Legislature
Wolf, Democratic leaders tout $1.7 billion plan to complete ARPA spending | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Bid to use old legislative districts rejected – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Ups and Downs: Redistricting Edition | PoliticsPA
Editorial: Congressional redistricting a mixed bag for southeast Pennsylvania (dailylocal.com)
Democrat State Senator Introduces Legislation to Suspend Sales Tax | (wkok.com)
State senator pitches Pennsylvania sales tax holiday (broadandliberty.com)
State Senator Who Wants A Sales Tax Holiday This Summer Thinks Legislative Approval Is Possible – CBS Pittsburgh (cbslocal.com)
Meek Mill’s Bills Show Limits of Probation Reform (theintercept.com)
Pa. lawmakers spent nearly $2 million on meals, lodging, car leases in 2021 | Price of Politics | fox43.com
The $100,000 Club: In Pa., 11,887 state government employees earned six figures – pennlive.com
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine renews Pennsylvania lawmakers’ Keystone Pipeline calls | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Pa. Capitol lit up in blue and yellow in solidarity with Ukraine – pennlive.com
Wolf: Pennsylvania ready for legalized marijuana | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Pa. politicians want harsher penalties for Russia · Spotlight PA
Mastriano campaign finance: Pa. prosecutor refuses to investigate (ydr.com)
In his final budget, Wolf drops his State Police fee. But the problem remains | Mark O’Keefe – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Scranton gets $10,000 state grant to improve access to Lackawanna River Heritage Trail | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Coronavirus – COVID-19
NYC mayor looks to make changes to vaccine mandates for indoor spaces : NPR
Some businesses keep their own mask requirements even without mandates : Shots – Health News : NPR
New CDC mask guidelines won’t change Philly’s mandate for now (inquirer.com)
Hong Kong’s new COVID cases top 10,000 in spiraling outbreak – Delco Times
Business/Jobs
Midstate gas prices: “Little to no relief anytime soon” (abc27.com)
ERVIN: Absence of Secure Mineral Supply Chain Poses Threat to U.S. Manufacturers – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Lancaster County residents tell why they quit jobs during the pandemic | Local Business | lancasteronline.com
Fewer job layoffs in Pa. than any other state | Smart Talk (witf.org)
Iowa officials race to stop Pa. company from jacking up insurance premiums on elderly residents – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Staffing woes driving Western Pennsylvania hospitals’ struggles with costs | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Crime/Punishment
Pennsylvania State Police push back on panel recommendation requiring independent investigations when troopers kill, injure · Spotlight PA
Staffing Pennsylvania prisons remains problematic | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Jeff Hurvitz: Police delay times are a symptom of a larger problem (broadandliberty.com)
York County Prison: Average daily county prisoner population decreases (ydr.com)
Many January 6th Capitol riot cases could hinge on 1st trial’s outcome | WITF
The link between race and solitary confinement in Pennsylvania prisons | Analysis – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Education
Three Bucks County school districts have over $4 billion in taxable land (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Philadelphia-area colleges spend millions on research in race for top rankings – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
School funding is topic of local forum on March 16 – Daily Local
Radnor Ditches Mask Mandate – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Lower Merion schools switch to mask optional – Mainline Media News
Elections/Politics
Poll shows Pennsylvania GOP voters prefer Barletta in governor primary | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
Who wants to run for governor as a Republican in 2022? | City & State PA (cityandstatepa.com)
Pennsylvanians shine in GOP Senate Primary Debate, while McCormick, Oz, and Sands are no-shows (broadandliberty.com)
PODCAST: Dave McCormick Makes His ‘Elevator Pitch’ to Be GOP’s U.S. Senate Pick – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Podcast: Malcolm Kenyatta’s Run for the U.S. Senate | PoliticsPA
No notes, same logo: Dr. Oz’s campaign is like his TV show (abc27.com)
Former School Board Member Announces Bid For 24th Senate District | Montgomeryville, PA Patch
Jill Dennin announces bid for PA 24th Senate District (pottsmerc.com)
After Hours: Natalie Bencivenga interviews Aerion Abney | After Hours | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
New Pa. congressional map forces two Swissvale candidates into different districts | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
Senate candidate McCormick pushed globalization, profit over people (goerie.com)
In trans people, GOP candidates in Pennsylvania and other states find latest ‘wedge issue’ | WITF
In a time of war, Republicans are giving aid and comfort to the enemy | Dick Polman – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
It’s campaign season: GOP ads assault the airwaves and insult our intelligence | Ray E. Landis – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Environment
Supreme Court to hear a case that could limit the EPA’s power to fight climate change : NPR
Climate change is killing people and making them sick : NPR
Grange asks: Is solar energy a threat to Pennsylvania farming? (buckscountycouriertimes.com)
Backlog hampers renewable energy projects, industry group says | Five for the Weekend – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Transportation
Bridge tolls, package fees considered to replace lost Pennsylvania gas tax revenue | Pennsylvania | thecentersquare.com
PennDOT, Norfolk Southern to move toward improved rail service | News | huntingdondailynews.com
Work to extend two Main Line rail trails could begin within the next year – Mainline Media News
Health
