Budget

State reports $2.2 billion shortfall in April tax revenue
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200501/state-reports-22-billion-shortfall-in-april-tax-revenue

Pa. tax revenues plummet $2.2 billion as top state official warns reopening won’t end economic pain
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/state/2020/05/01/Pa-tax-revenues-plummet-2-2-billion-as-top-state-official-warns-reopening-won-t-end-economic-pain/stories/202005010113

COVID-19 Status

Wolf announces plan to relax restrictions in 24 Pennsylvania counties
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/wolf-announces-plan-to-relax-restrictions-in-24-pennsylvania-counties/article_02cbf4e7-5206-5600-bc53-59ce0d707e3b.html

Levine previews ‘life in the yellow zone’; state adds nearly 1,400 cases of COVID-19
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/levine-previews-life-in-the-yellow-zone-state-adds-nearly-1-400-cases-of-covid/article_19e005b6-8b05-11ea-8adf-fbb5d149897e.html

Coronavirus in Pennsylvania: 5 takeaways from the week
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-pa-coronavirus-takeaways-20200502-ckhbus542jgr7h3gd2x7ym4zui-story.html

State Senate passes COVID-19 reporting bill
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200501/state-senate-passes-covid-19-reporting-bill

Red, yellow, green: What to expect in each of Pa.’s tiers for reopening
https://www.inquirer.com/news/pennsylvania/spl/pennsylvania-coronavirus-reopening-tiers-phases-red-yellow-green-20200501.html

How Pa. plans to keep track of the coronavirus after reopening to prevent another outbreak
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/spl/pennsylvania-contact-tracing-reopening-plan-disease-tracking-20200501.html

How Pa. plans to keep track of COVID-19 after reopening to prevent another outbreak
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/01/How-Pa-plans-to-keep-track-of-the-coronavirus-after-reopening-to-prevent-another-outbreak/stories/202005010136

Bells to ring in solidarity across Pennsylvania on Sunday. Here’s how to participate
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/community/state-college/article242456031.html#storylink=cpy

PennDOT extends expiration dates on driver licenses, ID cards, and learner’s permits
https://www.dailyamerican.com/news/local/somerset/penndot-extends-expiration-dates-on-driver-licenses-id-cards-and-learner-s-permits/article_e5003c2c-8bad-11ea-b8bd-a3b5eb8ea74c.html

The rent is due but thousands can pay it thanks to COVID-19
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/05/the-rent-is-due-but-thousands-can-pay-it-thanks-to-covid-19-opinion.html

Many insurance companies are waiving coronavirus treatment costs, so why are people still getting billed?
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-hea-fee-waiver-treatment-20200502-54hju547d5a75eb6e3fe5chnhe-story.html

Pa. sets modest goal to conduct 8,500 coronavirus tests per day, far less than what some experts say is needed
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/pa-sets-modest-goal-to-conduct-8500-coronavirus-tests-per-day-far-less-than-what-some-experts-say-is-needed.html

Ask Attorney Bernie: Can Trump tell Wolf what to do?
https://www.timesonline.com/opinion/20200501/ask-attorney-bernie-can-trump-tell-wolf-what-to-do

Terry Jarrett: Will Electricity Be Affordable in Post-COVID America?
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/terry-jarrett-will-electricity-be-affordable-in-post-covid-america/article_208fe52e-2ffd-5615-94d4-37f5ca7518ab.html

This isn’t the time to freeze funding to Pa. parks and conservation districts
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/opinion/2020/05/this-isnt-the-time-to-freeze-funding-to-pa-parks-and-conservation-districts-letter.html

DEP: Non-flushable items cause problems in sewer systems
https://www.timesleader.com/news/782142/dep-non-flushable-items-cause-problems-in-sewer-systems

White House blocking Fauci testimony, panel spokesman says
https://triblive.com/news/health-now/white-house-blocking-fauci-testimony-panel-spokesman-says/

COVID – Wolf’s Business Waivers

We need more from Gov. Wolf in the coronavirus crisis – transparency
https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2020/05/we-need-more-from-gov-wolf-in-the-coronavirus-crisis-transparency-opinion.html

