Legislature
Pennsylvania school property tax reform was on the horizon last year. Here’s why it’s languishing in Harrisburg
https://www.mcall.com/news/pennsylvania/capitol-ideas/mc-nws-pa-school-tax-reform-20200206-h2nb4ja6abhdxjd6hudzbyrl4m-story.html
Are dog license fees too low? Pa. auditor general says increase is needed
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/auditor-general-says-funding-for-pa-dog-law-enforcement-is-drying-up-license-fee-increase-needed.html
State auditor says dog law enforcement needs more funding
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/06/state-auditor-says-dog-law-enforcement-needs-more-funding/
Ronald Reagan understood why gerrymandering is dangerous | Opinion
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/02/ronald-reagan-understood-why-gerrymandering-is-dangerous-opinion.html
Vogel, Bernstine urge Senate committee to act on Markie’s Law
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200206/vogel-bernstine-urge-senate-committee-to-act-on-markies-law/1
PFAS authority hits ground running to meet deadlines
https://www.buckscountycouriertimes.com/news/20200206/pfas-authority-hits-ground-running-to-meet-deadlines
Mental healthcare for farmers topic of roundtable discussion
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200207/mental-healthcare-for-farmers-topic-of-roundtable-discussion
Yudichak, Kaufer applaud Senate passage of HB-1100
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772028/yudichak-kaufer-applaud-senate-passage-of-hb-1100
Administration
Wolf takes budget case to NEPA students
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772049/wolf-takes-budget-case-to-nepa-students
Gov. Wolf visits Riverside to talk post-secondary scholarships
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/gov-wolf-visits-riverside-to-talk-post-secondary-scholarships-1.2592098
Coalition warns Wolf plan could end horse racing
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/coalition-warns-wolf-plan-could-end-horse-racing-1.2592117
Racing executive fears broad impact of Wolf’s budget proposal on agriculture in Pa.
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772058/racing-executive-fears-broad-impact-of-wolfs-budget-proposal-on-agriculture-in-pa
Plan to charge all communities to fund state police draws ire
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/plan-to-charge-all-communities-to-fund-state-police-draws-ire-1.2592161
Gov. Wolf’s 2020 budget includes money to offset funding losses to Planned Parenthood
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/02/gov-wolfs-2020-budget-includes-money-to-offset-funding-losses-to-planned-parenthood.html
Business
Mamma Mia! Pa. Italian food purveyors say more tariffs could be ‘devastating’
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/07/mamma-mia-pa-italian-food-purveyors-say-more-tariffs-could-be-devastating/
Crime/Punishment
Cancer patient sent to state prison for theft won’t get new sentence, Lebanon judge says
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/crime/2020/02/06/lebanon-pa-judge-motion-reconsideration-sentence-ashley-menser-samuel-kline/4671760002/
Marijuana arrests fall in Pa. But after many towns decriminalize, why hasn’t there been a bigger drop?
https://www.inquirer.com/business/weed/pennsylvania-marijuana-laws-decriminalization-arrests-statistics-cannabis-20200207.html
Retired priest, 89, sentenced for sexual assault of boy
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/06/retired-catholic-priest-rev-hugh-lang-sentenced-sexual-assault-diocese-pittsburgh/stories/202002060116
Three indicted in scheme that used fraudulent cell phone numbers to impersonate IRS agents
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/06/indictment-Ronnell-Taylor-Barry-Nealer-Michael-Galanis-cell-phone-scheme-IRS-impersonators/stories/202002060151
Education
Northeast Intermediate officials provide displaced students, parents info on transition
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/northeast-intermediate-officials-provide-displaced-students-parents-info-on-transition-1.2592099
Frustrated Northeast parents start petition, demand air quality reports
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/frustrated-northeast-parents-start-petition-demand-air-quality-reports-1.2591922
LIU program takes aim at shortage of special education teachers
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/liu-program-takes-aim-at-shortage-of-special-education-teachers-1.2592190
Pa. hearing on W-B Area school project postponed to April 8
