back to the people’’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “twin new proposals from state Sen. Lisa Boscola for temporary elimination of Pennsylvania’s ultra-high gasoline and diesel fuel taxes would let consumers keep about $460 million in their pockets over a two-month stretch, the Northampton County Democrat says.”

‘Pa. House rejects call for location of Joe Paterno statue’: ABC27 reports that “Republican Pennsylvania lawmaker Aaron Bernstine introduced an amendment to a state Senate bill that would require Penn State University to provide information about the location of the Joe Paterno statue. As of Monday, June 27, the state representative is left guessing after the state House rejected the amendment in a vote of 162 to 38.”

‘Sex traffickers would be added to Megan’s Law registry under bill advancing in Pa. House’: PennLive reports that “a bill requiring people convicted of sex trafficking-related crimes to register under the Pennsylvania Sex Offender Registry, commonly known as Megan’s Law, won passage by the House Judiciary Committee on Monday.”

‘Norfolk Southern, PennDOT agreement will expand Amtrak service in western Pa.’: PennLive reports that “an agreement between freight carrier Norfolk Southern and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation will allow Amtrak to expand passenger rail access in western Pennsylvania.”

‘Pittsburgh officials file petition to appeal Commonwealth Court decision on local gun regulations’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “the City of Pittsburgh filed a petition to appeal a Commonwealth Court decision on local gun regulations to the state Supreme Court.”

‘Pa. House seeks to ban little-known drug kratom’: PennLive reports that “the Pennsylvania House of Representatives voted on Monday to ban the sale of kratom, a hallucinatory drug, to people younger than 18.”

‘Paper boy, golf club cleaner, supermarket cashier: Pa. lawmakers remember their first jobs’: PennLive reports that “lobbyist Athan Koutsiouroumbas set out to find out how the state’s lawmakers first earned a paycheck as part of his quest to raise money for a foundation that advocates for students to consider jobs in the trades.”

‘Sheetz will lower its gas prices to $3.49 and $3.99 a gallon through July 4’: PennLive reports that “Sheetz said it is helping to “reduce pain at the pump.” The lower prices are “effective immediately.””

‘Reading City Council appoints Cepeda-Freytiz as new council president’: WFMZ reports that “exactly two weeks after the death of Reading City Council President Jeffrey Waltman, council voted unanimously to appoint Councilwoman Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz as its new president.”

‘The 2022 Law Power 100’: City & State PA reports that “the 2022 Law Power 100 takes an in-depth look at the district attorneys, federal prosecutors, white-collar defense attorneys, public interest lawyers, law school deans and bar association leaders who are shaping the direction of the state politically, legally and otherwise.”

Regional Spotlight: Central
PennLive: Protests break out across central Pa. after Roe v. Wade is overturned 
PennLive: Officials react to Roe v. Wade rule with anger and joy, depending on their party affiliation 
PennLive: Supreme Court ruling against abortion expected to increase demand at central Pa. providers
York Daily Record: Scott Perry pushed conspiracy theory that Italian satellites changed votes
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker keeps silent after Jan. 6 hearings show colleagues asked for pardons 
Carlisle Sentinel: Gleim promotes bill that would create ‘Anti-Indoctrination in Teaching Act’ in Pennsylvania
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster city seeks affordable housing proposals for spending $5 million in federal pandemic relief funds on affordable housing 
LNP | LancasterOnline: With Roe v. Wade overturned, what’s the state of abortion access in Lancaster County?
LNP | LancasterOnline: Abortion by the numbers in Lancaster County
LNP | LancasterOnline: U.S. House passes gun safety bill with Rep. Smucker, most Republicans dissenting
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. legislators, officials, candidates react to Supreme Court’s overturning Roe v. Wade 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Pa. LGBTQ Affairs boss says Lancaster County legislators out to ‘politicize LGBTQ people’
York Daily Record: Judge refuses to remove Mayor Helfrich from office over oath timing
Carlisle Sentinel: Abortion-rights advocates rally in Carlisle Square following Roe v. Wade overturn 
LNP | LancasterOnline: County commissioners approach ARPA requests with hesitancy around high costs, uncertain future projects 
LNP | LancasterOnline: State Senate Judiciary Committee recommends county prosecutor, private attorney for 2 county judge vacancies 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County electric bill officially doubles with new agreement
LNP | LancasterOnline: County commissioners move forward with reduced ARPA funding request for water protection project
LNP | LancasterOnline: Fired Lancaster County workforce board director sues county and board alleging discrimination and wrongful termination
LNP | LancasterOnline: Democracy is hard work, Jon Meacham tells Lancaster Chamber; ‘Strong democracies require strong people ‘ 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Protesters with Christian nationalist ties protest Lititz Pride event; refused to leave private park until police came 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster residents protest after overturn of Roe v. Wade [photos]
PennLive: ‘Pod Save America’ co-host, author to visit Harrisburg bookstore this week
PennLive: Two central Pa. residents plead guilty, admit being in the Capitol during Jan. 6 riot
PennLive: Antique guns owned by late Harrisburg Mayor Stephen Reed fire up auction prices
York Dispatch: York Dispatch photojournalist captures scene outside the U.S. Supreme Court

Opinion  
Ari Mittleman: On his birthday, reflecting on the legacy of Gov. Milton Shapp
John L. Micek: As the race heats up, is Mehmet Oz distancing himself from Trump? | Five for the Weekend
John L. Micek: With Roe headed to the states, every vote this fall matters | Monday Morning Coffee
Ray E. Landis: Pa. lawmakers, Wolf need to pay caregivers what they’re worth
John L. Micek: Hunger strike to protest solitary confinement at SWPa. prison continues | Friday Morning Coffee
James Sikorski Jr.: Show no radar love to SB 419 and HB 606
John Cole: The debate over third-party election funding, explained | Editorial Cartoon
Dick Polman: Here’s what happens when honest private citizens are targeted by fascists