Former Congressman Lou Barletta rules out a run for the 8th Congressional District in 2020 and starts a consulting firm, while the PAGOP announces two new hires. Here is the Playbook. 

Barletta Rules Out 2020 Run for PA8, Starts Consulting Firm: The former GOP Congressman said he is thankful for the time he served in Congress, but decided to focus on his new consulting firm rather than run against Rep. Matt Cartwright in the 8th Congressional District.

Tabas Announces Two New Hires for PAGOP: The PAGOP brings in Calvin Tucker to serve in the newly created position of “Director of Engagement and Advancement” and Vonne Andring as Senior Advisor.

Dean: Gun Violence Needs To Be A Top Priority For Voters: Congresswoman Madeleine Dean points to the large percentage of people who support universal background checks as proof that Congress must sign gun reform legislation. She also believes that gun violence is an epidemic in the United States.

Legislative Elections Update
HD-20: Emily Marburger, the Mayor of Bellevue, has launched a primary bid for the state’s 20th House District against incumbent state Rep. Adam Ravenstahl (D-Allegheny). 

Harrisburg & DC   
Post-Gazette: State and U.S. lawmakers lead discussion on veteran suicide, tout bills 
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf to honor Tree of Life victims during overseas trip 
Patriot News: No congressional run for former Trump surrogate; Lou Barletta will focus on consulting firm
PA Post: Pa. officials calling attention to importance of complete 2020 census count
Politico: The Other Brother Duo That Brought Us the Modern GOP
PLSReporter: Rep. Rabb introduces “Fair Share Tax” 
PLSReporter: VIDEO: Sen. Martin calls for victims of sexual assault to have a say in schools expelling their offender 
PLSReporter: State lawmakers are looking to expand use of automatic license plate readers, but data concerns remain 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: This Philly lawmaker wants Pennsylvania to offer reparations to its black residents 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Feds give Wolf admin $2.25 million to study maternal mortality in Pennsylvania 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Senate Democrats hit the road in September for addiction open house series 
Fox News: Union from Biden campaign’s backyard ticked off at primary front-runner
StateImpactPA: Criminal defense counsel represents DEP in Mariner East probe
Philadelphia 
KYW Newsradio: Arguments scheduled this week to determine if safe injection sites are legal 
KYW Newsradio: Shapiro meets with Uber, Lyft drivers about problems like safety, stolen tips
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Poor People’s Campaign to push poverty agenda at Philly hearing 
WHYY Newsworks: Heading into 8th year, Philly schools chief Hite wants to ‘think about reform differently’ 
WHYY Newsworks: Opening day at a Philly school that reflects the district’s triumphs and tribulations 
Inquirer: Hahnemann bankruptcy has a high-stakes showdown set for Wednesday 
Inquirer: U.S. Steel will have a hard time funding its new Pa. investments as global economy slows, Moody’s warns
Inquirer: Philly Naked Bike Ride prompts angry letter on Indego bicycles and a cheeky response from the city
Inquirer: SEPTA Key cards bring a new twist to an old subway hustle
Billy Penn: Residents can ask for LED streetlights to fight crime — and then wait 
Billy Penn: 99 problems and the mail is one: USPS delivery problems spike in Philly neighborhoods
Philly Voice: Jim Kenney, IBX kick off National Recovery Month in Philly  
Philadelphia Business Journal: Former Philadelphia city solicitor joins Dechert 
Philadelphia Business Journal: Last-ditch effort to reopen Hahnemann? California firm outlines a plan 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Chester County lawmaker pushes new law after beating of disabled man 
Daily Local News: Houlahan tours Malvern antibiotic drug facility 
Daily Local News: Comitta to host two Real ID information sessions this month
Delco Daily Times: Guard says staff put down ‘full-blown riot’ at Delco prison Monday
Bucks County Courier Times: Snow days still on the table at area schools

