It’s the Ides of March. It’s also Deadline Day for nomination petitions. Dickinson, Lee Talk About 12th District Plans. PA Black Biden Voters Looking for ‘Receipts.’ Senate Panel Explores Recreational Cannabis Legislation. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Erie | Partly Sunny, then chance of showers, 49
State College | Partly Sunny, 59
West Chester | Mostly Sunny, 64

PA Sports
76ers | lost to Denver 114-110, WED vs. Cleveland
Flyers | THU vs. Nashville
Penguins | tonight at Nashville
Villanova MBB | FRI vs. Delaware (NCAA)
Villanova WBB | SAT vs. BYU (NCAA) 

News

Breaking Through: Will a Female or Minority Win Statewide Office?: In the long history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the hallways of Harrisburg have been dotted with elected statewide officials who are primarily white and male. Can that change in 2022?

12th District Democratic Candidates to Speak at Monday Forum: The Democratic candidates for the 12th congressional district in Pennsylvania – Jerry Dickinson, Steve Irwin and Summer Lee – will participate in a forum hosted by 1HoodPower Monday at 7 p.m.

PA Senate Race: ‘The super PAC hammering Mehmet Oz as a RINO is getting money from longtime Democratic donors’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “wealthy investors and executives supporting Republican Senate candidate David McCormick have helped flood Pennsylvania’s airwaves with ads accusing GOP rival Mehmet Oz of being too liberal, a RINO — Republican In Name Only. But some of those same donors have also supported some of the most liberal Democrats in Congress, and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.”

• Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Fetterman, Waldman campaign in city
• Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Senate candidate vows to bring Pa. back to prominence
• Talk Radio 1210 WPHT: Guest- PA Senatorial Candidate Jeff Bartos

‘Yes, prices at the pump are high. Republican primary candidates in Pa. have noticed too’: WHYY reports that “there’s a long history of gasoline prices having outsized effects on political fortunes. And as prices hit record — non-inflation adjusted — highs months before an enormously consequential primary election, Pennsylvania voters and candidates are taking notice.”

‘Common ground aplenty at forum for U.S. House Democratic candidates for 12th District, but differences arise’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Democrats Summer Lee and Jerry Dickinson shared the same airwaves for the first time in their run for Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional district on Monday evening, agreeing that bold, transformative leadership is necessary to meet the numerous crises facing America — but splitting on why they should be the one to deliver it.”

‘Former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane arrested for DUI’: Spotlight PA and the Philadelphia Inquirer reports “former Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane was arrested Saturday in her hometown of Scranton for driving under the influence of alcohol, police there said Monday.”

‘Pa. passed a tax break for data centers. Now crypto-miners are taking advantage’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “the cost of the program is expected to grow from $5 million in 2021 to almost $90 million by 2027.”

‘Pa. lawmakers unveil bipartisan plans for juvenile justice system reform, standardize practices’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “almost one year after a statewide panel released a final report on Pennsylvania’s juvenile justice system, a bipartisan pair of lawmakers have announced plans to improve outcomes for youth and communities.”

‘Black Pa. voters delivered a Biden win in 2020. In 2022, they want ‘receipts’ for his work’: USA Today reports that “it’s become a reliable part of campaign season to see a candidate stump in Pennsylvania’s Black communities, often while making small talk and big promises. But some Black leaders say once the election ballots are cast, those candidates seem to leave faster than they arrived.”

‘With midterms nearing, Republicans look to keep Pennsylvania in the GOP’s hands’: City & State PA reports that “with Pennsylvania’s races for governor and U.S. Senate taking up much of the oxygen in this year’s midterm election cycle, a national organization dedicated to electing Republicans in down-ballot races is making sure Pennsylvania’s state legislative races remain a top priority for the GOP in 2022.”

‘Pa. Senate panel exploring recreational cannabis legalization criticized for not hearing both sides’: PennLive reports that “a Senate panel that took the unprecedented step in Pennsylvania of exploring the issue of legalizing adult-use cannabis wrapped up its series of hearings on Monday amid complaints that it heard only one side of the issue.”

