August 10th Playbook | PoliticsPA

U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona will be visiting schools in the Lehigh Valley today. Here is the Playbook.

 

Lamb Launches Senate Campaign: The Allegheny County Democrat entered the race with support from 18 labor unions and dozens of elected officials, mainly from western Pa.

‘The US education secretary is coming to the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Here’s 5 things to know about his visit’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “on Tuesday, U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will visit Northampton County schools to tout President Joe Biden’s Build Back Better agenda,” and also lists “five things to know about his visit.”

‘Here’s what Pa.’s and N.J.’s chunk of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill might buy’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “elected officials, advocacy groups, and transit agencies across Pennsylvania and New Jersey are already dreaming about the projects that could result.”

‘Bob Casey aims to raise ABLE savings account opening age limit to 46 years old from 26 years’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Sen. Bob Casey “wants to raise the age to 46 for Americans with disabilities to open special savings accounts, allowing six million more people who might not otherwise be eligible. Casey is sponsoring the ABLE Age Adjustment Act, along with 12 other senators from both sides of the aisle including U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey (R., Pa.).”

‘Pa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.’: Spotlight PA reports that “to motivate unvaccinated people to get a shot, state officials, health systems, and community groups are sending text messages, making house calls, and setting up clinics in convenient places, including several county fairs.”

‘Should Pa. restaurants require proof of vaccination? Owners say it will result in conflicts’: PennLive reports that “in Pennsylvania, a smattering of restaurants have announced policies but at this point no formal rules have been instituted. A handful in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have started checking vaccination cards for entry.”

‘Bipartisan supports builds for rules around the right to repair’: City & State PA reports that “there are few policy issues lawmakers in both major parties can agree on in Harrisburg, but the right to repair could be one of them.”

‘Young people make up most of Philly’s gun victims. DA Larry Krasner is inviting them to talk.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “saying it is important to hear directly from those impacted by gun violence, District Attorney Larry Krasner on Monday announced that his office is partnering with community groups to hold three roundtable discussions for people between the ages of 15 and 25.”

‘Philly Municipal Court halts evictions for some who have applied for rental assistance’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “starting Saturday, Philadelphia landlords won’t be able to lock tenants out of their homes if their pending rental assistance applications have been marked “complete,” according to an order that the Philadelphia Municipal Court issued Monday.”

‘Philly’s teachers’ union supports a vaccine mandate. But Mayor Kenney is still trying to convince city workers.’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the union representing Philadelphia public school teachers said Monday that it supports a vaccine mandate for school employees, paving the way for such a requirement as students return to classrooms later this month.”

‘As street sweepers return to Philly, some residents see a sign of progress’: WHYY reports that “street sweepers were out in Philadelphia Monday for the first regularly scheduled cleaning of residential blocks by the city in years –– and, in another recent first, residents moved their cars to make way for the cleaning crews.”

‘St. Luke’s, LVHN and Good Shepherd to require COVID-19 vaccine for employees’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “St. Luke’s University Health Network, Lehigh Valley Health Network and Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network are joining many other health care providers across the United States by requiring their employees to get the COVID-19 vaccine, the three networks announced Monday.”

‘Lehigh County commissioner receives Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year Award’: WFMZ reports that “the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania gave Lehigh County Commissioner Percy Dougherty the award on Aug. 3, according to a news release from the county.”

‘West Deer residents preparing to fight a proposed gas well pad for fracking’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “ahead of a public hearing this week, a group of concerned citizens is preparing hours-long statements opposing the construction in West Deer of a natural gas well pad for hydraulic fracturing.”

‘A city of water: Experts explain how climate change impacts Pittsburgh’s infrastructure’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “as the climate crisis hastens, many experts believe Pittsburgh — at the center of the Rust Belt — will be a part of something new: the “waterbelt.””

‘Pittsburgh ranked with the lowest percentage of law firm partners of color in U.S.’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that “the American Bar Association recently reported in their 2021 Profile of the Legal Profession that Pittsburgh has less than 3% of law firm partners of color as of July 2021, the lowest percentage of any large city in America.”

‘Delaware County moves ahead with health department’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “Delaware County approved more than $8.7 million of expenditures for the setup of the county health department, which continues to be on track for a January 2022 opening.”

