The PA Democratic Party discussed the road to the White House at their Fall Dinner, while the PAGOP endorsed President Donald Trump’s campaign at their fall meeting. Here is the Playbook.

PA Dems Talk Road to the White House at Fall Dinner: The gathering Friday night talked about building off of the momentum from the 2018 elections and being ground zero for recapturing the White House in 2020.

September 20th Ups & Downs: A state Senator resigns after being charged with possession of child pornography, a new policy limits the amount of people able to rally in the Capitol’s rotunda, and a veteran journalist begins a new adventure with a familiar newspaper. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.

Harrisburg & DC   
WITF: Pa. Senate Dems, again, call for Leach to resign. He doesn’t plan to.
WITF: Legality of using bonds for election machines questioned by Pa. board
WITF: With TMI closed, nuclear advocates’ concern shifts to Pa.’s other plants
Spotlight PA: Pa. State Police stopped tracking the race of drivers who get pulled over, making profiling hard to detect
Patriot News: Lt. Gov. John Fetterman says he wants to move past clash with Pa. Senate GOP, but Republican leaders won’t forget it
Patriot News: Pa. Capitol Rotunda crowd control policy tweaked to allow for easier pedestrian traffic flow    
Post-Gazette: Congress considers beleaguered government bank amid China trade tensions
AP: Goodbye, Three Mile Island: Remaining reactor shuts down 
AP: Pennsylvania jobless rate stable as payrolls see new record 
AP: State police says it plans to resume noting race of drivers
AP: 23 states, including Pennsylvania, sue Trump to keep California’s auto emission rules
Morning Call: Special election to fill state Senate seat vacated by Mike Folmer will cost at least $40,000
Inquirer: Amid lack of consensus on background checks in Washington, Toomey says AG’s new ideas could move needle
Inquirer: Pennsylvania to expand help for poor utility customers. It’ll cost everyone else $102 million
Inquirer: ‘End of an era:’ After 45 years, Three Mile Island nuclear power plant is closed
Inquirer: Corner bars want a piece of the action as sports betting moves out of the shadows
Inquirer: Pennsylvania politicians have done little on climate front  
The Hill: Three Mile Island power plant to shut down
The Hill: Pennsylvania, Wisconsin lost the most factory jobs in the past year: report
The Hill: Toomey on gun reform: ‘Beto O’Rourke is not helping’
Fox News: Rep. Perry: Trump is America’s duly elected top diplomat
Fox News: Andrew McCabe headlines Democratic fundraiser in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Leach calls report on harassment allegations ‘fair’ and ‘thoughtful’
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: School’s out for climate strike? Here’s why teens across Pennsylvania may skip class on Friday
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S. House passes bill to end forced arbitration
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: In Pictures: How Pennsylvania observed the 2019 Global Climate Strike
Patriot News: Pa. Liquor Control Board’s refusal to share records with state lawmaker sparks court battle 
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘It feels a little bit like a seizure.’ Andrew McCabe reminisces on his time with Trump, at the FBI at Lancaster Democratic Committee banquet
PLSReporter: 3 highlights from a House hearing on climate change 
PLSReporter: Right 2 Know Episode 23: Sit down with Rep. Mike Schlossberg 
PLSReporter: Did You Get The Memo? E-cigarettes, cross-filing and school choice 
PLSReporter: Tweets of the Week – September 16, 2019
StateImpactPA: Pa. has no standards for teaching climate change in the classroom — so it might not be taught at all 
StateImpactPA: As Three Mile Island stops producing electricity, one community braces for change 
StateImpactPA: Harrisburg protesters join global climate strike 
StateImpactPA: Q&A: Penn State climate scientist Michael Mann on news coverage since ‘Climategate’ 
StateImpactPA: What longtime climate activist Rafe Pomerance wants you to know

Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Sen. Toomey “cautiously optimistic” about his gun background check bill 
KYW Newsradio: Officer Daniel Faulkner’s widow wants DA to recuse himself from Abu-Jamal’s appeal
KYW Newsradio: Hundreds march in Philly, call for elected officials to help Puerto Rico recover from Hurricane Maria
KYW Newsradio: 2 new student representatives take their seats on Philadelphia school board
KYW Newsradio: Philly-area students join global wave of climate change protests
KYW Newsradio: Philly loses some parking spaces to gain perspective on urban planning
KYW Newsradio: Study find city pays $20M in overtime for Philly cops in court 
Inquirer: Donations welcome at a salute to Philly ex-sheriff — before he goes to prison 
Inquirer: After environmental risks highlighted, Philly school board gets an earful
Inquirer: Accusation made — and then quickly rebuffed — against Pa. attorney general for ethical impropriety in Painted Bride case
Inquirer: Getting Real ID cards can be a challenge for seniors. They might be getting help, and a discount.
Inquirer: Faith community members protest gun violence, urge for assault weapons ban
Inquirer: Pennsylvania to expand help for poor utility customers. It’ll cost everyone else $102 million
Inquirer: St. Christopher’s goes to new owners for $50 million in bankruptcy sale
Philadelphia Magazine: Maria Quiñones Sánchez on Her Pet Shih Tzu and Hanging Out in Northeast Philly Bars
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly Public Schools Will Mark Climate Change Protesters Absent Today
Philadelphia Magazine: 60,000 People Leave Philly Each Year. But It’s Not Like All of Them Hate It.
Philadelphia Magazine: Critics Say Richard Florida’s Ideas Helped Ruin American Cities. Can He Redeem Himself in Philly?
WHYY Newsworks: ‘This year is about moving forward’: Two years after Maria, Puerto Rican community sends a message in Philly
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly lead-safety legislation undergoes change at request of rental industry
Philadelphia Tribune: First class of trainees complete Rebuild workforce program
Philly Voice: Penn Law students, dean hold meeting to discuss Amy Wax, don’t invite Amy Wax

SEPA
Delco Daily Times: Despite report, state Dems continue to seek Leach’s resignation
Delco Daily Times: Water Wars: Dems, GOP council candidates exchange barbs over DELCORA deal 
Delco Daily Times: Aqua CEO Chris Franklin tells his side of the CWA saga
Daily Local News: Noone, Ryan split endorsement nods for Chesco D.A. 
Daily Local News: New voting machines unveiled in Chesco
Daily Local News: In West Chester, 350 demonstrators proclaim climate change is real
Daily Local News: Muth hosts hearing on ending rape culture epidemic
Daily Local News: East Goshen denies pipeline construction after 10 p.m. 
Daily Local News: Nearly 500 doses of free Naloxone distributed in Chester County
Daily Local News: New study shows Chester County roundabouts reducing fatalities, crashes
Daily Local News: Phoenixville putting county grants to good use; town in midst of economic boom
Bucks County Courier Times: Rep. Frank Farry sponsors bill to support volunteer firefighters
Bucks County Courier Times: Officials update community on PFAS cleanup at Willow Grove bases
WHYY Newsworks: Delco Dems: DELCORA sale is a typical bad, backroom Republican deal
KYW Newsradio: Devon residents fuming over facility plans to house undocumented migrant children
Bucks Local News: District Judge candidate officially running on the independent ballot in Lower Makefield, Morrisville and Yardley

