Search
Close this search box.

May 24th Playbook

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis headlined the Allegheny County Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner. Here is the Playbook. 

2021 Primary Ups & Downs: Pittsburgh elects a new mayor, a pair of amendments are approved to limit the governor’s power during a disaster declaration, plus criminal justice reform advocates score big victories across the commonwealth. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

PennLive Highlights PA Primary Turnout: PennLive reports that the turnout for the Pennsylvania primary election last week was low, “but it was way better than normal.”  

PA Republicans Target Wolf in 2022 Governor’s Race: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “Republicans hoping to replace” Gov. Tom Wolf “are making the lame-duck governor and his handling of the coronavirus a central issue in the very early days of the 2022 contest.”

DeSantis Headlines Allegheny County GOP Dinner: WESA reports that Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis headlined the Allegheny County Republican Committee’s Lincoln Day Dinner on Thursday evening.  

Spotlight PA: ‘Lawmakers report receiving fewer gifts during pandemic as push for ban continues’: Spotlight PA reports that “Pennsylvania’s 253 lawmakers did not report receiving anything of great value last year as the pandemic raged, forcing lockdowns and restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings.” 

Tuerk Victorious in Allentown Mayoral Race: The Allentown Morning Call reports that Matt Tuerk, a longtime economic development official, extended “his lead to 122 votes over incumbent Mayor Ray O’Connell” in the Democratic Party primary for Allentown mayor. 

Flynn Talks to the Scranton Times-Tribune After Special Election Victory: State Rep. Marty Flynn (D-Lackawanna), who won the special election for the state Senate’s 22nd District last week, talked to the Scranton Times-Tribune about his new position and how he promises to be a hard-working senator. 

Aument Proposes Pausing Mail-in Ballots: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that state Sen. Ryan Aument (R-Lancaster) said on late Friday afternoon that he “would be introducing legislation to suspend the use of no-excuse mail-in balloting until the spring of 2023, citing the misprinting and other errors caused by the county’s vendor.” 

Stephen Zappala Sr. Dies at 88 Years Old: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “Stephen A. Zappala Sr., a former chief justice of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the father of Allegheny County’s current district attorney, has died” at the age of 88. 

City & State PA’s Biggest Winners & Losers Last Week: City & State PA highlights the three winners and losers in Pennsylvania politics last week.  

Grove and Harris Talk To CBS21’s Face the State: State Reps. Seth Grove (R-York) and Jordan Harris (D-Philadelphia) talked to Face the State this weekend about “the impact of new Pennsylvania constitutional amendments, and possible election reform following state primaries.”

Casey Holds Town Hall in NEPA: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that Sen. Bob Casey showed “optimism” and “touched on a lot of topics during his hour-long town hall at Wilkes University on Sunday.”  

Doug Mastriano For Governor Dot Com: According to the Twitter account, @CATargetBot, “dougmastrianoforgovernor.com” was registered as a website. Mastriano has been mentioned as a potential candidate for Governor in PA.   

Bartos Talks to Bannon on War Room Podcast: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, joined Steve Bannon’s War Room podcast for an interview to talk about the United States relationship with Israel. 

Bartos Speaks at Pro-Israel Rally: Jeff Bartos, a Montgomery County real estate developer who is seeking the GOP nomination for U.S. Senate, spoke at a pro-Israel rally in Philadelphia on Sunday. 

Barletta To Campaign in NEPA: Former Congressman Lou Barletta (R-Luzerne), who is running for the GOP nomination for PA Governor, will be holding campaign events in Monroe, Wayne, and Lackawanna counties today. He’ll be joined by former Congressman Tom Marino for a rally in Old Forge in the evening. 

Dean Talks GOP Leaders Response To January 6 Riots on MSNBC: Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) joined MSNBC’s “The Sunday Show” to talk about “The struggle to form a bipartisan Jan. 6 commission,” and how “The Jan. 6 insurrection and storming of the U.S. Capitol continues to be downplayed by prominent GOP leaders.”

Cartwright to Host Virtual Fundraiser on Tuesday: Rep. Matt Cartwright (D-Lackawanna) will be hosting a virtual event on Tuesday evening along with a “high-ranking Democratic strategist to talk about what projects he’s trying to bring to our district and our strategies to win in 2022.”

Peduto Talks to Biden: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto talked to President Joe Biden after his loss in the Democratic Party mayoral primary to state Rep. Ed Gainey. The Post-Gazette’s headline for the story is: “Looking for a job? If you’re Bill Peduto, it doesn’t hurt having the president as a reference.”

Pedri Resigns As Luzerne County Manager: The Wilkes-Barre Times Leader reports that Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri announced on Friday that he has resigned from his position to serve as the Luzerne Foundation’s new president and CEO, starting in September. 

