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May 15th Playbook

President Donald Trump delivered a 30 minute address at a medical equipment distribution center in the Lehigh Valley. Here is the Playbook.

Here’s What Trump Said About PA During His Lehigh Valley Visit: In President Donald Trump’s first visit to the Lehigh Valley since being elected president, he talked about Gov. Tom Wolf, manufacturing, and a GOP congressional hopeful in the state.

Perry Leads Both Dems in Q1 Fundraising: Rep. Scott Perry’s campaign raised $450,000 during this first quarter of 2020, while Eugene DePasquale raised slightly under $350,000, and Tom Brier raised just over $85,000 in the same time period.

PAGOP Delegation Minus Fitzpatrick Blasts Wolf on COVID-19 Response: Eight of the nine members of the state’s GOP congressional delegation issued a joint statement on Wednesday criticizing Gov. Tom Wolf for his threat to withhold funds from counties that don’t abide by the state’s stay-at-home restrictions.

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: In Pennsylvania, Dem governor aims to contain GOP revolt 
AP: Trump says he’ll replenish stockpile for future pandemics
Spotlight PA: Wolf says requests for business waivers could reveal proprietary information as GOP presses court case 
Spotlight PA: Pa.’s largest nurses’ union accuses hospitals of misinforming state officials about PPE 
Washington Examiner: Trump to Salena Zito: ‘Joe has absolutely no idea what’s happening’
New York Times: G.O.P. Defiance of Pennsylvania’s Lockdown Has 2020 Implications
Philly Clout: The Trump campaign has ‘walked away’ from the Pennsylvania Republican Party as 2020 heats up, sources say 
Inquirer: Trump comes to Pennsylvania and urges the state to reopen faster 
Inquirer: Another 3 million Americans filed unemployment claims and Pa. has paid out almost $7 billion in jobless benefits 
Inquirer: Universal coronavirus testing at Pennsylvania nursing homes? Some say it’s ‘an idea without a plan.’ 
Inquirer: Gov. Wolf says Pa.’s coronavirus reopening metrics aren’t changing; N.J. beach openings bring hope and worries for Shore mayors
Morning Call: ‘With your help, we’re going to vanquish the virus’: President Trump praises Pennsylvania workers, calls on state to reopen during visit to Upper Macungie medical supply distributor 
Morning Call: 5 takeaways from President Trump’s inaugural visit to the Lehigh Valley
Patriot News: Which Pennsylvania counties could be next to start reopening from coronavirus closure orders? 
Patriot News: PennDOT announces reopening of some services in yellow phase counties 
Patriot News: Health Secretary Rachel Levine’s removal of mom from care home amid epidemic draws scrutiny
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 59,636 confirmed cases in 67 counties 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Under fire for her policies, Health Secretary Levine remains an icon to Pa.’s trans community 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As parts of the state reopen, Levine urges routine vaccinations for children 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: From plumbers to pet groomers, Wolf discloses list of businesses denied waivers to open 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Zoom to open R&D outpost in Pittsburgh 
PA Post: Is Your County Planning To Move To ‘Yellow’ On Its Own? Here’s The Latest
WITF: Workers In Pennsylvania With Preexisting Conditions Fear A Call To Return To Work
PLSReporter: As COVID-19 underscores rural broadband need, lawmakers propose retooling tax credit for deployment 
PLSReporter: DePasquale outlines scope of audit into controversial business waiver program
KYW Newsradio: Wolf, GOP legislators continue grappling over business reopenings
KYW Newsradio: Pa. auditor general looking into Pennsylvania’s business waiver process during pandemic
KYW Newsradio: Wolf ‘understands frustration’ among business owners, but points to common enemy: COVID-19
Fox News: Pushing back at Trump, Biden stresses ‘we all want to reopen’ 
Fox News: President Trump to visit Pennsylvania amid battle over state’s coronavirus shutdown policies 
Fox News: Pennsylvania health official draws fire after her mother leaves care facility as coronavirus patients return 
Fox News: Laura Ingraham torches liberal ‘frauds and tyrants’ for actions during coronavirus shutdowns
Fox News: Watters: Trump support for lockdown protests showing Dem govs to be ‘moms grounding their citizens’ 
Observer-Reporter: DePasquale provides update on business-waiver process
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: Recapping his first presidential stop in the Lehigh Valley 
Express Times: Joe Biden says Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania presents a ‘false choice’
Pittsburgh Business Times: Here’s the industry making the most complaints about Wolf’s waiver process 
KDKA: ‘Business Owners Deserve To Know’: Pa. Auditor General Says Audit Of Business Shutdown Waivers Continues
KDKA: Health & Human Services Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy Working To Replenish Federal PPE Stockpile  
KDKA: New Bill Proposes Increasing Fish For Free Days
National Journal: Buttigieg PAC Endorses Candidates for State Offices
Philly Voice: Pa. Health Secretary Dr. Rachel Levine checks ‘insulting’ reporter who called her ‘sir’ 
The Hill: Kentucky, Georgia, Hawaii saw highest percentages of their workforce file unemployment claims since March 
The Hill: Trump goes without mask on trip to Pennsylvania PPE factory 
The Hill: Watch live: Trump speaks at Pennsylvania medical equipment distribution center 
The Hill: Trump attacks point to Pennsylvania’s critical role in reelection bid
Politico: ‘They are angry:’ Pandemic and economic collapse slam Trump across Rust Belt
Philadelphia Magazine: Here’s Everything You Need to Know About Filling in Your Surprisingly Complicated Mail-In Ballot 
CNN: Trump touts reopening message in Pennsylvania
StateImpactPA: Study finds methane leaks in PA are much higher than state reports 
StateImpactPA: Coronavirus delays conservation efforts in Pennsylvania

