State Rep. Jason Ortitay announces that he’s considering launching a bid for Governor, while a Libertarian candidate joins the race for the special election in the state Senate’s 48th District. Here is the Playbook. 

SD48: Tim McMaster Launches Libertarian Campaign for Special Election: The Libertarian candidate promotes not being a career politician on his campaign website and said he intends to “Make Pennsylvania Free Again!” if elected to office.

Ortitay Mulls Gubernatorial Bid: State Rep. Jason Ortitay (R-Washington) confirms that he has registered “ortitayforgovernor.com” and that he’d like to run for governor either “next term or sometime in the future.”

The Atlantic Profiles Fetterman: The Atlantic highlighted Lt. Gov. John Fetterman’s campaign for U.S. Senate.  

Bartos Talks to Jewish Insider About his Senate Campaign: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who was the GOP Lt. Governor nominee in 2018, talked to Jewish Insider about his 2022 campaign for the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate. 

SD48: Dems To Nominate Candidate For Special Election on Saturday: PennLive reports that Democratic committee members from Lebanon County and sections of Dauphin and York counties will meet Saturday to select their candidate for the upcoming special election to fill the open state Senate seat previously held by the late state Sen. Dave Arnold (R-Lebanon), who died in January after battling brain cancer. The four candidates that PennLive reports are interested in seeking the Democratic Party nomination are Laura Quick, Dr. Calvin Clements, and Ralph Duquette, and Sandra Thompson.

Mullins Tweets Letter of Support from PRLA: State Rep. Kyle Mullins (D-Lackawanna), who has announced his intentions to seek the Democratic Party nomination for the state Senate’s 22nd District, sent out a tweet on Thursday afternoon sharing a letter written by the Pennsylvania Restaurant & Lodging Association (PRLA) that thanks him for his leadership, while saying they are “pleased to learn of your intention to run for the 22nd Senatorial seat and we believe you will do a commendable job continuing to represent the priorities of that district.” 

Laughlin To Introduce Bill To Raise PA’s Minimum Wage to $10: According to The PLSReporter, state Sen. Dan Laughlin (R-Erie) announced that he plans on introducing a bill to increase the state’s minimum wage from $7.25 an hour to $10, while also indexing it to inflation. 

Casey Calls Infrastructure Bill Biden and Congress Next Challenge: Sen. Bob Casey told the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader that passing a comprehensive infrastructure bill through Congress for President Joe Biden is the next big challenge. 

Smucker Introduces ‘Election Integrity Commission’ Bill To Study 2020 Presidential Election Results: According to LNP | LancasterOnline, Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-Lancaster) has introduced a bill to create a bipartisan commission to study the results of the 2020 presidential election and propose changes to election laws ahead of the 2022 elections. 

Residents From At Least 12 PA Counties Charged in Capitol Riots: The York Dispatch reports on a study from researchers at George Washington University that residents from at least 12 Pennsylvania counties have been charged following the riots at the Capitol in Washington D.C. on January 6. 

Carlos Starts at Dean Chief of Staff: According to Politico, Colleen Carlos is starting today as the Chief of Staff to Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery).  

