Former state Sen. Scott Wagner floats a challenge against PA GOP National Committeeman Bob Asher, while Rep. John Joyce announces that he will seek reelection in 2020 for the 13th Congressional District. Here is the Playbook.

Wagner Floats RNC Challenge Against Asher: In an email to Republican state committee members, the former GOP gubernatorial candidate said he can assure that Asher will have “stiff competition” for his reelection bid in May.

Joyce Announces Reelection Bid: Rep. John Joyce (R-Blair) released a video on Wednesday announcing that he will seek reelection for the 13th Congressional District. 

Tom Torres To Take Over As Sierra Club PA Chapter Director: Tom Torres, who has served as the Deputy Director of the Sierra Club PA, will take over as the Chapter Director at the end of the month. In an email yesterday, Joanne Kilgour, announced that she was proud of the work they have done, but announcing that she will be moving on from her role at the end of the month.

Legislative Election Update: 
HD-127: Raymond Baker, a 27 year-old Berks County assistant district attorney, announced that he is launching a primary bid for the Democratic Party nomination against state Rep. Tom Caltagirone (D-Berks). Baker said the district, which has been represented by Caltagirone since 1977, needs a progressive voice. 

Harrisburg & DC   
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: A $9.50 minimum wage by 2022? The Pa. Senate just passed it. Now it’s up to the House. 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Senate sends Wolf long-sought lawsuit reforms for clergy sexual abuse victims 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Setting up a Wolf veto, Pa. Senate passes Down syndrome abortion ban 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Universal lead testing touches ideological nerve in Pa. House panel debate 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Veteran DelCo lawmaker Barrar to retire at the end of his term 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘This is not about charity. This is about investing in our children’: Pa. House, Senate resolutions aim to raise awareness of childhood homelessness 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: As senior Senate GOP aide Crompton looks to a future on state court, critics have questions 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Federal watchdog says 60 Pa. Superfund sites are threatened by climate change
KDKA: Campaign 2020: Former Politicians Say Impeachment Won’t Affect Dynamic Of Presidential Candidates
AP: Senate sends fight over Pennsylvania’s minimum wage to House 
AP: Highlights of Pennsylvania’s minimum wage legislation 
AP: Pennsylvania Senate passes Down syndrome abortion ban bill 
AP: Pennsylvania lawmakers near finish on church scandal bills 
AP: Pennsylvania lawmakers seek control over carbon cap, price 
AP: Court ponders discipline against Sandusky case ex-prosecutor
Patriot News: Down syndrome abortion ban passes Pa. Senate; Gov. Wolf has promised a veto
Patriot News: Minimum wage increase passes in Pa. Senate; bigger test will come in House
Post-Gazette: Pa. looking to address transportation funding for PennDOT, Turnpike in next year’s budget
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania Republicans: Tariffs bringing ‘incredible challenges’ for hardwood lumber companies
WITF: After years of pressure from advocates, Pa. House advances gift ban 
WITF: Pa. House moves to protect guards by cracking down on prisoners 
PLSReporter: Senate approves minimum wage hike with bipartisan support, but progressives pledge to fight for $15 
PLSReporter: After repeated attempts, Senate passes ’historic’ statute of limitations reform
PLSReporter: Universal lead testing bill sparks debate over how children should be tested 
PLSReporter: House GOP unveils transportation funding plan, proposes winding down MLF transfers
Fox News: Democratic state senator in Pennsylvania to become Independent over increasingly liberal party
StateImpactPA: Johns Hopkins researcher: Pa. should ban fracking 
StateImpactPA: Toxic PFAS chemicals, found across Pennsylvania, get the Hollywood treatment
Morning Call: PA Senate passes bills tied to report of grand jury that investigated child sex abuse by priests
Inquirer: With financial incentives and extra support, Philly and Pa. plan to recruit more teachers of color  
Inquirer: ‘Monumental’ day for cannabis in U.S. Congress; key committee votes to make marijuana federally legal 
Inquirer: Why it’s so hard to force people to get mental-health treatment in Pennsylvania 
Inquirer: Medicare for All is dividing a key Democratic constituency
The Hill: Jewish Democratic group launches ad ‘Trump is the biggest threat to the safety & security of American Jews’