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: The Trump campaign has ‘walked away’ from the Pennsylvania Republican Party as 2020 heats up, sources say 
Philly Clout: The Trump Store in Bucks County reopened as a ‘life-sustaining’ business by selling Trump face masks
Inquirer: The Philadelphia voters most likely to vote in person — or not at all — live in coronavirus hot spots 
Inquirer: 150 homeless people camped out at Philadelphia airport will be relocated, officials say 
Inquirer: Philly-area stay-at-home orders slowed the coronavirus’ spread — but not dangerous drivers
Inquirer: Who’s showing up for school during the pandemic? In Philly, it’s just over half of students.
Inquirer: Federal, state and city programs that can help you if you’ve been affected by the pandemic
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Philly death toll crosses 1,000 
WHYY Newsworks: Just over half of Philly students participating in school online, early data says
WHYY Newsworks: 35 years after MOVE bombing, the path to reconciliation is still unclear 
KYW Newsradio: Philly commissioners cut number of polling places, hope everyone votes by mail
KYW Newsradio: Philly death toll hits 1,000; mayor creates COVID-19 Recovery Office
KYW Newsradio: Federal, state coronavirus relief trickling in for small business owners — but will it be enough?
KYW Newsradio: They have their Chromebooks, but are Philly students logging in and learning?
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia forms Covid-19 Recovery Office to recoup coronavirus-related costs
Philadelphia Business Journal: Area health care providers landed $579M from the CARES Act. Here’s how much each received.
Billy Penn: Philly students can now officially change their school district names, thrilling LGBTQ advocates 
Billy Penn: Procrastinator’s Guide to the 2020 primary election in Philly
Philadelphia Tribune: School District of Philadelphia to host virtual graduation for Class of 2020
Philadelphia Magazine: Here Are All the Businesses That Have Received Money from Philly’s Coronavirus Relief Fund So Far
Philadelphia Citizen: Ideas We Should Steal: Mailing Ballots To Every Voter
Philly Voice: Philly releases list of businesses benefitting from COVID-19 relief fund
Philly Voice: Philly surpasses 1,000 deaths from COVID-19 as city forms recovery office

