Sen. Jake Corman has reportedly pushed back his gubernatorial announcement after testing positive for COVID-19. Here is the Playbook.

News

‘Top Pa. Senate Republican leader Jake Corman tests positive for COVID-19’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that Senate President Pro Tempore Jake Corman (R-Centre) “tested positive for the coronavirus Wednesday morning — one day before making an anticipated gubernatorial campaign launch.”

‘Jeff Coleman announces his campaign for PA Lieutenant Governor – 11/10/21’: WSBA reports that “Jeffrey Coleman, Founder and Principal of Churchill Strategies, announces he is running for Lieutenant Governor in Pennsylvania as a Republican candidate for 2022.”

‘Pennsylvania judge race with narrow margin will get recount’: The Associated Press reports that “the results of a tight race for a seat on the statewide Commonwealth Court will be recounted because two candidates finished within a half-percentage point of each other in last week’s election, the Pennsylvania Department of State announced Wednesday. The race pits Philadelphia Common Pleas Judge Lori Dumas, the Democrat, against former Pennsylvania Senate Republican aide Drew Crompton, who was appointed last year to fill a Commonwealth Court vacancy until a replacement could be elected.”

‘Pennsylvania court throws out governor’s school mask mandate’: The Associated Press reports that “an order by Pennsylvania’s acting health secretary that requires masks inside K-12 schools and child care facilities was thrown out Wednesday by a state court that said she lacked the authority. The Wolf administration put the decision on hold by filing an immediate appeal.”

‘Pa. lobbyists disclose some financial interests for first time but details are ‘very nebulous’’: The Caucus reports that “lobbyists and lobbying firms are for the first time disclosing their financial interests in companies for which they lobby, offering a rare new look at the money and influence flowing through Pennsylvania’s Capitol.”

‘Gov. Wolf’s office releases 17 applications for Commonwealth Court vacancy filled in 2019, ending 2-year open records case’: The Caucus reports that “the culmination of a nearly two-year legal battle last week shattered some of the secrecy that typically surrounds the appointment of state appellate court judges.”

‘Yaw, Wheeland, others make bipartisan push to legalize games of skill’: City & State PA reports that “Pennsylvania lawmakers are making another push to regulate so-called games of skill, the controversial, unrelated gaming machines that have proliferated in bars, convenience stores, and clubs across the state, and have left policymakers at odds over whether the machines would provide a boost to the state’s economy, or do more harm than good.”

‘Former GOP gubernatorial nominee Scott Wagner sued by victim of Maryland crash: report’: PennLive reports that “Scott Wagner, a former York County state senator and 2018 Republican gubernatorial nominee, this spring was involved in a head-on crash in Maryland that left an elderly man seriously injured.”

‘Waxman, other Dems join crowded race for 182nd District House seat’: City & State PA reports that “tight now, four Democrats have entered the race. They include Ben Waxman, who runs a communications consulting firm, Deja Alvarez, community engagement director at World Healthcare Infrastructures, Jonathan Lovitz, senior vice president of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Tyrell Brown, teacher and Reclaim Philadelphia organizer.”

‘GOP lawmakers push for more say on air quality advisory board’: StateImpactPA reports that “some Republican state lawmakers are pushing to overhaul how appointments to an air quality advisory board are made.”

‘Gov. Tom Wolf touts COVID vaccinations at stop in Reading’: The Reading Eagle reports that “ Gov. Tom Wolf, standing behind a podium set up inside the Berks Community Health Center’s Rockland Street location Wednesday morning, spoke proudly about the state’s effort to get Pennsylvanians vaccinated against COVID-19.”

‘‘A generational investment’: Pa’s Congressional Dems tout infrastructure bill’s benefits back home’: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star reports that “a new rail line connecting Scranton to New York City. Repairs to the bustling Route 22 in the Lehigh Valley. Money for mass-transit, including SEPTA in Philadelphia. Expanded broadband that will connect rural Pennsylvanians to tele-health services. And money to pay for cleaning up so-called “forever chemicals” around a former military installation in suburban Philadelphia. Those are just some of the projects that will benefit from the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that Congress sent to President Joe Biden’s desk last week, Democratic members of Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation said during a virtual news conference on Wednesday.”

