Happy Pi Day (3.14 etc.). How will voter shifts affect upcoming elections? Candidates race to get petitions submitted by March 15. Election boards seek answers and solutions to possible political interference. Funding bridges. No more Monday papers. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Pittsburgh | Mostly Sunny, 56
Harrisburg | Sunny, 55
Scranton | Mostly Sunny, 51
Philadelphia | Sunny, 59

PA Sports
76ers | defeated Orlando, 116-114 (OT); today vs. Denver
Flyers | lost to Montreal, 4-3 (OT)
Penguins | defeated Carolina, 4-2
PIAA Wrestling | 2A bracket | 3A bracket

News

Official Statewide Candidate List: With the countdown to 5 p.m. on March 15 getting closer, candidates for statewide office are gathering signatures on nomination petitions to get their names on the ballot on May 17.

Patel Ends Bid for PA-12 Nomination: Bhavini Patel, candidate for the US Congressional seat in the 12th District, is ending her 2022 election bid.

Election Workers Worry About Political Interference: Despite running “the most secure election in American history,” according to CISA, election officials are being targeted for harassment by citizens who challenge that statement. If that wasn’t enough, election officials now have to worry about politicians interfering with their jobs.

Ups and Downs: The week that was the first full week of March and the last week of Standard Time. A week that saw court activity, poll releases, petition submissions, ad spending and lots of news on beverage fronts. Our ups and downs for March 11.

Podcast: Will Voter Shifts Doom PA Democrats?: Recent polls show a sharp shift in how voters in Pennsylvania identify when it comes to political party, with those who lean Republican now topping those who lean Democratic.

Opinion: The Path to Peace in Ukraine: It’s time for a settlement of the war for Ukraine. No settlement will be imposed on Vladimir Putin or the Ukrainians. They’re too tough and too independent to be forced into a deal by a third party. But within their toughness and independence lies the logic of resolution.

PA Senate Race: ‘Jeff Bartos on the economy, legislating and saving small businesses’: City & State PA reports that “during a recent campaign stop in central Pennsylvania, Bartos sat down with City & State to discuss what motivated him to run for Senate, what policies he would support if elected and what he thinks voters should know about him before casting their ballot in the May 17 primary election.”

• Fox News: Dr. Oz, now a GOP Senate candidate, had Jazz Jennings, transgender parents, transgender surgeon on his show
• CNN: Dr. Oz supported health insurance mandates and promoted Obamacare before Senate run
• CBS21: Face the State | Senate candidate Dave McCormick, Candidate for Governor Jake Corman
• PennLive: Critics cry ‘political tourist,’ but GOP Senate hopeful David McCormick plays it like a homecoming
• WFMZ: Senate candidate Kathy Barnette visits Berks school

PA Governor Race: ‘Mastriano, Jan. 6 committee silent on deposition request’: The Associated Press reports that “there was no word Friday as to whether a Pennsylvania state senator who is running for governor showed up for a deposition in front of the congressional committee looking into the Jan. 6 insurrection, as it had requested in a subpoena last month. Sen. Doug Mastriano, a former Army officer seeking the Republican nomination for governor, did not respond to requests for comment through emails to office, campaign and personal accounts.”

• NBC10: NBC10 @Issue: Daylight Saving Time; Bill McSwain on His Candidacy; Mail Theft
• CBS21: Face the State | Senate candidate Dave McCormick, Candidate for Governor Jake Corman
• ABC27: This Week in Pennsylvania: Austin Davis & the latest Pa. news
• WHYY: Mariner East pipeline motivates activist’s Green Party run for Pa. governor

‘Harrisburg council member enters Pa. 10th Congressional fray’: PennLive reports that “Harrisburg council member and attorney Shamaine Daniels is making the Democratic primary for the 10th Congressional District seat currently held by U.S. Rep. Scott Perry a contest.”

‘Pennsylvania payrolls, labor force grew in January’: The Associated Press reports that “Pennsylvania’s payrolls grew again in January, the unemployment rate crept down and the labor force expanded after more than a year of contraction, according to new figures released Friday.”

‘Lawmakers to push for $500 million trust fund to help fix Pennsylvania’s decaying bridges’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “two veteran Pennsylvania lawmakers from both parties say they will push for legislation to create a $500 million local bridge trust fund that could offer significant relief to the state’s aging infrastructure and help reduce a backlog of badly deteriorating spans statewide.”

‘Biden to Democrats in Philly: Campaign on the policies that gave families ‘money in their pockets’’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Biden rallied House Democrats amid slumping approval ratings, rising gas prices, and ahead of what could be a brutal midterm election cycle for his party.”

‘Fitzpatrick returns from Ukraine, Poland; wants to see more action by U.S. after speaking with Zelensky’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports that “after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and viewing firsthand the refugee crisis created by the Russian invasion last weekend, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick said the United States needs to assist Ukraine in establishing a no-fly zone over its country and do more to help that young country maintain its freedom.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘State reps in Perry, Juniata counties to oppose each other in redrawn Pa. House seat.’: PennLive reports that “state Reps. John Hershey and Perry Stambaugh have been pushed into the same district by the new legislative maps.”

‘State Rep. Hennessey announces run for 16th term in 26th House Dist.’: The Daily Local News reports that “state Rep. Tim Hennessey, R-26th Dist., has announced his intention to seek reelection to a 16th term in Harrisburg.”

‘Independent Kotori enters 172nd district race’: The Northeast Times reports that “Kotori, a Bustleton resident, is running for the 172nd Legislative District seat as an independent.”

