Pennsylvania’s population grew by about 300,000 between 2010 and 2020, according to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here is the Playbook.
August 13th Ups and Downs: GOP county commissioners accuse a GOP state Senator of creating “unnecessary chaos,” new population data is released from the U.S. Census Bureau, plus a GOP congressman is encouraging people to get the COVID-19 vaccine. All of that and more are in this week’s Ups and Downs.
‘What new census data tell us about Pa.’s politics: More influence for Philly and Latinos, and a shrinking white vote’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “the shifts mirror national trends showing growth in denser, diverse, and generally more liberal areas while conservative rural regions shrink but retain power due to disproportionate representation.”
‘Democratic U.S. Senate primary in Pa. may be won outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, experts say’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “though the fundraising and influence advantages that Conor Lamb and John Fetterman have might seem insurmountable for any other Democratic candidate in Pennsylvania’s U.S. Senate race next year, the primary is still very much a four-way race that could change in an instant, strategists and political analysts said last week.”
‘The next big existential fight for Democrats? Pennsylvania’: NBC News reports that “Rep. Conor Lamb’s Senate candidacy has set the battle lines in another primary that will test the moderate establishment’s might against the progressive left’s resolve.”
‘Conor Lamb is redefining the moderate Democratic playbook’: National Journal reports that “the swing-district congressman, running for the Senate in Pennsylvania, supports trillions in new government spending, but disagrees with progressives on energy policy.”
‘A Pa. town’s ‘election integrity law’ shows how Trump’s lies can hijack local politics and government’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that Lehigh Township’s board “passed — and later rescinded — a resolution declaring the state’s mail ballot law unconstitutional.”
‘Jobs or the environment? Ahead of 2022, Pa. Dems thread needle on ‘false choice’’: WHYY reports that “across Pennsylvania, debates about energy policy in the past few decades have largely centered on two issues: fracking and pipelines,” and that “it has created a conundrum for politicians — particularly for Democrats, given two key tenets of their party: protecting people and the environment from the ill effects of fossil fuels and supporting organized labor, which has thousands of workers in the commonwealth’s energy sector.”
‘Can Lancaster County schools legally require facemasks? This lawmaker doesn’t think so’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that state Sen. Scott Martin (R-Lancaster) “continues questioning whether Pennsylvania’s public schools can require students and employees to wear facemasks despite insistence from a local education law expert and the state Department of Education that such a measure is within a school’s rights.”
‘Pennsylvania lawmakers propose property tax, rent relief for low-income, recently discharged veterans’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “State Sen. Katie Muth, D-Chester, and Rep. Carol Hill-Evans, D-York, are working on a companion bill to create the Recent Veteran Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program. It would provide financial relief to veterans who have resigned from service in the last three years, and who have a household income of $35,000 or less.”
‘Under proposed mileage fee, truckers could save 33%, but cars would pay three times more’: The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reports that “it’s only an idea for now, but Pennsylvania’s proposed switch from a fuel tax to a miles-driven fee to help generate more money for transportation could be a boon for the trucking industry and a big hit in the wallet for drivers of passenger vehicles.”
‘Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Tony Moreno praised and met with far-right militia that sports symbols linked to white nationalism’: Pittsburgh City Paper reports that Tony Moreno, Republican candidate for Mayor of Pittsburgh, met with and praised “a local far-right militia group called Iron City Citizens Response Unit, a group that sports and highlights a symbol that has been linked to anti-government extremism and white nationalism.”
‘Houlahan: ‘The vaccines work, they are our best weapon’’: The Daily Local News reports that Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (D-Chester) “held a live public forum on Friday morning, which focused on the Delta variant, leading to many people calling in about masks, mandates, and policy.”
‘One year later, Chester County lawmaker says DEP not holding Sunoco accountable for Marsh Creek State Park spill’: KYW Newsradio reports that state Sen. Katie Muth “is lashing out at the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection over how they have handled the Marsh Creek Lake incident involving Sunoco and the Mariner East pipeline.”
‘Here are which municipalities grew the fastest, slowest in Lancaster County from 2010-2020’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports on “the five fastest- and slowest-growing municipalities in Lancaster County, per the latest U.S. census data.”