‘Congresswoman Madeleine Dean tests positive for COVID-19’: WFMZ reports that “Congresswoman Madeleine Dean tweeted Monday that she tested positive for COVID-19.”

‘Former Pa. Health Secretary Rachel Levine among USA Today’s Women of the Year’: WHTM reports that “former Pennsylvania Health Secretary Adm. Rachel Levine has been named one of USA Today’s Women of the Year.”

‘Senator Laughlin continues push for cocktails-to-go’: WJET reports that “local state Senator Dan Laughlin is behind an idea to make to-go drinks legal again across Pennsylvania. The idea is to help businesses who are still struggling from COVID-related debt.”

‘Top Pa. drug official denies blame for botched medical marijuana guidance, but her claims don’t add up’: Spotlight PA reports that “the leader of a state agency that failed to clarify rules around addiction treatment and medical marijuana — an action that had serious consequences — continued to deny blame while speaking before state lawmakers this month.”

‘Pennsylvania No. 1 electricity exporter among 50 states’: The Pittsburgh Business Times reports that “Pennsylvania exported more megawatt hours of electricity than any other state in the union and is the largest electricity exporter of any in the region, according to a report Monday by the Independent Fiscal Office.”

‘Former Erie mayor nominated for post in Cleveland Heights, OH’: WJET reports that “former Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott could soon be working in government once again. Sinnott has been nominated by the mayor of Cleveland Heights, Ohio to become city administrator there.”

‘Former WFMZ reporter now with Fox News lands big assignment in Poland near Ukraine border’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “Alex Hogan, a former WFMZ-TV reporter, has been in Poland traveling from city to city near Ukraine’s border, reporting for Fox News Channel on the conflict.”

‘Women invited to attend Ready to Run program at University of Scranton’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “women interested in becoming more involved in government can attend a Ready to Run Northeastern Pennsylvania program at the University of Scranton on April 2.”

‘Nurses On Strike At Armstrong County’s Only Hospital’: KDKA reports that “nurses at Armstrong County’s only hospital are now on strike.”

Legislative Election Updates
Citizens Voice: Yudichak has campaign cash but his political future is uncertain

Regional Spotlight: Central
PennLive: Harrisburg leaders speak out on weekend violence, ‘street justice’ 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County, statewide elected officials and candidates react to 40-year high inflation rate
LNP | LancasterOnline: Most local governments avoided property tax hikes in Lancaster County during the pandemic
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County schools to receive $211.56 million in federal pandemic relief funds: how will they spend it? [Lancaster Watchdog]
York Daily Record: York Daily Record sues York County Clerk of Courts Dan Byrnes over access to public records
PennLive: Central Pa. man is subject of search warrant tied to Capitol attack: report 
PennLive: Former central Pa. resident recounts stunning Russian assault on civilians in Ukraine

Opinion  
Mehmet Oz: Follow The Science For Domestic Energy Policy
Ryan Aument: How to make the budget work for Pennsylvania
Mark Pinsley: To drive down the cost of health care, hospitals need to be held accountable, too
Eric W. Orts: Beyond sanctions: President Biden should declare a national energy emergency
Ray E. Landis: If it was easy to eliminate property taxes, it would have happened by now 
Liz Wagenseller: This week is Sunshine Week. Here’s how you can shine the light on government
Michael Geer: A real pro-lifer has a bone to pick with Sen. Bob Casey
John L. Micek: Washington reinstates a key pollution-fighting tool. What’s next for Pa.? | Friday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: A Philly cop killed a 12-year-old. What happened to police reform in Pa.? | Monday Morning Coffee
Inquirer Editorial Board: Getting lead out of Philadelphia schools’ drinking water is a problem we can actually fix 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Griner risks becoming Putin’s pawn
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: This week’s good things: Beacons of light for Ukraine and the compassion of Lancaster County
Vernon Clark: The Inquirer’s self-examination only scratched the surface of its mistreatment of Black staffers
John Cole: Putin rebuilds the Iron Curtain | Editorial Cartoon 
Gregory Edwards: How ‘Something Inside So Strong’ inspired me to help found a Freedom School in Lehigh Valley