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March 2nd Playbook

Democrats and Republicans rallied support for upcoming state House special elections over the weekend. Here is the Playbook. 

Dems and GOP Fully Commit to Bellwether Bucks Battle: Gov. Tom Wolf and Attorney General Josh Shapiro’s Back to Blue tour made a stop in Bensalem on Saturday afternoon to make the case for electing Howie Hayes, while Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick and other local Republicans rallied Saturday morning to boost K.C. Tomlinson’s campaign.

February 28th Ups & Downs: A former state Senator pleads guilty to child pornography, controversy emerges in the Allegheny County Democratic Party after their endorsement meeting, and West Philadelphia elects a new state representative. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Morning Call/Muhlenberg College Poll: Trump, Top Dems In Dead Heat in PA: The most recent polls shows President Donald Trump trailing Sen. Bernie Sanders by 3 points, while he’s tied with former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Elizabeth Warren, and holds a slight 1 point edge over former South Bend Mayor Pete Buttigieg and Sen. Amy Klobuchar.

PA10: Dems Debate for 2nd Time: Eugene DePasquale, the state’s Auditor General, and Tom Brier, an attorney and author, participated in their second debate on Sunday. Both candidates are seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the 10th Congressional District in hopes of defeating Rep. Scott Perry (R-York).

Fetterman Leads Back To Blue Visit in Monessen: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and other Pennsylvania Democrats went to Westmoreland County on Saturday as a part of the state party’s “Back to Blue” organizing kickoff and promoted the candidacy of Robert Prah Jr., a Democrat running in a special election for the state House’s 58th District later this month. 

Harrisburg & DC   
The Caucus: Lunch money: how Pennsylvania legislators eat on your dime
AP: Grassroots progressive coalition takes shape in Pennsylvania
Inquirer: A progressive movement sweeping through counties Trump won in Pennsylvania could help Bernie Sanders win
Washington Examiner: Centrists flirt with Democrats, and the party rebuffs them
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Mail-in ballots prove popular in weeks since their debut
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf and Shapiro rally Bucks Dems to take back power in Washington and Harrisburg
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Rush hour fees, supplemental appropriations and more | Five for the Weekend
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How one man’s perseverance led a Pa. borough to adopt its LGBTQ non-discrimination ordinance
PLSReporter: NAACP, inmates file suit to end prison gerrymandering
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Removal of government officials, wrongful convictions and damage calculations
PLSReporter: Safehouse pauses plans to open supervised injection site
Fox News: Could fracking be a deciding issue for 2020 voters in key states?
Fox News: Pennsylvania family returns home after going through coronavirus quarantine
WHYY Newsworks: 1619 Project
Daily Local News: Pennsylvania officials warn of potential 2020 census scams
National Journal: Connolly Drops Out of GOP Primary 
KDKA: NAACP Suing Pennsylvania, Claiming Method Of Counting Prisoners Dilutes African-American Political Clout
The Hill: Trump to do Fox News town hall in Pennsylvania next week
The Hill: States prepare for coronavirus spread
Citizens Voice: Pa. state lawmakers want inmates counted as local residents
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania State Police seize 71 illegal ‘skill-based’ gambling machines
Beaver County Times: State officials warn of possible Census scams 
WESA: More Than 20K People Have Already Applied To Vote By Mail In The 2020 Primary
Bucks Local News: Ag Secretary announces funding to combat Chronic Wasting Disease among PA deer
CNN: Plans are on hold for a Philadelphia safe-injection site to combat overdoses
CNN: Trump says he will nominate current US Ambassador to Norway to be next Navy Secretary
CNN: House passes sweeping restrictions on flavored vaping and tobacco products  

