Gov. Tom Wolf renews his push for charter school reform. Here is the Playbook. 

February 26th Ups and Downs: A bipartisan bill to legalize marijuana is introduced, a PAGOP special meeting takes over five hours, plus one possible 2023 Philadelphia mayoral candidate is outraising other potential candidates. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Madden Endorses Kenyatta for Senate: State Rep. Maureen Madden (D-Monroe) and Mount Pocono Borough Council President Claudette Williams have endorsed state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta’s (D-Philadelphia) U.S. Senate campaign, the Pocono Record reports. 

Former Allegheny County Council President John DeFazio Passes Away: Former Allegheny County Council President and At-Large member John DeFazio has died, KDKA reports. 

Walton, USW Endorse Peduto for Mayor: According to a press release from Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto’s campaign, County Councilman and former United Steelworker official Dewitt Walton and United Steelworkers District 10 have endorsed Peduto’s reelection bid. 

Scheller Calls for Term Limits: Lisa Scheller, a former Lehigh County Commissioner and businesswoman who was the GOP candidate for the 7th Congressional District in 2020, sent out a tweet on Saturday morning reiterating her commitment to “term-limit” herself if she is elected to Congress. Scheller has already filed to run in the 7th Congressional District in 2022. 

Philly GOP Endorses Peruto for DA: The Philadelphia Republican Party sent out a press release announcing the endorsement of Chuck Peruto, a defense attorney, for Philadelphia District Attorney. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Pa. Gov. Tom Wolf says, ‘It’s time to fix our charter school law’; critics oppose plan to cut aid
Inquirer: Wolf revives push to change charter school funding
Inquirer: COVID-19 hit to Pennsylvania’s largest universities nears $800 million
Inquirer: Pa. women who leave jobs to care for kids are being wrongfully denied unemployment
AP: Another Pennsylvania health network vaccinates employee kin
Post-Gazette: U.S Attorney Brady to resign, fueling talk of political run
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf proposes major charter school funding reforms that could save districts millions
USA Today: Trump at CPAC repeats Pa. election lies that have been disproven
USA Today: Republicans sued over proxy voting in the pandemic. Now they’re using it to speak at CPAC. 
KYW Newsradio: Wolf sets his sights on Pa. charter school reform
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Ice cream shops, machine politics, and the unfinished struggle of Pa.’s first Black legislator
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Two maps collide as post-election purge overpowers GOP exodus | Analysis
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Dems join majority to approve $1.9T COVID-19 relief bill on a near party-line vote
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The story of all Pennsylvanians: How state experts are trying to make Pa.’s history more inclusive
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How you can help Pa. wildlife in need | Five for the Weekend 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Once more into the breach, a new session brings a new bill to shrink the Legislature | Friday Morning Coffee
PLSReporter: Wolf, lawmakers reintroduce charter school reform efforts 
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 82: Redistricting And Ballot Questions And Marijuana Legalization, Oh My!
Beaver County Times: Wolf’s charter school reform plan draws fire 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Dept. Of Education Allows Schools To Delay Standardized Testing Until Fall 
The Hill: Kavanaugh dismays conservatives by dodging pro-Trump election lawsuits
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pa. official says it could be summer before next priority group OK’d for Covid-19 vaccine
CNN: More than a dozen Republicans tell House they can’t attend votes due to ‘public health emergency.’ They’re slated to be at CPAC.