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772038/pa-hearing-on-w-b-area-school-project-postponed-to-april-8
University of Scranton, diocese sign guaranteed admissions pact
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/university-of-scranton-diocese-sign-guaranteed-admissions-pact-1.2591926
Police: York College student sexually assaulted by Tinder date
https://www.yorkdispatch.com/story/news/crime/2020/02/07/police-york-college-student-sexually-assaulted-tinder-date/4688664002/
VP Mike Pence: Pennsylvanians deserve school choice | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/mike-pence-school-choice-pennsylvania-20200207.html
Elections/Politics
Final Iowa Democratic caucus results show Buttigieg, Sanders on top
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/election/iowa-caucuses-sanders-buttigieg-democratic-presidential-election-20200207.html
Vince Fumo’s old district is the scene of the latest battle between old and new Philadelphia politics
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/philadelphia/larry-farnese-nikil-saval-pennsylvania-state-senate-primary-20200207.html
Oakmont councilwoman hopes to challenge Dermody for state House seat
https://plum.triblive.com/oakmont-councilwoman-hopes-to-challenge-dermody-for-state-house-seat/
Langerholc announces bid for Senate reelection
https://www.tribdem.com/news/langerholc-announces-bid-for-senate-reelection/article_deff32ca-4967-11ea-b825-47cac7b35740.html
Berks County Elections Board approves polling location on Kutztown University campus
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-elections-board-approves-polling-location-on-kutztown-university/article_6f036546-4902-11ea-a61c-675b8263b6ab.html
Despite recommendation of election board, Northampton County votes to buy e-poll books
https://www.mcall.com/news/local/mc-nws-northampton-county-commissioners-20200207-p724h2ey4rbj7ogwz3xm2mybum-story.html
New rules: More time, later deadlines, mail-in ballots for PA voters
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200206/new-rules-more-time-later-deadlines-mail-in-ballots-for-pa-voters
Health Care
Berks County sees big drop in new flu cases
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/berks-county-sees-big-drop-in-new-flu-cases/article_c3cf659a-48f1-11ea-8af9-03c2a5c94084.html
Local News
Lackawanna County fire departments training in former hotel building
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/news/lackawanna-county-fire-departments-training-in-former-hotel-building-1.2592287
Reading to review Downtown Improvement District and public-private partnership
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/local/reading-to-review-downtown-improvement-district-and-public-private-partnership/article_c22fdfe0-4846-11ea-a6a4-bb7aa96c29dc.html
Sinking Spring approves $20,938 sewer-maintenance contract
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/sinking-spring-approves-sewer-maintenance-contract/article_3b1c75c6-4950-11ea-bb5e-2fb261888bfd.html
Ruscombmanor approves 3-year deal for police coverage from Fleetwood
https://www.readingeagle.com/news/ruscombmanor-approves–year-deal-for-police-coverage-from-fleetwood/article_7db1b114-4953-11ea-b43e-df615790c971.html
Lower Burrell considers $13k in additional charges for city hall renovation
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/lower-burrell-council-set-to-approve-13k-in-additional-bills-for-city-hall-renovation/
Nuisance complaint may be way forward for demolition of Vi’s Bar in Vandergrift
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/nuisance-complaint-may-be-way-forward-for-demolition-of-vis-bar-in-vandergrift/
Delaware County Council votes to explore how to de-privatize county jail
https://www.inquirer.com/news/delaware-county-george-w-hill-correctional-facility-private-jail-20200206.html
Delaware County Council hosts its first ethics hearing
https://www.delcotimes.com/news/local/delaware-county-council-hosts-its-first-ethics-hearing/article_73956d8a-4947-11ea-b3a3-4ba7cd4d94b6.html
High-paid terminated township workers not ‘directly’ involved in embezzlement scandal, Ratliff says
https://www.dailylocal.com/news/local/high-paid-terminated-township-workers-not-directly-involved-in-embezzlement/article_cf88e44a-4911-11ea-ad27-a736f6ef1f5f.html
Recycling initiative impacts fuel cost in Tinicum Township
http://buckscountyherald.com/recycling-initiative-impacts-fuel-cost-in-tinicum-township-p3751-175.htm
Westmoreland housing authority starts inspections for bedbugs across county
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/westmoreland-housing-authority-plans-offensive-against-bed-bugs/