Santorum No Longer At CNN: The Associated Press reports that “CNN is cutting ties with former Republican senator and current TV analyst Rick Santorum over disparaging comments he made about Native American culture.” 

Litwhiler To Withdraw from Schuylkill County Sheriff Race: The Pottsville Republican Herald reports that Douglas Litwhiler, the GOP nominee for Schuylkill County sheriff, will “withdraw from the race after being accused of preying on “young girls,” an accusation he strongly denies.” 

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Lawmakers report receiving fewer gifts during pandemic as push for ban continues
AP: Former Pennsylvania high court justice Zappala Sr. dies
AP: Rick Santorum is out at CNN over comments about Native American culture
AP: Little change in Pennsylvania jobless rate, payroll in April
Inquirer: Pa. Republicans are taking aim at Tom Wolf, not Biden, as they look to win the 2022 governor’s race
Inquirer: Bill would block companies from getting second round of Keystone Opportunity Zone tax breaks
Patriot News: Turnout was low in the Pa. primary election, but it was way better than normal
Patriot News: Teachers union demands leadership changes at embattled PSERS pension fund
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Even with Wolf’s disaster powers clipped, Pa.’s mask mandate remains. Why? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Rep. Perry only Keystone State Republican to vote against bill protecting Asian-Americans from hate crimes 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With new guidelines for emergency response, how will Pa. lawmakers address the opioid crisis? 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Electric buses, asphalt and bridges: On Capitol Hill, pols from Pa., nationwide jostle for federal transportation cash 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Homeless students, including those in Pa., slipping through the cracks during the pandemic, congressional panel told 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: It’s 1-4-3 Day Weekend in Pa. Commit a random act of kindness | Five for the Weekend
Arizona Mirror: Wake Technology Services audited a Pennsylvania election as part of the #StopTheSteal movement
Wall Street Journal: Republican Senator Presses Regional Fed Banks on Race-Related Work 
WITF: Rep. Scott Perry Downplays Events Of January 6th While Defending Vote Against Bipartisan Commission
CBS21: Face the State | Rep. Seth Grove and Rep. Jordan Harris
City & State PA: Republicans float spending protections for federal coronavirus aid 
City & State PA: Wolf promises a collaborative approach to emergency declarations 
City & State PA: Winners & Losers 
KDKA: Pennsylvania Lt. Governor John Fetterman Says He’s Encourages By Vaccination Rates
KDKA: Pa. Gambling Revenues Hit Record High In April
The Times Leader: Casey holds hearing on long-term care for people with Alzheimer’s Disease
PLSReporter: A New Deal or a Rescue Plan? Lawmakers pitch ideas for federal billions
ABC27: This Week in Pennsylvania: May 23 Pt. 1
KYW Newsradio: CNN parts with Rick Santorum over controversial comments
CNHI: Senate leaders resisting push for vote on statute of limitations change
CNHI: State nursing home industry makes pitch for share of American Rescue plan dollars
Post-Gazette: A new carbon market or existing USDA aid? GOP lawmakers debate how to bolster small farmers’ climate credentials
Morning Call: Pa. Supreme Court order closes courts statewide for Juneteenth end-of-slavery observance
National Journal: Survival of the fittest: Senate Democrats encouraging blockbuster primaries
Reading Eagle: Pa. education officials talk about impact of COVID on schools, what future has in store
Erie Times-News: Juneteenth: PA Supreme Court orders judicial system to observe Black emancipation anniversary
Pittsburgh Business Times: The highest-scoring school districts of the decade in Pennsylvania  

Philadelphia
KYW Newsradio: Philly eases COVID-19 restrictions as Pa. passes 50% vaccinated mark
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia takes initial steps to start mobile crisis response units
KYW Newsradio: Free college doesn’t solve the biggest problem
KYW Newsradio: Penn Medicine becomes first major employer in region to require staff vaccinations
KYW Newsradio: 7-day average of new Pa. COVID-19 cases falls under 1,000 for first time since October
Billy Penn: Philadelphia’s new health chief is known for empathy. Can she lead out of crisis?
WHYY Newsworks: Philly judges win Democratic primaries for statewide courts
Inquirer: Philadelphia and Delaware ease COVID-19 restrictions; Phillies announce new mask rules for Citizens Bank Park 

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County reaches 57 percent of adult vaccinations
Daily Local News: Kennett Square narrows down on top candidates for new borough manager
KYW Newsradio: ACLU sues Montco over access to people held in county jail
KYW Newsradio: 7-day average of new Pa. COVID-19 cases falls under 1,000 for first time since October
WHYY Newsworks: Controversial PECO gas project in Marple Twp. goes to PUC for hearings
Pottstown Mercury: Montgomery County awards $2.5M in grants to 23 local projects