‘Delaware County health department tab: $8-10 million a year’: The Delaware County Daily Times reports that “establishing a county health department will likely cost Delaware County more than $10 million in its first year, costing county residents an additional $4 to $5 in taxes annually.” 

‘Bucks County solicitor honored by Pennsylvania Commissioners’ Association’: The Bucks Local News reports that “Bucks County Solicitor Joseph Khan last week was presented the 2021 Outstanding Solicitor Award by the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP).”

‘Dahlkemper: No Erie County mask mandate unless local hospitals fill with COVID-19 patients’: The Erie Times-News reports that “despite a recent rise in the number of COVID-19 cases, Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper has no plans to impose countywide face masking or social distancing mandates unless one of two conditions is met.”

‘Final report on York City surveillance proposal to be released Tuesday’: The York Dispatch reports that “a finalized study gauging the feasibility of a citywide surveillance network in York City will be released Tuesday after months of public input and preparation.”

‘Longtime South Abington supervisor resigns’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “veteran South Abington Township Supervisor Joseph H. Sproul III resigned Monday.”

‘Philly area restaurants are requiring vaccination: a running list’: Billy Penn provides a list of “which spots are requiring vaccination in Philadelphia,” plus detailing what their policies are.

O’Brien Endorses Sands for Senate: Former National Security Adviser Robert C. O’Brien has endorsed Carla Sands for U.S. Senate. O’Brien and Sands both worked under former President Donald Trump’s administration. 

American Federation of Government Employees Endorses Lamb for Senate: The Pennsylvania Capital-Star’s Stephen Caruso reports that the “American Federation of Government Employees, a public sector union representing federal workers, has endorsed Democrat Conor Lamb in his bid for the Pennsylvania Senate. About 60,000 members live in Pa., from prison guards to VA nurses to Social Security clerks.”

Biden Announces Intent to Nominate Harper: According to a release from the White House Press Office, President Joe Biden has nominated Todd Harper to serve as Chairman of the National Credit Union Administration. Harper served as a legislative director to former Congressman Paul Kanjorski.

 

Harrisburg & DC   
Inquirer: Here’s what Pa.’s and N.J.’s chunk of the $1 trillion infrastructure bill might buy
Inquirer: Bob Casey aims to raise ABLE savings account opening age limit to 46 years old from 26 years
Spotlight PA: Pa. is trying county fairs, text messages, and door-knocking to raise the vaccination rate. Success is slow coming.
City & State PA: Have questions about mask mandates in PA? We have answers.
City & State PA: Bipartisan supports builds for rules around the right to repair
Patriot News: Should Pa. restaurants require proof of vaccination? Owners say it will result in conflicts 
Patriot News: New COVID-19 infections, hospitalizations surge over weekend in Pa.
Patriot News: 42 Pa. counties showing ‘substantial’ rate of COVID-19 transmission: CDC
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: State laws for prescription drug brokers soon could have teeth | Analysis 
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: U.S.-Canadian border reopens as views shift on pandemic | The Numbers Racket
Pocono Record: Cash prizes and incentives doing little to boost COVID vaccine rates. What else can be done?
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: Health Department Reports 3-Day Total Of 4,080 New Cases
StateImpactPA: Environmental advocates call on legislature to put more money toward Chesapeake Bay cleanup
The Hill: Cryptocurrency amendment blocked in Senate

 