‘Is Lancaster County a metropolitan or rural region? Here’s what census figures say about the county, its population’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “despite all the rolling green hills, silos and farm stands, the latest U.S. census figures released Thursday point to the reality that Lancaster County is a metropolitan, not a rural, region.”
‘Lancaster County census data is finally here; What it shows and what it means’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “the data shows growth within the county, particularly in suburban areas.”
‘Taxing the sun? In Ephrata Borough, owners of solar panels say utility’s policy is unfair’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “a small skirmish in the greater struggle to expand the use of renewable energy is playing out in a corner of Lancaster County, where one man is proudly waving his 2021 equivalent of the Gadsden Flag.”
‘5 takeaways on how the Lehigh Valley stacks up against the rest of Pennsylvania in 2020 census’: The Allentown Morning Call reports on the “five key takeaways for what the census data has to say about the Lehigh Valley.”
‘MAP: What are the Lehigh Valley’s fastest growing towns? Here’s what the Census shows’: The Allentown Morning Call reports that “the Lehigh Valley continued to be among the fastest growing areas in Pennsylvania over the last decade, according to data from the 2020 Census,” while most of the growth is coming from the suburbs.
‘4 facts about Berks County that the 2020 census revealed’: The Reading Eagle reports that “a deeper look Friday into the 2020 census shows some of the ways that Berks County and Pennsylvania have changed over the decade.”
‘URA Approves New Support For Lending Program In Pittsburgh’s Historically Black Neighborhoods’: WESA reports that “on Thursday, the board of Pittsburgh’s Urban Redevelopment Authority greenlit a lending program for Avenues of Hope, which aims to revitalize business corridors in seven historically Black city neighborhoods.”
‘Reading to explore a plastic bag ban’: The Reading Eagle reports that “Reading is in the early stages of implementing a plastic bag ban, but the city does not want to go it alone.”
‘Populations expand in 21 Lackawanna County municipalities, decline in 19, census data shows’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “21 municipalities in the county” saw a “population increase between 2010 and 2020, while the populations of 19 municipalities dwindled, according to figures released Thursday by the U.S. Census Bureau. South Abington Twp., Roaring Brook Twp., Archbald, Moosic and Scranton accounted for the county’s five largest population increases.”
‘Payroll tax conversion still under consideration in Scranton’: The Scranton Times-Tribune reports that “the possible elimination of business privilege/mercantile taxes and replacing them with a payroll tax remains under review by city and Scranton School District officials.”
‘Health-care and higher-ed workers, students must get vaccinated by mid-October, Philadelphia announces’: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that “employees of Philadelphia’s higher-education and health-care systems must be vaccinated by mid-October or wear masks while indoors and get tested for COVID-19 at least once a week, city officials announced Friday.”
‘Former PA judge, Pitt alum calls for investigation into university’s fetal tissue research’: Fox News reports that “a former judge on the Pennsylvania Superior Court is calling for an investigation into her alma mater’s fetal tissue practices, saying she felt “horror” at recent reports.”
‘East Cocalico Township official charged with entering Capitol during Jan. 6 insurrection: FBI’: LNP | LancasterOnline reports that “a Stevens man who serves as an official in East Cocalico Township has been charged after he was seen on video entering the U.S. Capitol during the Jan. 6 insurrection, according to the FBI.”
‘UPDATED: Penn State’s faculty senate passes ‘vote of no confidence’ on university’s fall COVID-19 plan’: The Centre Daily Times reports that “Penn State’s faculty senate formally passed a vote of no confidence Friday on the university’s fall covid-19 plan, slamming the administration for what it perceives as an inadequate response while again reiterating its desire for a vaccine mandate.”
Richey To Campaign in Philly Area: According to a press release, Jason Richey, a partner at Pittsburgh’s K&L Gates law firm who is seeking the Republican Party nomination for Governor in 2022, will be campaigning in “Philadelphia and the collar counties Monday and Tuesday to meet with local leaders to discuss the Great Pennsylvania Comeback and promote his 12-Point Contract with Pennsylvania policy plan.”
Dean To Host Telephone Town Hall: Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Montgomery) will be hosting a telephone town hall meeting on Monday evening. She will be joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro. The event will also be streamed live on Facebook and Twitter Spaces.
