The state’s unemployment rate rose by one-tenth of a percent, while payrolls hit a new record high. Here is the Playbook. 

March 6th Ups & Downs: Thousands of Pennsylvanians request mail-in ballots, former Vice President Joe Biden receives more endorsements in the keystone state, and one Republican candidate is now left standing in the 17th Congressional District. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Lee Endorses Sanders: State Rep. Summer Lee (D-Allegheny) endorsed Sen. Bernie Sanders for president. She described Sanders campaign as a “movement.” 

PA1: ADA-SEPA Endorses Hurwitz: The Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter of Americans for Democratic Action, a liberal political organization, endorsed Skylar Hurwitz for the 1st Congressional District. 

Montco Dems Endorse Hartman: According to a release from Christina Hartman’s campaign, the Montgomery County Democratic Committee endorsed her in the upcoming Democratic primary for Auditor General. Hartman, a non-profit leader and former Lancaster County congressional candidate, has been endorsed by more than 60 elected officials, including former Governor Ed Rendell, and state Reps. Mary Jo Daley (D-Montgomery) and Mike Sturla (D-Lancaster) and more. 

Philadelphia Citizen To Host Fetterman and Bartos Conversation: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman and former GOP Lt. governor candidate, Jeff Bartos, will participate in a conversation about bi-partisan approach to government moderated by Citizen Co-Founder Larry Platt. 

Legislative Election Update: 

SD-9: Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D-Delaware) endorsed John Kane, Philadelphia plumbers union business manager, for the Democratic nomination for the 9th state Senate District. Kane and Brett Burman, a former public school teacher and small businessman, are both seeking the Democratic Party nomination. The seat is held by state Sen. Tom Killion (R-Delaware), who defeated Democrat Martin Molloy for the seat in 2016 by over 2.5 points. 

HD-38: Nick Pisciottano, an accountant who is seeking the Democratic Party nomination for the state House’s 38th District, will be the lone Democrat on the ballot according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Victoria Schmotzer and Tony DiCenzo both withdrew from the primary last week. State Rep. Bill Kortz (D-Allegheny), who is retiring after this term, ran unopposed in 2018 and defeated Republican challenger Rod Salka by 31 points in 2016.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Unemployment rises, but Pennsylvania payrolls hit new record
AP: Biden’s big wins also were big for his Pennsylvania backers
AP: 2 more presumptive coronavirus cases confirmed; now 4 total
AP: Pennsylvania now has 2 confirmed cases of coronavirus
AP: Pennsylvania governor says state has confirmed its first 2 coronavirus cases 
Patriot News: Two more coronavirus cases confirmed in Pa., bringing state total to six
Patriot News: People with coronavirus symptoms are told to miss work, but that would mean ‘financial jeopardy’ for many 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Capital-Star’s reporting prompts Pa.’s teacher pension fund to audit travel expenses to L.A.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With an eye on 2020 and beyond, progressive grassroots activists join forces in Philly
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: United on the big questions, progressive Pa. House, Senate hopefuls stress the subtle differences
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf admin ending non-profit clothing grants in favor of cash, raising GOP concerns
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘My absolute advice is just to run,’ central Pa. state House hopeful Tara Shakespeare says | 2020 Women Speak Up 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. has two ‘presumed’ cases of coronavirus, Wolf, state health officials say 
Tribune Review: Candidates for 58th state House seat preparing for special, general elections 
PLSReporter: Wolf urges calm as first ‘presumed’ cases of COVID-19 announced in PA
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Safe-injection sites, student borrowing, and child porn penalties
The Center Square: Despite being 5th in population, Pennsylvania 21st-wealthiest state, according to study
StateImpactPA: Peach Bottom nuclear plant gets 20-year license extension
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State set to launch marijuana research at 8 universities 
National Journal: Bloomberg Starts Independent Expenditure Campaign
National Journal: Vodvarka Drops Out of GOP Primary 
The Hill: Pennsylvania governor confirms first two cases of coronavirus
Beaver County Times: Price-gouging protections are part of PA coronavirus disaster declaration
Philly Clout: Pa. Democratic Jewish PAC avoids primary endorsements, until now
Philly Clout: Mike Bloomberg’s money changed Pennsylvania’s political economy. What now?
CNN: Fact check: from coronavirus to Kim Jong Un, Trump makes at least 14 false claims in Fox News town hall
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania voters can now send “reason-free” mail-in ballots
Pittsburgh Business Times: What the governor’s disaster declaration does for Pennsylvania
Real Clear Politics: Former Pennsylvanian “Life-Long Democrat”: “I Like What’s Happened In This Country”  

