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March 13th Playbook

A GOP super PAC launches a new website attacking Rep. Matt Cartwright, while Gov. Tom Wolf endorses John Kane for the state Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

GOP PAC Targets Cartwright Over Trucking Bill: The new website paints Rep. Cartwright as an elected official pushing for legislation that would directly benefit his family. His campaign fired back calling the website a “cheap stunt” and saying his legislation is aimed at assisting crash victims.

Politically Uncorrected: Pennsylvania’s Presidential Primary: Day Late and A Dollar Short: Pennsylvania almost never has a meaningful spring presidential primary.

PA10: Equality PAC Endorses DePasquale: Equality PAC, the political action committee formed by leaders of the Congressional LGBT Equality Caucus, endorsed Auditor General Eugene DePasquale in his bid for the 10th Congressional District, according to a release from his campaign. 

SD9: Wolf Endorses Kane: Gov. Tom Wolf endorsed John Kane, business manager for Plumbers Union Local 690, for the Democratic Party nomination for the 9th state Senate District. Kane and Brett Burman, a former public school teacher and small businessman, are both vying for the party nomination. The seat is held by state Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), who defeated Democrat Martin Molloy for the seat in 2016 by over 2.5 points

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. lawmakers plan to meet in the Capitol next week, despite coronavirus concerns 
Spotlight PA: Protections for vulnerable Pa. seniors lag, reforms to guardianship system ‘stuck’ 
Morning Call: Coronavirus outbreak: Pennsylvania lawmaker wants to mail all voters a ballot to ensure April primary can be held
AP: Governor closes schools in Philly suburb hit by virus
Post-Gazette: CDC awards $17 million in COVID-19 funding to Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: Steel CEO to Trump administration: Tariffs ‘loophole’ threatens Butler plant 
KDKA: Around The Table: Coronavirus Prevention Plans In Pennsylvania With Lt. Gov. John Fetterman
Patriot News: Coronavirus concerns prompts Pa. Capitol to stop public tours, events
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: Map, details on known cases 
Patriot News: Coronavirus Pa.: state officials insist no potential cases have been denied tests
Reading Eagle: What impact will coronavirus have on Pennsylvania’s 2020 primary election?
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Can a closed Capitol be transparent? Yes, say experts 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Sen. Bob Casey scores 100 on enviro group’s report card; Toomey gets a 0 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf orders shutdown of schools, public spaces in Montgomery County as Pennsylvania enters two-week COVID response 
Central Voice: Harrisburg AIDS health services center set to mark its 35th anniversary
Inquirer: Pennsylvania counties where Bernie Sanders beat Hillary Clinton in 2016 are full of warning signs for him now 
Inquirer: Every Pa. medical marijuana patient who drives is a DUI target. This lawmaker wants to change that. 
Inquirer: Coronavirus testing in Pa.: Despite new CDC guidance, state lab is turning away some patients 
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. senator introduces bills to waive this year’s PSSA, Keystone, and streamline online learning over COVID-19
WHYY Newsworks: ‘Excuses to try to silence me’: Lawsuit alleges racial bias at Pa.’s anti-discrimination agency
Beaver County Times: Auditor general to review funding for volunteer fire relief associations 
The Hill: Bloomberg donates $500,000 to group registering Latinos to vote
PLSReporter: Wolf announces ‘social distancing’ actions, MontCo school closures in response to COVID-19 
PLSReporter: As some states ban coverage of gender affirming care, House committee hears from controversial opponents of the practice   