Transparency first casualty
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/transparency-first-casualty-1.2624086

Supreme Court Justice Alito orders Gov. Wolf to respond to business shutdown lawsuit involving Bethlehem real estate agent
https://www.mcall.com/coronavirus/mc-nws-coronavirus-alito-orders-wolf-respond-business-shutdown-lawsuit-20200501-fahdr2sevjghtiej4oq2v6kynu-story.html

Senators Lead Effort to subpoena Wolf’s Business waiver
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/state/cumberland-county-state-senators-regan-mastriano-lead-effort-to-subpoena-wolfs-business-waiver-process/article_560c1e27-5397-5681-b067-103d77ff3d38.html

Front-line COVD Workers

ICU nurse on the frontlines: ‘I’m not leaving you’
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/01/icu-nurse-frontlines-im-not-leaving-you/3070874001/

Guest Column: If Pa. leaders love front line workers, why do they pay them poverty wages?
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-if-pa-leaders-love-front-line-workers-why-do-they-pay-them-poverty/article_f25d5fee-8bee-11ea-9719-a374b7fce9e0.html

Women, minorities shoulder front-line work during pandemic
https://www.delcotimes.com/business/women-minorities-shoulder-front-line-work-during-pandemic/article_880f4170-a4e2-5725-9b4e-056318f1bc9b.html

Coronavirus is especially cruel to minorities. A doctor prescribes solutions.
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/coronavirus-covid19-testing-pennsylvania-african-americans-20200502.html

Coronavirus has exposed deep race inequity in health care. Can Philadelphia change the trend?
https://www.inquirer.com/health/coronavirus/live/coronavirus-covid-19-philadelphia-pennsylvania-new-jersey-confirmed-case-updates-news-20200502.html

Reopening

Yellow status won’t mend Erie economy overnight
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200502/yellow-status-wont-mend-erie-economy-overnight

Ralliers decry Wolf’s orders
https://www.altoonamirror.com/news/local-news/2020/05/ralliers-decry-wolfs-orders/

Officials seeing red over remaining in the ‘red phase’
https://observer-reporter.com/news/localnews/officials-seeing-red-over-remaining-in-the-red-phase/article_cb4a5a70-8bde-11ea-8baa-339076f3dc3b.html

Seeing red: Local merchants, officials rip Wolf’s regional reopen plan
https://www.tribdem.com/coronavirus/seeing-red-local-merchants-officials-rip-wolfs-regional-reopen-plan/article_799b872e-8c12-11ea-b76b-5760bdcfd09b.html

In mock funeral procession at Bell & Evans, protesters demand shutdown of the plant
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/01/protesters-demand-bell-evans-chicken-plant-shut-down-after-two-deaths/3060170001/

Poconos stay shuttered as 24 counties approach reopening
https://www.poconorecord.com/news/20200501/poconos-stay-shuttered-as-24-counties-approach-reopening

Penn State student sues university over decision to close campus amid COVID-19 pandemic
https://www.centredaily.com/news/local/education/penn-state/article242429676.html#storylink=cpy

Can organized sports resume when counties hit the yellow phase of Pa.’s coronavirus reopening plan?
https://www.pennlive.com/sports/2020/05/can-organized-sports-resume-when-counties-hit-the-yellow-phase-of-pas-coronavirus-reopening-plan.html

Golf courses reopen with new regulations, plenty of players
https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2020/05/01/golf-courses-reopen-new-regulations-plenty-players/3065325001/

Local elected officials question decision to leave area counties in the red
https://www.heraldstandard.com/news/covid-19/local-elected-officials-question-decision-to-leave-area-counties-in-the-red/article_9d6ec0b2-8bef-11ea-971a-df473808607d.html

Our view: Ridge takes on ‘selfish’ protesters
https://www.goerie.com/opinion/20200502/our-view-ridge-takes-on-selfish-protesters

