Santorum at Values Voter Summit: Santorum came in 3rd, with 16 percent of this weekend’s Values Voter Summit straw poll. Ron Paul finished first followed by Herman Cain among the voters that form the former PA Senator’s base.

Dahlkemper Out? Kathy Dahlkemper likely won’t seek a rematch against Rep. Mike Kelly, the former Congresswoman told Erie’s WICU12. She cited the uncertainty of redistricting.

PoliticsPA’s Ups & Downs. From Friday: A great Gridiron, a strong Q3, a rough poll, and going nuclear. Check ‘em out.

Fitz Goes Negative: It’s another week of back-and-forth in the Allegheny Executive campaign. The Fitzgerald campaign is out with a new negative ad that, in addition to the outsource charge, emphasizes the Raja-as-outsider angle.

GOP vs. Prevailing Wage: PA’s prevailing wage law has been on the books for 50 years and according to many Republicans and business groups it’s time for change. They say it’s unrealistic, while labor groups argue it’s a key to PA’s middle class and tax base.

Critz’s Q3: Congressman Mark Critz Friday announced that his campaign posted a strong fundraising quarter and raised approximately $303,000 since July 1 and has $422,000 in the bank. Critz said that his fundraising totals place him in a strong position for re-election heading into the final quarter of the year.

Santorum & the Primary Calendar: A 2012 hopeful like Santorum, with relatively little campaign cash and organizational capacity compared to the top tier candidates, will have little chance to compete. He opposes efforts by states like Nevada and Florida to move up their primaries.

Obama to Pittsburgh: The Republican National Committee and the National Republican Congressional Committee are pouncing on a Pittsburgh Tribune-Review article which details the reluctance of several members of Southwestern Pennsylvania’s congressional delegation to join President Obama in Pittsburgh this Tuesday.

Voucher Roundup: Gov. Tom Corbett is in the process of completing his school voucher proposal that will be reviewed by the the House and Senate as early as next week. Her

National
Inquirer: Numbers getting no better for Obama
Inquirer: GOP gives current field another look
FoxPhilly: Santorum Recounts Son’s Death
The Hill: Former Sen. Santorum Sees Big Difference Between Black, Gay Troops
Politico: Rick Perry coming to Pittsburgh
Pocono Record: Casey odds on for 2012

Statewide
Capitol Ideas: Corbett voucher proposal could focus on worst-performing districts
State House Sound Bites – Harrisburg bulks up, counties need convincing, and Corbett calls for flood hearings
State House Sound Bites – Gov. Corbett’s Marcellus Shale Plan
PA Independent: Provisions in Obama’s jobs bill could be costly for PA
StateImpactPA: Delaware River Basin Commission monitoring water in anticipation of gas drilling
StateImpactPA – Republican wants to improve Pennsylvania’s fracking disclosure regs
StateImpactPA – Governor Corbett’s plan to impose an impact fee on Pennsylvania drillers: a primer
StateImpactPA: DRBC delays action on natural gas regulations again
StateImpactPA: Corbett calls for flooding infrastructure probe
StateImpactPA: Your Friday morning impact fee update

Philly
Daily News: Occupy Phila.: The who, the why
Inquirer: Big Change in SEPTA Fare System
Daily News: Rizzo Stripped of Leadership Position on Philadelphia Council
Inquirer: Firefighters Drop Support for Kenney
Inquirer: Traffic lanes on Market and JFK to be reduced- to test for possible pedestrian and cyclist upgrades
Inquirer: Philadelphia will consider more budget cuts
Inquirer: GOP’s Brown wins equal time on NBC10
PhillyNow: VIDEO: Occupy Philly, Day 3 (Saturday, Oct. 8, 2011)
PhillyNow: The Phlog: Occupy Phillly Takes Independence Mall
PhillyNow: Camping Out With Occupy Philly [With Video]
PhillyNow: More Invasive Abortion Legislation Proposed in Pennsylvania House of Representatives
PhillyNow: Mayor Nutter Visits Occupy Philly in Middle of the Night
Philly Clout: Police Commissioner Says Civilians Can Videotape Cops
Philadelphia Weekly: Two Local Activists Organize Philly’s First Trans March
FoxPhilly: Corbett to Reveal Schools Plan This Week
FoxPhilly: Nutter To Veto Council’s DROP Bill
FoxPhilly: You Decide: 2011 Mayoral Debate
CBS: Pa Gaming Chief: Move Investigations to AG
CBS: Governor Corbett Nominates Retired General John Stevens To Civil Service Commission
NewsWorks: Grant Will Fund Additional Health Services
NewsWorks: September tax collections $215 million shy of Pa. expectations
NewsWorks: Pa. plan aims to alleviate ‘granny-snatching’