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: As pandemic continues, GOP lawmakers prepare for retreat at pricey ‘Bachelor’ resort
Spotlight PA: 5 things to know about the minimum wage debate in Pa.
AP: Unemployment rises in Pennsylvania, as payrolls grow too
AP: Pennsylvania to lift last moratorium on utility shutoffs
AP: FBI alleges Pennsylvania man rifled through US Senate papers
AP: State to pay $475K to family of pot suspect killed by dozer
USA Today: Pa. defends its count of nursing home deaths. Here’s how Wolf says Pa. was different than NY 
USA Today: Stimulus update: Key takeaways for Pa. from Biden’s speech on vaccines, racism, July 4
USA Today: Bill would nix PennDOT plan to toll bridges
Patriot News: The $1.9 trillion stimulus plan: How much will your school district or municipality receive?
Patriot News: ‘Dangerous road’: Pa. lawmaker wants to slow down plan to add tolls on bridges
Patriot News: Asian American leaders, racial justice advocates say ‘sense of urgency’ needed to combat hate crimes, racism
Patriot News: Eligible hospitality and food service businesses impacted by COVID-19 can apply for grants next week
Patriot News: Pa. COVID-19 update: average daily hospitalizations down 4,400 from Christmas Day peak
LNP | LancasterOnline: F&M Poll: Pa. Republicans still split on whether they align themselves with Trump or with ‘traditional’ GOP values
York Dispatch: Study: Residents of at least 12 Pa. counties charged in Capitol siege
Inquirer: Biden mentioned a Pa. woman during his address who just wanted ‘the truth.’ We found her.
Inquirer: Pa. lifts moratorium on pandemic shutoffs and allows utilities to resume terminations March 31 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Western Pa. state Rep. Ortitay looking into Pa. governor’s run 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The debate over tolling Pennsylvania bridges, explained  
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As states move on anti-trans bills, Pa.’s LGBTQ residents are still vulnerable to discrimination | Friday Morning Coffee 
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf pessimistic about his stimulus spending hopes for Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: How well are contact tracing apps working to alert us to COVID in Pa., Del., and N.J.? 
Express Times: More staff at Pa. unemployment call center after lawmaker broadcasts busy signal on call 
The Atlantic: The Left’s Answer to Trump Is 6 Foot 8 and Wears Shorts in February
Jewish Insider: Jeff Bartos looks ahead to 2022 
The Times Leader: Casey says infrastructure bill next challenge facing Biden and Congress
PLSReporter: Laughlin to introduce bill to raise minimum wage to $10
PLSReporter: Senate GOP looks to block bridge tolling plans
KDKA: Lots Of Money Headed To Pennsylvania, As White House Official Says Pres. Biden Kept Promise
KDKA: Budget Research Group Endorses Gov. Wolf’s Call To Increase Taxes On State’s Top Earners
Reading Eagle: Half of Pennsylvanians approve of Biden’s COVID response, F&M College poll finds
KYW Newsradio: Utility shutoffs to resume in Pennsylvania on April 1
WESA: Vaccinated, But Still Restricted: Long-Term Care Facilities In PA Cautious To Return To Normal 
Post-Gazette: Toomey, Manchin team up on gun safety legislation as House passes background checks bill
Post-Gazette: Bill would increase incentives to make movies, TV shows in Pa.  
Politico: Trump dives into battle for Senate
Pittsburgh Business Times: Governor Wolf approves grants for manufacturing projects

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Josh Shapiro messes with Texas
Billy Penn: Philly vaccine map: Richer neighborhoods are getting more doses
NBC10: 1st Republican in Pa. Senate Race Talks COVID Response, Matchup With Democratic Friend
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Council moves to hold hearings on home appraisal race gap  
Inquirer: Federally funded health clinics are getting COVID-19 vaccines to more people of color
Inquirer: Finally, hope returns to Philadelphia | Morning Newsletter
Philadelphia Business Journal: The pandemic eased Philadelphia’s commute congestion, but it still has some of the worst traffic in the world
KYW Newsradio: Philly Rising: Gun violence activist Jamira Burley a household name for Women’s History Month

SEPA
Daily Local News: President Biden to visit Delaware County Tuesday 
Daily Local News: Chester County earns national award for excellence in financial reporting 
Daily Local News: Auditor: West Chester firefighter’s assoc. spent $5,500 in state aid on booze for firefighter dinner
Levittown Now: County GOP Apologizes After Robocall Caller ID Showed Johnson & Johnson Name 
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick, Santarsiero urge EPA to close Rockhill Quarry 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks solicitor: New Law Department saved on outside legal bills 
Bucks Local News: Fitzpatrick calls on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to close Rockhill Quarry
Bucks Local News: Candidate for Bucks DA says she would end prosecutions for small amounts of marijuana
Bucks Local News: Mark Zinman announces candidacy for Newtown area Magisterial District Judge
Inquirer: Delco to get more vaccine doses, but not from Pa.; Biden announces new website, 800-number for vaccine registration
Inquirer: ‘Absolutely game-changing’: Teachers in the Philly suburbs have begun getting coronavirus vaccines
KYW Newsradio: Wolf disputes claim of vaccine shortage to greater Philadelphia region
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County reports 102 coronavirus cases, two more deaths
Delco Daily Times: Prison deprivatization cost analysis to be presented soon 
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown forums outline unfairness of Pa. education funding

