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November 25th Playbook

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick says that he hasn’t seen enough to impeach President Trump yet, while Lt. Gov. John Fetterman is slated to speak at the PA Press Club today. Here is the Playbook. 

November 22nd Ups & Downs: A Northeast Pennsylvania Democrat switches his party registration to Independent, the state legislature approved statute of limitations legislation, and one western PA county will be featured in a yearlong NBC News project. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Former State Rep. Robert Godshall Dies at 86: Godshall, a Montgomery County Republican who represented the 53rd House District for 36 years and served as the chairman of the House Consumer Affairs Committee for 11 years, died at the age of 86. The Montgomery County Republican Party tweeted out on Sunday that details on services will be available soon. 

Fitzpatrick Says Not Enough at This Point to Impeach Trump: According to LevittownNow.com’s Tom Sofield, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Bucks) said that the president’s actions with Ukraine aid were “troubling” but felt Trump’s actions should be investigated by law enforcement and that he hasn’t seen enough evidence yet to vote to impeach Trump. 

Lamb Not Decided on Impeachment Yet: Rep. Conor Lamb (D-Allegheny) said that after the witness testimony ends is when he will “drill into the details and make sure any suggested articles [of impeachment] actually matched up with the evidence,” according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The article describes Lamb as seeing himself as a “tight-lipped juror as Trump impeachment inquiry consumes Washington.” 

Leslie Richards Takes GM role at SEPTA: Department of Transportation Secretary Leslie Richards, who was appointed for a second term earlier this year as PennDOT Secretary, will serve as the next general manager for SEPTA.  

Yudichak Explains on Fox News His Decision to Leave Dems: State Sen. John Yudichak (I-Luzerne), who recently announced that he was switching his Democratic Party registration to Independent and caucus with Republicans, went on Fox News to explain his reason to become a registered Independent. 

Michael Lamb Announces Western PA Endorsements: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb, who officially joined the Democratic race for Auditor General last week, rolled out a list of endorsements from western Pennsylvania Democratic officials that include Reps. Mike Doyle and Conor Lamb, state Senate Minority Leader Jay Costa, state House Minority Leader Frank Dermody, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and more. 

DePasquale Announces Campaign Co-Chairs: Auditor General Eugene DePasquale, who is seeking the Democratic nomination for the 10th Congressional District, announced on Friday that his Congressional campaign co-chairs are state Reps. Carol Hill-Evans (D-York), Patty Kim (D-Dauphin), and Carlisle Mayor Tim Scott. 

Legislative Election Update: 

HD-154: State Rep. Steve McCarter (D-Montgomery) announced that he is retiring at the end of his term in 2020. McCarter was first elected to the seat in 2012. 

Harrisburg & DC   
AP: Trump to make 4th visit to battleground Pennsylvania in 2019
AP: Democrat’s defection reverberates in Pennsylvania’s Senate
AP: Pennsylvania to fund research into fracking health dangers
AP: The Latest: Sandusky resentenced to same prison term
WHYY Newsworks: Casey urges Democratic candidates to blast Trump, not one another, on health care
PA Post: 3rd party wins promise to shake up Thanksgiving dinner table talk 
Fox News: Pennsylvania state senator on why he left the Democratic Party
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Bill restoring school police arrest powers headed to Wolf
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Virginia lawmaker’s bill would make the U.S. 100 percent clean energy-reliant by 2030
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With abortion restrictions as potential poison pill, telemedicine bill awaits next move
Inquirer: Philadelphia tested a way to make sure no one hacks the 2020 presidential election in Pennsylvania 
Inquirer: Why it’s so hard to force people to get mental-health treatment in Pennsylvania
Inquirer: Philly workers’ comp judge wins back her job after complaints by Pond Lehocky law firm 
Inquirer: U.S. slaps duties on Chinese, German beer kegs, boosting American Keg of Pottstown
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court task force suggests abolishing grand jury reports 
WITF: Last-minute bill amendment addresses scanner, privacy issues at Pa. polls 
WESA: PA Senate Unanimously Passes Proposal To Help Ex-Offenders Get Professional Licenses
PLSReporter: Sec. Richards leaving PennDOT to take GM role at SEPTA 
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? Redistricting, net operating losses and candidate background checks 
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 32: Minimum wage Magic 8 Ball
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – November 19, 2019
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s role in NBC News’ County to County project gains statewide notice 
StateImpactPA: State to fund studies on fracking and cancers, other health effects
StateImpactPA: Shell tells community meeting that ethane cracker in Beaver County is at peak employment
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia City Council takes stance supporting a cleaner use for PES refinery site 
CNN: Bloomberg places at least $37 million in television advertising over next two weeks
KYW Newsradio: Historic reforms for statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases headed to Governor Wolf’s desk 
KYW Newsradio: Sen. Toomey, 2 Democratic colleagues believe time is still ripe for passage of common sense gun sales reforms 
Post-Gazette: Divided task force: Abolish reports by grand juries
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania to fund studies into fracking health impact 
Philly Voice: Gov. Wolf funds two studies on fracking health impacts, possible cancer link in Pennsylvania
Post-Gazette: As U.S.-China trade deal remains elusive, farmers’ patience wears thin
Philly Voice: Former Pennsylvania congressional candidate charged with perjury over forged signatures
Philly Voice: Pennsylvania Supreme Court rules police can’t force you to disclose your passwords
The Hill: Bloomberg readies $31.5M ad campaign as he mulls 2020 run