SEPA
Bucks Local News: President Trump, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick meet in Allentown to discuss bipartisan COVID-19 legislation 
Bucks Local News: Governor Wolf to Bucks County Commissioners: County ‘rapidly moving’ toward reopening
Bucks County Courier Times: 200 more cases of COVID-19 drug coming to Pa., Fitzpatrick reports 
Bucks County Courier Times: Judicial Watch sues Bucks, state over voter rolls 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks courts to reopen June 1 
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks gov’t reopens while businesses stay closed 
Delco Daily Times: Delco to start awarding grants to small businesses in 10 days 
Delco Daily Times: Delco sues to block ‘murky’ DELCORA trust deal with Aqua Pa. 
Inquirer: Delaware County sues to block $276 million sale of public sewer system by outgoing Republicans
KYW Newsradio: Republican state lawmakers urge governor to move Chester County to ‘yellow’ phase
KYW Newsradio: With dozens of letters, Delco tells isolated nursing home residents they’re not alone
Montgomery Media: Montco coronavirus death toll climbs to 454; hospitals receive antiviral drug
Pottstown Mercury: Pennsburg to vote on reopening borough businesses against Wolf orders
Daily Local News: Chester County surpasses 200 deaths, but still one of safest counties regionally 
Daily Local News: Local lawmakers call on Wolf to move Chester County to yellow 
Daily Local News: Chester County commissioners won’t defy Wolf lockdown orders; shutdown continues to June 4 
Daily Local News: Chester County courts set to get back to ‘normal’ in June

Pittsburgh 
WESA: Glitch Sends Duplicate Ballots To Voters, But System Prevents Double-Voting, County Says 
WESA: Peduto Looks Ahead To Opportunities, Concerns As Region Moves To Yellow 
WESA: PA Revises Death Toll Upward Again, But Other Numbers Paint Brighter Picture 
WESA: What’s Open As Southwest PA Enters The ‘Yellow’ Phase? Your Reopening Questions Answered
WESA: May 11-15 Explained: Daycares Reopen, Counties Defy Wolf & Some Pennsylvanians Face A Dire Choice
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County says bug allowed voters to get duplicate mail-in, absentee ballots
Post-Gazette: Back to business: How will life be different under Gov. Wolf’s yellow phase?
Post-Gazette: City launches housing resource website
Post-Gazette: Beaver County reports 4 new COVID-19 nursing home deaths; Levine urges routine vaccinations
Post-Gazette: City schools still uncertain about reopening and preparing ‘multitude’ of options for fall 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Zoom to open R&D outpost in Pittsburgh
KDKA: ‘Listen To What The Experts Are Saying’: Local Congressmen Split On Pres. Donald Trump Calling For Pennsylvania To Reopen 
KDKA: Mayor Bill Peduto Says Big Changes Coming Slowly To Pittsburgh As Allegheny County Enters ‘Yellow’ Phase 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports No Additional Deaths, Only 6 New Coronavirus Cases 
KDKA: City Of Pittsburgh Launches Online Portal To Provide Housing Resources 
KDKA: ‘It’s Either Open Or Close My Doors For Good’; Area Businesses Prepare To Reopen As Allegheny County Moves Into ‘Yellow’ Phase Of Reopening Plan 
KDKA: ‘I Don’t Think We’re Ready’: Doctor Warns Of Dire Consequences If Western Pennsylvania Moves Too Hastily In Reopening 
KDKA: Health & Human Services Deputy Chief Of Staff For Policy Working To Replenish Federal PPE Stockpile 
KDKA: Dozens Of Fine Wine & Good Spirits Stores Opening On Friday 
KDKA: Gov. Wolf Proclaims May 22 Pennsylvania’s Second-Annual 1-4-3 Day 
KDKA: Superintendent Says Pittsburgh Public Schools Planning For Next Year Amid Coronavirus Uncertainty
Tribune Review: Some Allegheny County voters received duplicate mail-in ballots due to system glitch

