Sen. Pat Toomey is scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden today to talk about infrastructure. Here is the Playbook. 

Toomey To Talk Infrastructure With Biden in Thursday Meeting: Sen. Pat Toomey, along with 5 other GOP Senators, are scheduled to meet with President Joe Biden on Thursday to talk “about the best ways to invest in American infrastructure,” according to a press release from the White House.

The Hill Profiles PA GOP 2022 Senate Race: The Hill’s Julia Manchester and Al Weaver write that Republicans are vying for “Trump’s mantle in Pa. Senate primary.”

Donald Trump Jr. Tweets Support for Parnell: Donald Trump Jr. sent out a tweet calling Sean Parnell, a GOP candidate for the U.S. Senate, a “friend and strong conservative fighter with a spine of steel. He’s 100% rock-solid America First and isn’t afraid to stand up and fight back against the radical Biden agenda and the leftwing media mob.”

PA State Senate Dems Propose ‘New Deal’ Spending Plan: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that Democrats serving in the state Senate “have proposed a “New Deal for Pennsylvania” – a recovery plan they say goes beyond calls to “simply reopen.””

GOP State Senators Unveil ‘Right to Bear Arms Protection Act’: City & State PA reports that multiple conservative GOP state Senators unveiled the “Right to Bear Arms Protection Act,” on Wednesday, which is “designed to limit the reach of federal gun restrictions and prevent state employees, agents and officials from enforcing them.”

Parnell Talks To Fox & Friends About Biden’s First 100 Days: Sean Parnell, a combat veteran and author who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate in 2022, joined Fox & Friends on Wednesday and called President Joe Biden’s first 100 days “a disaster.”

Rendell Talks To 1210 WPHT About Vega Endorsement: Former Gov. Ed Rendell talked to TalkRadio 1210 WPHT’s Dom Giordano about his endorsement of Carlos Vega in the Philadelphia District Attorney race over incumbent Larry Krasner.  

Philly DA Candidates Participate in Final Debate: WHYY reports that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner and challenger Carlos Vega “spent time distancing themselves from the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police, which has loomed large in the race” during the final DA debate on Wednesday afternoon, which was hosted by WURD Radio. The full debate can be found here. 

Inquirer: ‘Earmarks are back. Here’s what lawmakers want Congress to spend money on in Pa. and South Jersey’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports on the spending requests from members of the Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation. 

Krasner Releases 1st TV Ad: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Philadelphia District Attorney Larry Krasner released his campaign’s first TV ad, which takes a “shot at Mayor Jim Kenney and the police.”

Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidates Talk Business with Pittsburgh Business Times: The Pittsburgh Business Times talked to the Pittsburgh mayoral candidates about business issues.  

WTAE Highlights TV Ad Hitting Peduto on ‘Promoting Police Bias Against African-Americans’: WTAE reports on a TV ad sponsored by Allegheny County Justice for All, which is supporting state Rep. Ed Gainey’s mayoral bid, that “accuses Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto of promoting police bias against African-Americans.”

Wolf Talks Referendums in Cumberland County and Pittsburgh: On Wednesday, Gov. Tom Wolf made visits to Silver Spring Township and Pittsburgh to urge voters against two questions on May’s ballot about disasters. The Carlisle Sentinel highlights Wolf’s visit to Cumberland County, while the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on Wolf’s appearance in Pittsburgh.  

Johnstown Tribune-Democrat Highlights HD59 Candidates: The Johnstown Tribune-Democrat highlights the campaigns of Republican Leslie Baum Rossi, Democrat Mariah Fisher, and Libertarian Robb Luther in the upcoming special election for the state House’s 59th District.  

WHYY: ‘Jeff Yass, the richest man in Pa., is single handedly keeping school choice PACs flush’: WHYY reports that Montgomery County billionaire Jeff Yass, is “poised to spend millions of dollars influencing upcoming elections – all while trying to keep his name away from the political spotlight.” 

Keller and Meuser Vote To Remove Cheney as House GOP Leadership Role: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that Reps. Fred Keller (R-Snyder) and Dan Meuser (R-Luzerne) voted to remove Rep. Liz Cheney as House Republican Conference Chair.

Inquirer Reports Philly DA Race is “Personal In Neighborhoods Most Affected By Crime and Incarceration: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “in the neighborhoods where residents most frequently come face-to-face with the decisions a prosecutor makes, the election is about much more than politics.”

