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September 18th Playbook

The PA Supreme Court extended the mail-in ballot deadline to 3 days after Election Day, while former VP Joe Biden and Sen. Kamala Harris made separate appearances in the state on Thursday. Here is the Playbook. 

Trump To Host ‘Great American Comeback’ Event At Pittsburgh International Airport: Trump’s visit on Tuesday night will be the fourth consecutive week that he’s made an appearance in the state.

PA16: Gnibus Opening TV Spot Blasts Kelly on Tax Reform: The Democratic challenger’s 30 second ad opens by criticizing Kelly’s support for the GOP tax reform bill and his background owning car dealerships, then pivots to detailing her background as a single Mom, teacher, and cancer survivor.

PA Supreme Court Extends Mail-In Ballot Deadline To 3 Days After Election Day: The Democratic Party scored two victories by getting the mail-in ballot deadline extended to three days after Election Day, while a separate ruling kicked off the Green Party from the presidential ballot.

Black Voices for Trump To Hold “Reclaim Your Vote” Event in Philly: According to a release from the Trump campaign, the Black Voices for Trump effort is holding its first-ever “Reclaim Your Vote” events in 8 states. An event on Friday evening in Philadelphia will feature Deneen Borelli and John Burnett.  

Eric Trump To Campaign in Pike County: According to a release from the Trump campaign, Eric Trump will be campaigning in Pike County on Friday night. 

Legislative Election Update:

SD-49: Former Gov. Tom Ridge has endorsed state Sen. Dan Laughlin’s (R-Erie) reelection bid, according to the Erie Times-News.

Harrisburg & DC   
Spotlight PA: Voting victories for Democrats in Pa. might have closed the door on more election reform 
Spotlight PA: Why the ruling against Wolf’s COVID-19 restrictions faces long odds on appeal, explained
AP: Pennsylvania Democrats notch key election-related court wins
AP: Green Party candidate is ordered off Pennsylvania ballot
AP: At drive-in town hall, Biden vows not to downplay US threats
AP: $1M bail cut for some held after protests of police shooting
New York Times: Does Biden Need a Higher Gear? Some Democrats Think So
Inquirer: Biden says Trump ‘only cares about the stock market’ in town hall meeting outside Scranton 
Inquirer: Kamala Harris makes her Pa. campaign debut with a message to Black and Latino voters in Philly 
Inquirer: Pa. Voter Voices: The Inquirer’s Election 2020 Roundtable
Inquirer: Pennsylvania’s COVID-19 ban on utility shutoffs remains despite push to lift moratorium
Morning Call: Wolf signs order cutting off alcohol sales at Pennsylvania’s restaurants at 11 p.m., starting Monday
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: The Pa. Supreme Court ruled on critical election questions Thursday. Here’s what you need to know.
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Candidates, constituents of rural Pa. call for ‘their own Bill of Rights’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Lancaster, criminal justice reform advocates say $1M bail was meant to ‘punish or deter’ protests
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: With Pa. Supreme Court ruling, Allegheny Co. Elections Board votes to expand mail-in ballot hours
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: EXCLUSIVE: In new ad, Biden makes pitch to Pa.’s Trump Country voters | Thursday Morning Coffee
Patriot News: Republican lawmakers slam Pa. Supreme Court ruling on elections: ‘It is about allowing one party to steal this election’
Patriot News: Gov. Wolf changes rule on alcohol sales in restaurants and bars, moving last call to 11 p.m.
Patriot News: PHEAA looks to maintain maximum state grant award in 2021-22 without asking the state for more money
Patriot News: Group of Pa. doctors fault Republicans for fighting Gov. Wolf’s pandemic restrictions
Patriot News: Beleaguered unemployment compensation computer modernization project likely to be delayed once again
Patriot News: Coronavirus in Pa.: 933 new cases reported Sept. 17, nearly 148,000 overall 
USA Today: Biden CNN town hall in Pa.: 3 takeaways from a battle between Scranton and Park Avenue
USA Today: Trump set to host rally at Pittsburgh airport
PLSReporter: Pa. Supreme Court extends ballot return time, allows dropboxes, removes Green Party candidates
PLSReporter: Wolf Administration expands time for alcohol sales under new restaurant guidelines
PLSReporter: State to decide soon on rollout date for new unemployment compensation system 
Fox News: Pennsylvania Supreme Court extends state mail ballot deadline to 3 days after election
Fox News: Philadelphia Mayor Kenney weighing city council resolution to declare gun violence a citywide emergency
Fox News: Judges lower bail for some Pennsylvania protesters charged with rioting
Fox News: Pennsylvania college president apologizes for attending game during campus lockdown
National Journal: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Removes Green Party From Presidential Ballots
National Journal: Trump Hopes for Boost With Big Ten Football Returning 
The Hill: Pennsylvania Supreme Court removes Green Party presidential candidate from ballot
The Hill: Pennsylvania court extends mail-in ballot deadline
The Hill: Hispanic Caucus members embark on ‘virtual bus tour’ with Biden campaign
The Hill: Trump administration offered Big Ten COVID-19 tests in effort to restart football: report
The Hill: High jobless rates in Florida, Arizona, Pennsylvania point to problem for Trump
KDKA: Gov. Wolf, Dr. Levine Sign New Order On Alcohol Service Ahead Of Restaurant Occupancy Rate Increase
KDKA: Governor Tom Wolf Pushes For More Hazard Pay For Frontline Workers 
Politico: Pennsylvania Supreme Court extends state’s mail ballot deadline
Politico: Potential swing states cash in with DOT’s latest grant round
CNN: Pennsylvania Supreme Court election rulings are big wins for Biden
CNN: Weekly White House task force reports reflect mixed messages on masks
Philadelphia Gay News: HRC announces expanded voting resources for Pennsylvania
Huffington Post: Democrats Win Major Pennsylvania Case Extending Mailed Ballot Receipt Deadline