Philadelphia 
Inquirer: Young people make up most of Philly’s gun victims. DA Larry Krasner is inviting them to talk. 
Inquirer: Philly Municipal Court halts evictions for some who have applied for rental assistance 
Inquirer: Philly’s teachers’ union supports a vaccine mandate. But Mayor Kenney is still trying to convince city workers. 
Inquirer: Philadelphia activists kick off 150-mile march to D.C. to demand action on police brutality and gun violence 
Inquirer: DA Larry Krasner joins rally to end gun violence in Philadelphia 
Inquirer: DA Larry Krasner praises Jamal Johnson at the “Stop Killing Us” march in Philadelphia
Inquirer: In Philly’s least-vaccinated zip codes, fighting the delta variant is a game of catch-up
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphians call for extension of eviction, lockout moratorium 
WHYY Newsworks: Vaccine mandate coming for Philly school staff? Teachers union pledges support 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly DA wants to hear from young people about the city’s gun violence epidemic 
WHYY Newsworks: Philly activist marches to Washington hoping Congress can help fight gun violence at home 
WHYY Newsworks: As street sweepers return to Philly, some residents see a sign of progress
Philadelphia Magazine: More Philly Restaurants Are Announcing Vax-Only Policies
Philadelphia Tribune: Arbitrator to rule on police union contract soon 
Philadelphia Tribune: City to open 3 youth resource centers in effort to stem gun violence
KYW Newsradio: UPDATE: Philadelphia courts halt lockouts of tenants who apply for rent assistance
KYW Newsradio: Philly mandates masks in schools, still considering staff vaccination requirement
KYW Newsradio: These Philly restaurants and venues are requiring proof of COVID-19 vaccination
Philadelphia Citizen: Mystery Shopper: Reporting Illegal Dumping in Philadelphia  
Billy Penn: Philly Pride parade nonprofit owed thousands to the city when it imploded, and left vendors out to dry
Billy Penn: Philly area restaurants are requiring vaccination: a running list

 

SEPA
Daily Local News: Republican Kennedy launches bid for Pennsylvania’s 6th Congressional District seat 
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County moves ahead with health department
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County health department tab: $8-10 million a year
Bucks Local News: Bucks County solicitor honored by Pennsylvania Commissioners’ Association 
WHYY Newsworks: Norristown now requiring universal masking in schools
Ambler Gazette: State agriculture official visits Montco farm
Pottstown Mercury: Coronavirus positivity rate increases in SE Pa.; counties in substantial level of transmission
Bucks County Courier Times: Fund created to help those affected by flooding and storms in Bucks

 

Pittsburgh 
Post-Gazette: West Deer residents preparing to fight a proposed gas well pad for fracking 
Post-Gazette: A city of water: Experts explain how climate change impacts Pittsburgh’s infrastructure 
Post-Gazette: Vaccines encouraged for Pittsburgh teachers as schools across country consider mandates 
Post-Gazette: Fox Chapel councilwoman urges communities to ban coal tar on roadways 
Post-Gazette: New Allegheny County hires now required to be vaccinated against COVID-19 
Post-Gazette: Racial justice movement’s impact reaches Pittsburgh-area classrooms 
Post-Gazette: Hearing continues Monday on Amazon’s proposal for Churchill distribution center 
Post-Gazette: Anyone in Allegheny County Court of Common Pleas facilities must wear mask, president judge says
City Paper: Pittsburgh ranked with the lowest percentage of law firm partners of color in U.S.
KDKA: 4th Round Of Public Meetings Over Proposed Amazon Facility In Churchill Set For Monday Night
KDKA: ‘Blueprints’ In Washington County Will Take Over Allegheny County Health Department’s WIC Program
KDKA: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 3-Day Total Of 388 New Cases, 2 Additional Deaths
WESA: State Changes To WIC Program In Allegheny County Lead To Outcry 
WESA: Controversial Amazon Facility To Be Discussed At Churchill Public Hearing Tonight
WESA: State Lawmaker Reimbursement System Under Scrutiny, But No Clear Path For Change

 

SWPA 
Altoona Mirror: COVID-19 eviction moratorium lifted
KDKA: ‘We’ve Done Just About Everything We Can:’ Beaver County Commissioner Calls On Public To Get Vaccinated
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Highlands Health hits milestone with 10,000th dose of COVID-19 vaccine; Cambria County adds 24 cases over weekend
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Central City takes step to restart police

 

NEPA 
Times-Tribune: U.S. Senate candidate Lamb visits Wilkes-Barre
Times-Tribune: Longtime South Abington supervisor resigns
Times-Tribune: One NEPA county now on high COVID-19 spread list
Citizens Voice: 51 new COVID-19 cases reported in county
The Times Leader: Rep. Cartwright announces $93K firefighters grant for Plains Township
The Times Leader: 51 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County on Monday 
The Times Leader: More Luzerne County residents getting vaccinated as coronavirus hospitalizations rise