Philadelphia 
NBC10: Out of Prison, Former DA Seth Williams Is Working for Anti-Violence Group, Speaking Out
Inquirer: As Philly’s gun violence continues, city officials call on legislators to enact more gun control measures 
Inquirer: City Council bill aims to rein in elusive Airbnb hosts 
Inquirer: Mumia Abu-Jamal has COVID-19, supporters say at rally in Philly, demanding his release from prison
Inquirer: Philly won’t reassess properties until next year, but some already worry homeowners will be ‘blindsided’ 
Inquirer: Philly teachers back ‘soon,’ fans won’t be used, school reopening date announcement coming Monday 
Inquirer: Philly hospitals must now disclose prices for care, but it’s still hard to comparison shop: ‘The randomness is stunning.’ 
Inquirer: Doug Robinson, longtime Inquirer city editor and New York Times reporter, dies at 90
Inquirer: ‘Self-employed’ PPP winners have been largely white-collar. New Biden rules aim to change that.
WHYY Newsworks: Philly eases restrictions for restaurants, retail, and sports venues 
WHYY Newsworks: Gun violence epidemic, recent mass shootings push victim service agencies into overdrive 
KYW Newsradio: City, state officials say stopping gun violence is a losing battle without reform
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia easing COVID-19 limits on retail, restaurants, theaters, more, effective March 1
KYW Newsradio: Council awards $4.5m to nonprofits to launch anti-poverty plan
KYW Newsradio: As Philly schools delay in-person return again, some families struggle to keep up
KYW Newsradio: Philly officials say COVID-19 vaccine supply not the holdup now, but capacity to give doses
Billy Penn: What to know about Philly’s FEMA vaccination site at the Convention Center 
Billy Penn: Black history: Philadelphia’s explosive and violent 19th century race riots 
Billy Penn: With 1,000 federal convictions in 40 years, corruption is ever-present in Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia rolls back some Covid-19 restrictions on sports, events, retail and dining 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Pennsylvania allocates $145M for small business grants in the hospitality industry 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Sappey to host virtual discussion on redistricting
Daily Local News: COVID-19 memorial plans underway in Chester County
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 case data continues downward trend
Delco Daily Times: Racist ‘Zoom-bombing’ under investigation

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: U.S Attorney Brady to resign, fueling talk of political run
Post-Gazette: Longtime Allegheny County councilman, labor leader John ‘Jumping Johnny’ DeFazio dies
Post-Gazette: An ‘incredibly important step’ or ‘progressive payoffs’: Area officials split over federal relief bill
Post-Gazette: For Pittsburgh area, COVID-19 bill includes $248M for transit, $35M for airport, more aid for municipalities
Post-Gazette: Doyle takes aim at media for spreading disinformation; GOP claims conservative censorship
Post-Gazette: Across the Pittsburgh region, deciding who gets the vaccine is contentious
KDKA: State Rep Ed Gainey Podcast 
KDKA: Former Allegheny County Council President John DeFazio Passes Away 
KDKA: US Attorney Scott Brady Announces Resignation
KDKA: U.S. House Passes COVID-19 Relief Bill That Would Provide Billions Of Dollars Of Support For Western Pa.
KDKA: Lawmakers Working On Bill To Prevent PennDOT’s Proposed Tolling Of Interstate 79 Bridge
KDKA: Relief On The Way For Struggling Business Owners In Pennsylvania
KDKA: President Joe Biden’s COVID Relief Bill Will Pump Billions Of Dollars Into Pennsylvania
KDKA: UPMC Reports Financial Growth In 2020, Operating Revenues Increased To $23 Billion
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 11 New Deaths, 313 Additional Coronavirus Cases
City Paper: Pennsylvania’s fossil fuel industry received $3.7 billion in tax breaks in 2019, says report
Tribune Review: John DeFazio, former Allegheny County Council president and pro wrestler, dies
Tribune Review: Sen. Robinson’s bill to boost veterans donations when renewing driver license passed unanimously by Pa. Senate
Tribune Review: U.S. Attorney Scott Brady to step down from post
Tribune Review: Despite pandemic, UPMC rakes in record-high $23.1 billion in 2020 revenue
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh to invest $800,000 in public art projects for city’s parks
Tribune Review: 313 new coronavirus cases reported in Allegheny County, 11 deaths
Tribune Review: Allegheny County sees most reported covid cases in a month — 1 from March 2020 
Pittsburgh Business Times: UPMC reaches $23B in annual revenue thanks to increases from UPMC Health Plan
WESA: Pitt Pledges To Divest From Private Fossil Fuel Investments By 2035; Students Say It’s Not Enough
WESA: City Moves Ahead On Big Slate Of Public-Art Projects
WESA: Feb. 20-26 Explained: Labor’s Mayoral Endorsements, Fracking Waste & An Affordable House Quagmire