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: After pullback from Mon Valley upgrade, U.S. Steel caught up in finger-pointing over region’s future
Post-Gazette: Stephen Zappala Sr., former state Supreme Court chief justice, dies
Post-Gazette: Looking for a job? If you’re Bill Peduto, it doesn’t hurt having the president as a reference
Post-Gazette: Police reform efforts making mixed progress
Post-Gazette: George Floyd’s murder pushed companies to seek diverse hires, but progress in achieving equity is slow
Post-Gazette: The legacy of George Floyd: A historic year in photos and video
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. cases drop by 3,000 this week, continuing month long streak
WESA: Local Attorney Enters GOP Gubernatorial Race
WESA: Criminal Justice Was Key Rallying Point For Progressives Who Triumphed In This Week’s Primary
KDKA: Former Chief Justice Stephen A. Zappala Sr., Father Of District Attorney Stephen A. Zappala Jr., Passes Away
KDKA: Oldest And Longest-Serving Pittsburgh-Area Mayor Reveals His Future Plans 
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 80 New Coronavirus Cases
Tribune Review: ‘Come on home’: Ed Gainey promises reforms if elected in November as Pittsburgh’s mayor
Tribune Review: Sewickley lawyer joins Pennsylvania’s 2022 Republican gubernatorial primary
Tribune Review: Former state Supreme Court justice Stephen Zappala Sr. remembered for distinguished public service

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Showcase what we have’: Rigby hosts House Republican Policy Committee hearing in Johnstown 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset, Blair add weekend COVID-19 deaths; Cambria hits 42% vaccinated
Beaver County Times: Beaver Valley primary results released
Observer-Reporter: Grimes secures Dem, GOP nominations for Greene County judge
Observer-Reporter: Yates honored after retiring as Washington County’s public safety director
Observer-Reporter: Staffing change irks clerk of courts 
Tribune Review: Vote count shows 22 of grassroots group’s 26 candidates won fall ballot spots
Altoona Mirror: Blair to count most provisional ballots
Altoona Mirror: Tea Party to meet
Altoona Mirror: State, county leaders tout hospitality relief program
Altoona Mirror: Justice reformers press advantage
Altoona Mirror: Area COVID-19 numbers improve

NEPA
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Manager C. David Pedri resigns to accept private-sector position
The Times Leader: Pedri to take over Luzerne Foundation in September
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council members have mixed views on Pedri’s departure
The Times Leader: Chair: Election Board will get to bottom of ballot error   
The Times Leader: Casey shows optimism at town hall
The Times Leader: ZIP code data in Luzerne County lowest in months for COVID-19 
The Times Leader: 33 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Sunday
Citizens Voice: Casey rips Republicans who don’t want commission probe of Jan. 6 Capitol attack
Citizens Voice: Headed for a new gig, Flynn promises to be a hard-working senator
Citizens Voice: Pedri resigns as county manager to lead The Luzerne Foundation
Citizens Voice: Experts: Pandemic-induced trends could shape NEPA’s post-COVID economy
Citizens Voice: Local officials optimistic about the future of travel and tourism in region
Citizens Voice: Legislation prohibiting sale of puppy mill animals introduced to state House
Citizens Voice: Process to appoint next Luzerne County manager expected to take 5 or 6 months
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County adds 33 new COVID-19 cases Sunday
Times-Tribune: Headed for a new gig, Flynn promises a hard-working senator
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County election workers begin counting nearly 26,000 write-in votes
Times-Tribune: Number of new COVID-19 cases, deaths in NEPA tick up over prior day
Pocono Record: Half of eligible Pennsylvania adults are now vaccinated against COVID. Pharmacies helped us get there
WFMZ: Poconos heart surgeon launches bid for Pennsylvania governor
Pottsville Republican Herald: Schuylkill County sheriff candidate to drop from race 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Ballot counting in Lancaster County likely to persist into Monday; Sen. Aument proposes pausing mail-in balloting altogether 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County begins process of rerecording 12,000 misprinted ballots 
LNP | LancasterOnline: FBI says Oath Keepers met in Quarryville to plan Jan. 6 actions 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Warning: Calls to county’s mass vaccination site are long distance [Lancaster Watchdog]
York Dispatch: Barring write-in long-shots, York County row offices set
York Dispatch: Fourth York City surveillance public forum set for June 3
York Dispatch: York City Council approves plans for Phase II of public housing replacement project
York Dispatch: York County unemployment stabilizing as employers across board compete for new hires
York Dispatch: Friday update: 100 new COVID-19 cases reported in York County
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 20 new cases of COVID-19 for Cumberland County Saturday 
Patriot News: ‘Patriotic group’ met in central Pa. to plan Capitol riots: report