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council launches committee on sustainability, environmental initiatives 
Post-Gazette: Bill would increase incentives to make movies, TV shows in Pa. 
Post-Gazette: Former county Councilman McCullough to comply with prison sentence next month 
Post-Gazette: Pa. adds 2,652 cases, 51 deaths
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto & Urban Redevelopment Authority Launch Affordable Home Ownership Initiative 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Allegheny County: Thousands Of School Employees To Be Vaccinated Over Next Week 
KDKA: Pittsburgh Community Leaders Reflect One Year Later On Coming Together Amid The COVID-19 Pandemic 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 19 Additional Deaths, Bringing Countywide Death Toll To 1,722
Pittsburgh Business Times: More nonprofits eligible for PPP via $1.9T stimulus package, but will it move the needle in Pittsburgh? 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s what the relief bill means for Pittsburgh region school districts
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh officials plan occupancy checks during St. Patrick’s Day weekend
Tribune Review: Allegheny County adds 19 new covid deaths; Westmoreland County covid numbers stable; state hospitalizations fall
City Paper: Next stop for Port Authority: potentially more expansive transit and changes to fares 
WESA: Nearly 3,000 Educators Vaccinated A Month Before Some PPS Students Are To Return
WESA: New Partnership Will Pump $20M Into Economically Distressed Communities
WESA: Tenant Cities: One Day In Allegheny County’s Eviction Hotspot
WESA: March 6-12 Explained: Isolation In Nursing Homes, Paid Sick Leave & Pittsburgh Politics

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: County to distribute $1.8 million in business aid
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Langerholc calls for halt to PennDOT plan to toll nine bridges
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New COVID-19 cases holding steady, hospitalizations easing
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State’s latest COVID-19 vaccine strategy includes mass clinics; 1M+ in state now fully protected
WESA: Loss Of Coal Production May Create A Major Loss Of Tax Revenue
Pittsburgh Business Times: Officials say Washington County well positioned for post-Covid future
Post-Gazette: Washington County man charged in Capitol riot
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County preps for expected $107 million stimulus windfall
Tribune Review: Man with ties to Western Pa. arrested in connection with Capitol attack
Observer-Reporter: Labor & Industry adding 500-1,000 call center staff
Observer-Reporter: Lawmaker calls for halt to PennDOT plan to toll nine bridges
Observer-Reporter: DOH: Vaccine allocations to PA continue to increase
Observer-Reporter: Bentleyville man charged in Jan. 6 insurrection at U.S. Capitol
Altoona Mirror: Mass vaccine clinic in the works

NEPA
The Times Leader: Mullery introduces two election reform bills
The Times Leader: Pending bill could settle DA debate 
The Times Leader: Legislators offer comments on passage of American Rescue Plan 
The Times Leader: 71 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Thursday
Citizens Voice: Officials await developments in DA vacancy case; still not clear how new DA will be appointed
Citizens Voice: Republican and Democrat congressmen call for extending mine reclamation program
Citizens Voice: Wilkes-Barre council promotes assistant clerk despite salary objections
Citizens Voice: Martz Group, trucking companies oppose plan to toll bridges
Citizens Voice: 71 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Thursday
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County schools may receive $65 million in new federal COVID relief funds
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 still spreading, but new case, death rate levels off
Times-Tribune: COVID-19, a year later: Our lessons 

South Central 
York Dispatch: Wolf in York City: Vaccine rollout could be ‘better’ 
York Dispatch: York County reports 112 new COVID-19 cases, 1 new death
Patriot News: Democrats to meet on Saturday to pick their nominee for open Senate seat
Patriot News: Harrisburg City Council race gets crowded, with 13 people vying for 4 seats
Patriot News: Pandemic may have contributed to spike in fatal overdoses in Dauphin County last year: coroner
Patriot News: Who’s running in Lancaster County?: The list of 2021 primary election candidates
Patriot News: Who’s running in Dauphin County? The list of 2021 primary election candidates
Patriot News: Who’s running in Cumberland County? The list of 2021 primary election candidates
Patriot News: Asian American leaders, racial justice advocates say ‘sense of urgency’ needed to combat hate crimes, racism
Patriot News: Carlisle council votes to launch discussion on racial inequities in borough
Patriot News: Vaccinating teachers gets Pa. schools ‘one step closer to what is normal’
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council unanimously approves truth and reconciliation commission
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County now accepting applications for rent and utility assistance.
Carlisle Sentinel: COVID in Cumberland County: One year later
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 51 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Thursday 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: New mass vaccination clinic in Lancaster Co. administers 500 doses on its first day; as officials look for increased supply
York Daily Record: ‘We need to do a better job’: Supply is low, but Pa. needs to improve vaccine rollout, Wolf says 
York Daily Record: Photos: Gov. Tom Wolf tours York’s Family First Health 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker introduces ‘election integrity commission’ focused on 2020 election results in key battleground states [analysis] 
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘It’s hope’: Lancaster County educators start getting vaccinated a year after statewide shutdown 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Decline in new coronavirus cases may be leveling off in Lancaster County