‘Former President George W. Bush speaks at the Global Summit Series hosted by the Jefferson Educational Society’: WJET reports that “Former President of the United States George W. Bush was in Erie on Tuesday evening as a guest speaker in the Global Summit Series discussing the challenges facing the nation in the 21st century and the powers of freedom.”

‘Jurors in bribery trial of John Dougherty and Bobby Henon end first day of deliberations without a verdict’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “jurors began their deliberations Wednesday in the federal bribery trial of labor leader John Dougherty and Philadelphia City Councilmember Bobby Henon but broke for the day after roughly 4½ hours of discussion without reaching a verdict.”

‘Energy Secretary Granholm, visiting Philly, touts infrastructure bill and expected job creation’: WHYY reports that “the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress on Friday is on President Joe Biden’s desk, and he says he plans to sign it this week. In the meantime, he’s sent administration officials out to stump for the spending measure. At the Energy Coordinating Agency in Kensington on Wednesday, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm told ECA’s lead job trainer, Jackie Robinson, that the measure will mean new solar panels will be going up nationwide.”

‘Striking Scranton teachers: Help us Harrisburg’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “Scranton educators took their plea for help from the picket line to the Capitol on Wednesday. Joined by Lt. Gov. John Fetterman on the Capitol steps, the teachers, paraprofessionals and lawmakers pushed for fair funding from the state and for the district to negotiate a new contract with the 800-plus members of the union.”

‘NEPA to benefit a lot from Biden infrastructure bill’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “President Joe Biden’s $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill will mean smoother roads, sturdier bridges, less mine-scarred land and faster rural internet in Northeast Pennsylvania, a local congressman said Wednesday. Oh, and maybe a passenger train between Scranton and New York City.”

‘’Streeteries’ could become permanent in some areas as city council advances bills’: PhillyVoice reports that “Philadelphia’s outdoor dining could soon become permanent fixtures in some parts of the city. On Tuesday afternoon, bills to extend the pandemic emergency order and create regulations advanced out of the City Council Committee on Streets and Services.”

‘Chester County finishes vote count; Democrats still in winners’ circle’: The Daily Local News reports that “the results from Chester County’s general election on Nov. 2 were deemed complete on Wednesday after a series of delays, disruptions and discrepancies, with the outcome essentially unchanged from initial reports in the races for county offices, Common Pleas and district courts, and area school boards and local offices.”

‘Fitzgerald calls on businesses to mandate vaccinations as COVID-19 case numbers stay high’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “to counter what the county health director called the continuing “stubbornly high” number of COVID-19 cases, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has asked that every company and organization require their employees to be vaccinated by Jan. 1.”

‘Peduto highlights Pittsburgh efforts on climate change at COP26’: WESA reports that “in 2015, representatives from Pittsburgh attended the United Nations Climate Change Conference and shared the city’s climate action goals. Mayor Bill Peduto returned to the conference this year to give an update on the city’s progress.”

‘9 Northeast wards go for Peruto, but Krasner wins easily citywide’: The Northeast Times reports that “District Attorney Larry Krasner, a Democrat, won a second term last week, taking almost 72 percent of the vote. Peruto won 13 of the 66 wards, including two in South Philadelphia and one apiece in Port Richmond and Bridesburg. The nine Northeast wards Peruto won were the 41st, 55th, 56th, 57th, 58th, 63rd, 64th, 65th and 66th. He did best in the 66th, taking 79 percent of the vote.”

‘Former Philly Health Commissioner Thomas Farley gets new job with D.C. Health Department’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the District of Columbia Department of Health has hired former Philadelphia Health Commissioner Thomas Farley, months after he resigned for having ordered the cremation and disposal of the remains of MOVE bombing victims without identifying the remains or notifying family.”

‘Pa. House Judiciary Committee to begin investigation into Schuylkill County commissioner’: WFMZ reports that “a resolution that could lead to the impeachment of a Schuylkill County commissioner has been unanimously approved by the state House.”

‘Big businesses, decision-makers gather at Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce’s annual meeting’: WFMZ reports that “the annual Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce‘s meeting came back Wednesday to Wind Creek Event Center.”