Philadelphia 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Council rushing to close deal on 10-year tax abatement before 2020
WHYY Newsworks: Bill to prevent sudden hospital closures (like Hahnemann) moves along in City Council 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly marks 20th Transgender Day of Remembrance with flag raising at City Hall
Inquirer: Changes to Philly’s 10-year tax abatement could come before the end of the year
Inquirer: Philly Council hears from physicians, students, business owners on restricting e-cigarette sales 
Inquirer: Malcolm Jenkins calls Philly police union president’s criticism of his calls for reform a ‘distraction’ 
Inquirer: Inspector General: Philadelphia developer backed by Council President Darrell Clarke ‘took advantage’ of flawed city process for ‘private gain’ 
Inquirer: With financial incentives and extra support, Philly and Pa. plan to recruit more teachers of color  
Inquirer: Historic preservation gets a bit easier in Philly as mayor signs incentives into law  
Inquirer: Philly’s Free Library system poised to eliminate fines for overdue books 
Inquirer: ‘Monumental’ day for cannabis in U.S. Congress; key committee votes to make marijuana federally legal 
Inquirer: Why Fox 29 isn’t airing the impeachment hearings live 
Inquirer: Why it’s so hard to force people to get mental-health treatment in Pennsylvania 
Inquirer: Democratic presidential candidates want Comcast to investigate ‘toxic culture’ at NBC 
Inquirer: A Philly native and a Penn grad among the moderators of tonight’s Democratic debate
Philadelphia Tribune: Black men gather in an effort to help reduce city’s gun violence 
Philadelphia Tribune: Cheyney releases full proposed budget, but doubts over its surplus remain
PLSReporter: Philadelphia City Council meets with school board
Billy Penn: More than 1 in 10 jobs in Philly are food-related — and the industry is still growing 
Billy Penn: Impeachment witness Kurt Volker is Temple made — and sang in the concert choir
KYW Newsradio: Philly public health gets a shot in the arm with 3 bills advanced by City Council committee
KYW Newsradio: Pennsylvania launches effort to recruit, retain more black teachers
KYW Newsradio: War of words between Eagles’ Jenkins and FOP president over critique of police
KYW Newsradio: Transgender Day of Remembrance at City Hall memorializes trans lives lost 
KYW Newsradio: Report of Philly’s food economy finds more than 10% of jobs in city related to food

SEPA
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks eyes $450.8M budget with $16.3M deficit
Pottstown Mercury: No tax hike in Limerick’s $30M budget for 2020
Bucks Local News: Four candidates step forward to fill vacancy on Yardley Borough Council
Bucks Local News: Lawmaker joins Newtown Borough resident in raising pancreatic cancer awareness across Pennsylvania

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Wagner trial ends with hung jury on felony; not guilty of misdemeanor 
Post-Gazette: Pa. auditor general: PPS’ board must rein in district’s travel costs 
Post-Gazette: City’s director of permits, licenses and inspections leaving for Amazon 
Tribune Review: Chelsa Wagner acquitted of disturbing peace, jury hung on felony charge 
Tribune Review: Auditor General accuses Pittsburgh schools of ‘runaway travel costs’ amid budget woes, proposed tax hike 
Tribune Review: Transportation projects for Western Pa. prioritized
Tribune Review: Southwestern Pa. projects get DEP funding for clean energy vehicles
AP: Mixed Result For Chelsa Wagner In Detroit Trial
KDKA: Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner Found Not Guilty On Misdemeanor, No Decision On Felony Charge
KDKA: Controller Michael Lamb Questions Proposed Property Tax Increase By Pittsburgh Public Schools Amid Expensive Travel Budget
KDKA: Impact Of Proposed Minimum Wage Increase Likely To Reach Customers
KDKA: Prosecution, Defense Continue To Battle Over Evidence In Tree Of Life Shooting Case
City Paper: Pittsburgh region’s manufacturing employment at lowest point in modern history

