Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos promotes school choice in a visit to Harrisburg, while the PAGOP announces a new Assistant Treasurer and Political Advisor. Here is the Playbook.

PAGOP Brings In New Assistant Treasurer, Political Advisor: Casper is lauded by the state party for her fundraising skills, while Tabas says former state Rep. Becky Corbin is a great ambassador for the party.

Klobuchar Kicks Off Blue Wall Tour in PA: The 2020 Democratic presidential hopeful participated in the AFL-CIO Workers Presidential Summit in Philadelphia on Tuesday evening, plus made multiple stops in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Harrisburg & DC   
Patriot News: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos promotes school choice programs in Harrisburg school visit
Patriot News: Senate Democrats release report on Daylin Leach sexual misconduct allegations
Patriot News: Pa. senator ousted from battle waged before the PUC over Mariner East II pipeline
Patriot News: Pa. political columnist John Baer joins PennLive/The Patriot-News
Patriot News: Three Mile Island’s last day as a working reactor will be Friday 
Patriot News: Arrests of Mike Folmer, Felipe Vázquez should place focus on child pornography victims: advocates  
Patriot News: Former Pa. senator Mike Folmer colleague ‘revolted’ over his arrest on child pornography charge  
Morning Call: Two Pa. House members might consider designation as Republican candidate for Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer 
Inquirer: Pa. Dems renew call for Sen. Daylin Leach to resign after inquiry cites sex jokes but clears him of workplace discrimination
Inquirer: Pennsylvania set for big expansion of utility assistance for low-income consumers – at a cost of $102 million
Inquirer: PSERS sends $300M to ex-Wall Streeters fighting a Pa. fraud case so they can buy troubled firms in India
WITF: Pa. GOP members begin moving priority, pro-natural gas package
Philly Voice: Presidential candidate Joe Sestak to speak at Chestnut Hill College  
AP: House backs tax credit to boost methane in manufacturing 
AP: APNewsBreak: State paid $225K to settle age bias claims
AP: Bill to increase fine for misusing animal traps passes House 
AP: Three Mile Island nuclear power plant’s shutdown is imminent
Newsweek: PENNSYLVANIA HOUSE SPEAKER MIKE TURZAI DECLARES PUBLIC SCHOOLS ADVOCATES ARE PART OF A ‘MONOPOLY’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: ‘More options and opportunities’: At Harrisburg Catholic school, DeVos pushes $5 billion program for private, religious school scholarships
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Final report into harassment claims finds Leach did not violate federal law as leadership again calls for his resignation 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Wolf, 14 govs. tell Congress to include strong PFAS provisions in defense bill 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Electric vehicle drivers in Pa. would pay $250/year fee under advancing state House bill 
PLSReporter: Redistricting is back on House State Government agenda but legislators are still in search of agreement on the matter  
PLSReporter: 3 under 3!
City Paper: Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai: public schools are a monopoly and teachers are “special interest people”
StateImpactPA: Pittsburgh researcher works on ‘early warning’ system for landslides, which are becoming more likely
StateImpactPA: A ‘philosopher of science’ on climate change deniers: ‘People can actually change their mind based on facts’

