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1/17 Morning Buzz

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz.

Bob Casey’s Boring Campaign: For Bob Casey, being boring is a virtue. Aside a few oblique references to obstructionism in Washington, he doesn’t knock Republicans. At state committee this weekend and in general, Casey sticks to his jobs message.

Waiting for Sestak: Democrats from Delaware County to DC are watching and waiting to see if the former Congressman will challenge Pat Meehan this year, as a few other possible candidates wait in the wings.

Did Rick Santorum Win Iowa? As the vote certification process goes in, it looks like Santorum could very well have won the Hawkeye state. He’s currently ahead by “80-something votes.”

Battle Looms for Earll Senate Seat: Republicans will tap Janet Anderson to try and hold Sen. Jane Earll’s Erie-based seat in what is the Democrats’ top pickup opportunity in 2012.

Pinto Wins a Straw Poll: Frank Pinto defeated party favorite John Maher in Saturday’s NECRA Auditor General caucus straw poll by a vote of 13 to 9 on Saturday. Maher, a state Rep. From Allegheny County, had a stronger showing in the NEPA straw poll, which he won 13 to 3.

Vernon Endorses Burns for Senate: Colonel John Vernon, a former candidate for U.S. Senate, has endorsed small businessman and former Congressional candidate Tim Burns, the Burns campaign announced Monday.

Legislative Updates

SD-15: 2010 LG candidate and businessman Steve Johnson made official his bid for state Senate in the district of retiring Sen. Jeff Piccola. He’ll face York County Clerk of Courts Don O’Shell, and John McNally, an attorney and immediate past Chairman of the Dauphin County GOP.

SD-49: Republicans will tap Janet Anderson to try and hold Sen. Jane Earll’s Erie-based seat in what is the Democrats’ top pickup opportunity in 2012.

HD-5: Republican Michael Rivera, assistant VP of the Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, will run for the newly moved, open seat. Rivera has a good relationship with conservatives in the county; several, including Commissioner Christian Leinbach, had supported him as the GOP candidate for the seat of the late Sen. Mike O’Pake. He also has ties to the area’s large Hispanic community.

HD-16: Republican Jeremy Angus, Executive Director for the Ambridge Area Chamber of Commerce, will formally announce his challenge to Rep. Rob Matzie (D-Beaver) on Thursday.

HD-22: After taking a beating in the press, Chelsa Wagner (D-Allegheny) resigned her state House seat. The vacancy will trigger a special election in Allentown, where the district was moved during redistricting. Democrat Peter Schweyer will run for the seat.

HD-134: The battle lines are forming for the special election to replace now Judge Doug Reichley. Republicans running for the seat, including Lehigh County residents Ron Hamill, Ryan MacKenzie, Wendy Mercado-Arroyo and Dennis Nemes and Berks County resident James M. Smith, will have a candidates forum tonight. Patrick Slattery, a Democrat who ran for the seat in 2010, will also give it a go.

HD-139: Rep. Mike Peifer (R-Pike and Wayne) made his re-election bid official.

HD-155: Three candidates now contend for the seat of retiring Rep. Curt Schroder. Democrat Michael Hays, 30, is a Spring City Councilman. Republicans Becky Corbin, a Schroder legislative aide and John Muller are also seeking the office.

Have an update on a state Senate or House race? Email them to press@politicspa.com.

National
New York Times, A1: Donors gave as Santorum won earmarks
Early Returns: Vernon Endorses Burns in U.S. Senate Race
Philadelphia Inquirer: Huntsman bows out, warning against “toxic politics”
Philadelphia Inquirer: Give me that ol’ time Republican religion
AP: Republicans point toward 1st of 2 SC debates
AP: Huntsman departure a marginal help to Romney in SC
Philadelphia Inquirer: Candidates focus on the religious conservative vote in South Carolina
AP: Tax cuts talks focus on budget costs, new fees
Philadelphia Inquirer: Huntsman quits, flip flops on Romney
AP: Paul fights Washington spending, flies first class
AP: Santorum mixes academia into campaign trail pitch
AP: Concerns about Romney’s faith quieter but not gone
Philly Now: Election 2012: Huntsman drops out; ‘sanity’ cited
FOX 29: With GOP field down to five, four candidates sharpen attack on front-runner Romney
FOX 29:
Business group leader says Obama’s recess appointments create ‘constitutional crisis’  
FOX 29: Remaining Republican presidential candidates spar at South Carolina debate
FOX 29: GOP votes have a lot to be angry about
FOX 29: Fox News Poll: 2012 Obama-Romney race would be tight
FOX 29: As rivals attack Romney’s business record, his claims have contributed to confusion
The Reporter: Obama calls on government consolidation
AP: Santorum accuses pro-Romney PAC of lying in SC
The Times Leader: Holden: Business connection non-issue for environmental votes
The Atlantic Wire: NBC Lawyer Defends SOPA on MSNBC (mentions Joe Sestak)