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Hundreds celebrate in South Philly, warn the city against supervised injections sites 
Inquirer: After surprise announcement — and cancellation — of Philly’s supervised injection site, advocates haven’t given up
Inquirer: ‘Disrespected’: How South Philly mobilized against the proposed supervised injection site
Inquirer: Mumia Abu-Jamal supporters rally, speaking out against recent Pa. Supreme Court order 
Inquirer: Transit Forward Philadelphia, a new advocacy coalition, is ready to hear your concerns
Inquirer: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia is ‘essentially full,’ so it’s pumping $3.4B to expand
Inquirer: President Trump vows to do everything possible to ‘destroy’ Comcast’s image
Inquirer: Philadelphia among first to try ambulance Medicare program that diverts patients to non-hospitals
Inquirer: Six Philly police were quietly fired, charged with abuse last year. Many will likely get their jobs back
Billy Penn: 5 Philly cases that made it to the U.S. Supreme Court — and their impact on the nation
WHYY Newsworks: Philly’s soda tax had little impact on sweetened beverage consumption, a Drexel study finds 
WHYY Newsworks: Counting Philly’s Cambodians in the 2020 census: ‘We aren’t invisible’
WHYY Newsworks: How ready is Philadelphia for the coronavirus?
WHYY Newsworks: Cancer-stricken teacher settles with Philly school district for $850k
Philadelphia Business Journal: Bundling bottleneck: 2020 presidential election could sideline Philly’s biggest fundraisers 
Philadelphia Business Journal: SEC names new head of Philadelphia regional office
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia-area companies had a painful week on Wall Street — and there’s no telling what’s next
Kensington Voice: In Philly, how will the 2020 Census count people experiencing homelessness? 
PLSReporter: Safehouse pauses plans to open supervised injection site
Philadelphia Tribune: Philadelphia safe-injection site will not open – for now
Philadelphia Tribune: NAACP suing state for prison gerrymandering
Philadelphia Tribune: Erika H. James named first African-American, woman dean of U Penn’s Wharton School
Philly Voice: Mother arrested by ICE at South Philly school now faces deportation
KYW Newsradio: Flashpoint: War over safe injection site; Rendell says Safehouse is coming; Vision 2020
KYW Newsradio: School Board of Philadelphia says no to applications for 2 new charters
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia’s summer youth employment project is looking for a few more good bosses
South Philly Review: Crime is a hot topic in South Philly, but is there a connection to Krasner? Here’s what the data says

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Montco officials stress support for cash bail reform and public defender’s office
Pottstown Mercury: Arkoosh: Montgomery County taking precautions for coronavirus
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown NAACP closes Black History Month by honoring local leaders
Daily Local News: Four Chesco senators united in backing redistricting commission
Daily Local News: Lawmakers see ‘substantial’ growth ahead for Chester County, answer questions from constituents
Daily Local News: ‘Climate change is real,’ Rep. Shusterman tells local residents
Daily Local News: Chester County airports getting free naloxone
Daily Local News: Chester County taking proactive role in coronavirus outbreak
KYW Newsradio: As new property assessment values go out, Delco officials remind homeowners not to panic 
Delco Daily Times: Ex-CID boss named new township manager in Ridley
Delco Daily Times: Coronavirus and flu: What to do about it in Delco

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: Democratic Presidential Candidate Mike Bloomberg Officially Opens Offices In East Liberty 
KDKA: Chairman Of Black Political Empowerment Project Says Pittsburgh Judge Mark Tranquilli Should Be Relieved Of Duties
KDKA: Expansion Of Pittsburgh Google Office To Be Part Of Company’s $10 Billion Investment Plan
Washington Examiner: Centrists flirt with Democrats, and the party rebuffs them
Post-Gazette: Bloomberg campaign will open Pittsburgh office on Sunday
Post-Gazette: Port Authority CEO Kelleman gets $22,287 performance bonus
WESA: After Week Long Student Sit-In, Pitt Commits To Carbon Neutrality By 2037
WESA: Facebook Unveils New Pittsburgh Office, With Mission To ‘Level Playing Field’ With Avatars
Pittsburgh Business Times: Pitt commits to climate neutrality by 2037

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Lt. Gov. Fetterman rallies Democrats in Monessen
Observer-Reporter: Referendum on tax increase for special ed headed to ballot in California school district
Beaver County Times: Aliquippa mayor endorses Bloomberg for gun reform, economic justice efforts
Beaver County Times: Local Democrats launch primary season at liberty leaders banquet
Beaver County Times: ‘We’re all better for having known him’: Vanport Bridge named for Dylan Elchin
Post-Gazette: Westmoreland and other counties identify internet access as critical need, plan service expansion
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Under the Radar: Health groups pushing to close state’s indoor smoking loopholes
Altoona Mirror: Update on CWD planned 