 

South Central 
York Dispatch: Final report on York City surveillance proposal to be released Tuesday 
LNP | LancasterOnline: Will you wear a mask now that Lancaster County has ‘substantial’ transmission of COVID-19? Let us know [survey] 
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 100 new cases of COVID-19 reported over the weekend
Patriot News: Former New Cumberland borough council member, librarians honored on arboretum’s Path of Leadership 
Patriot News: Harrisburg police community relations director who helped unify the city is leaving for new job

 

Lehigh Valley      
Morning Call: The US education secretary is coming to the Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. Here’s 5 things to know about his visit 
Morning Call: St. Luke’s, LVHN and Good Shepherd to require COVID-19 vaccine for employees
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: 4,000 cases added over 3 days, hospitalizations double in a month
WFMZ: Lehigh County commissioner receives Outstanding County Commissioner of the Year Award
WFMZ: Reading city council establishes process for public short-term art projects
WFMZ: LVHN, St. Luke’s, Good Shepherd Rehabilitation Network to require employees to be vaccinated
Express Times: Will masks be required in Bethlehem schools this year? School board to discuss policy Monday.
Express Times: St. Luke’s, LVHN and Good Shepherd will all require employees to be vaccinated 
Reading Eagle: A new school year is set to begin in Berks County, with fewer COVID restrictions
Reading Eagle: Community transmission of COVID in Berks now ‘substantial’; 68 new cases reported

 

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Dahlkemper: No Erie County mask mandate unless local hospitals fill with COVID-19 patients
Erie Times-News: Roll Call: Casey, Senate advance bipartisan infrastructure bill. Toomey votes no
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Gov. Tom Wolf pleads for continued opioid crisis disaster declaration; legislation to aid pregnant workers, ban deepfakes in the works
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Indoor masking recommended by CDC for Lycoming County
Centre Daily Times: Here’s how the lawmakers who represent Centre County in Congress voted July 30-Aug. 5
Centre Daily Times: Penn State students share concerns about university’s lack of COVID-19 vaccine mandate

 

Opinion  
Marty Flynn: GOP senators, accept reality, move on
Jon Geeting: Where’s Our Vaccine Mandate Mayor Kenney? 
John L. Micek: Pa.’s Shapiro, 21 AGs tell Congress to guard against voter suppression | Monday Morning Coffee 
John L. Micek: The states with the best and worst early childhood ed. programs. How did Pa. do? | Tuesday Coffee
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Redistricting needs public input
Inquirer Editorial Board: Gov. Wolf isn’t pulling harmful COVID-19 stunts like Florida’s Ron DeSantis. But he’s also not doing enough.
Broad + Liberty: The Editors: To stop Philly’s cycle of violence, D.A. Krasner must prosecute gun crimes
Peg Church: Pennsylvania needs to add electric vehicle charging spots on turnpike
Tim Jackson: Those fighting Critical Race Theory don’t know what it is 
Christian Hoban: The ‘justice gap’ that leaves many Philadelphians facing insurmountable odds 
Joe Silverstein: Poll flashes warning signs on Democrat-only “infrastructure” bill
Christopher Beem: Refusing the COVID-19 vaccine isn’t just immoral, it’s ‘un-American’
George Magakis, Jr.: Those refusing vaccinations are poor at evaluating risks to their lives
Fletcher McClellan: Yes, we should be teaching critical race theory in public schools 
Francis Cretarola: My restaurant is requiring proof of vaccine, and no, this isn’t an attack on your freedom 
Abdul-Aliy Muhammad: Reject DaBaby’s bigotry on HIV and celebrate authentic work from Southwest Philly’s Donja R. Love 
Jeffrey Millstein: Why you should get to know more than one clinician in your doctor’s office | Expert Opinion
Charles D. Allen: A new class at U.S. Army War College must meet the challenges of a changing world
Dick Polman: This Louisiana pol is a COVID widow. She wants deniers to get real 
Josh Kruger: Tiny Houses Have A Big Problem
David T. Twining: Mastriano, Perry and Joyce need to see themselves out

August 10th, 2021 | Posted in Front Page Stories, Playbook, Top Stories | 1 Comment