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March 18th Playbook

Susquehanna Polling and Research released a poll for the GOP Governor’s race, while Democrats nominated candidates for two special elections for the state Senate. Here is the Playbook. 

SP&R Poll for GOP Guv: Barletta 20%, Mastriano 11%, Undecided 60%: 60% of registered Republicans polled said that they are undecided for the Governor primary between five potential candidates. Former Congressman Lou Barletta leads the way with 20%.

SD22: Flynn Nominated as Dem Candidate in Special Election: State Rep. Marty Flynn bested state Rep. Kyle Mullins to earn the nomination from the Democratic Party for the special election.

SD48: Clements Selected as Dem Candidate in Special Election: Dr. Calvin Clements, a retired veterinarian, mentioned opening PA businesses and schools safely as top priorities if elected to the state Senate.

HD60: Special Election Set for May 18: The election, to fill the open seat previously held by state Rep. Jeff Pyle (R-Armstrong), will take place on the same day as the state’s primary election.

PA Supreme Court Candidates Participate in Virtual Forum: WHYY reports that the four PA Supreme Court candidates participated in a virtual forum hosted by the Free Library of Philadelphia and the group Pennsylvanians for Modern Courts on Wednesday. 

WaPo: Postal Service Finds No Evidence of Mail Ballot Fraud in Pa. Case Cited by Top Republicans: On Wednesday, the Washington Post reported that U.S. Postal Service investigators found no evidence to support the claim of a mail carrier in Erie who alleged that his supervisors had tampered with mail-in ballots, according to an inspector general’s report. 

Bill To Make Daylight Saving Time Permanent in PA Passes Committee: PennLive reports that a bill sponsored by state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) that would urge Congress to “authorize states to make Daylight Saving Time apply year-round” was approved by the House State Government Committee on Wednesday by a 23-2 vote.  

Delco and Montco Elected Officials Endorse Kenyatta’s Senate Bid: According to a press release from state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s (D-Philadelphia) U.S. Senate campaign, he has been endorsed by several elected officials in Delaware and Montgomery Counties including State Rep. Nancy Guenst, Bridgeport Mayor Mark Barbee, Lansdowne Borough Council President Benjamin Hover & VP Magda Byrne, Yardley Council President David Bria and William Penn School District President. 

Dowling Named Chair of House Second Amendment Caucus: State Rep. Matthew Dowling (R-Fayette) has been named Chairman of the House Second Amendment Caucus. He takes over for Jeff Pyle, who announced his retirement from office on March 16.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Hopes dim that Pa. lawmakers will push through emergency relief for clergy abuse victims
Washington Post: Postal Service finds no evidence of mail ballot fraud in Pa. case cited by top Republicans 
AP: Lawmaker’s departure produces fourth May 18 special election
Patriot News: Efforts to reform statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims in Pa. come down to the wire
Patriot News: Pa. lawmakers, officials could see their pay frozen for second consecutive year
Patriot News: ‘It’s about time’; Bill would make Daylight Saving Time permanent in Pa.
Patriot News: Toomey circulates letter raising alarm about nursing homes, joins Casey oversight bill
Patriot News: 21 Pa. counties have substantial spread of COVID-19; positive test rate holds steady at 5.7%
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Nearly 3 million in Pa. are at least partially vaccinated
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Faced with limited Republican backing, statute of limitations reform on thin ice in House
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With Senate panel’s action, Pa.’s Levine moves a step closer to becoming highest-ranking transgender person in U.S. gov’t 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Will public institutions be held liable for decades-old abuse claims? Pa. Senate bill wants to make sure they can
Morning Call: Is the Pennsylvania Supreme Court the key to controlling the Legislature? Democrats seem to think so
Morning Call: Emergency amendment to allow lawsuits by child sex abuse survivors at risk after Pa. House battle, advocate says
WHYY Newsworks: Meet the candidates: Race for Pa. Supreme Court kicks off with virtual forum
WHYY Newsworks: New Pa. initiative seeks to identify and reduce causes of health disparities
York Daily Record: Pa. voters: Here’s what you need to know about 2021 elections
York Daily Record: Father warns Pennsylvania daughter: ‘Stay off the clouds!’ following the Capitol riots
PLSReporter: Susquehanna poll examines early feelings on potential 2022 GOP gubernatorial candidates 
PLSReporter: Cutler schedules 60th House District special election for May 18 
Fox News: Pennsylvania PPE stockpiled at Farm Show site, Republican state senator claims
Fox News: Pennsylvania man who spent years in prison sues over withheld evidence
Post-Gazette: Here’s Pa.’s latest plan for state trails and parks
Post-Gazette: Four Pa. legislative special elections set for May 18 primary day
StateImpactPA: DEP pointed feds to whistleblower complaints about Shell pipeline
Tribune Review: Pa. health official says all Phase 1A appointments should be scheduled by March 31
KYW Newsradio: New website puts pressure on governor to let Pa. events industry get back to work
Politico: EPA finalizes rule curbing interstate pollution from 12 states
Philly Voice: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman explains in blog post the significance of tattoos on his forearms
CNN: House votes to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Health Dept. Announces 3,004 New Cases, 37 Additional Deaths 
Huffington Post: The ‘Army Of Environmental Super Voters’ Is Growing, And Marching On City Hall