Philadelphia 
Philadelphia Magazine: Larry Krasner vs. Everybody: Inside the Philly DA’s Crusade to Revolutionize Criminal Justice 
Philadelphia Magazine: Will Philly Ever Get Its Act Together on Street Sweeping? 
Billy Penn: Fix Philly schools: Meek Mill and friends offer vague ‘millions’; PA officials offer action plan
KYW Newsradio: City officials find no wrongdoing in land sale, but flaws in the process  
KYW Newsradio: As bidders submit documents, Philly City Council asks community to weigh in on PES refinery future 
KYW Newsradio: Philly man freed after he was jailed because he couldn’t pay court costs 
Philadelphia Citizen: How Will City Council End Its Term?
Philadelphia Tribune: City leaders tout $10M expansion of commercial corridor cleaning program
Philadelphia Tribune: Black library employees earn the least as Philly officials move slowly to implement diversity, inclusion policies
Philadelphia Tribune: Coalition aims to support people who are arrested
Philadelphia Tribune: Future of Cheyney U. at stake: Middle States meets to make final decision on school’s accreditation
WHYY Newsworks: Many voices with one mission: Seeking a safer future for PES refinery site 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly to spend $10M on commercial corridor street cleaning program
Inquirer: Philly workers’ comp judge wins back her job after complaints by Pond Lehocky law firm 
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court cites ‘egregious error,’ frees Philly man jailed by Meek Mill’s judge for probation violations
Inquirer: Former NBC exec says Comcast merger deal failed to help minority-owned TV networks succeed
Inquirer: SEPTA’s new train car manufacturer scrutinized for using supplies mined by children 
Inquirer: Philadelphia reopens four fire companies closed during the Great Recession
Inquirer: Philly’s school nurses say district changes could put kids at risk 

SEPA
Levittown Now: Congressman Fitzpatrick Says Not Enough At This Point To Impeach
Daily Local News: Democrats ready to assume power in Chesco
Daily Local News: Houlahan backs push to help health care workers through U.S. House
Daily Local News: Rep. Houlahan hosts town hall on skills gap 
Daily Local News: Rep. Kristine Howard announces reelection bid 
Daily Local News: Killion: Deana’s Law imposing stronger penalties on repeat DUI offenders 
Daily Local News: Deana’s Law passes committee hurdle, will go to Senate 
Daily Local News: Chester County commissioners invest in United Way project
Bucks Courier Times: Warwick seniors question Fitzpatrick on impeachment, immigration, Social Security
Bucks Courier Times: HUD Secretary Carson visits Bristol Opportunity Zone 
Bucks Courier Times: Bucks County voting machine vote expected Dec. 4 
Delco Daily Times: State: District Judge-elect Forbes not yet certified for office 
Delco Daily Times: No tax hike for Media residents 
Delco Daily Times: Mayor expecting to announce U.D. interim top cop soon
KYW Newsradio: EPA addresses Delco residents concerned about suspected ‘cancer cluster’
Pottstown Mercury: 2020 Berks County budget shows no tax increase 
Bucks Local News: Lower Bucks Hospital honors Senator Tomlinson with Dee Brown Lifetime of Service Award