Bucks County Courier Times: ‘The Trump effect: Brian Fitzpatrick on the ouster of Cheney’: The Bucks County Courier Times reports on Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick’s comments about Rep. Liz Cheney being voted out as House Republican Conference Chair. 

Carlisle Borough Council Sends Letter Opposing Gleim’s Transgender Women in Sports Legislation: The Carlisle Sentinel reports that Carlisle Borough Council sent a letter to state Rep. Barb Gleim (R-Cumberland) “opposing legislation she sponsored that would bar transgender women from copeting in scholastic sports in Pennsylvania.” 

PennLive Talks to Harrisburg City Council’s Dem Candidates: PennLive talked to 13 Democratic candidates for Harrisburg City Council about key issues facing the city.  

Houlahan Holds Panel on Community Colleges: The Daily Local News reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) hosted a public forum on Tuesday about the role community colleges will play in economic recovery.  

Rozzi Endorses Candidates in Primary: The Reading Eagle reports that state Rep. Mark Rozzi’s (D-Berks) announced his endorsed candidates for the upcoming primary election.  

Morning Call Reports on “What it will take to win the Allentown Democratic mayoral nomination”: The Allentown Morning Call reports that the upcoming Democratic primary for Allentown Mayor “will come down to hundreds, if not dozens, of votes.”  

Tribune-Review Previews Allegheny County Common Pleas Judicial Race: The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports on the 39 candidates vying for nine seats on the Allegheny County Common Pleas Court. 

KDKA Highlights Pittsburgh City Council Contested Primaries: KDKA highlights the upcoming primary challenges that Pittsburgh City Council President Theresa Kail-Smith and South Hills City Councilman Anthony Coghill face from Jacob Williamson and Bethani Cameron. 

Post-Gazette Details Reschenthaler’s Support for Stefanik as Republican Conference Chair: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports on Rep. Guy Reschenthaler’s (R-Washington) support of Rep. Elise Stefanik replacing Rep. Liz Cheney as Republican Conference Chair and how it “signals rise of young pro-Trump lawmakers.” 

Post-Gazette: ‘Pa. bill seeks to block towns from banning natural gas connections’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Pennsylvania is the latest state that is “considering bills promoted by natural gas utilities that would prohibit local governments from restricting or banning utility hookups based on the type of energy they supply.” 

LNP | LancasterOnline Previews Lancaster County Primary Races: LNP | LancasterOnline provides a Lancaster County voter guide for the upcoming primary election. 

The Times Leader: ‘Council votes for court ruling on Luzerne County DA race’: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that “in a surprising move, a Luzerne County Council majority voted Tuesday to retain outside legal counsel and seek a court ruling on whether the district attorney’s race should be on the November general election ballot.”

Luzerne County Judicial Candidates Participate in Forum: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that the Wilkes-Barre NAACP hosted a forum that invited members of the public to “judge potential future Luzerne County judges” before the upcoming primary election.  