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: The Green Party’s presidential candidate is off the ballot in a big win for Pennsylvania Democrats
6 ABC: Kamala Harris talks gun violence, COVID-19 in one-on-one interview with Jim Gardner
Inquirer: Kamala Harris makes her Pa. campaign debut with a message to Black and Latino voters in Philly 
Inquirer: Philly City Council approves police reform measures, including banning choke holds 
Inquirer: Philadelphia increases coronavirus rent relief payments 
Inquirer: Pa. Supreme Court halts Philly criminal trials streamed on YouTube over possible harassment  
Inquirer: 18,000 Philly school families still lack reliable internet; board hears of coming financial pain 
Inquirer: Philadelphia school board reverses itself, approves Hilco tax break 
Inquirer: Deadline for returning Pa. mail ballots is extended | Morning Newsletter
WHYY Newsworks: Kamala Harris makes the case for Biden to Philly’s Black residents
WHYY Newsworks: ‘A deadly epidemic’: Philly Council pushes city to declare gun violence emergency
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Council calls for hearings as city’s auto fatality rate soars
WHYY Newsworks: School Board changes its mind; votes yes on Hilco refinery redevelopment tax break
WHYY Newsworks: City Council to investigate officer that executes court’s evictions, citing ‘conflicts of interest’
Delaware Valley Journal: Eric Trump Says ‘Law and Order’ Message Will Resonate in SEPA Suburbs
Philadelphia Tribune: Photos: Kamala Harris visits West Oak Lane
Philadelphia Tribune: Farewell: Patricia Wilson Aden to resign as AAMP president
Philadelphia Citizen: I Want My Jubilee! 
Philly Voice: Philly poverty rate declined, household income rose before pandemic, census shows
KYW Newsradio: Commission denies further public input on utility shutoff moratorium
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Is Seriously Lagging in Its Census Response — Which Could Be a Very Costly Problem
Philadelphia Magazine: Fired Philly Cop Says His Support for Black Lives Matter Led to Threats and Harassment
Billy Penn: Mail ballots in PA cleared for print after state court boots Green Party candidates 
Billy Penn: PennDOT resumes issuing Real ID, deadline pushed to Oct 2021

SEPA
Bucks Local News: Bucks County Community College to host live, online debate between 1st District Congressional candidates
Bucks Local News: First draft of Yardley Borough budget recommends tax increase in 2021
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks: We can now print ballots 
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County officials preparing for eventual coronavirus vaccine distribution
Delco Daily Times: Elections board waits on responses from 20 municipalities on drop boxes 
Delco Daily Times: CWA chair testifies in support of ratepayer vote bill 
Daily Local News: County to notify thousands over ‘problematic’ COVID results 
Daily Local News: West Chester proposed tax hike trimmed by half