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Brady resigning as U.S. attorney in western Pennsylvania
Observer-Reporter: Elected officials and business leaders voice opposition to bridge toll proposal
Observer-Reporter: Former clerk of courts Scandale paying fraction of monthly restitution
Observer-Reporter: Washington County had one COVID-19 death over weekend
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County GOP serves up soup for signatures
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: VISION 2021 | Broadband upgrades offer ‘silver lining’ during pandemic
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: VISION 2021 | Court officials expect some COVID-19 changes to stick around
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria’s vaccination rate climbing; three deaths over weekend
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County adds two COVID-19 deaths; 3,361 more cases statewide
Tribune Review: Westmoreland looks for ways to stop decades-long population decline
Tribune Review: Stimulus bill could bring money to expand high-speed internet in Westmoreland
Altoona Mirror: Vaccine clinics planned
Altoona Mirror: Area virus cases fluctuate
Altoona Mirror: Blair non-union raises stay on hold for now
Altoona Mirror: Beam under fire by state lawmakers

NEPA
Pocono Record: Madden, Williams endorse Kenyatta for U.S. Senate at Mount Pocono campaign stop
The Times Leader: Meuser supporting bill to assist disabled veterans in purchasing a vehicle
The Times Leader: Baker voices concerns about Wolf’s bridge-tolling plan
The Times Leader: Officials raise concerns about tolling plan
The Times Leader: Casey introduces legislation to protect nursing home residents and workers
The Times Leader: ZIP code data reflects countywide downward trend in COVID-19
The Times Leader: 56 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Sunday
Citizens Voice: Radle resigns GOP post; cites election board controversy
Citizens Voice: County council might declare election board seats vacant; could lead to litigation
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County unfairly burdened by I-80 toll proposal, local leaders say
Citizens Voice: Cartwright announces grant of nearly $4.9 million for Luzerne County Head Start
Citizens Voice: Nearly $3.6 million in grants will go to Luzerne County small businesses
Citizens Voice: Despite moratorium, some eviction cases moving forward
Citizens Voice: 56 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Times-Tribune: Hundreds of evictions pending in Lackawanna and Luzerne counties despite moratorium 
Times-Tribune: New cases of COVID-19 in NEPA dip below 200 for sixth time in past week

South Central 
Patriot News: Jennie Jenkins-Dallas announces candidacy for Harrisburg City Council
York Dispatch: York attorney Suzanne Smith running for common pleas judge
York Dispatch: Pa. Democrats again pitch charter reform
York Daily Record: Election 2021: Suzanne Smith to run for York County judge
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County to get $2.9M of state hospitality relief funds
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: COVID-19 outbreak at SCI Camp Hill leads to 393 new cases for Cumberland County Saturday
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster’s mass vaccination site has a goal of administering 6,000 doses a day; Is that possible? [Lancaster Watchdog]

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Senator: All families released from Berks immigration detention center
Reading Eagle: Gov. Tom Wolf pushes charter school reform law 
Reading Eagle: Berks County COVID deaths disproportionately high in past week
Reading Eagle: Pa.’s weekly COVID report a mixed bag for Berks County
WFMZ: Mixed reaction from area lawmakers on House passage of $1.9 trillion covid stimulus package
WFMZ: U.S. Senator Bob Casey statement on the release of families from the Berks Family Residential Center
WFMZ: Hellertown Borough Council president says he is running for reelection
WFMZ: U.S. airstrikes in Syria cause a stir in Washington, and with local Syrians
WFMZ: Data shows minority homeownership gap in Berks
Express Times: ‘Back to the drawing board’: Pa. rejects Slate Belt township’s public sewer system plan
Morning Call: More than 2.2 million COVID-19 vaccine shots given in Pennsylvania; no word when next phase that includes teachers will begin
Morning Call: From the editor: The stories of Black History Month

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: First Lady Jill Biden to return to Erie County
Erie Times-News: Proponents say legal pot in PA is inevitable
Erie Times-News: How local legislators voted, the week ending Feb. 26
Erie Times-News: Erie School Board member seeks County Council seat
Erie Times-News: Erie Clerk of Records Gamble not running, endorses aide
Erie Times-News: Allen in, Brennan out of Erie City Council race
Erie Times-News: State reports 98 new COVID-19 cases for Erie County
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners target goals moving forward
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Shutdown of facility follows state order; DEP says closure was voluntary
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Council mulls housing, economic revitalization, other matters
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Supply remains low, mass vaccination clinics in question for region
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County sees fewer ‘first vaccinations’ as people complete process
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Registry used to determine eligibility, does not guarantee appointment
Centre Daily Times: Penn State walk-up COVID-19 testing, random surveillance testing to resume. Here’s what’s changed
Centre Daily Times: Feb. 27 update: Centre County adds 54 COVID-19 cases; Pa. adds 3,361

