Fetterman considers a run for Lieutenant Governor, Wolf plans for a spending freeze, and our new reader poll asks if Wolf should freeze spending.  Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Fetterman Explores Bid for Lieutenant Governor: Former Senate candidate and Braddock Mayor John Fetterman is reportedly considering a run for Lieutenant Governor next year.

Wolf Plans for Spending Freeze: Governor Tom Wolf is planning to freeze some state spending unless the state House passes the revenue package to balance the budget.

Reader Poll: Should Governor Wolf Freeze Spending Until the Budget is Passed?: With state funds beginning to run low, Governor Wolf has floated freezing spending until the complete budget plan is passed, so we want to know if he should.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Counties brace for possible losses as budget impasse wears on
State House Sound Bites: House committee analyzes Lt. Gov’s spending; he says it’s a “distraction”
StateImpact: RGGI states, boosted by Trump’s Paris withdrawal, to make deeper carbon cuts
StateImpact: Former environmental secretaries criticize bill changing DEP permitting
StateImpact: Judge throws out developer’s ‘SLAPP suit’ against environmental group
City & State: House committee queries expenses made by Lieutenant Governor’s Office
City & State: Sources: Fetterman exploring primary run against Lt. Gov. Stack
Capitolwire: Counties outside budget crosshairs so far.

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Rendell: ‘Mistake’ to put Rizzo statue at Municipal Services Building
Inquirer: Republican Senate candidate Jeff Bartos launches TV ad swiping at expected rival Lou Barletta
Philadelphia Magazine: Pa. Senate Bill Would Force Protesters to Pay for Rallies
WHYY: Protests could prove costly in Pa. for law-breaking demonstrators
Billy Penn: More than a year after Philly’s gender-neutral bathroom bill, no one’s been cited
Billy Penn: Philly homeowner stats: Fewer people of color own homes now than they did in 1980

SEPA
Daily Local: Brady turns up heat on feds; seeks expedited rulings on SEPTA crashes
Pottstown Mercury: Report: Region has 49 of 50 most expensive Pa. housing markets
Bucks County Courier Times: Pennsbury forms task force to explore ways to better fight drug abuse
Bucks County Courier Times: Bristol Township School District has new deal with administrators

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Wolf: House GOP must get ‘act together’ on budget
WESA: PA Treasury Expects General Fund To Be ‘Under Water’ For Months
WESA: Wolf Planning For Spending Freeze If Budget Isn’t Passed
WESA: Senate Bill Would Force Convicted Protesters To Pay Emergency Response Costs
Post-Gazette: Pa. bill might make it harder for landowners to get better deal for their oil
Post-Gazette: 13 years after vote to unionize, Point Park faculty, university reach tentative contract agreement
KDKA: Pa. State Representative’s Home Vandalized In Beaver Co.
City Paper: Pittsburgh-area activists demand Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf keep campaign promise to protect water and air quality

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Farmers discuss state, national issues with legislators during tour
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Food fight: State House scrutinizes lieutenant governor’s grocery bills
Altoona Mirror: GOP committee fills Hollidaysburg ballot spot
Altoona Mirror: Reade Township authority considers raising water rates

NEPA
Times Leader: $54K water bill for River Common fountain explained
Times Leader: Northwest school board approves teacher contract
Times-Tribune: New appointment and chairman named to Lackawanna County Prison Board
Times-Tribune: Honesdale accepting resumes for open borough council position

South Central
Patriot News: Pa. public school retirement system significantly underfunded: think tank study
Patriot News: Atlantic Sunrise pipeline builder granted rights to 5 remaining holdout properties: report
Patriot News: Former State Rep. Thomas Blackwell dies at 58
LNP: Judge gives Atlantic Sunrise pipeline builder immediate possession of last 5 holdout properties
LNP: Lawmaker: Maybe the state should sell off the lieutenant governor’s mansion
LNP: 2 Democrats seek party nomination in Lancaster County sheriff race

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Pennsylvania repays credit line, but more cash problems loom
Morning Call: At town hall, Bucks County Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick talks Trump, health care, future town halls
Reading Eagle: U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker talks with the Reading Eagle
Reading Eagle: Reading Environmental Advisory Council seeks to show advantages of going green

North by Northwest
Williamsport Sun Gazette: State bill would close Pa. centers for disabled
Erie Times-News: Second Democrat joins ’18 race for Kelly’s House seat
Centre Daily Times: Pennsylvania repays credit line, but more cash problems loom

Opinion
Observer-Reporter: EDITORIAL As state runs out of cash, no urgency in Harrisburg
Daily News: Should Frank Rizzo statue stay or go? That’s the wrong question to ask. | Editorial
Inquirer: 4 reasons why many Northeast Philly Russians still support Trump | Commentary
Bucks County Courier Times: Trump’s welcome self-correction
Tribune Review: A new Afghanistan strategy? More of the same mistakes
Tribune Review: Trump must follow through on opioids fight
Patriot News: We’re spending too much on testing our students – and not getting enough back | Opinion
Patriot News: Mike Stack just gave us $250K worth of reasons to scrap the lieutenant governor’s office | Editorial
LNP: Hoping the auditor general’s audit, Manheim Township school board’s ‘teaching moment,’ has a lasting impact