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly could set new record for homicides, officials say during first gun violence briefing
WHYY Newsworks: Philly sheriff sales to move online, sparking fears of real estate speculation
WHYY Newsworks: ‘The victims are Asian American’: Philly communities ‘on edge’ after Atlanta-area shooting
WHYY Newsworks: SEPTA police officers suspended over Capitol riot social media posts
Inquirer: Philly is on a pace to see a record number of homicides, shootings, and confiscated guns, mayor says
Inquirer: Philly is trying to improve vaccine racial equity. The FEMA site made it worse. 
Inquirer: Philly Asian Americans have experienced a year of hateful acts, and fear reopening will make things even worse 
Inquirer: Philly Proud Boys president Zach Rehl charged in Capitol riot 
Inquirer: As vaccine distribution ramps up, so do efforts to care for Philly’s vulnerable immigrants
Inquirer: In Philadelphia, nearly a third of customers are past due on their water bills
Inquirer: SEPTA to suspend two transit police sergeants for posts supporting Jan. 6 pro-Trump riot
KYW Newsradio: As biweekly gun violence briefings begin, Kenney offers few new ideas
KYW Newsradio: ‘We won’t be silenced’: Hundreds gather in Chinatown to condemn Atlanta shootings
KYW Newsradio: 2 SEPTA police officers suspended for social media posts related to Capitol riots
Philadelphia Tribune: Federal stimulus package could bring $1.4B to city coffers 

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: House passes Kayden’s Law as part of VAWA
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks unveils $37M rental assistance program
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick introduces law in memory of Kayden Mancuso
Delco Daily Times: Delco to President Joe Biden: Send help with vaccines
Delco Daily Times: More than 500 Chester residents receive COVID-19 vaccines at Chester City Hall
Inquirer: Suburban Philly officials to Pa. Health Department: One mass vaccination site for the region would ‘deepen the inequities’
Inquirer: PFAS found in 72% of drinking-water samples in Philly’s suburbs 
Pottstown Mercury: President Joe Biden rolls out ‘Help Is Here’ campaign at stop in Chester
KYW Newsradio: Suburban counties ready to amp up distribution of COVID-19 vaccine if only Pa. could supply it
Montgomery Media: Federal stimulus packages provide funding relief for Montgomery County
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: CHOP is approved site for COVID-19 vaccine trials for kids
Daily Local News: Chester residents enthused to see president in town

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Speaks At ‘Mayor’s Summit Against Anti-Semitism’ Conference
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny County To Expand Vaccine Eligibility As Leaders Fear Spring Surge
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Hopes Opioid Overdose Dashboard Will Help Address Addiction
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 285 New Cases, 6 Additional Deaths
WESA: Allegheny County May Be Headed For A Spring COVID Surge
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council revisits red-eared slider, crocodilian ban
Post-Gazette: Wabtec CEO pitches lawmakers on research institute with CMU to explore carbon-free rail technology
Post-Gazette: Federal, state agencies probing Shell’s Falcon ethane pipeline after whistleblowers’ allegations
Post-Gazette: Pa. hoping to move into next vaccine phase in early April
Tribune Review: Vaccine eligibility to expand in Allegheny County, but on certain conditions
Tribune Review: New covid cases for Allegheny, Westmoreland, Pa. remain above 7-day average
Tribune Review: Covid cases hit Allegheny County court records division, causing procedural changes
Pittsburgh Business Times: What Allegheny County officials say about the state’s latest Covid rollback
City Paper: A Pittsburgh journalist helps discover a missing piece of research on the health impacts of fracking
City Paper: Falcon Pipeline, which provides natural gas to Shell cracker plant, under investigation for possible corrosion

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Bernstine’s Markie’s Law bill passes House
Beaver County Times: PA Proud Boys leader arrested in Capitol riot
Beaver County Times: PA woman charged with demonstrating in Capitol
Tribune Review: Westmoreland DA candidate excused from jury duty after failing to show
Altoona Mirror: 20,000 in Blair receive vaccination
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Legal challenge involving Johnstown mayoral candidate already removed from ballot goes forward
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Clean up the mess’: Sex abuse amendment fix moves forward
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State tops 3,000 new cases for second consecutive day
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State directs health organizations to tackle ‘profound’ disparities in PA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Another 1,100 doses’: Highlands Health Clinic ready for vaccine encore
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Feds OK state plan to pay parents for student lunches during COVID school closings
Observer-Reporter: Hatfield Wise announces candidacy for Washington County judge
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners announce business grants through COVID-19 relief program
Observer-Reporter: Seven new COVID-19 deaths reported in Fayette County