NEPA
WNEP: Trump town hall on Fox News set for Scranton
Citizens Voice: Pa. state lawmakers want inmates counted as local residents
Citizens Voice: Dems have generational divide when it comes to top candidates
Citizens Voice: Road closures set ahead of Trump visit to Scranton
Citizens Voice: Some municipalities fail to advertise meetings
Times-Tribune: Trump town hall to tie Scranton traffic in knots; police issue road closures, parking restrictions
The Times Leader: Coleman brings America250PA to Pittston Chamber breakfast

South Central 
Patriot News: Democratic candidates in Pa.’s 10th Congressional District square off in second debate
Patriot News: In Franklin County, a Trump voter with ‘buyer’s remorse’ seeks conversations of ‘grace and mercy’
Carlisle Sentinel: White House names Carlisle High School grad to serve as chief adviser on coronavirus response team
York Dispatch: 10th District Dems to participate in climate forum, Perry doubtful
York Dispatch: State and York County officials convene, plan for coronavirus

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: Reading Cares looks to build alliances to improve the city
Reading Eagle: Reading struggling to retain experienced police officers due to pay gap with suburbs
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley health officials prepare for coronavirus as pharmacies run out of masks, travel agents lose customers and businesses get nervous 
Express Times: $2M in school safety grants awarded to Lehigh Valley districts

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lawmakers surprised by claims colleagues shielded expenses
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County to seek $297K for emergency management
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Eight county schools receive safety grants
Erie Times-News: Former Erie County Councilman Paul Foust dies

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Social media fight: Elected officials can’t block their critics
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A Marshall Plan for Middle America
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Cancer treatment: Bill lets patients, doctors decide on drugs, therapies
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Coast Guard woes: The IT needs of the force must be addressed
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly’s street sweeping means we have to move our cars. So?
Inquirer Editorial Board: Coronavirus might never hit Philadelphia, but city needs to prepare for the worst 
Pottstown Mercury Editorial: In favor of independent commission to draw voting districts
Bucks Courier Times Editorial: EPA action on PFAS is long overdue
John L. Micek: Coronavirus threat: Pa. House needs to pass public health emergency bill, Senate Dem Costa says | Friday Morning Coffee
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Safe injection sites all over South Philadelphia
Tim Hartman: Who is responsible for Pa.’s supplemental appropriations? | Editorial Cartoon
Emma Horst-Martz: A way to prevent devastating explosions like the one that hit South Philly 
Helen Ubiñas: Former Philadelphia city councilmember’s ‘Nobody’s Business But Mine’ attitude sums up today’s politics 
Nydia Han: Philly TV anchor: Being Asian doesn’t mean I have coronavirus | Perspective
Wysenia Williams: Rebuild will make East Poplar and other playgrounds better for Philly kids 
John N. Mitchell: Philly honors reparations advocate, plans a path forward for restitution 
Rory Fleming: Public defenders should not get fired for doing their jobs
Zhexuan Huang: Penn student in Wuhan: How my life has changed since coronavirus | Perspective
Bill Smedley: ‘It’s getting scary here’: A Pennsylvania man’s diary from a coronavirus quarantine | Perspective
Chris Kelly: Don’t Bern your bridges
Aubree Gordon: How to prepare for the coronavirus? 3 questions and answers | Analysis
Benjamin Mannes: Manhattan’s district attorney took down Harvey Weinstein. Could Philly’s do the same?
Keith C. Burris: What’s in a name?
David M. Shribman: The unknown legacy of the Trump presidency
Gene Therapy: Fix the Democratic debates format? Got dynamite?
Keith Naughton, Ph.D.: The Franken-Biden rises!
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Walling off the coronavirus
Paul Muschick: We should parole sick and old inmates – to save $22 million a year 
Lloyd E. Sheaffer: Washington: Farmer. General. Statesman. Visionary. Patriot. President. Citizen.
Will Bunch: Live from East L.A.: How the Latino vote became the secret weapon for ‘Tío Bernie’

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