Philadelphia 
Philly Clout: Philly’s next sheriff is throwing a party for a former sheriff before he goes to prison 
WHYY Newsworks: Councilmember Kenyatta Johnson is under federal investigation 
WHYY Newsworks: Landlords win concession in City Council battle over lead safety bill 
WHYY Newsworks: City planners are debating if mega-townhouses threaten Old City’s character
Inquirer: Councilman Kenyatta Johnson gets help from city-hired lawyer as FBI probes land sales, ties to Kenny Gamble nonprofit
Inquirer: Landlords, safety advocates continue battle over Philly lead abatement bill
Inquirer: Philly elections official believes he is being retaliated against for opposing controversial new voting machines
Inquirer: Why is poverty increasing in Northeast Philly? Aging population, immigration, gentrification
Inquirer: Fund awards $5.25 million to Philly news organizations to support local journalism
Inquirer: State board sides with Philly charter in appeal of School District restrictions
Billy Penn: Homeowners are on the hook to fix Philly’s ‘disintegrating’ sidewalks
KYW Newsradio: Some Philly landlords refuse to rent to tenants based on their income — and it’s illegal
KYW Newsradio: Johnson tight-lipped on investigation and taxpayer-funded legal help
KYW Newsradio: KYW Exclusive: Victim advocates sound alarm on spike in domestic violence homicides
KYW Newsradio: Controversial bill to make Philly rental housing lead safe could finally see Council action
PLSReporter: City Council amends lead safety bill  
Philly Voice: Presidential candidate Joe Sestak to speak at Chestnut Hill College 
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly to Facebook: Get Your Dating Ads Off of Our Sidewalks
Philadelphia Business Journal: Phila. teachers union urges district to earmark $100M for asbestos cleanup 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Scott censured by fellow council members after racist remarks
Daily Local News: Otten, Muth announce $32,000 grant to update sewage plan in Upper Uwchlan
Daily Local News: CCEDC working to preserve jobs and strengthen Chester County’s economy
Daily Local News: Ground broken for $8.1 million trail project in East Goshen
Delco Daily Times: County to get more than $1M in state grants 
Delco Daily Times: Chester Water urges rate payers to contact legislators in fight against takeover 
Delco Daily Times: Earned income tax gets OK in Lansdowne 
Inquirer: Quotas, temps, knee replacements: Striking GM workers on what it’s like at the warehouse in the Philly suburbs
Montgomery Media: Montco commissioners receive briefing on suicide prevention, voting feedback
Montgomery Media: New study shows Chester County roundabouts reducing fatalities, crashes
Bucks County Courier Times: Voting rights groups concerned with county process to select new machines 
Bucks County Courier Times: 3 Bucks towns get $377K in state grants
Bucks County Courier Times: An investigation of Navy documents raised questions about chemical exposures. Here’s what the Navy said in response.

Pittsburgh  
WESA: Commonwealth Court Ruling On Harrisburg Gun Laws Could Set Pittsburgh’s Efforts Back
WESA: ‘You Have A Home With Me’: Klobuchar Makes Pittsburgh Campaign Stop
City Paper: Pa. House Speaker Mike Turzai: public schools are a monopoly and teachers are “special interest people”
City Paper: Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board orders second vote for Pitt Grad Union
KDKA: Monesson Mayor Matt Shorraw Endorses Pete Buttigieg For President 
KDKA: Mayor Peduto, Welcoming Pittsburgh Discuss Trump Administration’s Proposed Changes To Public Charge Rules  
Post-Gazette: Pa. Supreme Court orders Pittsburgh’s Section 8 law back to lower court 
Post-Gazette: Mayor Peduto stands with advocates for immigrants in decrying new federal rule 
Post-Gazette: Lamb to EPA chief: You’re on the ‘wrong side’ after methane rule rollback 
Post-Gazette: Cost jumps $30M for Downtown-Oakland rapid bus project 
Post-Gazette: No end in sight: City appeals Mount Washington billboard ruling 
Tribune Review: Southwestern Pennsylvania mayors endorse Pete Buttigieg 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh appealing court ruling on Lamar sign atop Mt. Washington 
Tribune Review: Retired Pittsburgh police officer plans to challenge Mayor Peduto in 2021 primary 
Tribune Review: Springdale councilmen irked by latest water project cost overrun
Tribune Review: ‘It’s not just us’: Local students call on politicians after environmental conference  
Pittsburgh Business Times: New union vote ordered for Pitt grad students

SWPA 
Beaver County Times: Rep. Sainato’s bill forgiving student loans for first responders passes committee 
Beaver County Times: State grants will help improve local playgrounds, parks 
Observer-Reporter: Kail offers breakfast, conversation in Avella
Altoona Mirror: Cambria County receives state grants

