President Donald Trump talks about the economy, healthcare, the 2020 race and more in a Fox News town hall in Scranton, while Rep. Madeleine Dean endorses former VP Joe Biden for president. Here is the Playbook.

Trump Talks Economy, Healthcare, and 2020 Race in Scranton Fox News Town Hall: In President Donald Trump’s first visit to the keystone state in 2020, he touted his administration’s economic policies, while also criticizing various Democratic presidential hopefuls.

Dean Endorses Biden for President: The Montgomery County Congresswoman is the sixth Democrat in the state’s Congressional delegation to endorse Biden’s campaign.

Toomey To Attend Fox News Trump Town Hall: Sen. Pat Toomey will be joining President Donald Trump in Scranton during the president’s first appearance in the state in 2020.

Priorities USA Launches New Digital Ads in PA: Priorities USA, a Democratic super PAC, launched new digital ads this week in five states, including Pennsylvania. According to a release, the latest digital ads target President Donald Trump on Medicare funding, corporate tax cuts, and healthcare. 

PA8: Bognet Launches New Radio Ad Criticizing the Rain Tax: Jim Bognet, a former Trump Administration appointee who is seeking the Republican nomination in the 8th Congressional District, released a new one minute radio ad titled, “Rain Tax Revolt” in which he calls for the elimination of the “rain tax” and criticizes various Democrats over taxes including Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna). 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Pa. House drops ‘legislative privilege,’ will release lawmaker spending details
Fox News: Town Hall with President Trump: Part 1
Fox News: Town Hall with President Trump: Part 2
Fox News: Town Hall with President Trump: Part 3
AP: Trump defends his rhetoric in 1st TV town hall of 2020
AP: Pennsylvania Senate hides some details in expense records
AP: Public defenders’ firings protested amid bail reform push
AP: Gas driller pulls out of talks in $5M suit against resident
AP: Trump store opens in heart of contested Philadelphia suburbs
WHYY Newsworks: ‘I Was All Set for Bernie’ : Trump hones attacks on Biden in Scranton town hall
WHYY Newsworks: Battleground 2020: the politics of energy
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: These W.Pa. women pols asked ‘WTF Pittsburgh?’ so they started a PAC to do something about it
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Scranton, Trump says ‘success’ is key to uniting the country
Morning Call: Congresswoman Madeleine Dean backs former Vice President Joe Biden for president 
Morning Call: $50 million-plus in U.S. emergency funds to fight coronavirus headed to Pennsylvania, Pa. official says 
Morning Call: It’s looking like Pennsylvania will be in play for the Democratic presidential nomination. Here’s how.
PLSReporter: Republicans end three weeks of budget hearings by calling for realism in Wolf’s budget proposal 
Inquirer: Trump is about to troll Joe Biden in his hometown — and in a part of Pa. where Democrats are on defense
StateImpactPA: Pa. proposes to relax non-residential lead cleanup standards
StateImpactPA: Petrochemical town hall near Pittsburgh spotlights pollution, health worries
Philadelphia Citizen: The Odd Couple 
Patriot News: Trump comes to Joe Biden’s turf in Pa., but pays scant attention to Democratic rival
York Daily Record: Trump tells Pa. voters ‘be calm’ on coronavirus 
The Hill: Bloomberg plans to launch multistate organization to support Democratic nominee
CNN: Bloomberg to form new group to help Democratic nominee defeat Trump

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: City Council passes resolution condemning secrecy of supervised injection plans 
Inquirer: Mayor Jim Kenney just proposed a $5.2 billion budget. City Council may want to tweak antipoverty plans.
Inquirer: Supervised injection site debate hijacks Mayor Jim Kenney’s annual visit to City Council
Inquirer: Philly may almost double the budget for its elections office because of a new Pa. law and expected increase in 2020 turnout 
Inquirer: Joe Biden praises Jill Biden after confronting hecklers: ‘You don’t screw around with a Philly girl’ 
Inquirer: Philly teachers say schools aren’t prepared to fight coronavirus
Billy Penn: Philly’s $5B budget: Tracking the increase over 10 years
Billy Penn: What do you want to know about the coronavirus in Philly?
PLSReporter: Crime reduction, education hallmarks of Kenney budget address
Philadelphia Tribune: Kenney to offer plan to make Community of College of Philly tuition-free for qualifying students
KYW Newsradio: Kenney unveils $5.2B budget proposal with some initiatives but no new taxes
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia City Council gives good reception to Mayor Kenney’s budget proposal

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Fired Montco public defenders draw support at rally and commissioners’ meeting
Delco Daily Times: ‘Don’t panic’ over reassessment, property owners are told
Daily Local News: Town hall meeting on coronavirus to be held at Downingtown Middle School
Daily Local News: Downingtown names new mayor
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan guest speaker at annual free breakfast for veterans
Daily Local News: Commerce department launches new Montco Site Select to connect businesses with real estate
Inquirer: Another congresswoman from Pa. endorses Joe Biden for president
Inquirer: Protesters descend on Montgomery County commissioners meeting to oppose public defenders’ firings
KYW Newsradio: Advocates blast Montco commissioners for firing of 2 public defenders
KYW Newsradio: Supporters of 2 fired Montco public defenders to rally on courthouse steps
Bucks Courier Times: Homelessness drops in Bucks County, but calls for help up
Bucks Courier Times: Fake news, scams surround Census 2020. Here’s what to look for
Bucks Courier Times: Ransomware costing schools, local governments and hospitals millions