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Pa. Democratic Jewish PAC avoids primary endorsements, until now
Philly Clout: Mike Bloomberg’s money changed Pennsylvania’s political economy. What now?
Inquirer: Ex-Councilmember Blondell Reynolds Brown took heat for applying for a retirement boost. Now she’s leaving city government.
Inquirer: Philly refinery shutdown pitted workers against climate activists. Did it have to be that way?
Inquirer: One of Philadelphia’s richest law firms wants tax breaks, again. Why it might get its way
Inquirer: As SEPTA readies fare proposal, GM Leslie Richards asks riders for opinions
Inquirer: NAACP calls for The Inquirer to apologize to Philly’s Sheriff’s Office
Inquirer: Philly-area schools grapple with coronavirus, closing, cleaning, reopening and canceling trips
Inquirer: SXSW coronavirus cancellation upends Philly tech promo plans
Inquirer: Philly-area insurers pledge coronavirus test coverage
KYW Newsradio: Council continues debate over safe injection sites
KYW Newsradio: New Philadelphia City Councilmember gets lesson in how things work when forced to put well-meaning bill on hold 
WHYY Newsworks: Mayor Kenney plans no-strings-attached cash aid program for renters
WHYY Newsworks: Montco coronavirus cases disclosed as large Philly region events are cancelled and transparency concerns emerge
Billy Penn: Updated guide to coronavirus in Philly: What you need to know about schools, transit, shopping and more
Billy Penn: First PA coronavirus cases are quarantined in Delco and Wayne County
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly Mayor Kenney delivers $5.2B budget plan for 2020-21
Philadelphia Tribune: Hearing on Philly’s lost and stolen gun ordinance will continue in April, judge says
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly is prepared for coronavirus as Pennsylvania confirms first 2 cases, officials say
PLSReporter: Philadelphia updates response to coronavirus threat
Philadelphia Magazine: Christine Flowers Explains Why She Was “Fired” By the Inquirer This Week
Philadelphia Magazine: This Riverwards Facebook Group Is Keeping Philly Developers on Their Toes

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Scanlon backs Kane in 9th District state Senate race
Daily Local News: Chesco economic development leader takes on another role
Daily Local News: Delco officials report no new cases of coronavirus in county; will meet with school, municipal officials Monday
Daily Local News: Kennett Township officials to examine recycling process
Bucks Courier Times: Election results could for delayed ‘for days’
Bucks Courier Times: Fake news, scams surround Census 2020. Here’s what to look for
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks County rebukes Judicial Watch “dirty voter rolls” claim
Bucks Courier Times: Montgomery County declares emergency after 1st coronavirus cases announced
KYW Newsradio: After nearly 60 years, WNPV is closing up shop
Montgomery Media: Gov. Wolf: 2 coronavirus cases confirmed in Montgomery County
Montgomery Media: WNPV Radio preparing to go off air April 30

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Democrat Nick Pisciottano now stands alone in the 38th District 
Post-Gazette: Trump supporters announce two events in the Pittsburgh area next week
Post-Gazette: Allegations of racist comments put Judge Tranquilli under scrutiny 
Post-Gazette: Democrats need to do some flipping to find electoral college success
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto: Pittsburgh Is Preparing For Potential Coronavirus Outbreak
KDKA: Democratic Committee Threatening Lawsuit Over Pres. Donald Trump Flags At Pennsylvania Municipal Building
PLSReporter: Residents torn over Pittsburgh Park Tax at public hearing
Tribune Review: Coronavirus concerns hurting Asian restaurants in Pittsburgh, some owners say 
City Paper: Takeaways from a town hall in Millvale discussing the petrochemical industry in Southwestern Pa.
WESA: A Judge Could Compel DA Zappala To Release More Information About Regional Surveillance

SWPA 
Tribune Review: Candidates for 58th state House seat preparing for special, general elections
Beaver County Times: Monaca Democrat Krizan trying to unseat Vogel 
Beaver County Times: Christiana’s agency wins awards for campaign ads
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners vote on property, park issues
Altoona Mirror: Virus fears raise government cash