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: Trump will hold campaign rally at Pittsburgh International Airport on Sept. 22
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County will open election offices for over-the-counter voting, ballot returns 
Post-Gazette: Community shows division on fate of Columbus statue in Schenley Park 
Post-Gazette: Some districts to reopen the gates to hundreds of high school football fans 
Post-Gazette: Disciplinary court denies Tranquilli’s request to be paid during suspension 
Post-Gazette: COVID-19 Update: Pa. reports more than 900 new cases, 10 deaths
WESA: Council Preliminarily Approves Facial Recognition Regulation Bill
WESA: 200 Pittsburghers Will Start To Get $500 In Guaranteed Monthly Income By End Of Year
WESA: Former PublicSource Reporters Publish Open Letter Alleging Mistreatment
WESA: PA Labor And Industry Secretary: It ‘Is Possible’ Some Eligible For Weekly $300 Might Not Get It
KDKA: President Donald Trump To Hold Rally At Pittsburgh International Airport 
KDKA: Allegheny County Board Of Elections Approves Opening Additional Offices
KDKA: Pitt Researcher: Wolf Administration’s Pandemic Restrictions Saved ‘Many, Many Thousands Of Lives’
KDKA: Pittsburgh Art Commission Holding Public Comment Period Regarding Columbus Statue
KDKA: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 79 More Coronavirus Cases, 3 Additional Deaths
Pittsburgh Business Times: Top Marcellus CEO urges government help to boost infrastructure projects
Pittsburgh Business Times: Poll shows strong support for RGGI cap-and-trade program
Tribune Review: Allegheny County to open new elections offices for ballot drop-offs, voting help 
Tribune Review: Antwon Rose Jr.’s mother sees ‘common ground’ with Steelers’ Maurkice Pouncey, Alejandro Villanueva 
City Paper: ELECTION 2020 VIDEO TRAINING: Voting at Home and Recruiting Poll Workers

SWPA 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: St. Louis couple now famous for pointing guns at Black Lives Matter marchers visit private Republican gathering in Cambria County
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Reports show fatal overdoses in U.S. rebounded in 2019
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Penn State leads state’s colleges, universities in COVID-19 cases; St. Benedict employee tests positive
Observer-Reporter: Wolf calls for legalization of marijuana to help small businesses recover during COVID-19

NEPA
Citizens Voice: At town hall, Biden slams Trump over pandemic response 
Citizens Voice: Biden town hall: Fact check 
Citizens Voice: County election director discusses Supreme Court rulings, preparations for the Nov. 3 election 
Citizens Voice: Political Scene returns in advance of general election 
Citizens Voice: Locals get to address Biden at town hall while Trump supporters gather nearby 
Citizens Voice: Larksville solicitor still plans to submit fire tax referendum 
Citizens Voice: 8 new COVID-19 cases for Luzerne County
The Times Leader: WB Councilman asks Biden about combating violence 
The Times Leader: Republicans blast Biden ahead of CNN Town Hal
The Times Leader: Demonstrators: Trump loss would mean ‘death’ of America
The Times Leader: Luzerne County mail-in ballots to be sent soon 
The Times Leader: Luzerne County offering virus relief funding to tourist attractions 
The Times Leader: 8 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County; 933 statewide
Times-Tribune: Biden: Trump’s response to pandemic ‘criminal’ 
Times-Tribune: Biden: Trump’s failure to deliver relief helped lead to furloughs in Scranton School District 
Times-Tribune: Locals get to address Biden at town hall while Trump supporters gather nearby 
Times-Tribune: No new regional COVID-19 deaths reported for fifth straight day 

South Central 
York Dispatch: FEC complaint: Perry campaign illegally transferred funds to PAC
York Dispatch: $1M bails reduced for three Yorkers charged in alleged Lancaster riot
York Dispatch: One new COVID-19 death in York County, 28 new cases reported Thursday
LNP | LancasterOnline: The coverage so far: Aftermath following police shooting a man in Lancaster City 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Bail modified for 9 protesters arrested following Lancaster protests after fatal police shooting [update]
LNP | LancasterOnline: Watch: Lancaster civil rights organizations hold press conference on protester bail Wednesday afternoon
LNP | LancasterOnline: Will COVID-19’s hold on Lancaster County economy keep us in a recession? 
Carlisle Sentinel: Pa. court battle could throw wrench in Cumberland County’s ballot schedule
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 15 new COVID-19 cases, one new death reported in Cumberland County Thursday
Patriot News: Dauphin County changes more polling places ahead of Nov. 3 general election
Patriot News: ‘These orders were, in fact, detention orders’: Lancaster activists decry $1 million bail for protesters
Patriot News: Lancaster activist groups hold press conference on $1 million bail for demonstrators: Recap
Patriot News: Bail slashed for 9 charged with arson, rioting after Lancaster police shooting