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: City controller Michael Lamb announces endorsements for state auditor general 2020 bid 
Post-Gazette: Peduto vs. Pittsburgh Public Schools: Tensions rise after Pa. auditor general’s report 
Post-Gazette: Conor Lamb sees himself as tight-lipped juror as Trump impeachment inquiry consumes Washington 
Post-Gazette: Not fulfilling: Labor leader, Amazon clash over construction hiring for Findlay facility 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh, Allegheny County to join opioid settlement effort 
Post-Gazette: As U.S.-China trade deal remains elusive, farmers’ patience wears thin
KDKA: Pittsburgh City Controller Michael Lamb Launches Campaign For Pa. Auditor General 
KDKA: ‘This Is Something We Need To Do’: Pa. Gov. Wolf Authorizes $3 Million Study On Health Impacts Of Fracking 
KDKA: Pennsylvania To Spend $3M To Study Possible Link Between Fracking And Spike In Childhood Cancer 
Tribune Review: Locals react to impeachment proceedings against President Trump 
Tribune Review: Josh Shapiro focused on being Pa. attorney general, not what’s next 
Tribune Review: Baldwin High School showcases STEM support launched statewide by Gov. Wolf 
Tribune Review: Lower Burrell Republican hopes to challenge incumbent state Sen. Jim Brewster
PLSReporter: Pittsburgh City Council mulls over public safety funding
City Paper: Labor leaders and Democrats decry Amazon for not using local contractors to build fulfillment center 
City Paper: Get help finding a health insurance plan for you and your loved ones at open enrollment event this Monday 
City Paper: CMU students protest university’s involvement with Palantir, a company contracted with ICE

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Beaver County’s role in NBC News’ County to County project gains statewide notice 
Beaver County Times: Labor leader slams Amazon for out-of-state contractors 
Beaver County Times: State DCED awards $160K grant to Aliquippa for two redevelopment projects 
Beaver County Times: Legislature sends bill raising purchasing age for tobacco to 21 to governor’s desk
Observer-Reporter: Pennsylvania to fund research into fracking health impacts 
Observer-Reporter: Matthew Staniszewski posts $25,000 bond following hearing 
Observer-Reporter: Monongahela florist to decorate governor’s mansion for Christmas
KDKA: Too Close To Call: Election Results In Westmoreland County Lead To Special Way To Break The Tie
Tribune Review: Westmoreland election officials draw lots, break ties to decide local races
Tribune Review: Westmoreland commissioners grapple with 2020 county budget shortfall
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Attorney’s election forces postponement of homicide trial 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Burns’ offices accepting holiday toy donations 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County Library to get visit, donation from Joyce
Altoona Mirror: Down abortion ban vetoed 

NEPA
Times-Tribune: City Council wants to know when Scranton’s 2018 audit will be received 
The Times Leader: Mayor George won’t budge on Wilkes-Barre budget
The Times Leader: 20 apply for Luzerne County election director vacancy 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County Children and Youth budget request increase discussed 
The Times Leader: DePasquale urges holiday shoppers to review toy safety 
The Times Leader: Judge denies Plymouth’s petition to hold special election 

South Central 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Banning abortions for Down syndrome, extending statute of limitations: Here’s what you need to know from Harrisburg this week
LNP | LancasterOnline: These 9 retired Lancaster County educators have received $1.3M in pension benefits despite losing their teaching certificate
York Dispatch: Trump bringing ‘Keep America Great’ rally to Hershey
York Dispatch: Local officials say more funding is key in mental health battle
Patriot News: LeSean ‘Shady’ McCoy on transforming Harrisburg real estate and earning his way into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
York Daily Record: Judge holds attorney Sandra Thompson in contempt 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: Embracing Trump an early test for GOP candidates opposing Democrat Susan Wild 
Morning Call: A strange 1937 provision could come into play if the Northampton County judge’s race is contested Monday 
Morning Call: Ex-congressional candidate Jake Towne charged with perjury over alleged forged ballot petitions 
Morning Call: Residents say Northampton County should seek full refund for faulty voting machines 
Reading Eagle: Average cost to educate a Berks student is $19,041 [Ask the Eagle reports] 
Reading Eagle: Reading historic districts to take hit if mayor doesn’t reauthorize grant program 
Reading Eagle: Dozens turn out for Affordable Care Act signup event in Muhlenberg 

