September 25th Playbook
Beto O’Rourke is set to campaign in Pittsburgh today, while support for impeachment proceedings grows among PA Democrats. Here is the Playbook.
Liberal Super PAC Targets Trump Voters in PA: American Bridge’s $50 million investment aims at cutting President Trump’s margin with rural voters in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Florida.
Beto To Campaign in Pittsburgh, Erie: The former Texas Congressman plans to talk about addressing gun violence during town halls in Pittsburgh and Erie.
Legislative Election Update:
HD-36: Jessica Benham, an advocate for people with autism, has announced a primary bid to state Rep. Harry Readshaw (D-Allegheny).
Harrisburg & DC
AP: More Pennsylvania Democrats favor impeachment proceedings
AP: ‘Way too extreme’: Some Democrats warn against moving left
AP: Gun debate revives in Pennsylvania statehouse
WITF: Pa. House re-introduces contentious bills to reinstate mandatory minimum sentences
WITF: Key House Committee Abruptly Bars Door To New Gun Control Legislation
WHYY Newsworks: What the Pa. delegation is saying (or not) about Trump impeachment inquiry
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: How Pa.’s Congressional delegation reacted to Nancy Pelosi’s impeachment inquiry announcement
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Pa. Senate Democrats’ top campaign staffer suspended in the wake of sexual harassment complaint
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Ukraine scandal: If allegations are true Trump committed an impeachable offense, Pa. Rep. Houlahan says
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: House Judiciary chairman says he won’t consider red flag proposal as panel advances mandatory minimums
PLSReporter: Legislators push to bring back General Assistance
PLSReporter: Legislators join activists in probation reform rally
PLSReporter: House Judiciary chair shuts down talk of ERPO bill as committee pursues mandatory minimums instead
PLSReporter: Team Youse dominates Team Yinz in fourth annual Capitol All Star Game
Real Clear Politics: Repurposing ‘America’s Hometown’
StateImpactPA: Philadelphia refinery site — including dangerous chemical — declared under control 3 months after fire, explosion
StateImpactPA: Bucks, Montgomery counties will get $5 million to study health effects of PFAS
StateImpactPA: In Scotland, a town evolved with its refinery. Shale gas arrived to help the plant, but the town could benefit more, one resident says
Philadelphia
Billy Penn: Which lawsuits cost Philly taxpayers nearly $50 million last year? New bill would bring sunshine to sexual harassment payouts
Philadelphia Magazine: Helen Gym Wants the City to Publicly Disclose All Lawsuit Settlements
Inquirer: As Pelosi announces impeachment inquiry, Philly-area Democrats mostly line up in support
Inquirer: Working Families Party candidates keep pace with GOP fund-raising in Philly Council race
Inquirer: Controller Rebecca Rhynhart to audit troubled Germantown Special Services District
Inquirer: 3 months after devastating South Philly refinery blast, city declares incident under control
Inquirer: More Philly unions eye lawsuits over flaws in the city’s OnePhilly payroll system
Inquirer: Is Hahnemann a ‘zombie hospital’? Appeal of residency program sale hinges on that argument.
WHYY Newsworks: Center City draws $2.8B in development — and fewer parking lots
Philadelphia Tribune: Lawsuit: Cheyney University raided, misused scholarship federal funds as accreditation decision looms
KYW Newsradio: Silent protest at police headquarters highlights concerns about Philly’s unsolved murders
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia fire officials declare PES refinery site ‘under control’
Philadelphia Business Journal: Center City, fueled by apartments and hotels, sees $5.8 billion in new development
SEPA
Daily Local News: Democrat Houlahan inches toward Trump impeachment
Daily Local News: Comitta invites constituents to Community Conversations
Daily Local News: Rep. Otten invites community to first health and wellness fair
Delco Daily Times: Delco creates committee to help with census count here
Delco Daily Times: Chester County DA serves Sunoco with formal notice
Delco Daily Times: Sestak takes presidential bid to Chestnut Hill College
Bucks County Courier Times: Santarsiero to host college financial planning seminar at CB West
Inquirer: Pa. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan says Trump-Ukraine allegations, if true, are an impeachable offense
Inquirer: Chester County amps up pressure on Sunoco, calls Mariner East pipeline a nuisance
KYW Newsradio: Pottstown becomes first in US to collect flexible plastic packaging for curbside recycling
KYW Newsradio: Chesco’s Houlahan among US House freshmen calling for presidential investigation
KYW Newsradio: Chesco DA gives Mariner East pipeline 60-day notice for ‘nuisance’ conditions
Morning Call: Bucks County township sticks to its guns, rejects major firearms restrictions
Montgomery Media: Gun disposal event helps Montco residents get rid of 65 firearms, including an Uzi
Pottstown Mercury: Red vs. Blue: How partisan is the Pennsylvania Legislature?