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: John Joyce will seek re-election in 13th Congressional District 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Council hires outside company for interim city management services
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Senate OKs boost to Pennsylvania minimum wage
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Relief for abuse survivors approved by Senate
Beaver County Times: Conservative group targets Lamb over impeachment in new digital, TV ad
Beaver County Times: County leaders: Petrochemical industry welcome in western Pennsylvania
Beaver County Times: Beaver County to contract with Texas company for reassessment
Beaver County Times: Denied: Big Beaver mini-casino denied by Pa. Gaming Control Board
Tribune Review: Candidates tied in 10 Westmoreland elections 
Observer-Reporter: Commissioner-elect’s travel to conference slated for approval; future chairman plans pow-wow
Observer-Reporter: Belle Vernon council approves proposed 2020 budget

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Cummings making late push to add Jesus Christ’s name to Courthouse Square monument 
Times-Tribune: Borys Blog: Cullen speaks about Scranton election loss, says little and a lot 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Council chairman’s filing seeks to throw out citizen’s court case
The Times Leader: PFM a no show, Wilkes-Barre council and administration to answer questions on proposed sewer sale

South Central 
York Daily Record: York County tax increase proposed for 2020 to preserve open space
York Dispatch: Closer Look: Gentrification ‘isn’t a real thing,’ York City official says
York Dispatch: York County proposes tax bump for open space protection
York Dispatch: Sen. Phillips-Hill’s committee aims to fix York County elections
York Dispatch: York City might loosen residency mandate for non-union employees
Patriot News: We can’t handle this, Pa. court says of legal fight between DA, county commissioners
Patriot News: County commissioners claim win, maybe, in court battle with DA
Patriot News: Legal battle with county commissioners isn’t over, DA says
Patriot News: Harrisburg will pay new fee to keep stormwater, sewage from Susquehanna River
Carlisle Sentinel: Joyce to seek re-election for 13th Congressional District
LNP | LancasterOnline: Executive order will require towns ‘opt-in’ for refugees; here’s how Lancaster County group is taking action

Lehigh Valley      
Express Times: Bethlehem mayor clashes with councilman over ‘unwarranted personal attack’
Reading Eagle: Democrat launches campaign to represent Reading in Harrisburg
Reading Eagle: Pa. Senate approves Rep. Mark Rozzi’s legislation to aid child sex abuse victims
Reading Eagle: Judy Schwank, Mark Rozzi to host Affordable Care Act signup event in Muhlenberg 
Morning Call: PA Senate passes bills tied to report of grand jury that investigated child sex abuse by priests
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley residents conflicted on Allentown after years of redevelopment, summer of violence
Morning Call: ‘Thank you for ruining the township!’: South Whitehall Commissioners grant conditional use approval for Ridge Farm, much to ire of residents 
Morning Call: Despite ‘stark financial picture,’ Bethlehem Township budget would boost sewer rate, but not taxes

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Schember confident city, Erie Parking Authority will reach deal
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Minimum wage legislation passed by senate 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: No tax hike, higher water fees expected

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Asbestos in Philly schools demands action from district — plus the city and state
Inquirer Staff: Commuters vs. the community: Should a PATCO station reopen at Franklin Square?
John L. Micek: Pa.’s Toomey, W.Va.’s Manchin want to restart background checks talks with Trump. They’ll be waiting a while | Wednesday Morning Coffee
Albert Eisenberg: Working Families Party bumped a Republican from City Council. Will that actually serve workers or families? 
Fletcher McClellan: Are we living in the age of woke capitalism? 
Bruce Ledewitz: Impeachment isn’t the law — but it is judgment 
Bradley Maule: As Jewelers’ Row is demolished, where was Mayor Kenney’s leadership?