North by Northwest
WESA: Democrat Gnibus Enters Race To Challenge GOP’s Kelly In 2020
Erie Times-News: How Erie-area legislators voted, week ending Nov. 22
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: State to fund research into fracking health dangers 
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County assessed $20K fine for issues caused by 2018 rainfall 

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa. pregnancy bills show Harrisburg lawmakers favor wombs over women
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Allow a vote, Mr. Turzai: Blocking municipal consolidation is bad policy
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Do something: Congress must debate gun control measures 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fix risky dams: Water-over-the-dam mentality cannot prevail 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Gamble on garbage: McKeesport flip-flops on trash collection 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Identifying the ideal route: Great Lakes Hyperloop is the best option 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A re­form that clicks: Congress should not delay passing robocall measure
Elaine Chao: Investing in airports is a top priority for U.S. Dept. of Transportation 
Bobby Jeffries: Scott Perry betrayed Trump, condemned America First agenda
John L. Micek: Report: Dems need to shave Trump’s margin among white, non-college voters to win Pa. – and the White House | Friday Morning Coffee
Rory Fleming: I survived childhood bullying. These Pa. House and Senate bills criminalizing it are not not the answer 
Daniel Skubick: Insurance approval delays caused my patient needless suffering. Reform is imperative
John L. Micek: The Trump Doctrine confirmed: Diplomats are errand boys doing the White House’s dirty work abroad
Ari Lightman: On TV, political ads are regulated – but online, anything goes
Tim Hartman: So about that legislative gift ‘ban’ bill | Editorial Cartoon
Helen Ubiñas: Penn just published research on gun violence. Did we really need a study to prove bullets shatter lives? Maybe.  
Post-Gazette Commentary: Commentary: Riding a government study absolutely nowhere
Post-Gazette Commentary: Commentary: Lying to Mister Rogers (and other forgivable sins)
Post-Gazette Commentary: Commentary: Is anyone listening to American’s best? 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Name that University of Pennsylvania Law School!
Christine Flowers: The booming voice of conservative women
David M. Shribman: The lessons of ‘Areopagitica’
Jennifer Jordan: Philanthropy fails in its approach to inequality. Here’s a way to change it. 
Trudy Rubin: Despite U.S.-Beijing tensions, Philadelphia Orchestra expands musical ties in China 
Atticus Ranck: Here’s my ode to all the trans people: You’re strong. You’re resilient. You’ll thrive
Abraham Gutman: When Thanksgiving dinner gets political, don’t leave early — argue | Brain Trust
Jenice Armstrong: Caught on video: Teens behaving badly. Their parents are partly to blame 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Fiona Hill stands up to Donald Trump
Will Bunch: Impeachment inquiry proved America can’t be saved from a cult called the GOP 
Karen Kane: Yinz gonna read this column?
Ruth Ann Dailey: Kim Kardashian West’s costly change

One Response

  1. Rep. Fitzpatrick prefers a criminal investigation of Trump over the constitutional process of impeachment, but Trump’s lawyers are arguing that Trump cannot be subject to any criminal investigation, let alone prosecution, while in office, thereby forcing an impeachment inquiry as the only method of investigation he cannot succeed in blocking or at least delaying. Note: Special Counsel Mueller found sufficient evidence of multiple counts of obstruction of justice by Trump to seek indictments, but cited Justice Department policy as a preclusion to prosecution. Moreover, impeachment is an inherently political, not legal question, as the Framers intended it to address maladministration, not only criminal violations. It is up to the House of Representatives what constitutes high crimes and misdemeanors and what the standard of evidence is, not prosecutors who would only consider crimes and apply the standards of criminal process.

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