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Western Pa. congressmen weigh in on Trump’s Ukraine dealings, impeachment inquiry
Tribune Review: Bill Peduto: Assault of black women at North Side gas station ‘made me sick’
Tribune Review: Audit: Pittsburgh property sales ‘shrouded in secrecy,’ open to fraud
Tribune Review: Allegheny County Council to consider another conversion therapy proposal
Tribune Review: Sen. Lindsey Williams to host addiction resources open house in Brackenridge
Post-Gazette: On impeachment, Doyle pushes forward while Lamb waits to see
Post-Gazette: Audit: City tax sales slow, ethically vulnerable
Post-Gazette: City Council seeks harsher charges in Exxon fray; store worker claims women were ‘out of control’
Post-Gazette: It’s child care — not day care — kids and advocates say
Post-Gazette: Cory Booker’s plea for campaign funds resonates with some in Western Pa.
Post-Gazette: Concentrated child poverty worsens in Pennsylvania, study says
Post-Gazette: Google subcontractor workers vote for union representation
Post-Gazette: Grown-up solutions to combat child poverty
Post-Gazette: Valerie Jarrett turns to pushing women’s health to the forefront
KDKA: Pa. Lawmakers React To House Democrats’ Impeachment Inquiry Into President Trump
KDKA: KDKA Investigates: Local Towns Fighting For Power To Ban Fracking
KDKA: Bill To Limit Robocalls And Telemarketers Awaits Decision From Governor Tom Wolf
KDKA: About 80 Contracted Google Employees To Join United Steelworkers Union
KDKA: Demonstrators Calling For More Action After Gas Station Assault Charges
WESA: Longtime State Rep. Readshaw May Face A Progressive Female Challenger Of His Own
WESA: Despite Bipartisan Support, Probation Bills Could Be Delayed By Murder Allegations Against Parolees
City Paper: House leadership begins impeachment inquiry into President Trump
City Paper: Pittsburgh Google contractors vote to form a union with the United Steelworkers
Pittsburgh Business Times: Lamb faults city’s handling of selling its properties
SWPA
Beaver County Times: U.S. Rep. Conor Lamb calls for release of whistleblower complaint on Trump
Beaver County Times: Beto O’Rourke visiting Pittsburgh on Wednesday
Tribune Review: Westmoreland County sued over requirement that union workers complete major projects
Observer-Reporter: Environmental groups, unions push back on GOP bills
Observer-Reporter: O-R not shutting down
Altoona Mirror: Blair, union sign first contract
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Gun control debate: Push for red flag wall blocked by GOP committee chair
NEPA
Citizens Voice: Local lawmakers react to impeachment inquiry
Citizens Voice: White Haven Center receives support at committee hearing
Citizens Voice: Coroner quits over ‘hostile’ work conditions
Citizens Voice: DA’s office gets grant to bolster task force
The Times Leader: Area Congressmen split on impeachment inquiry
The Times Leader: Capitol hearing ‘only the beginning’ of White Haven Center debate
The Times Leader: DA’s office receives $250K grant for gun violence reduction task force
The Times Leader: Hughes resigns as Luzerne County coroner
The Times Leader: Support expressed for Luzerne County 911 emergency radio upgrade
Times-Tribune: Local politicians react to Trump impeachment inquiry
Times-Tribune: Election board approves amended Scranton School District payroll tax ballot question
South Central
Patriot News: Probation reform advocates flood Pa. Capitol
Patriot News: Proposed constitutional amendment to change how Pa. picks a lieutenant governor advances out of committee
Patriot News: Bill proposes turning over Pa.’s lieutenant governor residence for veterans’ use, instead of selling it
Patriot News: House Committee chairman opens, (and maybe closes?) gun control debate in Pennsylvania
Patriot News: Harrisburg officials to interview four firms interested in taking over Capital Region Water
Patriot News: Harrisburg council members say mayor overstepped in scheduling interviews with private firms over city water system