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Amid coronavirus fears, Philadelphia City Council considers pressuring for an end to evictions, foreclosures, utility shutoffs 
Inquirer: State-ordered shutdown of Montgomery County schools due to the coronavirus brings relief to some, stress to others — and forces the closure of 63 Philly schools 
Inquirer: Philadelphia councilmember introduces bill to ban discrimination based on natural hairstyles 
Inquirer: Ghost guns proliferate as Philadelphia grapples with gun violence 
Inquirer: Every Pa. medical marijuana patient who drives is a DUI target. This lawmaker wants to change that. 
Inquirer: One end of North Broad thrives; the other struggles. Can a revitalization plan bring them together?  
Inquirer: NewsGuild, Inquirer agree to tentative labor pact with first across-the-board raise in years 
Inquirer: A Philly teacher had known exposure to a coronavirus patient. The district isn’t notifying parents.  
Inquirer: Philly schools bought hand sanitizer with no alcohol to fight coronavirus. Teachers are concerned. 
Inquirer: An “activist educator” is leaving the Philly school board
Inquirer: Former Inquirer columnist Stu Bykofsky sues newspaper over retirement send-off that went awry
Billy Penn: Philly restaurants and bars brace for business dip amid coronavirus fears 
Billy Penn: Metro Philly is hiring, rebooting Philadelphia newsroom under new family owners
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus inspires Philadelphia to consider a moratorium on evictions 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly closes 63 schools due to Montco coronavirus emergency, lack of staff
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly Mayor Jim Kenney wants $85M to fight coronavirus in city 
Philadelphia Tribune: Lincoln cancels face-to-face classes; Cheyney extends spring break
Philadelphia Magazine: City Bans All Events of 1,000 or More People Due to Coronavirus 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Coronavirus News: SEPTA and Amtrak Slump, Colleges Lock Down, To Cancel or Not to Cancel 
Philadelphia Magazine: Stu Bykofsky Sues Philadelphia Inquirer and Inga Saffron for Defamation
PLSReporter: Mayor Kenney, City Council responds to coronavirus outbreak
KYW Newsradio: Officials prohibit gatherings with more than 1,000 people; 3 coronavirus-related bills in City Council
KYW Newsradio: 63 Philadelphia schools to be closed Friday due to unexpected staff shortages
KYW Newsradio: Philly teachers fear district-supplied hand sanitizer inadequate against coronavirus
Philly Voice: Philly officials ban mass gatherings as coronavirus concerns grow

SEPA
Daily Local News: Wolf shuts down all schools in Montco for 2 weeks 
Delco Daily Times: It’s business as usual for Delco government – for now 
Delco Daily Times: Eddystone hears of importance of accurate census numbers 
Delco Daily Times: Sen. Kearney plans to close office due to coronavirus concerns 
Delco Daily Times: Events are being cancelled and closures continue to grow 
Delco Daily Times: Wave of gun violence shakes Chester
Inquirer: State-ordered shutdown of Montgomery County schools due to the coronavirus brings relief to some, stress to others — and forces the closure of 63 Philly schools 
KYW Newsradio: Governor orders non-essential facilities in Montgomery County to close amid coronavirus
Bucks Courier Times: Coronavirus: Montgomery County schools to close, events canceled 
Bucks Courier Times: Love makes a comeback in Newtown Township 
Bucks Courier Times: Middletown to live stream meeting to Facebook as coronavirus precaution
Bucks Local News: Governor takes action to stop COVID-19 spread; moves to mitigation phase in Montgomery County

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Parnell Moves Into Congressional District He’s Running In
WESA: Allegheny County, State Give Different Advice On COVID-19 Precautions
KDKA: Around The Table: Coronavirus Prevention Plans In Pennsylvania With Lt. Gov. John Fetterman
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pittsburgh: Emergency Declaration In Effect For Allegheny County Amid Spreading Virus 
KDKA: ‘This Is Scary’: Coronavirus Already Having Negative Impact On Pittsburgh Small Businesses
Post-Gazette: CDC awards $17 million in COVID-19 funding to Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: County, health officials hoping to maintain calm amid COVID-19 crisis. ‘We can manage this.’
Post-Gazette: Local schools closed due to fears of virus exposure; universities will shift to remote classes
Post-Gazette: Steel CEO to Trump administration: Tariffs ‘loophole’ threatens Butler plant 
Post-Gazette: In Washington, COVID-19 leads to canceled tours, shuttered offices and a state of emergency 
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh City Council and Pittsburgh Zoo struggle to come to agreement over reptile legislation
Tribune Review: Allegheny County officials disclose ‘bottleneck’ in coronavirus testing 
Tribune Review: Group will stress the economic benefits of industry in Western Pennsylvania 
City Paper: A comprehensive list of Pittsburgh events canceled due to response to coronavirus
Pittsburgh Business Times: County officials expect more COVID-19 tests will be done soon after “slight bottleneck” 

