Saylor wins the Appropriations gavel, Cawley is the early favorite for 2018 and the GOP presents their State House leadership team. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!

Saylor Wins Battle for Appropriations Chair: The PA GOP continues to drift away from the SEPA wing of the party.

Reader Poll: Cawley Early Favorite for 2018: Our readers think the former Lieutenant Governor should be the GOP choice.

PA GOP Unveils State House Leadership Team: These men and women will be in charge of the Republican’s massive majority in the House.

Reader Poll: Will a Pennsylvanian Make the Cabinet?: We ask our readers whether a PA native will be named to Trump’s cabinet.

Shapiro Introduces President Obama on DNC Call: The newly elected PA Attorney General is already raising his profile.

PA-2: Evans Sworn Into Office: The Philadelphia Democrat gets an early start.

Statewide
Capitolwire: IFO forecasts at least a $500 million budget shortfall for the current year and $1.75 billion deficit in FY2017-18
Capitolwire: Changes made to GOP House leadership, no changes for House Dems. UPDATED: a possible Sine Die vote could be held by the Senate Wednesday
Capitolwire: House Dems see little competition for leadership seats
Capitolwire: House GOP Approps Chair likely to be long vote Tuesday morning. UPDATED – challenge to Majority Leader Reed dropped
State House Sound Bites: House holds leadership elections, GOP celebrates ‘historic’ majority
State House Sound Bites: IFO report: state deficit isn’t going anywhere if lawmakers don’t act
State House Sound Bites: Animal cruelty bill unlikely to get a vote this session
StateImpactPA: Google Street View cars to seek methane leaks in Pittsburgh
StateImpactPA: Trump’s election overshadows pipeline protests around the U.S.
StateImpactPA: Officials weigh emergency action to repel salt front in Delaware River
City and State: PA House votes in new Appropriations chair

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Fund-raising campaign launched to save Ben Franklin’s gravestone
Inquirer: At her first meeting as SRC’s new chair, Wilkerson gets an earful about Philly schools
Inquirer: Amtrak seeking developer for former ‘Cira II’ site near 30th Street Station
Philadelphia Magazine: Philly GOP Taking Heat for Slow, “Tone-Deaf” Response to Hate Crimes
Philadelphia Magazine: After Trump Win, Undocumented Father Seeks Sanctuary in Philly Church
PlanPhilly: Letitia House to become Centennial Parkside CDC’s headquarters
BillyPenn: Another Oklahoma student suspended over ’N—er Lynching’ group message

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Hearing set on New Hanover groundwater cleanup
Pottstown Mercury: Chester County students’ presidential votes align with adult county voters
Delco Daily Times: Republicans pick Rep. Saylor to succeed Adolph as chair of House Appropriations
Bucks Local News: Veterans receive hero’s welcome at Goodnoe Elementary School in Newtown

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Drug abuse forum set for Thursday in Ligonier Township
Post-Gazette: In Pittsburgh’s neighborhoods, a natural gas leak every two miles
Post-Gazette: Cardinal DiNardo, new leader of bishops, pledges solidarity with immigrants
Post-Gazette: Financial concerns won’t halt Pa. turnpike road projects
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council wants 550 additional body-worn police cameras
Pittsburgh Business Times: First look: Shell’s ethane cracker project in Beaver County

Southwest
Observer Reporter: Citizens Library strategic plan on hold
Beaver County Times: PA Cyber board president to take over as CEO
Beaver County Times: Casey ‘deeply troubled’ by Trump’s Bannon appointment; GOP congressmen not commenting

NEPA
WTAE: Greensburg Salem School District Will Strike if Deal isn’t Reached
Times Leader: Dallas School Board meetings gets heated
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna College continues its expansion
Citizens Voice: Dallas strike could last until mid December

South Central
Patriot-News: Governor Wolf permits six packs to be purchased at beer distributors but Republicans look for other solutions in upcoming year
Patriot-News: Kathleen Kane’s email report delayed until next week
Patriot-News: PA’s fiscal outlook still looks gloom
York Dispatch: Two perspective for Clinton and Trump supporters

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Question on whether Paul Ryan will be an effective leader for the next two years remains
Reading Eagle: PA’s drug treatment guide scheduled to be looked at again
Reading Eagle: Passage of beer allows distributors to sell six-packs

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: About 100 attend Standing Rock solidarity vigil in Erie
Centre Daily Times: House GOP nominates Paul Ryan again with Trump support
Centre Daily Times: Why there is a better way to hold elections

Opinion
Inquirer: Trump can’t deny that the dog-whistle language of his election campaign has incited racism
Inquirer: U.S. needs military buildup to fulfill missions
Pottstown Mercury: Bad reporting made this election a trial to endure
Patriot-News: Pa. cities fret fallout from Trump White House, report
Patriot-News: A disruptive, yet ruinous, victory for Republicans
Post-Gazette: Obama’s advice: Preparing the new president for his ‘new reality’
Post-Gazette: Money talks: PSO fundraising during strike cannot hurt

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Immigrants fear on what to expect from Trump presidency
Keystone Crossroads: PA utilities ass for assistance to keep coal and nuclear plants operating
LuLac Political Letter: Congress makes a plan for upcoming leaders