Price transparency at area hospitals questioned – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Court date set for watchdog group, anti-abortion group in years-long battle for records – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Delaware County health department coming ‘very soon’ (inquirer.com)
There is a shortage of psychiatric beds in Pa. The effects may be showing. | Opinion (inquirer.com)
State News
PA Joins States Dumping Russian Liquors to Protest Invasion of Ukraine – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board removes Russian vodkas from its stores – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf urges liquor control board to remove, stop selling Russian-sourced products | WITF
Yanking Russian booze is a lay-up. Leaders still need to watch messaging | Monday Morning Coffee – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Leaders in northeast PA, Lehigh Valley release statements on Ukraine (poconorecord.com)
Ukraine invasion: U.S. response could have local, global consequences, Lehigh Valley political leaders warn – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
The Fasnacht tradition is rooted in spiritual and practical practices (dailylocal.com)
Delaware River water could be used for fracking under proposal (poconorecord.com)
National News
Russia-Ukraine updates: Putin’s forces facing fierce resistance; peace talks begin (inquirer.com)
Ukraine latest: Refugees flee Russia invasion; U.S. and allies ramp up penalties : NPR
Putin Declares a Nuclear Alert, and Biden Seeks De-escalation – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
Sanctions rattle Russia as delegations arrive for cease-fire negotiations | WITF
Thousands in the U.S. Rally in Support of Ukraine – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
What Ukraine means for America and the world | Opinion – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Facebook finds disinformation and hacking campaigns targeting Ukraine : NPR
Texas primary voting complicated by new election laws : NPR
‘CODA’ takes top honors at SAG Awards, Will Smith wins – Delco Times
How Ahmaud Arbery’s family, community honored him 2 years after his murder | News | phillytrib.com
Trayvon Martin’s mother: ‘Don’t give up’ fight for justice | News | phillytrib.com
This is no time to retreat from the pursuit of justice and equality (goerie.com)
Majority of Americans say affordable housing is a problem | The Numbers Racket – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
Local News
Delaware Valley Residents Horrified, Heartbroken Over Ukraine – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Restore marijuana dispensary open despite Yeadon zoning decision (delcotimes.com)
Johnstown needs to finish sewer work on most city-owned properties | News | tribdem.com
Lancaster County libraries to host events for Read Across America Day, Dr. Seuss’ birthday | Entertainment | lancasteronline.com
West Chester employee earns free $53,000 pickup truck just by driving safe – Daily Local
Montgomery County closes out 2021 by approving approves $12.3M in contracts (mainlinemedianews.com)
Erie East Side Renaissance plan includes grocery store, bank, and club (goerie.com)
Can Bethlehem successfully crack down on Airbnbs? – The Morning Call (mcall.com)
Luzerne County Council wraps up discussion on rejected proposal to seek government study commission | Times Leader
Crocamo highlights fiscal improvements and opioid deaths in “state of county” report | Times Leader
Luzerne County Children & Youth review nearly complete, report will be public | News | citizensvoice.com
Scranton Police Department seeks consultant to help achieve accreditation | News | thetimes-tribune.com
Pitt
Bad Bridges app helps commuters avoid questionable Pittsburgh infrastructure | News | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
Hundreds rally in support of Ukraine in Downtown Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Ukrainian Pittsburghers finding solace and support at Carnegie churches | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh schools’ interim superintendent says district is exploring options to curb unrest | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh-themed Monopoly game needs local landmark suggestions | Arts + Entertainment | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
New initiative transforms Pittsburgh Mayor’s office into rotating art exhibit | Visual Art | Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh City Paper (pghcitypaper.com)
Mik Pappas, district judge under investigation, accuses District Attorney Stephen Zappala of intimidation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
March Madness coming back to Pittsburgh | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
One month after devastating Penn Hills apartment fire, residents search for housing | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Philly
Here’s where Philadelphia ranks in potential 2026 World Cup host cities, study shows – Philadelphia Business Journal (bizjournals.com)
PHA renters can divert rent increases to a savings account to buy a house. But few do. (inquirer.com)
Legal professionals in the Philadelphia region celebrate Supreme Court nominee | Local News | phillytrib.com
SEPTA is replacing security guards with guides to offer kinder service to riders | Local News | phillytrib.com
City councilmembers discuss infrastructure needs across the school district | Local News | phillytrib.com
Philly Council tackles infrastructure issues at city schools – Pennsylvania Capital-Star (penncapital-star.com)
How a redesign of Washington Avenue got detoured by a clash of competing needs (inquirer.com)
Philadelphia seeks court okay on plan to transfer history museum collection to Drexel. (inquirer.com)
Watchdog Group Calls BS on Philly’s Budget Numbers – DV Journal (delawarevalleyjournal.com)
Washington
The state of the union is anxious, but annual speech to Congress offers Biden an opportunity (yahoo.com)
Congress lifts mask mandate ahead of State of the Union: COVID updates (usatoday.com)
10 Consequential Days: How Biden Navigated War, Covid and the Supreme Court – The New York Times (nytimes.com)
What’s ahead for Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson | News | phillytrib.com
Inflation pain means Biden gets no credit for roaring economy | TribLIVE.com