Regional Spotlight: Southeast and Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Soaring inflation, gas prices have Pennsylvania lawmakers talking about tax ‘holidays,’ distributing federal aid
Bucks Local News: House and Senate pass Fitzpatrick-authored Kayden’s Law; legislation heads to President’s desk
Bucks Local News: Congressman announces inclusion of more than $6.5M for local projects in House Appropriations Bill
Inquirer: Philadelphia Parking Authority abruptly ousts executive director Scott Petri 
Inquirer: Carpenters rejoin the Building Trades after Johnny Doc’s departure
Inquirer: ‘People’s Convoy’ protesters rally in Philly to demand more media coverage 
KYW Newsradio: City Council examines domestic, gun violence connection in Philly
KYW Newsradio: Why county officials want fast decision on legislative district maps from Pa. Supreme Court
KYW Newsradio: Council mandates pandemic sick leave for 2 more years and 3,000 more businesses
KYW Newsradio: Outlaw to fire officer for fatal shooting of 12-year-old
KYW Newsradio: Move those cars: Philly expands street sweeping program to more neighborhoods
Delco Daily Times: Receiver moves to strip Chester councilman of financial responsibilities
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County officials seek solution for juvenile detention crisis
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County Health Department gets state approval 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County vote-by-mail ballots may not get out until end of April or beginning of May 
Delco Daily Times: In 3-2 vote, Delco Council approves $100G for six months’ work with contractor 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County opens its heart for Ukraine war refugees 
Daily Local News: Houlahan visits Phoenixville, meets with business leaders still battling pandemic
Daily Local News: Chester, Berks election boards seek clarity on crucial unsolved election issues
Daily Local News: Agriculture Secretary visits Kennett area to tout ‘Mushroom Capital of the World’
WFMZ: Pa. Latino Convention coming to Allentown
Morning Call: Allentown’s police chief wants more officers. Will he have the city’s support?
Reading Eagle: Reading City Council accepts member’s resignation [Updated] 
Reading Eagle: Reading Redistricting Commission recommends minimal change to City Council districts 
Reading Eagle: Berks commissioners ask Pa. Supreme Court for clarity about May primary
Reading Eagle: Reading temporarily suspends street-sweeping program
Morning Call: Years-long battle between Bethlehem and Airbnb owners is finally over. What happens now for short-term rentals?
Morning Call: Will outdoor dining return to the Lehigh Valley? One city wants to bring it back — and expand it beyond downtown
Morning Call: Another sign of new jobs: Wolf says Australian company picks Lehigh Valley for first U.S. manufacturing location
WFMZ: Easton sees nearly 15% decrease in ‘Part I’ violent crimes, as city continues to expand 
WFMZ: Easton’s Panto delivers State of the City address
Express Times: Long-term effort to address Lehigh Valley’s inequities takes shape as major groups sign on
Levittown Now: Bucks County Newspapers Will Stop Printing Monday Edition
WHYY: Philly plans permanent statue honoring Harriet Tubman
WHYY: Commonwealth Court rules in favor of Delaware County, and against Aqua and DELCORA, in $276.5M sale dispute
Inquirer: Enabling Trump’s Tax Break 
Philly Voice: Philadelphia could eliminate lead from drinking water in its schools by 2025
Philadelphia Business Journal: Bill that places overlay in University City, limits development sparks threat of litigation
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County authorizes nearly $1M in bridge repair contracts
Billy Penn: Meet Hannah Callowhill Penn, Pa.’s first and only woman leader

Opinion  
Tom Wolf: Budget proposal makes good on outstanding commitments and provides taxpayer relief 
Jack Stollsteimer: Why I’m proud to be Ukrainian
Michael O’Neill: In-person voting essential to election security
Mark D. DiRocco: Pennsylvania must do more to help students recover academically from the pandemic
Kristine Campbell: Companies need to give their employees time to vote
Ruth Ann Dailey: Kick-starting a $50 million conversation
Michael Gary: Private schools need to fight for fair public funding of education in Pennsylvania, too 
Alison McCook: More than 4,000 Pa. kids have lost someone to COVID-19, but they’re mourning alone
Jamie Wiggan: A slow demise: Industrial towns were hollowed out before steel collapse
Salena Zito: Diner breakfasts are perfectly normal, no matter what D.C. elites think
Will Bunch: President Biden, don’t ‘fund the police’ until cops do better on telling the truth
Jan LeSuer: Philadelphia is allowing its libraries to wither and rot
PennLive Editorial Board: The last thing we need now is gridlock in Washington that can hurt our economy
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Lancaster County needs to expand broadband access, and has the funding and opportunity to do it now
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gas tax holiday a vacation from common sense
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Normal never looked so good
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Trou­bled jail needs in­de­pen­dent over­sight 
Clifford Bob: Say no to Ukraine in NATO, end the war
Shaden Eldakar-Hein and James P. Orlando: How we are addressing the alarming shortage of primary care providers
Nancy Eshelman: Having an Indian school mascot is outdated, but not everyone is offended 
David Shribman: Once again, freedom is tested
Mark Lichtenwalner: How will war affect Ukraine’s massive wheat crop?
Ira Beckerman, Mechanicsburg, Pa., Asbell Center for Jewish Life, Dickinson College; Congregation Beth El, Sunbury, Pa.; Congregation Sons of Israel, Chambersburg, Pa.; Temple Beth Shalom, Mechanicsburg, Pa.; UUJusticePA: An open letter to Sen. Mastriano 
Gene Collier: In the time of the COVID-19 pandemic, ‘everyday life’ has a new connotation
Anna Merriman: Philly ex-pat in Poland: Volunteers and kindness alone can’t find beds for more than a million Ukrainian refugees 
John K. Smith: How a Black Bethlehem Steel employee achieved financial success and national prominence in the 1920s