May 6th Playbook

Pennsylvania reports over 3,000 deaths total statewide due to COVID-19. Here is the Playbook. 

Dush Likens Wolf Admin to Nazis: The Jefferson County State Rep compared the Wolf administration’s handling of COVID-19 to Nazis, describing it as from the “socialist playbook,” during a committee hearing on Monday. Dush apologized on the House floor for his comments later in the day.

PAGOP Deputy Chair Renee Amoore Dies At 67: PAGOP Chairman Lawrence Tabas described Amoore as a great leader and a Republican Party stalwart supporter in an email to state committee members on Tuesday afternoon.

Casey and Fetterman to Participate in ACA Tele-Townhall: For Our Future Pennsylvania, Priorities Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Healthcare Access Network and the Pennsylvania Budget and Policy Center announced a joint event with Sen. Bob Casey and Lt. Gov. John Fetterman to criticize the Trump administration’s stance on healthcare. The tele-townhall, which will be co-hosted by Marc Stier of Pennsylvania Budget & Policy Center and Antoinette Kraus of Pennsylvania Health Action Fund, will take place at 6PM ET on May 6. 

Bellevue Strategies, LLC Hires Thomas Young: Bellevue Strategies sent out a release on Tuesday morning announcing the hiring of Thomas Young, former Chief of Staff to state Rep. Donna Bullock (D-Philadelphia), to enhance the firm’s service government relations capabilities in Harrisburg and Philadelphia. 

Legislative Election Update: 
HD-105: Dave Bautista, actor and retired professional wrestler, tweeted out a link announcing that he is attending Swing Left’s “Indivisible Waterfront” virtual event in support of Democrat Brittney Rodas’ campaign. The 105th District is held by state Rep. Andrew Lewis (R-Dauphin), who bested Democrat Eric Epstein by less than 2 points to win the seat in 2018. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Pennsylvania tops 3,000 virus deaths as data are reconciled 
AP: US senators seek probe of veterans homes after virus deaths
Spotlight PA: Top Pa. health official says state won’t supply masks, other protective equipment to hospitals that resume elective surgeries 
Spotlight PA: Warehouse workers say their safety concerns are being ignored. Here’s their cautionary tale for reopening.
Spotlight PA: Why some small businesses didn’t stand a chance at getting relief from Pa.’s $61 million loan program
KDKA: ‘Can’t-Do Attitude’: House Speaker Mike Turzai Says Gov. Tom Wolf’s Administration Needs To Focus On Reopening Schools In The Fall 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: State Lawmaker Introduces Bill To Freeze Salaries Of Public Officials During COVID-19 Pandemic 
KDKA: ‘Encouraging Number’: Auditor General Says Pa.’s Backlog Of Untested Rape Kits Is Fewer Than 100
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Game Commission To Reopen Shooting Ranges In 24 Rural Northern Counties Moving To ‘Yellow’ Phase
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: 80 Percent Of The Region’s COVID-19 Deaths Are In Long-Term Care Facilities  
Post-Gazette: Nearly a million Pa. voters have applied to vote by mail in June primary election
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The latest on COVID-19 in Pa.: 50,957 confirmed cases in 67 counties 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Levine: University of Wash.’s projected COVID-19 death count for Pa. shows risk of reopening too fast 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa.’s Casey, Dems warn Trump that his order to keep meat plants open imperils workers 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: COVID-19 outbreak in Pa.: What’s open and what’s closed 
Inquirer: Renee Amoore, deputy chairperson of Pa. Republican Party, dies at 67
Inquirer: Pa. Republicans and Democrats disagree on reopening the economy, but there is a lot they do agree on, survey says
Inquirer: A Pennsylvania father and son backed Sanders and then Trump. They’re not sold on Biden.
Inquirer: Cocktails to go may be coming to Pennsylvania
Patriot News: With April revenue down 30 percent, PennDOT counting on ‘boost’ that federal aid would provide
Patriot News: U.S. Department of Transportation sends $6 million to Capital Area Transit as part of coronavirus response
Patriot News: Out of money and out of time: Pa. agencies serving those with disabilities face financial crisis
Patriot News: Pennsylvania birth control case part of historic livestream of U.S. Supreme Court arguments 
Express Times: Pennsylvania’s coronavirus death toll is more than tripled in new projection
PLSReporter: House unanimously passes bill barring suspension of public records requests during pandemic 
PLSReporter: Wolf Admin resists calls to parse out nursing home, prison cases of COVID-19 
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania Sens. Casey, Toomey tackle coronavirus from different angles 
Fox News: Government gone too far? States rebuked for coronavirus lockdown measures
Morning Call: Pennsylvania attorneys to play key role this morning as the U.S. Supreme Court once again grapples with birth control access 
Morning Call: Coronavirus swamps Pennsylvania unemployment system and lawmakers hear the frustration: ‘How can they expect people to survive?’  
Pittsburgh Business Times: 7 things to know when your Pennsylvania business is allowed to partially reopen
National Journal: Brady PAC Endorses House Candidates
Beaver County Times: Pennsylvania Chamber launches website for reopening businesses 
Beaver County Times: Casey offers GI Bill-style program for healthcare workers fighting pandemic
The Hill: Pennsylvania woman jailed for refusing to quarantine after positive coronavirus test, officials say
CNN: Hand sanitizer is still considered contraband in some prisons around the country