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Changes made to polling places in Cambria County 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Going from red to yellow’: State will be tracking COVID-19 trends 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New drug arrives for ‘severely ill’ patients; Cambria, Blair each add a COVID-19 case 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset partnership launches effort to keep spending ‘local’ during virus recovery
Beaver County Times: Sources: Wolf to move Beaver County into the yellow phase of COVID-19 reopening plan on Friday 
Beaver County Times: Bernstine joins GOP letter asking DAs to ignore COVID-19 shutdown violations
Beaver County Times: National Guard deploys more members to Brighton Rehab 
Beaver County Times: PA COVID-19 deaths surpass 4,200; restaurants warned about dine-in service 
KDKA: State Rep.: Beaver County Will Move Into ‘Yellow’ Phase Of Reopening Next Week 
Post-Gazette: Greene County judge charged with judicial misconduct
Post-Gazette: Beaver County reports 4 new COVID-19 nursing home deaths; Levine urges routine vaccinations
Post-Gazette: Legislator: Beaver County expected to move into yellow phase next week
Tribune Review: Lawmaker: Beaver County to begin reopening May 22
Tribune Review: Small businesses in Western Pa. eager to reopen, but not sure how public will respond
Tribune Review: Westmoreland voters in some precincts will see changes for June 2 election
Altoona Mirror: Back in business
Altoona Mirror: Centre virus deaths grow
Altoona Mirror: COVID-19 deals big hit to Blair’s pension plan
Observer-Reporter: Greene County president judge charged with judicial misconduct

NEPA
The Times Leader: Mail-in voting applications adding up in Luzerne County 
The Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre finances take a hit from virus, Brown says 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County can’t be evaluated by zip code for coronavirus reopening, state says 
The Times Leader: Yudichak announces $10M for proposed business park in Hazle Twp. 
The Times Leader: 10 new COVID-19 cases reported in Luzerne County; 1 new death
Citizens Voice: Officials: Zip code plan not feasible
Citizens Voice: Wyoming County expects to enter yellow phase next week 
Citizens Voice: W-B mayor joins others calling for virus relief 
Citizens Voice: 1 more death, 10 new cases in Luzerne County 
Citizens Voice: Mayor: W-B City Hall storm damage is more extensive
Citizens Voice: Pandemic deals big blow to LCTA ridership
Times-Tribune: Wyoming County expected to be among next group allowed to ease coronavirus restrictions
Times-Tribune: Scranton, Wilkes-Barre mayors join in joint letter asking feds for financial help
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage

South Central 
Lebanon Daily News: Coronavirus mystery in Lebanon County: Why is the per capita rate so much higher here?
LNP | LancasterOnline: Sen. Martin’s brother, a nurse, criticizes him on Facebook post for National Nurses Week
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘The right thing to do’: Here’s why lawmakers jump-started conversations to move the county to yellow phase
LNP | LancasterOnline: Friday’s COVID-19 updates: Lancaster County up to 2,364 cases, 254 virus-related deaths
LNP | LancasterOnline: Commissioners, county officials hosted reopening press conference Thursday
Patriot News: Red? Yellow? Lancaster County’s informal declaration of pandemic reopening makes it every business for itself 
Patriot News: ‘Stand up with me’: Crowd, GOP politicians roar support for central Pa. barber defying COVID-19 closure order 
Patriot News: Police in Harrisburg prepare for another anti-shutdown protest Friday at the Capitol
York Dispatch: Helfrich, other Pa. mayors, ask Congress for $250 billion aid package
York Dispatch: GOP continues attacks on Wolf ahead of Friday reopening announcement
York Dispatch: York County has one new death linked to COVID-19, 14 new cases 
Carlisle Sentinel: County’s state legislators call for businesses to defy COVID-19 shutdown 
Carlisle Sentinel: Watch Now: DOH Data – 14 new cases of COVID-19 reported for Cumberland County Thursday, 2 additional deaths
York Daily Record: Petition for impeachment of Gov. Tom Wolf demands reopening of economy 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: More Pa. counties to move to yellow phase; protest in Harrisburg 
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: President Trump to be in Pa. today; statewide cases near 60K 
Chambersburg Public Opinion: Chambersburg-Waynesboro area could be one of country’s hardest-hit economically by pandemic