Harrisburg & DC
NBC News: The next big existential fight for Democrats? Pennsylvania
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers propose property tax, rent relief for low-income, recently discharged veterans
Post-Gazette: Democratic U.S. Senate primary in Pa. may be won outside of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, experts say
Post-Gazette: Two decades later, Stonycreek draws thousands of visitors to consecrate the resting place of 40 aboard Flight 93
Post-Gazette: As faculty vote no confidence, Penn State president says pressure applied from all sides on school’s COVID-19 response
Post-Gazette: Under proposed mileage fee, truckers could save 33%, but cars would pay three times more
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania, Allegheny County see another surge in COVID-19 cases
WITF: Advocates Testify In Favor Of Bill To Allow Driver’s Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants
CBS21: Pennsylvania Senators take aim at school mask mandates
Inquirer: A Pa. town’s ‘election integrity law’ shows how Trump’s lies can hijack local politics and government
City & State PA: Senate unveils transparency reforms as lawmakers push for changes
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Study: Trusted messengers can move the needle on GOP climate change acceptance | The Numbers Racket
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Penn State won’t mandate COVID-19 vaccines, prompting questions about priorities
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: Little League baseball returns to Lycoming County … with caveats | Five for the Weekend
Patriot News: Bloomsburg University joins growing list of schools imposing indoor mask mandates
Fox News: Former PA judge, Pitt alum calls for investigation into university’s fetal tissue research
Fox News: Philadelphia orders double masks for unvaccinated city employees
KDKA: Pa. Lawmaker Proposes Bill Aimed At Holding Parents Accountable Over Children’s Mask Mandates
WHYY Newsworks: Jobs or the environment? Ahead of 2022, Pa. Dems thread needle on ‘false choice’
WESA: U.S. Census Data Drop Puts Pennsylvania Lawmakers Closer To Drawing The State’s New Political Boundaries
National Journal: Conor Lamb is redefining the moderate Democratic playbook
The Hill: Democrats look to state courts as redistricting battle heats up
Roll Call: 10 House districts that are sure to change after census release
CNN: Anger over reopening and masks leads to new interest in school board races
Philadelphia
Inquirer: What new census data tell us about Pa.’s politics: More influence for Philly and Latinos, and a shrinking white vote
Inquirer: Health-care and higher-ed workers, students must get vaccinated by mid-October, Philadelphia announces
Inquirer: 25 years after welfare reform, the system is pared down as intended. But critics say the program is failing.
Inquirer: A year into PHLConnectED, Philly has hooked up 18,000 households to the internet
Inquirer: Montgomery County announces indoor mask recommendation, as Philadelphians adjust to new mandate
Philadelphia Tribune: Philly’s new pandemic mandates have left some businesses frustrated
KYW Newsradio: Philly getting bigger, more diverse according to US Census results
KYW Newsradio: Philadelphia requiring vaccinations for all health care workers, college students, staff
KYW Newsradio: Hundreds hit Mann Center despite heat for free concert featuring Wyclef Jean, Saweetie and more
Philly Voice: Philadelphia’s population grew by 5.1%, surpassing 1.6 million over last decade, U.S. Census finds
Philadelphia Business Journal: Which Philadelphia employers are requiring Covid-19 vaccination? More than 40 companies detail their policies.