Pittsburgh  
Post-Gazette: In 2016, eligible voters failed to register by the thousands. Several groups hope to change that in 2020
Post-Gazette: Presidential candidate Beto O’Rourke to visit region next week 
Post-Gazette: Post-Gazette challenges gag order in officer shooting death case
Post-Gazette: ‘We want to send a message’: Students lead climate strike in Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Jewish Community Center hosting symposium on religion 
Post-Gazette: Port Authority shifts capital budget to safety, customer experience projects
Tribune Review: Pa. bill dangles student loan forgiveness for volunteer firefighters
Tribune Review: Local U.S. Attorney Scott Brady appointed to federal advisory committee
WESA: Former Obama Advisor Says Time Is Now For Working Family Laws
KDKA: Politicians Making Pittsburgh Region A Priority For 2020 Presidential Election 
City Paper: Mayor Bill Peduto wants to excuse students for today’s Global Climate Strike, but he likely can’t
City Paper: Anti-union activity is heating up ahead of Google contractor’s vote to unionize
City Paper: “I skipped my bio exam so I could be here right now”: Students lead Global Climate Strike in Pittsburgh

SWPA 
Observer-Reporter: PUC overhauls energy-affordability program 
Observer-Reporter: Security upgrades make district courts safer 
Beaver County Times: Workforce training, transportation head chamber agenda 
Beaver County Times: We the People rally 
Beaver County Times: With retirement looming, District Judge Tim Finn says, ‘It’s been fun’ 
Beaver County Times: Forum to help those with criminal records get fresh start
KDKA: ‘We The People Rally’ Gathers Outside Beaver County Courthouse
KDKA: Hundreds Rally Outside Beaver County Courthouse To Keep Beaver Valley Power Station Open
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County flooded with 124M pain pills during critical period of opioid crisis
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: MEDICAL MARIJUANA | Mergers, massive companies inevitable, policy expert says 
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: State Rep. Frank Burns will offer PennDOT-approved class for older drivers
Altoona Mirror: Fossil fuels dominate amid worldwide protests 
Altoona Mirror: City owes pension funds $5.7M

NEPA
Times-Tribune: Scranton’s required pension contribution rises to $11.3 million for 2020 
Times-Tribune: Climate activists rally in Scranton on behalf of the planet 
Citizens Voice: Debate over role of county authorities continues 
Citizens Voice: W-B fire chief has questions on county 911 upgrade plan 
Citizens Voice: POLITICAL SCENE
The Times Leader: Luzerne County screening applications for vacant election director job
The Times Leader: Figures show potential impact of new Luzerne County borrowing
The Times Leader: At brunch, Kaufer boasts veteran-related proposals
The Times Leader: Coleman named executive director of the America250PA initiative

South Central  
LNP | LancasterOnline: ‘It feels a little bit like a seizure.’ Andrew McCabe reminisces on his time with Trump, at the FBI at Lancaster Democratic Committee banquet
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County has around 38,000 private wells. The state regulates none of them.
LNP | LancasterOnline: Adamstown residents decry Ephrata police’s proposed shooting range while council studies plan
Patriot News: ‘Murder by proxy’: Pa. lawmaker wants tougher penalty for those who guide people toward suicide 
Patriot News: Three Mile Island nuclear plant accident, 40 years later: Stories worth reading 
Patriot News: Pa. Capitol Rotunda crowd control policy tweaked to allow for easier pedestrian traffic flow 
York Dispatch: York County sheriff: Political mailer photos taken after work hours 
York Dispatch: TMI shuts down, local officials predict economic hit 
York Dispatch: State Rep. Mike Jones resigns from Dallastown school board