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: 1st ballot test of governor’s pandemic powers starts in PA 
AP: Prosecutors probe Pennsylvania contact tracing data breach 
AP: Lawmakers want kids to have option for extra year in school 
Spotlight PA: Some Pa. lawmakers tout expense transparency. Their websites tell a different story. 
Spotlight PA: Taxpayers foot huge bill to run Pa.’s full-time legislature, but are blocked from many details 
Spotlight PA: Inside the year-long fight to figure out how the Pa. legislature spends taxpayer money on itself 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘Our rights will be defended’: Mastriano brings the fight over ‘Second Amendment Sanctuaries’ to the Pa. Capitol 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Kelly joins House GOP in ousting Liz Cheney from leadership for rejecting Trump’s ‘big lie’ 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Law enforcement officials from Pa., Md. urge action against rising numbers of ‘ghost guns’ 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘We can’t move forward if we leave others behind’: State officials urge Pennsylvanians to apply for rental assistance 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Senate Democrats propose ‘New Deal’ spending plan for Pa. relief funds 
Patriot News: Parents could choose to let their child repeat a grade to make up for learning loss due to COVID-19 disruptions
Patriot News: How will Pa. government work post-coronavirus? Upgrades, new rules will allow some teleworking 
Patriot News: Pa. state government employees are slowly returning to the office after pandemic year
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. Bob Casey Jr. pushes police reforms aimed at dealing with those with disabilities 
Patriot News: Don’t stockpile gas, Gov. Wolf warns Pennsylvanians after fuel pipeline cyberattack
Patriot News: Wolf administration to use state grants funds to improve 12 Pa. airports
Patriot News: COVID-19 update: Pa. ranks 10th in U.S. for first doses
Forbes: Democrat Refused To Let Republican Lead Opioid Bill Over His Vote Against Electoral College – So GOP Killed It
Inquirer: Earmarks are back. Here’s what lawmakers want Congress to spend money on in Pa. and South Jersey
Inquirer: The pandemic and bitter partisanship polarized 2020. Now it’s seeping into school board races.
USA Today: Pa. Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward facing surgery after cancer diagnosis in December 
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. families set to receive $1 billion in relief due to missed school meals during virtual school
Post-Gazette: Pa. bill seeks to block towns from banning natural gas connections
KDKA: State Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward Defends Position To Block Child Sex Abuse Legislation
KDKA: Pennsylvania To Ease Restrictions Before Reopening May 31 
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf Says Contact Tracing Data Breach That Exposed Private Information Of Pennsylvanians ‘Was Wrong’
PLSReporter: Pandemic likely “permanently” raised wages, Independent Fiscal Office report says
Bucks County Courier Times: PA unemployment: Will residents see a delay in benefits when new system goes live? What you need to know. 
Fox News: Veteran Sean Parnell runs for Pennsylvania Senate seat: First 100 days of Biden ‘a disaster’ 
City & State PA: GOP lawmakers unveil ‘Right To Bear Arms Protection Act’
City & State PA: Parnell launches bid for Toomey’s Senate seat
StateImpactPA: In Pa., you can pick an electricity provider. Did the Texas storm make you rethink your choice? 
The Hill: Republicans vie for Trump’s mantle in Pa. Senate primary 
The Hill: Influential Republicans threaten to form new party 
Huffington Post: Black Candidates In Crowded Races Test Democrats’ Racial Equality Push

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Final Philly DA debate: Vega touts putting police in prison, Krasner says opponent lied in court
WHYY Newsworks: The DA primary race: Larry Krasner
WHYY Newsworks: The DA primary race: Carlos Vega
WHYY Newsworks: Diversity, residency requirements top issues at Philly police budget hearing
WHYY Newsworks: Philly’s development director says proposed city budget threatens Land Bank operations
Inquirer: Philly DA Larry Krasner’s first TV ad opens with a shot at Mayor Jim Kenney and the police 
Inquirer: The Philly DA race is personal in neighborhoods most affected by crime and incarceration 
Inquirer: Earmarks are back. Here’s what lawmakers want Congress to spend money on in Pa. and South Jersey
Inquirer: Nearly half of Philly’s firefighters and police have skipped COVID-19 vaccines, unions say 
Inquirer: For these neighborhoods, the DA race is personal | Morning Newsletter
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly Police Commish Outlaw signals support for allowing veteran cops to live outside city, drawing pushback from council president
Billy Penn: Where’s my Philly polling place? Some spots have changed since November

SEPA
Bucks County Courier Times: The Trump effect: Brian Fitzpatrick on the ouster of Cheney 
Bucks County Courier Times: Lessons from 2020 have Bucks County guide prep for mail-in ballots in May 18 primary 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County calls coroner’s lawsuit ‘meritless,’ denies budget complaints  
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 31% of people fully vaccinated
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan convenes panel on community colleges 
Daily Local News: Brown challenges Seavey in MDJ race 
Daily Local News: Candidates run to fill seats on West Chester Borough Council 
Daily Local News: Chester County extends COVID-19 vaccine to 12- to 15-year-olds
Delaware News Journal: Wawa is life and Kate Winslet finally understands that
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. coronavirus update: Montco on track to be below the 5% positivity rate by next week
KYW Newsradio: Montco lifting mask requirement for outdoor sports, exercise
KYW Newsradio: West Chester man told feds he entered Capitol during riot because he’s a taxpayer, authorities say
Bucks Local News: PENNSYLVANIA PRIMARY: Meet the candidates for Newtown area district magistrate
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County voters will nominate party candidates for district judges during primary
Pottstown Mercury: Five seek three GOP slots in rare West Pottsgrove primary
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County officials report ‘robust’ interest in vaccines for adolescents 