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Renee Amoore, deputy chairperson of Pa. Republican Party, dies at 67
Inquirer: Chaka Fattah Jr. tried to book a post-prison Philly staycation. It went awry.
Inquirer: Advocates, officials try to prevent Philly’s coming wave of coronavirus evictions
Inquirer: Philly archdiocese expects to pay $126 million in priest sex-abuse reparations
Inquirer: ‘The situation here in Philadelphia is starting to look better,’ health officials say; Pew sends $536,000 to organizations, artists hurt by coronavirus 
Inquirer: No in-person visits, delayed adoptions: Coronavirus is upending lives of foster kids and parents 
WHYY Newsworks: Housing activists stop Rittenhouse encampment cleanup, likening it to ‘eviction’
WHYY Newsworks: Coronavirus update: Mandatory testing unlikely in Philly’s future 
WHYY Newsworks: Planned $120M renewable-energy plant at South Philly refinery site is not dead 
KYW Newsradio: Philly cases continue downward trend; city salvages summer youth programs
KYW Newsradio: Barbershops, beauty salons rally behind Pa. House bill allowing them to work during pandemic 
Philadelphia Tribune: Renee Amoore, former Republican Party leader and health care executive, dies at 67 
Philadelphia Tribune: SDP counselors continue to help students remotely
Philadelphia Magazine: Mayor Kenney to Philly: “Just Put On the Damn Mask”  
Philadelphia Citizen: “The Endurance Race Is On” 
Philly Voice: As Philly coronavirus cases start to decline, city readies plan for contact tracing 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Philadelphia youth jobs program is going virtual this summer 
Billy Penn: Philly highschoolers join forces to launch new citywide student newspaper 
Billy Penn: Buy local: How Philly’s biggest institutions can help create a more equitable post-coronavirus region

SEPA
Montgomery Media: Montco official: ‘Clearly, this will not be a normal election’
Montgomery Media: Montco officials report 39 deaths, but only 44 new coronavirus cases
Montgomery Media: NAACP: Greater awareness needed of virus’ impacts on minority communities
Bucks County Courier Times: Gov. Tom Wolf: Nursing homes to be counted in reopening decision
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks, Bensalem moves date for tax penalties
Daily Local News: Tuesday Update: Number of new coronavirus cases in Pennsylvania is 865, meanwhile 554 new deaths reported
Daily Local News: Lawrence bill to expand coronavirus testing passes House
Daily Local News: Some Chester County businesses get financial relief
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Commissioners urge Governor to be flexible on metrics in reopening strategy 
Delco Daily Times: Delco court closures extended to June 1
Delco Daily Times: Delco Bar Association reflects on Law Day themes

Pittsburgh 
KDKA: ‘Can’t-Do Attitude’: House Speaker Mike Turzai Says Gov. Tom Wolf’s Administration Needs To Focus On Reopening Schools In The Fall 
KDKA: Coronavirus In Pennsylvania: Gov. Wolf Says Southwest Region Is Doing A ‘Phenomenal’ Job And A Reopening Announcement Will Be Made ‘Soon’ 
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Says Coronavirus-Related Deaths Jump To 109, Case Total Now 1,375 
WESA: Congressional Challenger Jerry Dickinson Says Mike Doyle Is Not Prioritizing Black Pittsburghers
WESA: County Council Deems Racism A Public Health Crisis In Party-Line Vote
WESA: What Happens When Allegheny County Reopens?
Pittsburgh Business Times: Wolf: Announcement ‘soon’ on when Pittsburgh region can partially reopen
Post-Gazette: After 554 new Pa. deaths and revised mortality model, Levine cautions against early re-opening
Post-Gazette: City Council extends emergency declaration until May 12
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council recognizes racism as ‘public health crisis’
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Councilmen Burgess, Lavelle pursue task force on race and COVID-19 response
Post-Gazette: Nearly a million Pa. voters have applied to vote by mail in June primary election
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Foundation’s Emergency Action Fund awards more than $8 million for COVID-19 relief
Post-Gazette: Pa. Turnpike receives extension on July transit payment of $112.5 million
Tribune Review: Counties in Pittsburgh region plead with Gov. Wolf to reopen — soon
Tribune Review: 7 more deaths, 10 new cases of coronavirus reported in Allegheny County 
City Paper: Congressional candidate Jerry Dickinson accuses Mike Doyle of dodging NAACP debate; Doyle denies
City Paper: As stay-at-home orders continue, more renters are organizing to demand relief from their landlords