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: State Rep. Lee says she will endorse Bernie Sanders
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh councilman Coghill’s district shows a united front at parks tax hearing
Post-Gazette: Millennial Mayors call on students to join them in Pittsburgh Marathon
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh seeks reimbursement for $400K in firefighter overpayments 
PLSReporter: With coronavirus threat looming, Allegheny County Health Department announces new director
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Works Crews To Fix Potholes Across The City
KDKA: ‘She Was Underappreciated’: New Book Chronicles The Accomplishments Of Former Pittsburgh Mayor Sophie Masloff
City Paper: Immigrant-rights advocates call on Colcom to drop anti-immigrant funding, and for local groups to stop taking its money
City Paper: The deadline for getting a Real ID is coming, but what the heck is it?

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Lamb bill would end Amtrak’s forced arbitration requirement 
Beaver County Times: Kress becomes a Republican after ‘falling out’ with Democratic Party 
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County inks deal with unions, doles out raises for nonunion workers
Observer-Reporter: City councilman’s DUI case continued 
Observer-Reporter: Greene commissioners dole out recreational grants 

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Trump addresses coronavirus, Dem rivals and more at Scranton town hall 
Citizens Voice: Protesters greet Trump on streets of Scranton 
Citizens Voice: Barletta, Marino among those at airport for Trump’s arrival 
Citizens Voice: Supporters cheer Trump at airport
Times-Tribune: Trump speaks to nation from Scranton 
Times-Tribune: Supporters describe Trump as genuine, authentic at Scranton town hall 
Times-Tribune: Protesters line Trump’s route to town hall 
Times-Tribune: Former congressmen among enthusiastic crowd that greeted Trump at airport 
Times-Tribune: Wolf appoints former Scranton Mayor Wayne Evans to Judicial Conduct Board 
The Times Leader: Trump talks cuts, presidential race at town hall
The Times Leader: Supporters thrilled with president’s performance at town hall 
The Times Leader: Anti-Trump protesters line up streets 
The Times Leader: Excitement builds for Trump town hall 

South Central 
York Dispatch: Helfrich to lay out vision for York City later this month 
York Dispatch: UPDATED: Find the numbers behind lobbying in Pennsylvania
Carlisle Sentinel: More borough street lights to be replaced with LEDs 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Head of county’s drug task force says he was fired, District Attorney Heather Adams announces changes
LNP | LancasterOnline: Stay calm but vigilant to best cope with stock market turmoil induced by coronavirus, Lancaster experts say

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: $50 million-plus in U.S. emergency funds to fight coronavirus headed to Pennsylvania, Pa. official says 
Morning Call: Congresswoman Madeleine Dean backs former Vice President Joe Biden for president 
Morning Call: It’s looking like Pennsylvania will be in play for the Democratic presidential nomination. Here’s how.
Reading Eagle: Berks County Libertarian Party continues push for Second Amendment sanctuary status
Reading Eagle: Despite controversy, Kenhorst allows gaming lounge to expand machines, operating hours

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie County community college opponents question plan 
Erie Times-News: Consultant: Erie must grow income, control worker costs
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Driller pulls out of talks in $5M suit 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Treasurer’s office now site to pay taxes 

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: The billion-dollar question of Mayor Kenney’s budget
Inquirer Editorial Board: What’s at stake for Philadelphia’s cultural institutions goes beyond brick and mortar 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Policing Amtrak: Rail passengers and staff need security
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tax abatement: Officials need details of Westinghouse property sale
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Amber Alert revision: Proposal would speed up notifications
John L. Micek: Liberal super PAC launches ad assault on Trump ahead of Scranton visit | Thursday Morning Coffee
Blair Glencorse: Philly has its corrupt government officials. Let’s ‘name and fame’ the honest ones.
Stephen K. Klasko and Barry R. Freedman: Hospital executives: Jefferson-Einstein merger would help patients on the margin 
Dena Ferrara Driscoll and Daniel Trubman: SEPTA transfer fees are an outdated, burdensome penalty on Philadelphians 
Jenice Armstrong: Hey Mayor Kenney. You want a safer injection site? Put it in City Hall 
Bruce Katz and Colin Higgins: Beyond Billionaires 
Larry Platt: It’s Always Groundhog Day 
Kathy Kraeck: Debbie Wachspress epitomizes grace, courage
Thomas J. Botzman: Census 2020: Make sure you stand up and get counted
John L. Micek: Policy wins are great. But Election 2020 is an existential fight for the nation’s soul. This is why 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Good Ol’ Joe Biden’s Super Tuesday transformation
Francis Adams: I’m a home care worker. My work matters to me. But I’m still struggling to meet basic needs
Tony Norman: Taking Communion in the age of the coronavirus
Susan J. Demas: It’s never our time: Why we won’t have a female president next year 
Will Bunch: Super Tuesday’s true meaning? Americans are desperate to show we’re better than Trump 
Trudy Rubin: On coronavirus, Trump should swallow his hunches and let the experts work