Lehigh Valley     
Reading Eagle: Reading Mayor Wally Scott responds to ethics complaint, says critic is playing politics
Reading Eagle: Realtors firm schedules event aimed at eliminating property taxes in Pennsylvania 
Reading Eagle: Jailing the poor in Berks County for failure to pay collateral was supposed to end; it hasn’t 
Reading Eagle: Berks County row office candidates make pitch for election
Morning Call: After her partner’s suicide, Susan Wild has added another priority to her work on Capitol Hill: expanding mental health care and suicide prevention efforts 
Morning Call: Competing gun bills would close background-check loopholes, but by how much? 
Morning Call: Global Climate Strike inspires Lehigh Valley residents, students to rally against inaction on climate change  
Morning Call: Prison time for Liberation Way doctor who profited off drug-treatment patients he never saw 
Morning Call: Impasse looms over latest effort to ease bite of Pennsylvania school property taxes 
Express Times: How do we repeat the Easton silk mill’s success? Tax breaks, local lawmaker says 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Democratic presidential candidate O’Rourke to visit Erie
Erie Times-News: Kelly to host telephone town hall
Erie Times-News: Wolf reviewing Erie re-entry program’s funding needs
Erie Times-News: Consultant to meet with city officials about Erie’s finances
Erie Times-News: Erie County, Pleasant Ridge Manor reach $2 million pension settlement 
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: How local legislators voted on key issues last week
Erie Times-News: Fate of Albion police department is still up in the air
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Mayoral candidates offer differing platforms for voters
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Candidates to face off at Eagle Community Grange
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: County gets new planning director; WASD wants feasibility study
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Broadband study meeting to be held Tuesday evening 

Opinion  
Inquirer Editorial Board: The reasons 60,000 people leave Philadelphia every year is another tale of two cities 
Inquirer Editorial Board: With Global Climate Strike, youth are fighting for their future — and our present 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Fashion District’s success requires Philadelphians to buy in 
Inquirer Staff: Pro/Con: As vaping-related illnesses rise, should flavored e-cigarettes be banned? 
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: End the strike: UAW should accept GM’s most recent offer
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Finding the link: More Ewing sarcoma research is needed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Paving the way: Cokie Roberts persevered in male-dominated field
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Supporting sustainability: As more districts go eco-friendly, the cost will drop
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Remove the gag: Stifling witnesses is contrary to free speech
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Monument disputes: Answering bad history with better history
John L. Micek: Inside Mike Turzai’s history of bad luck with cameras | Friday Morning Coffee
John Tierney: How Pittsburgh Became the Monongahela Miracle
JD Mullane: Paid family leave is good idea, but not if government is in charge
James D. Schultz: Temple’s Football Program Has Made the Case for a Home of Its Own
Keith Naughton: The Trump strategy: Dare the Democrats to win
Maria Panaritis: Philly exiles are flooding the suburbs for jobs and schools. But at what cost to the ‘burbs? 
David M. Shribman: A week of loss for journalism’s standard-bearers
James McGinnis: Who benefits? Philly leads largest cities in property tax breaks | Analysis
Karen Kane: Grand jury justice? There’s no such thing
Sara Goldrick-Rab: With news of Philly teacher getting sick from schools, Penn should step up
Tim Hartman: State lawmaker? Nice work if you can get it | Editorial Cartoon
Chloe Adkins: Low-income Philadelphians still face a gentrification crisis 
Will Bunch: Trump’s newest, worst Watergate: Can scared Pelosi, Dems, media finally find their inner 1974? 
Keith C. Burris: A tough job
Tony Norman: The ‘browning’ of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Derrell Key: Pa’s broken probation laws are fuel for the mass incarceration crisis. We need to fix them now
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Trump omits auto emissions standards
Steve Mellon and Tony Norman: The Notorious Trial of Joe Thomas
Chris Kelly: Spinal tap dance
Muhammad Salar Khan: It’s high time someone studied marijuana taxes – so we did
Mike Newall: A stray bullet cost this Philly rugby star his Army dreams. Then the brass read The Inquirer. 
Trudy Rubin: Hong Kong democracy activists deserve U.S. support 
Ruth Ann Dailey: Pittsburgh’s eyesore
Jasmine Harris: Game changer: What if college athletes got paid? Three questions, answered | Analysis
Mike Weilbacher: Boomers take note: The kids are right about climate change 
Marion Hourdequin: Youth climate movement puts ethics at the center of the global debate
Kevin Flowers: City Mission plants deep roots in downtown Erie
Mike Littwin: There’s never been a scandal Trump couldn’t survive. Now listen for the whistle 
Signe Wilkinson: Political Cartoon: Watching birds vanish in humans’ nature