The GOP is favored to keep the State Senate in 2014, the DCCC goes after Meehan and Fitzpatrick, and a look back at how JFK did in Pa. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

GOP Favored to Keep State Senate in 2014: Jim Ferlo’s decision not to run for re-election underscores a stark reality for Democrats: they face a tough battle for control of Harrisburg’s upper chamber. Here is the math, including the seats in play.

Pawlowski Gets First Union Endorsement: Iron Workers Local 420, a union representing workers in nine counties, endorsed Pawlowski after a labor rally Saturday outside the Yuengling Brewery.

NORML Backs Hanger for Gov: The nation’s highest-profile marijuana legalization organization announced its support for Democrat John Hanger.

DCCC Targets Meehan, Fitzpatrick with Online Ads: Democrats knocked Meehan and Fitzpatrick via Facebook ads after they “refused to rule out another shutdown.”

Politically Uncorrected: The Rocky Road to Camelot: This month, America commemorates the tragic events in Dallas a half century ago that robbed the country of a fabled president destined to be enshrined in national memory as the symbol of Camelot.

State Sen. Ferlo Won’t Run in 2014: The Pittsburgh Democrat announced on the Senate floor Tuesday that he will not seek re-election in 2014. He was redistricted into a GOP-favoring seat.

Legislative Election Updates:

SD-28: In the open York County seat of outgoing Sen. Mike Waugh (R), businessman Scott Wagner has launched his campaign website. “I am asking that all citizens of the 28th Senate District of York County visit our website to learn more about my background and what issues I will advocate for if given the opportunity to serve,” Wagner said.

HD-78: Republicans have selected their nominee for the seat of the late state Rep. Dick Hess. Jesse Topper, 32, a minister and Bedford borough councilman, will run in the January special election where he is a strong favorite.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: House OKs gambling in bars, sends bill to Senate
State House Sound Bites: Endangered species process change clears House panel
Politico: Art Halvorson’s beach rental to benefit from rival Bill Shuster’s bill
State Impact: Endangered species bill advances
Capitolwire: Metcalfe rips Sen. Costa over ‘bully’ remark
Capitolwire: Tavern gaming bill moves back to Senate
Capitolwire: House panel approves bill to alter endangered species designation process
Capitolwire: Ridge defends Corbett for tough decisions, long-term thinking
Capitolwire: OFF THE FLOOR: Ridge uses old savvy to help Gov. Corbett
Capitolwire: State lawmakers hear pros and cons of expanded DNA testing

Philadelphia
PhillyClout: Source: Montco GOP chair to be charged with sex assault
Daily News: The Kane train keeps rolling
Daily News: Nutter: U.K.-Israel trip a ‘brilliant success’
Inquirer: Bucks commissioner blasts briefs submitted by county register of wills
Inquirer: Occupy Phila. protesters hit City Hall – with lawsuit
Inquirer: La Salle to build $35M business school

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Pottstown council OKs Family Dollar plan
Bucks County Courier Times: Casey optimistic about universal preschool initiative
Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks Commissioner fears gay marriage dispute will harm tourism
The Intelligencer: Cyber school advocates: Don’t punish us for one school’s scandal
Burlington County Times: Congressional committee questioning Mt. Holly Gardens settlement
Burlington County Times: Congress approves 1.5 percent increase for vets’ benefit
Delco Daily Times: Election Board tosses 61 absentee ballots in Marple

Pittsburgh
City Paper: Proposal to drill beneath Deer Lakes Park raises questions of safety, government procedure
Early Returns: GOP candidate: Arm Brashear teachers
Early Returns: Doyle blasts WH Obamacare effort
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh councilman says next council president should be an African-American
Tribune-Review: Lawyers for diocese, government make final arguments in hearing

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Health provider pushes risks and benefits to tax break
Beaver County Times: Controversial endangered species bill clears committee
Altoona Mirror: Bedford minister backed for Hess’ seat

NEPA
AP: Bill to OK gambling in Pa. bars clears House
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre’s deadliest year
News Item: Sacavage announces retirement as president judge
Standard Speaker: Despite perceptions, food stamp fraud low in Pa.
Standard Speaker: Local food stamp use soars 75% in 5 years
Standard Speaker: Former U.S. Rep. Holden recommended for LCB
Independent Weekender: Returns Board wraps up election count
Pike County Courier: Hate the courthouse? Speak up
Daily Review: Lawmakers collect pay they vowed to skip
WNEP: Tax Hike Approved for Schuylkill County
WNEP: Feds Threaten To Pull Housing Assistance From Sherman Hills
PA Homepage: Lackawanna County Child Care Agreement Becomes Hot Topic

South Central
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania transportation funding plan may get a vote next week
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania lawmaker rallies for bill requiring the posting of “In God We Trust” in all public schools
Patriot-News: Small games of chance expansion narrowly passes Pennsylvania House; Senate action possible next week
Patriot-News: Sen. Bob Casey Jr. touts universal pre-K bill, but admits it will be a tough battle to pass in Congress
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon City Council ponders tax increase
Lebanon Daily News: Tim Holden, former congressman, confirmed as LCB member

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Pennsylvania lawmakers, residents rally for ‘In God We Trust’ bill
Morning Call: Tentative Lower Nazareth budget holds tax rate steady
Reading Eagle: Possibility of new pipeline has Brecknock Township neighbors upset
Reading Eagle: In conference call, Casey touts bipartisan bill that expands access to early education
Express Times: Lehigh County commissioners reject same-sex health care benefits a second time
Express Times: Williams Township proposes 50 percent tax hike in 2014 budget
Express Times: Easton council approves of raising taxes for city residents in 2014

North by Northwest
Campaign ’13: Corbett’s Erie campaign stop boosted by support from former governors
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Proposed city fire contract to be reviewed by council
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Montoursville has no tax increase again

Opinions
Times-Tribune: Only choice
Times-Tribune: Bad economy, bad policy fuel hunger
Patriot-News: Pennsylvanians take note, abortion fight now being waged at the state level: Editorial
New Item: Judicial sales must remain a ‘buyer beware’ process
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Who should pay this hotel bill?
Tribune-Review: The USAirways/American merger: A poor deal still
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Mayor’s cost plan just starting point for 2014 city budget

Blogs
Media Trackers: Philly City Council Moves $33 million hotel tax break out of committee
Media Trackers: Pennsylvania’s Gov. Tom Corbett running on ‘Promises Kept’
Media Trackers: One in ten Pennsylvania homes to get taxpayer heating help
Liberty City Press: The Devil You Know
Keystone Politics: Why Katie McGinty is the real winner of the Harper Poll
Keystone Politics: 57,497 Pennsylvanians apply for coverage through HealthCare.gov, 2,207 enroll in October
Keystone Politics: Politics is about governing
Keystone Politics: Bethlehem should draw its CRIZ district around the steel stacks area
Keystone Politics: NORML endorses John Hanger for governor
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: Deep-dive into the Schwartz 22%, McGinty 15%, McCord 12% Harper Poll