NEPA
Citizens Voice: Families worry about the future as the state looks to close White Haven Center
Citizens Voice: Bannon praises anti-abortion activists at Dickson City event
Citizens Voice: Thousands already on a waiting list for state services
The Times Leader: Federal REAL ID deadline approaching for Pennsylvania residents 
Times-Tribune: Bannon, in Dickson City, praises anti-abortion activists at Respect for Life Prayer Breakfast
Times-Tribune: As 2020 census looms, Northeast PA aims for complete count
Times-Tribune: Budget allotment not enough to cover 13K waiting for services

South Central 
York Daily Record: Peach Bottom power plant could operate until 2054
Patriot News: Coronavirus patient’s presence at CPAC prompts Camp Hill’s Jeffrey Lord to isolate himself until mid-March
Patriot News: Elizabeth Warren may be out but women see her campaign as purposeful and impactful 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Students from around Lancaster, York nominated to U.S. service academies by Rep. Smucker
York Dispatch: York County districts among 100 across state supporting charter reform
York Dispatch: York County DA appointed to state sentencing commission
York Dispatch: York City street sweeping begins soon 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Trump is counting on strong economy and Pennsylvania voters, campaign strategist tells Lehigh Valley Republicans 
Morning Call: Is it possible? Local officials weigh in on plan for 5 million-square-foot logistics park, 4,500 jobs in Slate Belt 
Morning Call: Lehigh County controller: Give $225,000 jail inmate phone contract windfall back to inmates 
Morning Call: ICE not likely to stop making courthouse arrests even after Northampton County order, legal experts say
Reading Eagle: What an accurate census means — and how an inaccurate count will affect Berks County 
Reading Eagle: Commissioners debate pushing off Berks County Prison construction, potential costs 
Reading Eagle: George C. Yatron, former Berks County DA, dies at 69
Express Times: Is Bethlehem going too far to restrict Airbnb rentals? Council and some residents aren’t sure

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie crime reduction plan stalled, awaiting federal OK 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: South Williamsport and DuBoistown police force merger and integration is complete

Opinion 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Legislature’s secrecy: Details of spending blacked out on report
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Tobacco funding: The state should increase efforts against smoking
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Protect taxpayers: Rules waiver on border wall unwarranted
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Judicial independence: Turn down the rhetoric against judges 
Inquirer Editorial Board: New sheriff was supposed to mean a new chapter — but it may be the same old story
Madeleine Dean: Talk is Cheap: How Trump’s Budget forgot about human capital 
Malcolm Kenyatta: Pa. College students should only be hungry for knowledge — not their next meal
Kate Klunk: We lost Glatfelter. What’s next?
Salena Zito: In Pennsylvania, natural gas industry prepares for battle
Tim Hartman: Pa. government transparency, explained | Editorial Cartoon
John L. Micek: Wait? What? New report ranks Pa. 85/100 for financial reporting practices | Friday Morning Coffee
Ray E. Landis: Pa. lawmakers need to try this fairer, more equitable approach to property tax reform 
John L. Micek: What’s in a name? When it comes overdose prevention sites? Everything
Laura Perna: Tuition-free community college will make Philly stronger 
Keith C. Burris: Trust the deplorables
David M. Shribman: Honey, we blew up the presidency
Ruth Ann Dailey: Socialism rears its ugly head
Will Bunch: America needs to talk about the new book that says lacking a college degree might kill you 
Maria Panaritis: Jousting Jill Biden showed us a Fightin’ Philly Girl straight outta Willow Grove 
Abraham Gutman: Philly vaccine pioneer: We can’t rush a coronavirus vaccine | Q&A
Jane Eleey: How can Philadelphia’s senior communities protect themselves from coronavirus? 
Helen Ubiñas: We sure love that diversity — as long as white dudes stay in power 
Chris Crisman: Women’s work: 12 stories of female success and struggle in male-dominated fields | Perspective
Chris Kelly: Lights, camera, Trump
Phil Gianficaro: Coronavirus safeguards impossible to sustain
Patrick Baber: Combating the opioid crisis requires a lobbying amendment
Holly Evans: Join us March 25-29 for a celebration of gender diversity
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Chuck Schumer derangement syndrome