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Report: Local lawmakers received $26,000-plus in taxpayer-funded reimbursements during pandemic
Times-Tribune: County retroactively OKs contract to spend $150 for each employee vaccination
Times-Tribune: O’Malley challenges Kovaleski’s petitions in register of wills race
Times-Tribune: FBI: Swoyersville woman filmed inside Capitol on Jan. 6
Times-Tribune: Mass vaccination clinic planned in Monroe County; 231 new COVID-19 cases, seven deaths in NEPA
The Times Leader: Legal action looms over DA vacancy
The Times Leader: 78 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Wednesday
Citizens Voice: Local lawmakers say Wolf grant program not enough to deal with losses of SCI-Retreat, White Haven Center
Citizens Voice: 78 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County on Wednesday 

South Central 
York Daily Record: I-83 South Bridge: Tolling drives discussion, criticism in planned replacement of structure
York Daily Record: Primary 2021: Who is running for office in York County? 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Most of Lancaster County’s lawmakers will get COVID-19 vaccine once eligible, encourage constituents to do the same
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County COVID-19 mass vaccination center expands call center hours
Carlisle Sentinel: I-83 bridge toll proposal may force state’s hand on gas tax funding problem
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough named finalist for 2021 All-America City Award
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 52 cases of COVID-19 reported for Cumberland County Wednesday
York Dispatch: York County reports 135 new COVID-19 cases 
York Dispatch: Pa. plans to move into next vaccination phase early next month
Patriot News: Carlisle named finalist in ‘All-America City’ contest, first in Pa. since 2018

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Who’s running for borough councils in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Who’s running for township supervisor in Berks County
Reading Eagle: Who’s running for City Council in Reading [Interactive Map]
Reading Eagle: Berks County vaccine providers getting biggest shipment yet
Express Times: The mail is late. Audit of Lehigh Valley postal service distribution facility seeks answers.
Express Times: $7.5M in COVID-relief grants going to Lehigh Valley restaurants, other hospitality businesses
Express Times: COVID in Pa.: More than 1.3M residents fully covered as vaccine rollout accelerates; 3K new cases as counts plateau | Pa. COVID update (03/17/21)
WFMZ: USPS inspector general conducting audit of facility in Lehigh Valley after mail delays
WFMZ: Lebanon Co. opens vaccine clinic to anyone in phase 1A
WFMZ: Cumru to receive $1.53M in federal stimulus funding
Morning Call: Where are Pa. coronavirus cases rising? Here are the key numbers to watch
Morning Call: Postal service watchdog tapped delay-plagued Lehigh Valley facility for audit; results are expected in the spring
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: State to get more vaccine next week … barely

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Who’s running for State College Borough mayor, council member? Here’s the official list
Centre Daily Times: Here’s a look at who’s running in municipal races across Centre County in the May 18 primary
Centre Daily Times: The municipal primary election is two months away. Here’s what to know ahead of May 18
Centre Daily Times: Important dates and information for the May 18 primary election
Centre Daily Times: Who’s running for school board positions in Centre County?
Centre Daily Times: Only 1 Centre County race is contested in the May primary. Here’s who’s running
Centre Daily Times: March 17 update: Centre County reports 78 new COVID-19 cases and 1,900-plus vaccinations
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: More than 1,800 educators vaccinated throughout region
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State officials: Inequities have put many at ‘increased risk’
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County commissioners proclaim Sunshine Week
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Financial management grant given early nod
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Flood wall approved for district judge’s new office
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: DOH: Pa. gets more vaccine each week
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 19 new COVID-19 cases
Erie Times-News: City plans to build road through cherished Erie ravines

Opinion  
Judy Ward: Two weeks to flatten the curve turned into 52 and counting
Mark O’Keefe: The Pa. Gaming Control Board is a patronage dumping ground. It’s time to fix it 
Inga Saffron: Upper Darby mayor is pursuing an ambitious agenda to make the town cleaner, greener, and more walkable 
Matthew Jeffrey Vegari: Philly shouldn’t screw up windfall from the coronavirus stimulus package 
Andrea Custis: Don’t let the pandemic distract you: We’re in the middle of a dangerous rollback of voting rights
Lance Haver: The Philadelphia Water Department’s proposed rate hike is bad for consumers 
John L. Micek: In the Pa. Senate, an object lesson in how not to respond to a national tragedy | Thursday Morning Coffee
York Dispatch Editorial Board: New commission must find new ways to pay for Pennsylvania infrastructure needs 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pitt’s carbon-neutral plan is at the right speed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Holding out for justice
Tribune Review Editorial: A smart, phased-in return to more restaurant and bar service
Joyce M. Davis: Women beating the odds is not enough; more men should take up the cause of gender equality | Social Views
Jenny Englerth: Community health centers are helping to get vaccines to people who need it most
Christine Flowers: Evil comes in all colors
Peter Madden: One year into the pandemic, Philadelphia has proven it can’t be stopped
Michele L. Mekel: Vaccine ethics: Who should get the vaccine first? Is it ever OK to shame someone?
Dairyn Ortiz and Yecika Ramirez: I’m an essential worker and I still can’t get a vaccine. When is it our turn? 
Chris Kelly: Gay priest answers to God, not the Vatican
Angry Grammarian: Reader questions: ‘Other’ as a verb? ‘Pivot’ prominence?

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