Opinion  
Joanna McClinton, Jordan Harris, and Matt Bradford: It’s time to raise minimum wage and increase school funding
Noe Ortega: Why Pennsylvania must invest in our college students
James C. Greenwood: The American Rescue Plan offers a much-needed helping hand to struggling Americans
Mark S. Singel: COVID relief or a pandemic of political posturing?
Rogette Harris: Colorism and Black History Month: Unfinished Business
Allan Block: eDelivery is the newspaper’s future
Jordan Norley: ‘All Aboard’ for a rail service to West Chester
Mike Connolly: Pa. teacher pension money ended up in Iraq? Here’s how that happened 
PennLive Editorial Board: Kudos to the state for increasing nursing home vaccinations, but it must do much more to protect seniors 
Inquirer Editorial Board: As new troubles surround Sheriff’s Office, Philly should abolish row offices 
Inquirer: Should Biden raise the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour? | Pro/Con
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: As one-year anniversary of COVID-19 pandemic approaches here, there’s reason for cautious optimism
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Pennsylvania State Police should face questions, review during budget hearings
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A new terrorism commission
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: The climate at home
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Felling trees for safety
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Garland gets his day
Reading Eagle Editorial: Reading’s crime problems defy easy solutions
York Dispatch Editorial Board: Post office needs new leadership
Mark O’Keefe: Judicial remap amendment is on hold – for now. The risk remains 
Paul Muschick: Let’s finally pass the Equality Act: ‘This is America. Show human dignity for others.’
Deborah Freedman and Elinor Haider: More must be done to help Black and brown Philadelphians in debt 
Maria Panaritis: A plea to President Biden: Please help suburban Philadelphia get vaccinated. Its 2.5 million people are underserved. 
Paula J. Margraf: Head Start enrollment drops: ‘Where are the children?’
John L. Micek: Congressional Dems bent the universe toward justice this week. We need to keep pushing 
Becky Bennett: Biden punches the hot button on gun control—and it won’t turn out well | Across the divide
John Dominguez: Resurrect the conservative labor movement
Ron Ruman: Wastewater plant spat highlights need for regional cooperation
Salena Zito: As an industry faces destruction, it grows a voting coalition
Della Clark: Capital investment in minority-owned businesses is essential to economic recovery
David M. Shribman: Canada sighs with relief after Biden, Trudeau meeting
Esther Jones: Many Black Americans aren’t rushing to get the COVID-19 vaccine. A long history of medical abuse suggests why 
Ruth Ann Dailey: How maximal a minimum wage?
Michael Graham: Supreme Court Was Wrong to Punt on PA Election Case
Michael Farren and Agustin Forzani: The Minimum Wage: Who Actually Wins and Loses in Pennsylvania?
Dick Polman: And *now* Republicans are worried about mean Tweets? 
Roxanne Patel Sheplavy: What To Do About The COVID Slide
Will Bunch: President Biden didn’t show strength bombing Syria, or on MBS. He made America look weak 
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: Our pandemic year. What we’ve learned. What we’ve lost. Where we go next 
Dorrin Gingerich: We need more compassion as we recognize Rare Disease Day
Nancy Eshelman: ‘I don’t really care what I eat’: Teen’s loss of smell, taste lasts long after COVID-19 
Jem Spectar, Ph.D.: The Alzheimer’s emergency
Christine Flowers: Speech standards must be applied the same to all
Bethany Watson-Ostrowski: A year in the COVID-19 life of a mom who tried to stay sane and then tested positive 
Rann Miller: Tony Brown introduced a generation of Philadelphians to Black love through song 
Alison McCook: I am ‘bone-crushingly tired’ after a year of pandemic parenting 
John Cole: About those PennDOT bridge tolls | Editorial Cartoon
Jenice Armstrong: A rape inside a Philly Macy’s bathroom is a shocking reminder of the dangers we face 
Chris Kelly: Landfill expansion a looming, preventable tragedy