Good morning politicos, happy New Year! Welcome to the Buzz. We hope you all enjoyed your holiday break as much as we did, and that you’re looking forward to getting back to work as much as we are!

It’s Iowa caucus day, and boy has a lot changed since before Christmas. All of a sudden Rick Santorum looks like he will make a major splash in the Hawkeye State.

Rick Sanotrum’s Surge: We go away for a few days during the holidays, and the race in Iowa turns upside down! Speaker Newt Gingrich’s loss is Senator Rick Santorum’s gain.

Stories from 2011

PoliticsPA’s Ups & Downs: 2011 Edition: It’s been an interesting year in the great state of Pennsylvania. Here are the winners and losers of 2011.

Smith Internal Poll: Smith Leads Senate Primary: Tom Smith of Armstrong County is leading the field of Republicans hoping to take on Senator Bob Casey, according to an polling memo released by Smith’s campaign Tuesday.

Toomey, Schroder Get Philly Tea Party Honors: As the 2011 legislative year comes to an end, the Independence Hall Tea Party Association, the largest such group in the Philadelphia area, announced its selection of U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey and Pa. Rep. Curt Schroder (R-Chester) as its 2011 Federal and State Legislators of the year.

Chelsa Wagner Takes a 2nd New Job: State Representative Chelsa Wagner, recently elected to Allegheny County Controller, has also taken a job with law firm Leech Tishman where she will be of counsel, the firm announced in an email.

Santorum Fails to Make Virginia Primary Ballot: Santorum’s campaign was dealt a blow Thursday when it failed to make the presidential primary ballot for his home state: Virginia.

National
AP: Santorum Defends His Use of Pork Barrel Spending As Pa. Senator
Slate: Rick Rolls: Why Santorum’s uncompromising style is pushing him to the top in Iowa
Politico: Rick Santorum Surges In Iowa
Slate: Santorum’s new problem: the media caring about him
Politico: Rick Santorum Camp Savors The Moment
The Hill: Rick Santorum Rallies His Troops In Iowa: “Fire The First Shot. Do Not Miss.”
Inquirer: Santorum Moving Up, Holds Up Under Attacks
Penn Ave: Casey, Schwartz named to payroll tax conference committee
Politico: Santorum ‘grossly underestimated?’
Washington Post: Opinion: “Santorum surge” has little to do with the candidate himself
The Washington Examiner: Santorum, final anti-Romney, poised for victory
Real Clear Politics: Iowa: Romney Leads, Santorum Rises, Steve King Weighs Choice
Early Returns: High Spirits at Iowa Santorum HQ
Washington Post: Rep. Mike Kelly Considered Among Those Whose Growing Wealth Widens Distance Between Lawmakers And Constituents
The Hill: Rep. Mike Kelly Looks To End Chevy Volt Tax Credit
Penn Ave: Congressmen Dent, Holden get financial boost from junk food companies
USA Today: Audiences pack venues to hear Santorum speak
Five Thirty Eight/NY Times: Santorum seeks to broaden his appeal beyond Evangelicals
USA Today: GOP rivals step up attacks on Santorum
USA Today: Santorum: Iowa will leave him in ‘good shape’
USA Today: Iowa Poll: Romney leads Paul; Santorum surges
Politico: Is Santorum’s Surge for Real?  (discussion but interesting)
Reuters: Rick Santorum takes aim at Romney, Paul
Washington Post: Santorum compares Ron Paul with Dennis Kucinich
Real Clear Politics: Ron Paul: Santorum Is A “Very Liberal Candidate”
ABC News: Santorum Explains ‘06 Loss
Roll Call: McConnell Names Payroll Tax Negotiators
Five Thirty Eight/NY Times – On Eve of First Vote in 2012, a Last Pitch in Iowa

Statewide
AP: Special elections complicated by redistricting
Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett Memo On Accomplishments Points Out Other Governors’ Failures
State House Sound Bites: This Tuesday, Gavel-To-Gavel A Brief Affair
Capitol Wire (Paywall): Staff Shake-Up on Kane’s Democratic Attorney General Campaign
Capitol Wire (Paywall): State Sen. Mary Jo White Not Running For Re-Election
Capitol Wire (Paywall): Year End Grades For Governor, Legislature
State House Sound Bites: Resolving Not To Quit On Changing The State’s Indoor Smoking Ban
StateImpactPA: A statewide guide to Pennsylvania pipelines
KDKA: Chelsa Wagner sworn in as Allegheny Co’s first female controller
State House Sound Bites: Inspections Of Curbside Bus Services Pop Red Flags
Patriot-News: Pa. Turnpike Starts Push To Get More Cash Customers To EZ-Pass
State House Sound Bites: Turnpike cash tolls to rise in 2012
PA Independent – Corbett sidesteps blame in PSU scandal  
StateImpactPA: New EPA regulations may close up to ten Pennsylvania power plants
PA Independent: PA lost $376 million in faulty unemployment compensation payments in 2010
State House Sound Bites: Occupy Harrisburg staying put, cites good relationship with police
Capitol Ideas: Analysis: Redistricting of Pennsylvania’s 18 Congressional districts