Philadelphia Business Journal: ‘We have to act’: Philadelphia imposes Covid-19 vaccine mandate for colleges, health care workers
SEPA
Daily Local News: Houlahan: ‘The vaccines work, they are our best weapon’
Bucks County Courier Times: What we know: Mask debate prompts calls for New Britain official to resign
KYW Newsradio: One year later, Chester County lawmaker says DEP not holding Sunoco accountable for Marsh Creek State Park spill
KYW Newsradio: If community spread increases in Montco, these COVID-19 guidelines will change
Pottstown Mercury: $5.9M in COVID relief funding helping Chester County restaurants, hotels
Pittsburgh
WESA: Allegheny County Grows In Population And Complexity
WESA: URA Approves New Support For Lending Program In Pittsburgh’s Historically Black Neighborhoods
Post-Gazette: Looming debt ceiling fight jeopardizes $114 million in earmarks for Pittsburgh region
Post-Gazette: Independent Marlin Woods withdraws from Pittsburgh mayoral race
Post-Gazette: Delaying labor talks is a classic strategy in union negotiations. It seems to be at play in Pittsburgh-area hospitals
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh hospitals see influx of out-of-state patients from COVID-19 hot spots
KDKA: Pittsburgh Mayoral Candidate Marlin Woods Withdraws From Race
KDKA: Nearly 800 Pittsburgh Public Schools Students To Change From Bus Riders To Walkers This School Year
KDKA: Pittsburgh Public Schools To Host Virtual Community Talk Back On Monday
KDKA: Meghan Schiller Receives ‘Person Of The Year’ Award From Whitehall Borough
KDKA: Multiple Southwestern Pennsylvania Counties Have ‘High’ COVID-19 Transmission
Pittsburgh Business Times: Region works to avoid bigger Covid-19 surge
City Paper: Pittsburgh mayoral candidate Tony Moreno praised and met with far-right militia that sports symbols linked to white nationalism
City Paper: Pittsburgh ranks 3rd best for “15-minute city” in America
WTAE: Family, new Plum mayoral candidate keeping memory of former candidate alive
WTAE: COVID-19 transmission levels in Pennsylvania by county
Tribune Review: Marlin Woods drops out of Pittsburgh mayoral race a week after Democrats contest his nomination papers
Tribune Review: Interest in covid rent aid up in Allegheny, Westmoreland counties as eviction ban limps on
Tribune Review: Trib names Rob Amen as new managing editor
SWPA
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Eye on the Capitol: Congressional votes for Aug. 6-12
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Cambria County loses population again, new Census data show
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: New Census data show population shifts in Pa., will drive redistricting battles
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Clearfield County adds another COVID-19 death; 11 new cases in Cambria
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Three area counties add COVID-19 deaths; study finds Moderna effectiveness outpaces Pfizer during spread of delta variant
Altoona Mirror: County releases part of budget for airport
Altoona Mirror: Blair moves to ‘substantial’ spread
NEPA
Citizens Voice: Luzerne County, 3 largest cities see growth since 2010
Citizens Voice: Defense attorney approves of Wilkes-Barre body camera policy
Citizens Voice: 45 new cases of COVID-19 reported in Luzerne County on Sunday
Times-Tribune: Populations expand in 21 Lackawanna County municipalities, decline in 19, census data shows
Times-Tribune: Afghanistan war veteran in Scott Twp. fears for interpreter’s life; state’s lawmakers weigh in on Taliban takeover
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County offers grants to musicians impacted by COVID-19
Times-Tribune: 85 Years Ago – President Franklin Roosevelt makes a quick visit to Scranton
Times-Tribune: Payroll tax conversion still under consideration in Scranton
Times-Tribune: COVID-19 cases spread like last fall, but deaths lower
The Times Leader: Luzerne County ranks 11th in full COVID-19 vaccinations statewide
The Times Leader: As COVID-19 surge seems to crest, Wilkes-Barre ZIP code reports most cases
The Times Leader: 45 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Luzerne County Sunday; 2,188 statewide
South Central
LNP | LancasterOnline: Can Lancaster County schools legally require facemasks? This lawmaker doesn’t think so
LNP | LancasterOnline: Here are which municipalities grew the fastest, slowest in Lancaster County from 2010-2020
LNP | LancasterOnline: Is Lancaster County a metropolitan or rural region? Here’s what census figures say about the county, its population
LNP | LancasterOnline: Lancaster County census data is finally here; What it shows and what it means
LNP | LancasterOnline: East Cocalico Township official charged with entering Capitol during Jan. 6 insurrection: FBI
LNP | LancasterOnline: Taxing the sun? In Ephrata Borough, owners of solar panels say utility’s policy is unfair
LNP | LancasterOnline: Denser boroughs and Lancaster city lose out to townships in population growth
York Dispatch: ‘This isn’t a sporting event’: Tempers flare over Southern York schools’ mask mandate
