Good Wednesday morning. Who do you think Democrats should nominate for the U.S. Senate? Irwin’s petitions are called into question. Thoughts on Ketanji Brown Jackson. Female mayors being elected at record rates. Special elections just two weeks away. Here is the Playbook.

PA Weather
Erie | Showers, 56
Harrisburg | Rain Likely, 51
Chester | Mostly Cloudy, chance rain, 56

PA Sports
76ers | today at LA Lakers
Flyers | lost at Detroit, 6-3; THU at St. Louis
Penguins | d. Columbus, 5-1; today at Buffalo
Villanova MBB | THU vs. Michigan

News

Reader Poll: Who Should the Democrats Nominate for U.S. Senate? We want to know what you think. The polls are open until Monday, March 28, at 11:59 p.m.

Special PA Elections Just Two Weeks Away: With all the attention focused on the races for Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate seat and gubernatorial mansion, some may have forgotten that we are just two weeks out from special elections for three representatives to the General Assembly.

PA Candidates Weigh In On Ketanji Brown Jackson: It might be the most important day of hearings of all for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson as she takes questions from senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Irwin’s Petition Signatures Are Called into Question: A new twist has developed in the race for the Democratic nomination for the 12th District U.S. Senate seat. A representative from U.S. District Judge Cathy Bissoon’s office has confirmed that Bissoon did not sign a petition in support of Pittsburgh attorney Steve Irwin.

PA Governor Race: ‘GOP candidates for Pa. governor to take part in live forum’: WJET reports that “a group of Republicans hoping to be Pennsylvania’s next governor will be in Erie Wednesday.”

• PennLive: Pa. GOP governor candidates’ debate rules call for Republican moderator, no ill will
• Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: GOP’s Gerow campaigns for governor in Cambria County
• WBRE: Exclusive: One on one interview with Josh Shapiro

‘Pa. announces additional day candidates can file nomination petitions’: PennLive reports that “Acting Secretary of State Leigh M. Chapman announced Tuesday that the nomination petition-filing location for state legislative candidates and state committee candidates will be open an additional day – from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday.”

‘Sen. Bob Casey tests positive for COVID-19’: PennLive reports that “U.S. Senator Bob Casey has tested positive for COVID-19, but said he is not experiencing symptoms.”

‘Summer Lee, Jerry Dickinson won’t challenge Steve Irwin’s candidacy following alleged forgeries’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “congressional candidate Steve Irwin will still appear on the May primary ballot, despite threats to his candidacy for allegedly submitting “hundreds” of forged signatures from one campaign worker.”

‘Amanda Waldman, Democrat, enters race for Congress for 9th District of Pennsylvania’: NorthCentralPA.com reports that “Democrat Amanda Waldman is now in the running for U.S. Congress in the 9th District of Pennsylvania, a seat currently held by Republican Congressman Dan Meuser, who will run for re-election.”

‘Republican Businessman Sues Democratic Congressional Candidate’: Levittown Now reports that “Jim Worthington, the Upper Makefield Township businessman and vocal Republican, filed a lawsuit last week in the Bucks County Court of Common Pleas against Democratic First Congressional District candidate Ashley Ehasz, a Bensalem Township resident.”

‘What makes a political map fair? Here’s what we learned during Pa.’s recent redistricting cycle.’: Spotlight PA provides a breakdown of “the topic and lessons from this decade’s redistricting cycle.”

‘Pa. lawmakers unveil bipartisan plan to prevent abuse within guardianship system’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “with thousands of active guardianships in Pennsylvania, two state lawmakers have a bipartisan plan to prevent abuse in cases where someone is legally appointed to make decisions on another’s behalf.”

‘Hidey-ho neighbor: GOP backs Dems’ home improvement bill in bipartisan effort to fight blight’: City & State PA reports that “the legislation backed by progressive lawmakers and organizations in Philadelphia has already received support from three Republican state senators: Dan Laughlin of Erie County, Dave Argall of Berks County and Pat Browne of Lehigh County.”

‘Pa.’s top marijuana regulator decries stubbornly high retail prices for medical cannabis’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the director of Pennsylvania’s Office of Medical Marijuana on Tuesday criticized the state’s industry for not reducing retail prices as much as wholesale prices during a meeting of the state’ Medical Marijuana Advisory Board.”

‘Cumberland County, West Shore towns file suit to block PennDOT’s South Bridge tolling plan’: PennLive reports that “elected officials from six West Shore communities and Cumberland County are trying to erect legal roadblocks to a tolling plan envisioned for the South Bridge carrying Interstate 83 over the Susquehanna River. The municipal coalition has filed suit in Commonwealth Court, seeking preliminary and permanent injunctions to stop the plan in its tracks.”