Pittsburgh  
KDKA: Local Effort To Boycott Businesses Owned By Trump Supporters Brings Strong Response From GOP 
KDKA: Mayor Peduto Requires New City Buildings To Be Net-Zero, Energy Efficient 
KDKA: Allegheny County Receives More Than $3 Million To Reduce Youth Homelessness 
KDKA: Gov. Tom Wolf To Visit Auschwitz Memorial, Guard In Lithuania To Honor Tree Of Life Victims 
KDKA: Early Grade Reading Scores At Pittsburgh Public Schools Drop Sharply, Despite Millions Spent on Educational Technology
Post-Gazette: State and U.S. lawmakers lead discussion on veteran suicide, tout bills 
Post-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf to honor Tree of Life victims during overseas trip 
Post-Gazette: Net-zero hour: Pittsburgh energizes plan to curb carbon emissions from public buildings 
Post-Gazette: Mayor Peduto names new budget director 
Post-Gazette: Landmark lawsuit challenges how Pennsylvania funds its public schools 
Post-Gazette: In cash-strapped school districts, these are the folks called to help the recovery 
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Public School board members frustrated over state test scores 
Post-Gazette: Foundation funds will help PA 2020 Census efforts 
City Paper: Mayor Bill Peduto introduces bill to eliminate carbon emissions produced by local government buildings 
City Paper: Allegheny County receives $3.49 million federal grant to help reduce youth homelessness 
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh moving to reduce energy consumption by 50% 
Tribune Review: Peduto appoints new management and budget director 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Mayor names new Office of Management and Budget director 
Pittsburgh Business Times: Peduto wants city buildings to produce as much energy as they use
WESA: City Proposes More Efficient And Sustainable Buildings To Reduce Energy Use By 2030 

SWPA
Beaver County Times: State Rep. Chris Sainato offers constitutional amendment to expand disabled vets’ property tax exemptions 
Beaver County Times: VA Pittsburgh to host local town hall meeting 
Beaver County Times: Council of Government wants input on Conservation District board
Tribune Review: State officials pledge more ‘aggressive’ approach to combating overgrowth at Somerset County lake
Altoona Mirror: Lawmakers question one-person rail crews 
Altoona Mirror: DEP fines Sunoco $313K for pipeline violations

NEPA
The Times Leader: Barletta steps away from politics, starts consulting firm
The Times Leader: LCTA’s Gavlick out as executive director
Times-Tribune: Voters to decide whether Scranton School Board can pursue payroll tax
Times-Tribune: Barletta won’t run for Congress
Times-Tribune: Scranton seeks cost of downtown walkability plan
Times-Tribune: University of Scranton task force responds to abuse in Catholic Church
Citizens Voice: Report: No action against Crispell
Citizens Voice: Barletta says he won’t run for Congress in 2020

South Central  
Carlisle Sentinel: Carlisle Borough Council plans public discussion Wednesday to discuss homelessness, sleeping in public places 
Patriot News: Will Hurricane Dorian make gas prices go higher in central Pa.?
York Daily Record: District judge didn’t lead state in no-collateral jailings
York Dispatch: State kicks in another $2 million to Yorktowne rehab  
LNP | LancasterOnline: Proposal for new liquor permits would ease convenience, grocery rules, including separate register requirement   

Lehigh Valley     
Morning Call: Expanding broadband internet access could help save lives, doctor says in testimony 
Reading Eagle: Wally Scott signs off on new fire station for Reading 
Express Times: Gay slur ‘repugnant’ but not enough to force abortion protestors away from clinic

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: City Council working to form ethics commission 
Erie Times-News: Trump campaign targets Erie with aerial advertising 
Erie Times-News: Union profile is high in Erie in 2019

Opinion  
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Not just somewhere else: Sex trafficking happens here 
Inquirer Editorial Board: Suing Big Pharma is only a part of the overall solution to the opioid crisis 
Ed Rendell: No one cares about Joe Biden’s gaffes except media and politicos
John L. Micek: Trump’s trade war could destabilize the U.S. economy, Pa. Sen. Pat Toomey warns | Tuesday Morning Coffee
Rob Wonderling and Ryan N. Boyer: How can Philly be thriving overall while poverty is increasing? 
Mark O’Keefe: Cheyney University’s turnaround is a blueprint to saving Pa.’s state-owned universities 
Bonnie Milas: Doctor who lost a son to overdose: ‘Philly needs Safehouse now’ 
Gina McCarthy and William Reilly: Pa. efforts to curb Chesapeake pollution have stalled, leaving the bay at risk 
Paul Bledsoe: Winning the politics of the climate crisis
Tiara Campbell: Philadelphia should declare a climate emergency 
Solomon Jones: In the wake of Odessa shooting, it’s time to start profiling white men as could-be killers 
Cindy Lapinski: As school starts, what every parent should discuss with their teen