Philly Burbs
Mercury: State pensions tip of the iceberg for area reps’ benefits
Mercury: DiGiorgio elected new Chester County GOP chairman
Mercury: Few words of hope as budget for 2012 looms
Mercury: Help for flood damage still available to homeowners
Mercury: Rafferty bill directed at first time DUI offenders
Mercury: Commission postpones vote on gas drilling rules
Mercury: Schuylkill township supervisors reject plan to take on cupola restoration
Courier Times: Newtown Twp.’s ban on guns in parks challenged
Courier Times: BT Youth Aid Panel Honored
Courier Times: Disaster Payouts Reach $2 Million
Courier Times: Activists urge peace on anniversary
The Intelligencer: Vote delayed on drilling regulations
Delaware County Daily Times: Chester officials hoping to ramp up business with new accesst to I-95
Delaware County Daily Times: Delco protesters join ‘Occupy’ movement in Philly
Delaware County Daily Times: Key Senator Joins Push to Sell Off State Stores in Booze Battle
Delaware County Daily Times: Delaware County FOP Supports Whelan in Run for D.A.
Times Herald: Norristown Council Eyes Commercial Diversity in ‘Health Care Zone’

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Protestors fear gas drilling near Butler County farm will spoil milk
Post Gazette: Mine law reviewed by DEP advisory council
Post Gazette: 75 gather for rally in support of workers
Early Returns: Raja: Fitz ad “laden with lies”

NEPA
Times Tribune: Commissioners group wary of Corbett plan
Times Tribune: Lackawanna County financial crisis raises questions
Standard Speaker: Poll shows state residents oppose school vouchers
Times News: Rep. Heffley’s legislation
Go Lackawanna: Open county records system introduced for public
Go Lackawanna: Reps challenge Corbett: Invest in roads
Go Lackawanna: Corbett wants to fix legislation
Go Lackawanna: Judge denies new trial for ex commissioner
Pocono Record: Monroe county commissioner candidates agree to disagree at debate

South Central
Capitol Ideas: Occupy Harrisburg meets
Capitol Ideas: The Sunday Brunch: So we’ve got this bridge to sell you

North by Northwest
Sun Gazette: Protesters take to streets in pursuit of fair representation
Sun Gazette: Senator eyes damage from flooding

Southwest
Indiana Gazette: Officials keep eye on drilling, real estate trends
Indiana Gazette: Pain of job crisis goes beyond unemployed
Altoona Mirror: Electoral College reform worries voters
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Gov’s Gas Plan
Observer Reporter: As drilling expands, area archaeologists worry that historical sites will be undone
Kittaning Paper: Commonwealth Court candidate visits Armstrong County

Opinion
Courier Times Editorial: Political Opportunism?
DelCo Daily Times: Exit two wars?  Most U.S. vets seem to think so
DelCo Daily Times: Spencer: Bashing rich doesn’t help poor people
DelCo Daily Times: Dem assails bid to revise voting system
DelCo Daily Times: Support bil that levels playing field for local pharmacies
DelCo Daily Times: Pileggi’s proposal: Politics at its worst
Times Herald: Wall Street Protesters Will Make Change
Times Herald: GLANTZ: ‘Acting’ speaks louder than words
Tribune Review: What the AG knew; Resign, Mr. Holder
Times Online: Voter ID bill discourages many
Sun Gazette: Pickens’ plan: time for Washington to start listening
Citizens Voice: Democracy knows no boundaries
Standard Speaker: Take politics out of gaming board
Daily Review: Corbett’s natural gas drilling proposal is right on track
Pocono Record: ‘Flash mob politics’ coming from both sides now