Patriot News: Harrisburg mayor pitches city running popular Artsfest
Carlisle Sentinel: Bill Tracker: Bringing net neutrality back to Pennsylvania
Carlisle Sentinel: Boockvar visits Carlisle High School to promote student voter registration
Carlisle Sentinel: Sohonage files to quit Cumberland County judges’ race
York Dispatch: State Rep. Saylor pushing for extension of York Fairgrounds’ liquor license
York Dispatch: Smucker blast Dems’ impeachment probe, Perry stays silent
LNP | LancasterOnline: Smucker campaign splits fundraising dollars with Trump in wake of impeachment inquiry
LNP | LancasterOnline: Martin misses most of gun policy hearings due to other legislative meetings
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Susan Wild says she will support impeachment if the Trump administration won’t disclose whistleblower complaint to Congress
Morning Call: Susan Wild’s statement on impeachment inquiry of President Trump
Morning Call: A Democratic congresswoman from Pennsylvania says if true, the Trump-Ukraine allegations should prompt impeachment
Morning Call: Allentown spent another $150,000 on legal battles with LCA in first half of 2019
Morning Call: State Sen. Pat Browne’s former treasurer charged with stealing nearly $600,000 from campaign
Express Times: Is Easton becoming gentrified? Panel seeks affordable housing solutions.
Express Times: All candidates, public invited to Easton election previews
Express Times: Ex-treasurer stole $578K from Sen. Pat Browne’s election committee, AG alleges
Express Times: Lehigh Valley Congresswoman Susan Wild backs impeachment inquiry, if ‘stonewalling’ continues
Reading Eagle: Reading wants to hire private security guards to patrol the Pagoda
Reading Eagle: Budding industry: Berks bank gets behind the hemp business
Reading Eagle: Berks lawmaker says Ukraine allegations, if true, would be impeachable offense
North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: DEP touts Restore Pa. in Mansfield
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Broadband expansion further looked into
Williamsport Sun-Gazette:Ramp, elevator, security on hold for City Hall
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Commissioners approve youth, food contracts
Opinion
LNP Editorial Board: Smucker ought to support, in more tangible ways, this county’s rich history of welcoming refugees
Inquirer Editorial Board: Trump deserves impeachment process
Inquirer Editorial Board: New Philly lead bill should be first step in housing culture change
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Feet to the flame: Josh Shapiro keeps up the pressure on Purdue, Sacklers
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: A battle over ethanol: Mandates in gasoline should not be raised
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Remarks that misfired: Not a good reason to derail Sunday hunting
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Fertility standards: Clinics need federal oversight, regulations
Bucks County Courier Times Editorial: Bucks County corrections officials missed a chance to fix inmate lookup tool
Vincent Hughes and Pat Browne: Pa.’s ‘Safe2Say’ program is really something to talk about
Joseph M. Manko, Sr., and Howard A. Cohen: Trump should let the EPA do its job
John L. Micek: Report: Pa. has the 5th worst roads in the entire country | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Tony Norman: The cowardly gas station posse of the North Side
Dan Simpson: Gazing over the edge of a waterfall
John L. Micek: One nation under who? The Pa. House’s ‘In God We Trust’ bill raises questions
Antony Davies and James R. Harrigan: Federal debt has defeated President Trump and Democratic candidates
Chris Kelly: He ken run, but soon he ken’t hide
Solomon Jones: Democrats need to start the impeachment process. Their core constituents are at risk.
Will Bunch: Team Trump’s free-speech attack on U.S. universities reminds us what’s really at stake
Brian Malte: Mass shootings dominate reporting on gun violence. Here’s what we need to talk about instead