Carlisle Sentinel: DOH: 105 new COVID-19 cases reported in Cumberland County over weekend
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: 5 takeaways on how the Lehigh Valley stacks up against the rest of Pennsylvania in 2020 census
Morning Call: MAP: What are the Lehigh Valley’s fastest growing towns? Here’s what the Census shows
Morning Call: From the editor: Our Census coverage and why it’s so important
Morning Call: Pa. court rules nonprofit Phoebe Services not subject to Allentown business privilege tax
Morning Call: ‘We have come so far’: Thousands attend Pride’s return to Allentown after last year’s festival was canceled due to COVID
Morning Call: Pennsylvania coronavirus update: State crosses into ‘high’ community transmission level with 2,317 additional cases; 1,042 hospitalized
Reading Eagle: 4 facts about Berks County that the 2020 census revealed
Reading Eagle: Reading to explore a plastic bag ban
Reading Eagle: Reading takes a hard look at its credit card usage
Reading Eagle: Reading will require masks in all city-owned properties beginning Monday
Reading Eagle: Berks Heim not mandating worker COVID inoculations
WFMZ: Pa., local leaders tout vaccine ahead of new school year
WFMZ: Mask mandate reinstated in Reading city, Berks Co. facilities
Express Times: Pa. weekly COVID update: Case rates top spring 2020 peak; high transmission across Lehigh Valley
North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Census in Pa.: What the latest figures mean for legislative and congressional seats
Erie Times-News: Erie County sees COVID-19 cases rise for 5th straight week; hospitalizations also increase
Centre Daily Times: UPDATED: Penn State’s faculty senate passes ‘vote of no confidence’ on university’s fall COVID-19 plan
Centre Daily Times: Centre County adds more than 100 COVID-19 cases over past week as hospitalizations rise
Opinion
Chrissy Houlahan: Infrastructure bill will provide big win for Americans
Mark S. Singel: It’s time for the elephants to come home
Stephen Bloom: Pennsylvanians deserve maximum wages, not harmful minimum wage mandates
John L. Micek: It’s Game On for redistricting. Will Pa. become a ‘democracy desert?’ | Monday Morning Coffee
Shari Wilson: A dangerous Pennsylvania bill would allow more concealed weapons
Olivia Troye: Pennsylvania should resist election audit efforts
PennLive Editorial Board: Politics aside, Gov. Wolf needs to take bolder action to stop COVID-19
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Want to protect children from COVID-19? Stop pandering to anti-maskers and require face masks in schools.
LNP | LancasterOnline Editorial Board: Excessive heat warnings and climate change ‘code red’ must be taken seriously
Inquirer Editorial Board: Philly’s violence crisis can be reduced by tackling our housing repair crisis
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Superintendent Anthony Hamlet and credibility
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Public can shape transit plan
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Negotiated agreements are better than school districts mandating vaccines for staff
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Pandemic assessment is needed
Post-Gazette Editorial Board: Caution is needed in use of AI for lending
John Sigle: Your freedom ends when it threatens my life
Jeffrey A. Singer and Josh Bloom: Pain patients are the casualties of the War on Drugs
Mark O’Keefe: I was a journalist from Coal Country. This is the Rich Trumka I knew
Arden Tewksbury: Why do dairy farmers always end up on the short end of the stick?
Suzanna Masartis: Congress must support Pennsylvania seniors and stop cuts to clinical lab testing
David M. Shribman: Next year’s midterm battles are already underway
Renee Vichie: Restaurant rescue fund should be replenished
Lauren Bairnsfather, Aaron Meyer, and Jeremy R. Weisblatt: Holocaust references have no place in current debates
Tony Norman: Sympathy for the Devil
Keith C. Burris: Character and compromise
Will Bunch: Right-wing jihad to control women and their bodies wins a bloody convert in England
Elizabeth Wellington: When will the pandemic end? Here’s how to cope with new mandates and a coronavirus wave.
Helen Ubiñas: Stop begging the COVID bullies. We can’t ‘nice’ people into doing the right thing.
Mark Segal: Pride changes are part of community’s growth
Adam Joseph: An unvaccinated relative visited and got COVID-19. Then my kids and I got the virus.
Veronica Jorge: The many colors of us: a reflection on diversity
Tracye Bennis-Sine: Urge Sen. Toomey to use his voice to highlight the harm of the Equality Act
Robert Stack: Torturing children legally at taxpayers’ expense
Lucille and Clyde Bittner: American Jobs and Families plans unite a divided couple
Gina Leon: Man up, Mr. Corman
Damon Centola: TikTok stars shouldn’t hawk vaccines
John Cole: Threading the $3.5T budget needle | Editorial Cartoon
Nancy Eshelman: Explaining Andrew Cuomo’s actions is one thing; defending them is another
Erica Payne: Recovery plan
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