‘How should Bethlehem spend federal COVID relief? Council is debating the best uses.’: Lehigh Valley Live reports that “Bethlehem City Council thinks it must use its $34 million of American Rescue Plan funding to tangibly help citizens, leading some to question whether tackling deferred maintenance is an appropriate use.”

‘Blair voter turnout reaches 33 percent’: The Altoona Mirror reports that “updated results show 33.67 percent of Blair County’s 77,621 registered voters cast ballots for the Nov. 2 election. The turnout was an improvement over the 25.13 percentage turnout for the 2017 election when the same offices were on the ballot.”

‘Vaccination rate for Bucks County employees exceeds 90 percent’: The Bucks Local News reports that “with all vaccine mandate deadlines now passed, 91 percent of Bucks County employees report being vaccinated against COVID-19.”

‘Replacing I-83 South Bridge could take years, cost $600 million and add tolls: PennDOT’: PennLive reports that “the plan to replace the I-83 South Bridge connecting Harrisburg to Lemoyne is a costly and time-intensive one, prompting the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) to take that proposal to the public to keep them informed and gather feedback.”

‘The state’s school mask order has been voided. What will Lancaster County schools do now?’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “at least 11 Lancaster County school districts have announced a return to mask-optional policies following a Commonwealth Court decision on Wednesday voiding the state acting secretary of health’s order requiring students, employees and visitors to wear masks while inside school buildings.”

‘Columbia borough council VP says someone splattered her car with red paint in an ‘act of intimidation’’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “someone splattered red paint on Columbia councilmember Sharon Lintner’s car this past weekend in what she is calling an act of intimidation.”

‘Action News anchor Jim Gardner dials back schedule, prepares for retirement’: 6 ABC reports that “longtime 6abc/WPVI-TV veteran Jim Gardner announced he is dialing back his schedule with Action News and plans to retire at the end of 2022 after more than four decades in broadcasting.”

‘Carlisle Borough Council passes amendment to bring inspections to rental properties’: The Carlisle Sentinel reports that “Carlisle Borough Council Wednesday unanimously approved an amendment to its rental housing ordinance that establishes an inspection program for rental properties.”

‘State College ‘COB’ overseeing police takes next step, announces members and early meeting plans’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “State College’s long-awaited Community Oversight Board, a civilian board overseeing police, officially appointed its nine members Monday night and expects to meet in the next 30 days.”

‘Pa. courts announce intent to create regional veterans treatment court that include Perry, Juniata counties’: PennLive reports that “focused on providing for the needs of court-involved veterans, Huntingdon County President Judge George Zanic has announced the intent to establish a regional veterans treatment court.”

‘’Forced Out’ study examines impact of displacement on former Bethesda-Homewood tenants’: WESA reports that “in a study released this week about the experiences of more than 200 local people who were abruptly displaced from housing four years ago, researchers said the dislocation was a “traumatic experience” — even for those who ultimately ended up in a better living situation.”

‘Pa. reports more than 5,000 new COVID-19 infections’: PennLive reports that “Pennsylvania logged 5,269 new COVID-19 infections on Wednesday.”

Opinion  
Glenn “GT” Thompson: Enough with tolls on Pennsylvania’s roadways
Paul Muschick: Pennsylvania lawmakers call for term limits – but only for members of Congress and not for themselves
Joseph Otis Minott: It’s time for Pennsylvania to stop subsidizing fossil fuels and climate change 
John L. Micek: Poll: Young voters excited for 2022. Will they turn out for Dems again? | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Chris Kelly: Fair funding of education is everyone’s fight
Harris M. Steinberg: 7 dream projects to improve Philly under the new infrastructure bill | Rebuilding Philly
Joyce M. Davis: Here’s hoping the Highmark-Penn State Health partnership will lower healthcare costs | Social Views
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: We’re rooting for those seeking fair funding for Pennsylvania’s public schools 
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Parents should be involved in their kids’ education. But they shouldn’t seek to censor school library books that other parents’ kids might want to read.
Bill White: Voters refused to close a dark period in Allentown’s history
David Walsh: Injected without consent: Vaccine mandates rob us of personhood 
Roxanne Patel Shepelavy: How To Help Veterans 
Hannah Miller: Idea for Philly homeowners who want to give back: Rent like your kids live here
Joseph R Fischer, LTC, US Army (retired): Thank you for your service