‘Turnpike officials say travelers should plan ahead to avoid turnpike sticker shock this year’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “out-of-state vacationers and drivers without E-ZPass, the automated toll system, reported instances of “sticker shock” to turnpike call centers last summer.”

‘Cities and towns across the state are electing female mayors at record rates.’: City & State PA reports that “from Scranton to Harrisburg, Upper Darby to Gettysburg, and in burgs across Pennsylvania, women aren’t just getting a seat at the table – more often, they can now be found at its head.”

‘Cleveland Heights hires former Erie Mayor Joe Sinnott as administrator’: The Erie Times-News reports that “City council members in Cleveland Heights voted 6-0 on Monday night to approve Sinnott for the new post.”

Legislative Election Updates

‘Open Pa. House and Senate races in Lehigh Valley draw nearly a dozen candidates in rapid-fire election season’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “at least 11 candidates are seeking signatures in a new Pennsylvania Senate district race that straddles the Lehigh-Northampton County border or a recontoured House district that includes part of Allentown.”

‘Facing a new political landscape, Kinkead draws challenger in 20th state House district’: WESA reports that Nick Mastros is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 20th state House District.

‘Costello leaves 119th District race; says he is supporting Williams’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “Jim Costello, who on Jan. 7 announced he was a candidate for the Republican nomination in the 119th Legislative District, has dropped out. And Costello, 44, of Wright Township, also announced on his Facebook page that he is supporting former WNEP-TV morning news anchor Tom Williams for the post.”

Regional Spotlight: Southwest
Tribune Review: Westmoreland’s clout in Harrisburg cut through redistricting 
Tribune Review: State legislative redistricting causes changes in Alle-Kiski Valley communities 
Tribune Review: Former Westmoreland sheriff Jon Held pleads guilty to theft charge, gets probation
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council wants to hear from public on big nonprofits’ bills
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Planning Commission backs big Oakland development proposal — with caveats
Post-Gazette: Masks likely to remain at least another month for most in city schools
Post-Gazette: ‘Anything we could do to help’: How nursing home caregivers were supported in the pandemic’s darkest days
KDKA: Judge Denies Motion To Move Trial For Robert Bowers, Accused Tree Of Life Shooter
Tribune Review: In surprise, Allegheny County Council rejects nominees for Alcosan, Jail Oversight Board seats 
WESA: Pittsburgh’s labor market continues to fall flat, new figures show
WESA: Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald reflects on balancing protective measures in the pandemic
WESA: Port Authority fired four people over vaccine mandate and disciplinary hearings continue this week
WESA: ‘Our body, our choice’: Port Authority employees protest the vaccine mandate
WESA: Landlord groups challenge Pittsburgh’s forthcoming rental inspection program
WESA: After Amazon cancels plans to build warehouse in Churchill, residents wait to find out what’s next
WESA: How does structural racism impact dementia? Researchers seek answers in Pittsburgh neighborhoods
WTAE: Pittsburgh mayor holds community meeting targeting violence in Homewood
City Paper: Marijuana Policy Project names Pennsylvania one of 19 states with worst weed laws
City Paper: Port Authority extends free fares in response to staffing shortages
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Broadband boost: Cambria community receives internet funding
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Vision Together 2025’s Johnstown refugee plan developed privately, documents show
Observer-Reporter: Court of Judicial Discipline sanctions former judge Toothman for misconduct 
Observer-Reporter: Coalition leader urges U.S. to provide energy to Europe

Opinion  
Stephen Bloom: The tax holiday is a bait-and-switch as a fiscal crisis looms
Ricky Burgess: It’s time for Pittsburgh nonprofits to pay their fair share
Nick DeIuliis: Reject the Fed’s blooming mission creep
John L. Micek: Outside groups flood Pa.’s U.S. Senate race with cash | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Trevor Potter: Future of self-government depends on campaign finance amendment
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Taxpayers have the right to see online the expenses claimed by Pa. House members
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: The past 2 years of this pandemic have delivered some painful lessons. We need to learn from them. 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Yes, there can be a silver lining to soaring gasoline prices in Lancaster County 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: McKeesport renewal hamstrung by dangerous Lysle Blvd
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Watch out Spin scooters, updated Healthy Ride bikes are making getting around the city that much easier
Tony Norman: Barbarians inside and outside the gates of Ukraine
Donna Bowers: Give Medicare power to negotiate prescription drug prices
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: The job is hard enough. Let teachers teach 
Anwar Curtis: This virtual workshop aims to connect Harrisburg’s youth with college opportunities