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Allentown Democratic primary: Zucal poised to secure 4th council nomination; Tuerk victorious in mayoral race
Morning Call: Mail-in ballots are changing Pennsylvania elections. Candidates are starting to adapt
Morning Call: From the editor: How a story was filed from Wawa parking lot on Election Night
Reading Eagle: Candidates left waiting in Reading district judge race too close to call
Reading Eagle: Lawmakers seek $1 million to study Reading-to-Philadelphia passenger train proposal 
Reading Eagle: Berks COVID case numbers not available due to technical problem with Pa. statistics
WFMZ: Morning Call parent company’s shareholders approve hedge fund takeover
WFMZ: Community members discuss what they want to see in Allentown’s next police chief, as current chief prepares to leave job
Express Times: Hedge fund takes full control of chain that owns The Morning Call
Express Times: Weekly Pa. COVID update: Half of state adults fully vaccinated as case rates continue to drop 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: ‘Ready to see change:’ Erie County United candidates seize primary nods, build momentum
Erie Times-News: Arrington case: Ex-Erie City Council president gets support ahead of sentencing on Monday
Erie Times-News: Edinboro professors, alumna want more time, details on PASSHE integration plan
Erie Times-News: Erie County government to allow some workers to remove face masks with proof of vaccination
Erie Times-News: George Floyd vigil to be held at Erie’s Perry Square on May 25
Centre Daily Times: State College follows PA guidelines for masks but keeps COVID-19 ordinance, with some changes
Centre Daily Times: COVID-19 cases, positivity rate continue to fall in Centre County, Pennsylvania
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners hope to combine departments under one roof
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Official Primary Election vote count begins
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lovecchio to retire after 11 years on the bench
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Public safety buildings aim for efficiency, cost savings

Opinion  
Tina Davis: PA Rescue Plan offers seniors tax rebates, in-home care, prescription drug help
Nancy Eshelman: Let the Pa. Legislature oversee emergencies? Now we do have a crisis 
Mark S. Singel: Too many Republicans are willfully blind about the Jan. 6 insurrection
Tony Norman: A year after George Floyd, a change has finally come to Pittsburgh
Maria Quiñones-Sánchez: Mayor Kenney’s ‘safe’ budget is not good enough
Bob Heenan: Time to pass the PRO Act – for all workers
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: The hidden tab behind Pennsylvania’s bloated and ineffective Legislature 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: State lawmakers must adequately fund judicial computer system
PennLive Editorial Board: We thank all of the candidates in the May 18 primary, but running for office shouldn’t be so hard  
Scranton Times-Tribune Editorial Board: Plan about fair funding, not choice 
Inquirer: Keeping Philly bars open until 4 a.m.: A boost or drain for hospitality? | Pro/Con
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: As the vaccine rate slows, leaders should be creative in trying to tempt the reluctant to roll up their sleeves
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pittsburgh’s homeless will be difficult to vaccinate, but there’s a pressing need
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A small tech firm went too far in banning political discussions on work channels at work time
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Moonshot Museum’s goal is to spark curiosity in space exploration
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Let’s do hard things again
Fletcher McClellan: Pa. voters limited Wolf’s emergency powers. No good deed goes unpunished 
Claudine Schneider: Republicans must rally around truth and our core American values
Chris Kelly: Voters escalate downfall of old guard operators
Paul Muschick: Why can’t Allentown find a long-term police chief and school superintendent?
Keith C. Burris: What matters
David M. Shribman: With honeymoon over, Biden parries challenges from all sides
Jenice Armstrong: Formerly incarcerated women need a whole lot more support if they are to succeed on the outside  
Naida Reed: In support of first steps in gun violence prevention
Dr. Sharee Livingston: Why kneeling matters: The importance of diversity in medicine
Elizabeth Koontz: The township can balance growth and open-space preservation
Gene Collier: Sports are fully invested in post-George Floyd realities
The Rev. Thomas M. Hall: Despite your objections, get the vaccine
Haakan Jonsson: Two degrees of separation: The impact of the summit on climate
Ruth Ann Dailey: Racism meets stalwart foes
John Cole: So that’s how PSERS invests its money … | Editorial Cartoon
Will Bunch: Nikole Hannah-Jones and the secret history of the real ‘cancel culture’ on U.S. campuses

One Response

  1. Why would anybody waste their time and money to go to a dinner to hear an asshole moron like Ron DeSantis speak nonsense and lies? BTW, he’s from FL. That ought to be a tip that he’s a moron. I’m sure PA can find its own morons to talk similar nonsense and lies.

Email:
  • Do you agree that ByteDance should be forced to divest TikTok?


    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
    • No. It's an app used by millions and poses no threat. (40%)
    • What's ByteDance? (0%)

    Total Voters: 30

    Loading ... Loading ...
Continue to Browser

PoliticsPA

To install tap and choose
Add to Home Screen