Pittsburgh 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Q&A: Pittsburgh mayoral candidates discuss business issues 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Bogen: ‘Work together’ to keep safe as Covid moves into new phase
WESA: Wolf Warns Voters That Emergency Powers Ballot Questions Would Make It ‘A Lot Messier, Slower’ To Manage Crises 
WESA: Parnell Announces Candidacy For Pennsylvania Senate Seat 
WESA: ‘No-Knock’ Ballot Measure Could Open Door To More Police Accountability, Activists Hope
Post-Gazette: Gov. Wolf advocates against ballot questions in visit to Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Backing Cheney’s ouster, Rep. Guy Reschenthaler signals rise of young pro-Trump lawmakers 
Post-Gazette: Lamb: Pittsburgh ‘well served’ by Citizen Police Review Board, but more funding and transparency needed  
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh hospital workers detail discrimination, call for action at City Council meeting 
Post-Gazette: With Pfizer vaccine expansion approved, region’s adolescents could help ‘pull their parents along’
KDKA: 2 City Council Incumbents, Including The Council President, Face Challengers In Run For Reelection
KDKA: Know Before You Go: Understanding The Pennsylvania Primary Ballot 
KDKA: Allegheny County Puts Out The Call For Poll Workers In May 18 Primary
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 183 New Cases, 4 Additional Deaths
WTAE: Wolf urges ‘no’ vote on disaster ballot questions in Pennsylvania
Observer-Reporter: COVID-19 cases in Allegheny County continue to drop
Tribune Review: In Pittsburgh appearance, Wolf urges residents not to limit his office’s emergency powers 
Tribune Review: No-knock warrants, jail confinement on ballot in Pittsburgh, Allegheny County 
Tribune Review: 39 candidates fight for 9 Allegheny County Common Pleas judicial seats 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County nears 100,000 covid cases, but at slower pace than rest of year 
Tribune Review: Allegheny County entering ‘new phase’ of the pandemic, officials say
City Paper: Pittsburgh City Council recognizes LGBTQ-owned businesses and ensures equitable contracting opportunities

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Unity Township resident a Republican candidate in 59th special election
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ligonier council member a Democratic candidate in 59th special election
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Ligonier Valley man running as Libertarian in 59th special election 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria COVID-19 hospitalizations rise as numbers flatten statewide
Beaver County Times: Vacant district judge seats attract several candidates 
KDKA: State Senate Majority Leader Kim Ward Defends Position To Block Child Sex Abuse Legislation
KDKA: Westmoreland County Election Bureau In Need Of Poll Workers And Election Judges For May Primary
Altoona Mirror: Ballot question aims to aid municipal fire departments
Altoona Mirror: Blair posts videos to help voters
Altoona Mirror: Burke, Kagarise team up for study
Observer-Reporter: State to increase event sizes during COVID-19 pandemic 

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Local Republican congressmen vote to oust Cheney 
Times-Tribune: Contested judicial primary in Luzerne County headlines races in neighboring counties
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council introduces ordinance to maintain tripled LST for 2021 
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County sets the pace in residents fully vaccinated against COVID-19
Citizens Voice: County council to seek legal counsel on DA election dispute 
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County judicial candidates square off in final forum before election 
Citizens Voice: Four Democratic women running for Swoyersville mayor trying to make history 
Citizens Voice: County tourism chief Wampole will retire 
Citizens Voice: 77 new COVID-19 cases reported in county on Wednesday
The Times Leader: Council votes for court ruling on Luzerne County DA race 
The Times Leader: Judicial candidates field questions about racial, gender bias 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County must replace retiring tourism head Ted Wampole 
The Times Leader: TEGNA names Julie Eisenman president/general manager of WNEP 
The Times Leader: 77 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Wednesday; 1 death