NEPA
Times-Tribune: GOP challenges Bolus, Dems challenge everybody
Times-Tribune: GOP tries to nix Bolus from Scranton mayor ballot 
Times-Tribune: Dems challenge third-party Scranton mayor candidates’ ballot status
Times-Tribune: Spano calls for Cummings to resign from election board
Times-Tribune: Court rules COLTS ban on religious ads violates atheist group’s rights      
Times-Tribune: Judge to Scranton School District: Don’t obstruct justice   
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District seeks to amend incorrect payroll tax ballot question 
Times-Tribune: Dunmore council deems landfill not a structure with 4-3 vote 
Times-Tribune: Judge rejects Bolus attempt to overturn Nay Aug Park-GCMC parking pact 
Citizens Voice: Meuser meets with EPA officials over federal stormwater mandates
Citizens Voice: Court: Ad bans based on religion violate First Amendment 
Citizens Voice: Q&A: DHS secretary talks White Haven Center plans 
Citizens Voice: DHS secretary: SNAP cuts could worsen state’s food insecurity 
Citizens Voice: Lawmakers to host senior expo

South Central  
Patriot News: Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos promotes school choice programs in Harrisburg school visit
Patriot News: Pa. political columnist John Baer joins PennLive/The Patriot-News
Patriot News: Three Mile Island’s last day as a working reactor will be Friday 
Patriot News: Arrests of Mike Folmer, Felipe Vázquez should place focus on child pornography victims: advocates  
Patriot News: Former Pa. senator Mike Folmer colleague ‘revolted’ over his arrest on child pornography charge  
Patriot News: Faculty union at Pa. state universities reach agreement in principle on 4-year contract 
Patriot News: Protest leader to have parole violation hearing: officials
Carlisle Sentinel: Auditor General DePasquale: Cumberland Valley School District audit to include review of anti-bullying policy
Carlisle Sentinel: Cumberland County residents can apply online for absentee ballots
York Dispatch: Keefer, family of suicide victim push for bill upping penalties on aiding suicide 
York Dispatch: Ex-deputy: Sheriff had on-duty deputies pose for campaign ad
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County to hold training sessions for new ADA voting machines 

Lehigh Valley     
Morning Call: Two Pa. House members might consider designation as Republican candidate for Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer 
Morning Call: Allentown Council pays engineer who identified flaws in botched Cedar Beach Pool redesign 
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley climate strikes planned for global day of action 
Reading Eagle: Berks County commissioners in stalemate over hiring of a law clerk 
Reading Eagle: West Reading continues hearing on wireless communications facilities 

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County commissioners hire planning director
Erie Times-News: Deadlines set in Erie Coke appeal
Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: U.S. should call its own shots 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is a good idea 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A good death for geese: Dangerous bacteria a cause for concern
Inquirer Editorial Board: Police misconduct revelations expose the faceless power behind law and order in Philadelphia 
Inquirer Staff: Pro/Con: Should SCOTUS overturn Roe, the landmark abortion decision? 
Allyson Schwartz: Modernize Congress to make it work for the people
Will Bunch: A Democratic president might try to ban fracking in 2021. Is Pa. ready for this? 
John L. Micek: Report: Low level drug prosecutions in Pittsburgh are drowning people in debt | Thursday Morning Coffee
John L. Micek: They lost their daughter to suicide. Now these Pa. parents are looking for justice
Brian O’Neill: The state of taxes in Pittsburgh
Dom Giordano: Opioids, guns and the dangers of a Phillyfied Bucks County
Maria Panaritis: Justice follows revenge in Philadelphia Archdiocese clergy abuse at St. Titus in East Norriton 
Ernest Owens: I’m Queer and I Think CCP’s New “Non-Binary” Mascot Is Pandering Nonsense
Chris Kelly: The Democratic Machine VS. Cognetti
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Low bars for Brett Kavanaugh and the New York Times
Jenice Armstrong: Online trolls won’t have CBS3’s Katie Fehlinger to kick around anymore 
Christine Flowers: Remembering loved ones lost during Suicide Awareness Month 
Joe Skura: Gallitzin Borough mayor ‘loved deeply, reliable’
Christian Weller: Why reparations are essential to wiping out the huge wealth gap between Black and white Americans