Plymouth Twp. supervisor: no comment about AG report, but Tilbury not coming back
https://www.timesleader.com/news/772040/plymouth-twp-supervisor-no-comment-about-ag-report-but-tilbury-not-coming-back
Audit: Tilbury group mismanaged $30K
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/audit-tilbury-group-mismanaged-30k-1.2592169
Forum discusses trail projects
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/forum-discusses-trail-projects-1.2592134
W-B settles suit over teen’s toy gun arrest
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/w-b-settles-suit-over-teen-s-toy-gun-arrest-1.2592119
City officials revising sewage plan due to new warehouse center
https://www.standardspeaker.com/news/city-officials-revising-sewage-plan-due-to-new-warehouse-center-1.2592136
New officers take oath for Allentown Police Department; seven others get badges, two veterans promoted
https://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-nws-allentown-swearing-in-promotion-ceremony-20200206-nphh3iz52beahg6mmvq3ss2b34-story.html
National News
Court rules fantasy sports contests are illegal gambling
https://www.inquirer.com/business/fantasy-sports-illegal-gambling-20200206.html
Natural Gas
Protect PT to host workshop on fracking
https://triblive.com/local/westmoreland/protect-pt-to-host-workshop-on-fracking/
Philly
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney dined in Chinatown to calm fears of the coronavirus
https://www.inquirer.com/news/coronavirus-kenney-epidemic-philadelphia-chinatown-racism-20200206.html
City launches free tax-prep sites around Philly
https://www.inquirer.com/business/free-tax-filing-vita-irs-frank-breslin-temple-20200207.html
Philly spends $48 million a year to clean up litter, Pa. report finds
https://www.inquirer.com/science/climate/philadelphia-pennsylvania-litter-recycling-20200206.html
It’s time to make Philadelphia’s Office of the Inspector General permanent | Editorial
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/editorials/ethics-inspector-general-kenyatta-johnson-john-green-kurland-editorial-20200207.html
Philly Democrats are collecting cash for the 2020 presidential election. Just don’t call it ‘street money.’
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/clout/philadelphia-democratic-party-2020-election-street-money-20200207.html
Court rules in favor of Philadelphia’s ban on asking job applicants their salary history
https://www.inquirer.com/news/philadelphia/philadelphia-salary-history-ban-appeals-court-ruling-third-circuit-20200206.html
Pa. civil rights icon Bayard Rustin gets posthumous pardon
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/bayard-rustin-pardon-california-lgbt-civil-rights-20200206.html
Drug-ring leader gets 30 years for turning North Philly’s Blumberg housing project into a ‘nightmare’
https://www.inquirer.com/news/blumberg-apartments-edward-stinson-philadelphia-housing-authority-projects-crack-20200206.html
Judge calls Philadelphia man who sexually assaulted Bucks teen at gunpoint more ‘mean-spirited’ than killers
https://www.inquirer.com/news/kyle-black-bristol-township-sexual-assault-bucks-county-20200206.html
Kuwaiti group buys Axalta building in South Philly’s Navy Yard for $61.2 million
https://www.inquirer.com/real-estate/commercial/axalta-building-navy-yard-dale-kuwait-dimah-apex-liberty-prologis-20200206.html
Philly’s 30th Street station renamed for iconic Pa. Black congressman William H. Gray III
https://www.penncapital-star.com/government-politics/phillys-30th-street-station-renamed-for-iconic-pa-black-congressman-william-h-gray-iii/
Some lessons from Pittsburgh as Danielle Outlaw takes charge of Philly police | Opinion
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/pittsburgh-jordan-miles-police-violence-philadelphia-danielle-outlaw-20200207.html
I didn’t want to write about coronavirus and racism. Then I got harassed twice. | Perspective
https://www.inquirer.com/opinion/commentary/coronavirus-panic-racism-chinese-americans-20200206.html
Pitt
City’s plan would add 120 miles of bike lanes
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/06/City-s-bike-lane-master-plan-Pittsburgh-peduto/stories/202002060113
Draft plan calls for more bike lanes in Pittsburgh
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/draft-plan-calls-for-more-bike-lanes-in-pittsburgh/
PWSA test will shut down water service on Penn Avenue
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/06/PWSA-test-shutdown-water-penn-ave-garfield-friendship/stories/202002060156
Judge accused of making racist remarks forbidden from hearing cases