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: 5 takeaways from President Trump’s inaugural visit to the Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania health secretary plans to consult two Lehigh Valley infectious disease specialists who believe region can safely lift some restrictions
Morning Call: ‘With your help, we’re going to vanquish the virus’: President Trump praises Pennsylvania workers, calls on state to reopen during visit to Upper Macungie medical supply distributor 
Morning Call: Supporters finally got to welcome Trump to the Lehigh Valley, and protesters also turned out for his visit 
Morning Call: Allentown transfers $400K for small business loans until coronavirus aid comes through 
Morning Call: With $8 million budget hole, Allentown School District mulls tax hike, staffing needs 
Reading Eagle: Berks leaders say they’re keeping an open mind about reopening the county and encourage the public to do the same 
Reading Eagle: Panelists clear up misconceptions about the coronavirus for Berks Latino community 
Reading Eagle: Berks County schools receive $18M in federal coronavirus relief funding 
Reading Eagle: 45 more coronavirus positives, 5 deaths in Berks County 
Reading Eagle: Berks Stand Up urges caution in reopening county from coronavirus shutdown
Express Times: Lehigh Valley mayors join 12 others in Pa. in asking Congress to pass $250B stimulus bill 
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: Recapping his first presidential stop in the Lehigh Valley 
Express Times: Rate of new coronavirus cases still falling in Lehigh Valley, key for reopening | Analysis 
Express Times: ‘Say ‘hello’ to Larry’: Trump ends speech with shout out to Easton Assassin 
Express Times: Trump’s visit to Pennsylvania: A quick welcome as Air Force One lands in Allentown 
Express Times: ‘Dozens of Allentown residents have perished,’ Democrats blast Trump ahead of warehouse visit 
Express Times: Trump arrives at Owens & Minor for tour of Lehigh Valley facility (PHOTOS) 
Express Times: Excited supporters line Upper Macungie roads to welcome President Trump 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: state nears 60K cases; surpasses 4K deaths; Wolf to announce new yellow counties Friday | COVID-19 case map (5/14/20) 
Express Times: ‘Wear a mask and go home:’ Protest caravan rolls through Lehigh County for Trump visit 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County preparing for spike in mail-in ballots
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County commissioners vote to purchase machine to help with primary election
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Tax deadline not delayed yet
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds 1 new COVID-19 death, 2 new cases, Pa. Department of Health reports

Opinion  
Glenn Thompson and Dwight Evans: The GROCER Act will support food supply workers 
Joanna McClinton: It shouldn’t take a pandemic to address societal inequality
Ryan Aument, Scott Martin, Ray D’Agostino and Josh Parsons: ‘Necessary to act on the will of the people’: county GOP officials answer LNP Editorial Board questions on reopening
Scott L. Bohn: Saving early childhood programs is essential — especially during a pandemic
Inquirer Editorial Board: More transparency needed from Gov. Wolf as some Pennsylvanians protest pandemic shutdown
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fighting the good fight: Senators tackle online child abuse the right way 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Reopen garden centers: Local stores can be as safe as big retailers
Paul Muschick: Why coronavirus testing in nursing homes could delay Lehigh Valley’s reopening
Kevin Flowers: Erie continues 2020 census push
John L. Micek: Stacey Abrams part of new group targeting climate voters in Pa. in 2020 | Thursday Morning Coffee
Lorene Cary: Philadelphia needs to get youth voting 
Maria Panaritis: Suburban Philadelphia incomes lagged for years. Now there’s COVID carnage and no cushion. 
Michael Fichman: Philadelphia should become a 24-hour-city to survive the pandemic 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Testing our patience
Judge Andrew Napolitano: Does the government work for us or do we work it?
Will Bunch: Native Americans wage war against new virus and a 400-year disease of bias, ignorance
Trudy Rubin: The Swedish model holds coronavirus lessons for America if the White House will learn them

One Response

  1. Trump and the Pa State GOP are wrong to not fully respect the viral health efforts of Gov Wolf. I mean suggesting County Commissioners replace the Gov in the decision making of reopening is an asinine idea to say the least but what is worse is that hastily reopening undermines good health strategies to save lives. Look at people in Wisconsin crowding into bars huddled together with no protective wear with nearly 80,000 passed on from the virus in the US. The virus is very serious business and is not about politics. The voters know what is going on.

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    Total Voters: 30

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