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: Commissioners of 4 ‘red zone’ counties clash with governor
Altoona Mirror: City obliged to enforce Wolf rules
Altoona Mirror: State sees drop in new COVID-19 cases
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Trump appoints former Cambria commissioner Lengenfelder to Air Force board
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: ‘Promising’ trend in state cases; fewer new positives statewide and in local counties 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Greater Johnstown allocated $2 million through CARES Act 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Somerset County public defender resigns; assistant to oversee the office in acting role
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County reports 2 new coronavirus cases, no additional deaths 
Beaver County Times: More than 80 percent of new COVID deaths in PA occur in nursing homes 
Beaver County Times: Data reconciliation takes PA COVID-19 deaths above 3,000

NEPA
Times-Tribune: New reconciliation pushes local COVID-19 death toll sharply higher
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioners to meet virtually 
Times-Tribune: Judge denies Cordaro early home confinement  
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County school districts to share $7M in federal emergency stimulus money 
Times-Tribune: Scranton City Council opposes proposed landfill expansion, water company rate hikes  
Times-Tribune: Nearly $2.5M in federal funding awarded to NEPA housing agencies 
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 – Complete Coverage
The Times Leader: Yudichak questions L&I secretary on shutdown process 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County releases proposed consolidated polling locations for June 2 primary 
The Times Leader: Adjusted schedule for payment of Wilkes-Barre property tax
Citizens Voice: Dire prediction shows big challenge lies ahead in Pa.
Citizens Voice: County turns to school buildings for polling sites

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: COVID-19 cases ‘plateau,’ what we don’t know, and more from LNP | LancasterOnline’s roundtable with top county officials 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Opening county government, the economy and an outbreak at the prison: Three takeaways from Tuesday’s county COVID-19 update 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Wednesday’s COVID-19 updates: Lancaster County up to 2,018 cases, 207 deaths 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County government hopes to start bringing back employees, reopen government center soon
Patriot News: Pa. Sen. John DiSanto calls for Labor & Industry secretary’s resignation
Patriot News: Senior living communities hit hard; flea market says it’s reopening; more: Latest on coronavirus in Pa.
Patriot News: U.S. Department of Transportation sends $6 million to Capital Area Transit as part of coronavirus response
Patriot News: York County collaborating on plan to aid homeless during coronavirus pandemic
Carlisle Sentinel: Volume of mail-in ballots, poll worker shortages to complicate elections in Cumberland County and statewide
Carlisle Sentinel: Seven new nursing home deaths reported in Cumberland County
Carlisle Sentinel: Tracking COVID-19: Charts detail the course of coronavirus in Cumberland County
York Daily Record: Coronavirus updates: No schedule for lifting stay-at-home restrictions; Pa tops 3K deaths
York Dispatch: York County has 14 new COVID-19 cases, statewide deaths surpass 3k

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: COVID-19 cases and deaths grow at the Lehigh Valley’s county-owned nursing homes 
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 554 more deaths push coronavirus death toll to 3K; the reason for the latest spike | Pa. COVID-19 case map (5/5/20) 
Express Times: Lehigh County launches one-stop hub for COVID-19 details
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus updates: State adds 554 to death toll from virus, brings overall total to 3,012; more than 67% linked to nursing or personal care homes 
Morning Call: How’s the Lehigh Valley doing at filling out the census? 
Morning Call: Survey of Lehigh Valley nonprofits projects financial impacts of coronavirus, including $17.6 million in lost revenue 
Morning Call: Bethlehem officials urge customers to order directly from restaurants instead of using third-party delivery apps 
Reading Eagle: Berks and Reading have a long way to get out of coronavirus lockdown, official says 
Reading Eagle: Berks County slipping when it comes to social distancing, data show 
Reading Eagle: Berks nears 200 coronavirus deaths as positives pass 3,000 in new reporting 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County plans for operation during yellow phase
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Comms apply for grant for trail upgrades
Erie Times-News: Coronavirus: Erie-area updates, Tuesday, May 5
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds 1 COVID-19 case; Pennsylvania total at 50,957 cases 

Opinion  
Rob Mercuri: Here’s Pa. comeback opportunity from the pandemic
Chris Kelly: Show the good doctor respect
Hayden Ludwig and Kevin Mooney: Eric Holder’s gerrymandering crusade is hypocritical 
Inquirer Staff: Should there be large-scale release of prisoners during the coronavirus pandemic? | Pro/Con
John L. Micek: UBI for Pa.?: Reps. Fiedler, Lee propose sending $250 to every state resident | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Monique Sager, Ramie Fathy, and Jules Lipoff: The government should send clearer messages on personal protective equipment | Expert Opinion
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Philadelphia’s coronavirus budget trimmer
Trudy Rubin: Coronavirus increases the dangers to a free press at home and abroad 
Bruce Ledewitz: Why precedent alone may not be enough to save Roe v. Wade 
Charlene W. Lai, Colin P. Hawkes and Terri H. Lipman: COVID-19 is worsening disparities in pediatric type 1 diabetes. Community Health Workers can help. | Expert Opinion
Will Bunch Newsletter: Meat crisis undoes lesson of classic 1906 novel

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


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