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/06/Allegheny-County-Common-Pleas-Judge-Mark-Tranquilli-racist-remarks-forbidden-hearing-cases/stories/202002060120
Allegheny County judge barred from hearing cases after alleged racist remark about juror
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-county-judge-barred-from-hearing-cases-after-alleged-racist-remark-about-juror/
Defense wants more time to review evidence against man accused in plot to destroy North Side church
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/crime-courts/2020/02/06/Defense-Mustafa-Alowemer-review-evidence-Legacy-International-Worship-Center-Pittsburgh/stories/202002060115
North Side storytelling event aims for cultural understanding
https://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2020/02/07/Storytelling-event-aims-for-cultural-understanding-northview-heights-city-of-asylum-Pittsburgh/stories/202002070007
Tony Norman: Another sticky development at Allegheny County Common Pleas Court
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/tony-norman/2020/02/07/Mark-Tranquilli-Juror-heroin-Black-History-Month-CMU-neighborhoods-Michigan-State-University/stories/202002070044
Allegheny Intermediate Unit investigates malware attack, avoids ransom payment
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/allegheny-intermediate-unit-investigates-malware-attack-avoids-ransom-payment/
First responders take their first steps in learning how to better communicate with the deaf
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/first-responders-take-their-first-steps-in-learning-how-to-better-communicate-with-the-deaf/
Pittsburgh’s Chinese population postpones parade to focus on helping coronavirus victims
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/pittsburghs-chinese-population-postpones-parade-to-focus-on-helping-coronavirus-victims/
State News
‘So tragic’: Volunteer firefighter shortage threatens Pa. traditions and public safety
https://www.witf.org/2020/02/06/so-tragic-volunteer-firefighter-shortage-threatens-pa-traditions-and-public-safety/
Bias training: State police need a comprehensive program
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/02/06/Bias-training-State-police-need-a-comprehensive-program/stories/202001290039
Harrison, Freeport, Leechburg enter HGTV contest for hometown makeover
https://triblive.com/local/valley-news-dispatch/alle-kiski-valley-towns-enter-contest-for-hgtv-hometown-makeover/
Assistance offices to close Feb. 14 for update
https://www.citizensvoice.com/news/assistance-offices-to-close-feb-14-for-update-1.2592183
It’s AG Josh Shapiro’s job to defend state agencies in court. Here’s why PHEAA is an exception
https://www.penncapital-star.com/education/its-ag-josh-shapiros-job-to-defend-state-agencies-in-court-heres-why-pheaa-is-an-exception/
Why Pa.’s public pension funds have millions of dollars of your money tied up in the natural gas industry
https://www.penncapital-star.com/energy-environment/why-pa-s-public-pension-funds-have-billions-of-dollars-of-your-money-tied-up-in-the-natural-gas-industry/
Transportation
PennDOT to shift $3.15 billion from local roads to interstate improvements
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/06/PennDOT-more-interstate-road-work-less-local-road-work-3-15-billion/stories/202002050168
NTSB preliminary report reviews sequence of events in Pa. Turnpike crash that killed 5
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/transportation/2020/02/06/Pennsylvania-Turnpike-National-Transportation-Safety-Board-five-killed-preliminary-report-Mount-Pleasant/stories/202002060099
Washington
Eyeing 2020, House Democrats pass expansive labor bill to expand power of unions
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/politics-nation/2020/02/06/House-Democrats-United-Steelworkers-unions-labor-easier-to-organize/stories/202002060100
Trump targets impeachment witness Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman for ouster as he lambastes his critics
https://www.inquirer.com/politics/nation/trump-seeks-ouster-alexander-vindman-impeachment-testimony-ukraine-20200207.html
World News
Al-Qaida’s leader in Yemen was killed by a U.S. strike, the White House confirms
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/02/06/al-Qaeda-leader-Yemen-US-killed-White-House-confirms/stories/202002060177
Israeli-Palestinian violence surges in the wake of Trump’s Mideast peace plan
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/02/06/Israel-Palestinian-car-ramming-Israeli-soldiers-killed-Palestinians-Trump-plan/stories/202002060173