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County’s complete guide to 2021’s primary election
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County elections officials frustrated with mail-in ballot issues
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sturla, Lancaster County superintendents to discuss education funding solutions at forum 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Five Democrats vie for Lancaster City Council
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here are the 9 Lancaster County townships with contested primaries
LNP | LancasterOnline: 5 contested Lancaster County borough battles for council
LNP | LancasterOnline: Manheim is only county borough with contested primary for mayor 
LNP | LancasterOnline: 3 seek district judge seat in northeastern Lancaster County
LNP | LancasterOnline: Candidates fight for commissioner terms in Manheim Township, county’s largest suburb
LNP | LancasterOnline: Ephrata lawyer disbarred after officials say he threatened to kill US senators
York Dispatch: York County commissioners approve $796,000 roofing contract 
York Dispatch: York County vaccination rate on the decline as hesitancy remains
York Dispatch: Wednesday update: Two new COVID-19 deaths reported in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: Gov. Wolf talks referendums in stop at Silver Spring Township 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 27 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Wednesday
York Daily Record: York County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 31% of people fully vaccinated
Patriot News: Harrisburg Regional Chamber will have a new leader for the first time in 2 decades
Patriot News: COVID-19 crisis in India hits home for some in central Pa.

Lehigh Valley      
Reading Eagle: State Rep. Mark Rozzi endorses candidates in May primary 
Reading Eagle: Elections director in Berks County applauds levels of mailed ballots requested and returned
Reading Eagle: These 4 questions are on the primary election ballot; here’s what you need to know 
Reading Eagle: Reading passes aggressive panhandling and loitering ordinance 
Reading Eagle: Berks County vaccination numbers again show waning demand for first doses
Express Times: Rep. Susan Wild pays tribute to Wawa shooting victim Ramon Ramirez
Express Times: Lehigh Valley may never reach herd immunity. Here’s what local doctors say is more likely.
Morning Call: What it will take to win the Allentown Democratic mayoral nomination, and what the data tells us about the electorate 
Morning Call: Allentown truck driver killed in Wawa shooting remembered on U.S. House floor; Susan Wild urges action against gun violence 
Morning Call: Q&A: Alan Jennings reflects on his career and anti-poverty philosophy: ‘John Lennon took the whole Bible and put it in one line’ 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Local Democrats, GOP look beyond Primary
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Voters face ballot questions in primary
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County to fund group’s COVID education efforts
Centre Daily Times: Penn State not mandating COVID-19 vaccination
Erie Times-News: With legal challenges over, clerk of records race goes to voters: 2 Dems, one Republican 
Erie Times-News: Erie County COVID-19 vaccine tracker: 35% of people fully vaccinated

Opinion  
Salena Zito: Sean Parnell launches a critical Senate campaign in Pennsylvania
Citizens Voice Editorial Board: Proposed amendments would risk Pennsylvanians’ safety
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: If Pa. senators want businesses to thrive this summer, they ought to champion COVID-19 vaccination
York Dispatch Editorial Board: It’s time to reinstate work-search requirements for unemployed
Inquirer Editorial Board: What can police stop doing? Before Council approves Kenney’s budget, this must be clear.  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Lobbying reform is needed in Harrisburg 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Facebook should clarify what standard President Trump violated or lift his suspension 
John L. Micek: The return of work requirements: The GOP gets its Herbert Hoover on | Wednesday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: Fiscal experts to states on stimulus cash: Don’t spend it all in one place | Thursday Morning Coffee
Bruce Ledewitz: A closer look at Pa.’s fraught 2021 ballot questions 
Jerry Shenk: The 2022 midterm election has already begun
Bill White: How town legislators used Pennsylvania Dutch dialect to confound a reporter
Mary Woznicki and Peter Moore: Why we need a federal minimum wage
Chris Freind: No more voting without ID
William Keo: Ideas We Should Steal: Protection for Asian Americans 
Rann Miller: The invisible tax on Black teachers
Matthew Melchiorre: As a paramedic, I am not criminally charged for genuine mistakes. Police shouldn’t be, either.
Abraham Gutman: As my family shelters in Tel Aviv, I’m unsettled that progressive Americans aren’t speaking up for Palestinians
Inga Saffron: As Philadelphia advances streetscape plan for Spring Garden, historic buildings fall to neglect
Solomon Jones: Georgia’s overturn of citizen’s arrest law doesn’t undo entrenched racism 
Elizabeth Wellington: Your social guide to Philly’s reopening 
Jenice Armstrong: Philly will lift all COVID-related restrictions on June 11, but it won’t be business as usual. Nor should it be 
Maria Panaritis: First-time homebuyers are losing out in this twisted housing market 
Angry Grammarian: In Pa. ballot questions, a grammatical crisis could lead to a public policy crisis