Local revenue loss forecast puts schools in tough financial spot
https://www.pottsmerc.com/news/local-revenue-loss-forecast-puts-schools-in-tough-financial-spot/article_1eeecb66-8be9-11ea-8f91-e7455ac1ad6e.html

Mercer County’s business owners eager to resume operations
https://www.sharonherald.com/covid-19/local/county-s-business-owners-eager-to-resume-operations/article_f57ed2f4-8c28-11ea-b00f-37ba18c4469e.html

Gov. Wolf rolls out plan to reopen Pennsylvania, but NEPA is low on the list
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/coronavirus/gov-wolf-rolls-out-plan-to-reopen-pennsylvania-but-nepa-is-low-on-the-list-1.2623931

Construction resumes as state plans to reopen; Shell to add 300 more workers
https://www.timesonline.com/news/20200502/construction-resumes-as-state-plans-to-reopen-shell-to-add-300-more-workers

Editorial: U.S. Steel layoffs sign of bigger issue?
https://triblive.com/opinion/editorial-u-s-steel-layoffs-sign-of-bigger-issue/

Fitzgerald says Allegheny County could reopen next round
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/health/2020/05/02/Fitzgerald-says-Allegheny-County-will-reopen-next-round/stories/202005020047

For now, Southwest Pa. must wait as Gov. Wolf eases coronavirus restrictions in 24 northern counties
https://triblive.com/news/pennsylvania/gov-wolf-to-announce-areas-of-pennsylvania-expected-to-move-to-yellow-phase/

Liquor Sales

PLCB to open more stores for curbside sales, ups limit on liquor orders
https://triblive.com/local/pittsburgh-allegheny/plcb-to-open-more-stores-for-curbside-sales-ups-limit-on-liquor-orders/

Could Pa. liquor stores in some counties start to reopen next week?
https://www.pennlive.com/news/2020/05/could-pa-liquor-stores-in-some-counties-start-to-reopen-next-week.html

Special wine, liquor orders can be sent directly to retailers, Pa. court rules
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/lehigh-county/2020/05/special-wine-liquor-orders-can-be-sent-directly-to-retailers-pa-court-rules.html

PLCB works to plug loophole that lets customers cut in line for online orders
https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/plcb-works-to-plug-loophole-that-lets-customers-cut-in-line-for-online-orders.html

Other Issues

State board to discuss community college hearing
https://www.goerie.com/news/20200502/state-board-to-discuss-community-college-hearing

NCAA fumbles
https://www.thetimes-tribune.com/opinion/ncaa-fumbles-1.2624088

CBD regulation: Consumers, industry would benefit from standards
https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/editorials/2020/05/02/CBD-regulation-Consumers-industry-would-benefit-from-standards/stories/202003070024

Guest Column: Legalization of adult-use marijuana – it’s time to have the conversation
https://www.delcotimes.com/opinion/guest-column-legalization-of-adult-use-marijuana—it-s-time-to-have-the/article_4472d5ee-8bee-11ea-b39f-c32a93fd6b43.html

Bystander rape-prevention programs face questions
https://www.altoonamirror.com/wire/?category=757&ID=42517

Canada announces immediate ban of ‘military-grade’ assault weapons
https://www.post-gazette.com/news/world/2020/05/02/Canada-announces-immediate-ban-of-military-grade-assault-weapons/stories/202005020046

Internet governing body blocks sale of Pa. based registry of .org domains to private equity firm
https://www.pennlive.com/nation-world/2020/05/internet-governing-body-blocks-sale-of-pa-based-registry-of-org-domains-to-private-equity-firm.html

Politics

Adapting my political campaign to the realities of self-isolation and shelter-in-place orders
https://www.ydr.com/story/opinion/2020/05/01/adapting-my-political-campaign-realities-self-isolation/3064170001/

Biden declares sexual assault ‘never, never happened’
https://www.timesleader.com/news/782127/biden-declares-sexual-assault-never-never-happened

“First Saturday in May”

How to watch the computer-simulated Kentucky Derby: date, time, live stream
https://www.pennlive.com/coronavirus/2020/05/how-to-watch-the-computer-simulated-kentucky-derby-date-time-live-stream.html