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: McCloskeys draw large crowd of Trump supporters for Lower Saucon rally
Express Times: In Trump stump rally, Lehigh Valley Republicans cheer on the McCloskeys, who pointed guns at St. Louis protesters
Express Times: Wolf and Levine sign off on indoor dining expansion and alcohol time limits ahead of Monday’s change 
Express Times: Northampton County’s politicians know their pragmatic voters don’t go for that red state, blue state stuff
Express Times: Lehigh Valley cannabis activist joins Wolf to push for marijuana legalization
Express Times: Pa. coronavirus update: 933 new cases reported; Northampton County seeing slight surge; high cases but low deaths likely due to case surge in younger age groups | Pa. COVID-19 county map (9/17/20)
Reading Eagle: Bill introduced in Pennsylvania House that would require anti-violence and suicide prevention training in schools
Reading Eagle: Poverty falls significantly in Reading, census data show; Berks overall sees rising income in past five years
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners applauded for funding recovery services
Reading Eagle: About 1,000 Kutztown University students leave campus over coronavirus; $3.5 million in revenue lost, officials say
Reading Eagle: 41 coronavirus cases for Berks County run the past week average up to a mid-May level

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Ridge endorses Laughlin’s reelection
Erie Times-News: Erie County Crime Victim Center awarded $1.9 million
Centre Daily Times: How Centre County seeks to increase ballot drop boxes for the November general election
Centre Daily Times: Ferguson Township residents could be paying a new fee. Here’s what to know
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds 92 cases of COVID-19, and other reopening updates for Sept. 17
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Woodward Township approves $13k pension plan
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Lycoming County 7 new COVID-19 cases

Opinion  
Charlie Gerow: Trump Again Will Outperform the Polls in Pennsylvania
Inquirer Editorial Board: Pa. statehouse power grab is climate change denial in disguise  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A flawed pardon system 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Facebook justice
Joel Hicks, Samantha Stout, and Heath Copeland: We’re Pa. veterans: U.S. Rep. Scott Perry puts loyalty to Trump ahead of service members, vets
Fritz Walker: How Pennsylvania gun bill would hurt leaders’ ability to defuse explosive situations
Paul Muschick: As wildfires rage, Pennsylvania and 3 other states don’t teach about climate change
Paul Badger: Hilco’s refinery plan will help Philly and its schools  
Kevin M. Baumlin: More Jobs, Less Violence 
Yvette Davis: The Legislature’s silence on a minimum wage hike when so many are in need speaks volumes
Rob Tornoe: My son’s kindergarten is doing remote learning. It’s the worst. | cartoon
Will Bunch: Even if Joe Biden wins, Trump and Mitch McConnell’s judges could block U.S. progress for decades 
Chuck Bonfig: America is over: Let’s just split into different countries

7 Responses

  1. Why hasn’t Christina Fellatio condemned the looting and rioting by anarchist groups like Antifa and Black Lives Matter? Her silence is deafening.

    1. PoliticsPA now not only lets you name steal, but blocks the original owner of the name from posting a reply under that name.

  2. Thanks for linking Charlie Gerow’s column about Trump out performing the polls in Pa. Charlie enjoys confirming past opinions on a regular basis. Talk about telling yourself what you want to hear. If this column doesn’t cry out “wishful thinking” I don’t know what will. Trump is not going to outperform polls in Pa just like Scott Wagner did not have a last minute rally Charlie was speculating on against Wolf. If anything the sad passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg will contribute to galvanizing the suburban vote as Trump and McConnell seek to place a right winger on the Supreme Court. It’s those unpredictable events that intervene which are completely unexpected that impact elections. It is also likely this unfortunate news will get the suburban vote out to also defeat Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick in Bucks County.

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