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Billions in federal stimulus dollars bound for Pennsylvania: Here’s how much Lehigh Valley cities and towns will get
Morning Call: Republican lawmakers attack PennDOT plan to toll interstate bridges: ‘I have heard a very loud cry’
Express Times: Lehigh Valley’s Susan Wild calls for permanent memorial of Jan. 6 riot at U.S. Capitol
Express Times: Bridge tolls ain’t it: Lawmakers introduce bill to void proposed PennDOT toll plan
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: On pandemic anniversary, state has distributed 3.6M vaccine doses; LVHN vaccinates 3.6K at Dorney Park | Pa. COVID vaccine map (03/11/21)
WFMZ: Berks commissioners criticized for role in ICE center
Reading Eagle: Activists demand Berks County cuts ties with federal agency managing center for detained immigrants
Reading Eagle: Berks marks anniversary of pandemic and looks ahead to COVID vaccination effort
Reading Eagle: Berks County Prison sees outbreak of COVID cases

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Merski wants transparency in board appointments
Erie Times-News: $275M in virus relief aid coming to Erie County
Centre Daily Times: Will central Pennsylvania’s ‘Biden Barn’ be rebuilt after fire? Owners talk plans, community response
Centre Daily Times: 2 suspects in custody for ‘Biden Barn’ fire, as investigation continues. Here’s what we know
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners act on health and wellness site
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Land development extension granted
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Audit confirms 2020 election winner, but not much else
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 30 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
John Baer: Pa. lawmakers have days to help child sex abuse survivors after Wolf team’s blunder 
Gene Yaw: Pay attention to what PennFuture calls an oil and gas ‘subsidy’
Jared Solomon: Time To Say Enough To Corruption 
Rick Bloomingdale and Frank Snyder: Congress needs to pass the Protecting the Right to Organize Act. This is why
Marc Stier: A minimum wage hike would reverse 40-year pay stagnation for working people
USA Today Editorial Board: Pa. state parks were a COVID saving grace
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Well done, Lancaster County, on launching a mass vaccination center. Now, please, establish a county health department.  
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lancaster city shows how social workers strengthen community policing
York Dispatch Editorial Board: A light at the end of the yearlong tunnel 
Inquirer Editorial Board: A year into COVID-19, taking stock of the protections workers won — and those they still need 
Inquirer: Should schools get to cancel standardized tests this year? | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Public meetings must include the public
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Teachers strong arm their way into shots
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A new focus on climate change
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pope Francis in Iraq
Joel L. Naroff: The stimulus bill is needed, but servicing the national debt may surpass the cost of Social Security
Larry Platt: Ideas, Please! 
David Osborne: Unionization is not the answer for Harrisburg Area Community College faculty
Joyce M. Davis: Some powerful people are helping our communities stand against racist bullies | Social Views
Dairyn Ortiz and Yecika Ramirez: Workers who put the food on your tables need the COVID-19 vaccine now
Tony Norman: The mathematics of oppression
Nancy Eshelman: Woman’s long-term loss of smell robs her of some memories but not her love of life 
Nour Qutyan: When my roommate got COVID-19, I lost pay to quarantine. We need national paid leave now.
Wendy Ross: Intellectual disability is the top unspoken risk factor for COVID-19. So why is it not prioritized for vaccine? 
Will Bunch: Biden, Dems make big bet that labor unions can bring back America’s middle class
Trudy Rubin: What you didn’t know about meeting between the Pope and the Ayatollah