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Burns announces re-election bid
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State, counties brace for outbreak’s impact on election
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Commissioners warn of Facebook page 
Beaver County Times: Groups launch coalition to defend traditional industries 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County school districts united, planning in wake of coronavirus 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County Jail suspends ICE, U.S. Marshals transfers, volunteer meetings 
Beaver County Times: Ellwood City shuts down municipal buildings
Observer-Reporter: State officials, area residents brace for impact of coronavirus in Southwestern Pennsylvania 
Observer-Reporter: County tourism agency an economic driver, study says
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County schools planning for worst-case coronavirus scenario
Altoona Mirror: Universities react to virus concerns

NEPA
Citizens Voice: ‘To us older folks, it’s a big deal’ 
Citizens Voice: Court officials seek to limit coronavirus threat
Citizens Voice: Coronavirus: Local roundup 
The Times Leader: NEPA virus developments and postponements 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County outlines virus prep for prison, courts 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County District Attorney Stefanie Salavantis presents annual report 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Courts to impose minor changes 
The Times Leader: Meeting on Wilkes-Barre sewer system postponed
Times-Tribune: Concerns over coronavirus intensify in NEPA 
Times-Tribune: Health center receives more than $1.2 million in federal funds

South Central 
Patriot News: Coronavirus concerns prompts Pa. Capitol to stop public tours, events
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: Map, details on known cases 
Patriot News: Coronavirus Pa.: state officials insist no potential cases have been denied tests
York Dispatch: York City schedules news conference on COVID-19
York Dispatch: West York shutters gov’t office, York City declares emergency over coronavirus 
York Dispatch: York County officials frustrated with judges over office space veto
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County leaders update community on COVID-19 preparations
LNP | LancasterOnline: School District of Lancaster cancels school Friday due to potential coronavirus exposure
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County restricts access to prison, county nursing home
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle mayor: ‘Listen to the experts’ on coronavirus
Carlisle Sentinel: Wolf limits travel of state employees, orders office to approve all large gatherings involving state business

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: What impact will coronavirus have on Pennsylvania’s 2020 primary election?
Reading Eagle: Berks County declares disaster emergency over coronavirus 
Reading Eagle: Berks County entities benefit from Labor & Industry grants
Morning Call: ‘The vibe is very apocalyptic’: As Lehigh Valley reports first case of coronavirus in Northampton County, residents come to grips with a new reality
Morning Call: Schools around Lehigh Valley close as coronavirus fears continue to spread
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: Gov. Wolf orders closure of public venues in Montgomery County, ‘epicenter’ of outbreak in state 
Express Times: Allentown schools shut for 2 days as employee tested for coronavirus 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie community college hearing postponed 
Erie Times-News: Erie region coronavirus cancellations, changes 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County Judge Linhardt upholds city police pension increase

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: To improve coronavirus response, Pa. needs to fix gaps in law — and fast
Inquirer Staff: ‘Friends of’ school groups: A much-needed community aid or exacerbator of inequity? | Pro/Con 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tackling gun violence: Gov. Wolf should consider special legislative session to address the issue 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Battling fake news: Older people exploited by false stories
Ronald A. DiNicola: Erie’s fight for a new community college has statewide implications. This is why
John Baer: National political expert comes home to central Pa., explains America’s great divide
Fletcher McClellan: So much for Pa.’s chance to play Democratic kingmaker in 2020 
John L. Micek: Big cities aren’t widely testing for coronavirus. Why? | Thursday Morning Coffee
Rabbi Carl Choper: Congress can protect religious freedom by supporting the No Ban Act
Albert Eisenberg: Mayor Kenney’s legacy could be a flood of debt 
Larry Platt: Where’s The Money Going? 
Will Bunch: ‘Disaster socialism’: Will coronavirus crisis finally change how Americans see the safety net? 
Trudy Rubin: Trump should take a lesson from South Korea on coronavirus and get moving on testing now 
Chris Kelly: Keep Calm and Carry Hand Sanitizer
Helen Ubiñas: Coronavirus acts of kindness: Are you committing them? Have you witnessed any?
Jenice Armstrong: Be careful about whom you allow around your children. This mom was, but it still wasn’t enough.

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