Statewide
Patriot News: For PA, few African Americans in elected office
Capitolwire (Paywall): Gov. Corbett Quietly Sets GOP Row Officer Slate. U.S. Senate Next?
AP: Firing of PA conservation panel official decried
Philadelphia Daily News: Brady’s bunch now has fewer blacks
Philadelphia City Paper: Will handout to fracking lobby top Pennsylvania’s legislative agenda?
Philly Now: Voter ID legislation could come up next week
CBS 3: Anti-hunger groups oppose asset test for Pennsylvania food stamp recipients
AP: Pa. Dems face 3-way race in nomination in AG race
Citizen’s Voice: Democratic committee reveal endorsements
The Patriot-News: Pa. has a limited number of African Americans holding posts in Congress, state, & local government

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Daily News: At MLK event, city bigwigs implore thugs to stop violence
Bucks Inquirer: Neshaminy teachers stage rally; strike to continue
Philadelphia Daily News: Mayor: Can we make MLK day one of nonviolence?
FOX 29: St. Hubert’s alumni fight to save school
ABC 6: Day of service for Philly’s MLK high school  
CBS 3: National Constitution Center offers children’s srvice activities for MLK day
CBS 3: For MLK day, civil rights history spotlighted at Philadelphia’s Jewish history museum
CBS 3: Upstate PA residents affected by fracking protest at EPA head’s visit to Philadelphia
WHYY Newsworks: King Day event raises alarm on immigration crackdown

SEPA
Philadelphia Inquirer: Narberth council president foxtrots into retirement
Philadelphia City Paper: Did Philly liberals make a big mistake by voting for a Republican
Philadelphia Inquirer: Local governments are still under financial pressure
Philadelphia Inquirer: Chester County Inbox: Redistricting makes Dems rivals
FOX 29: Chester students victims of cash crunch
ABC 6: Alumni, students rally to save Bonner, Prendie
ABC 6: Chester Upland school district may run out of cash
The Mercury: 3 announce candidacy to succeed retiring Rep. Curt Schroder in 155th House
district
The Mercury: MLK day in Pottstown marked by tributes, volunteer work
The Mercury: Chesco D.A. reorganizes office; lets 4 prosecutors go
phillyburbs.com: Courthouse construction two months behind schedule
Courier Times: Striking teachers get backing of other unions at rally
Delco Times: Dr. Martin Luther King events in Delco
Delco Times: Colwyn seeking technical aid
Delco Times: Upper Darby official asks for reconsideration
Ambler Gazette: Wissahickon school board dispels rumors about facilities study
Montgomery News: Horsam council OK’s resolution for flashing signals on Babylon Rd.
Bucks Local News: In response to Pennsbury bus accident, Bucks lawmakers developing legislation to address liability limits
Bucks Local News: New Bucks County Commissioner’s chairman, Robert Loughery, brings a ‘new set of lenses’ to the board
Bucks Local News: Langhorne mayor delivers ‘State of the Borough’ address; talks about budget, sidewalks and shuttered gas station
Daily Local: Meeting about intermediate school set for Jan. 23
Daily Local: New county DA ushers in big changes
Daily Local: Billing dispute deal at hand for ex-Coatesville councilman

Pittsburgh
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Critz gives mine workers nod
Essential Public Radio: Purcell v. Ravenstahl
Tribune Review: Wagner resigns House seat
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh mayor’s Tim Tebow jersey a hot item on eBay
KDKA: Assessment methods shortcomings revealed

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Firing of PA conservation panel decried
Mine Workers Endorsement
Observer-Reporter: Deweese trial begins Wednesday

NEPA
Times-Leader: Jury Selection slated in Pa. Corruption case
Times-Leader: Holden: Business connection non-issue
Times-Tribune: Area’s Defense Industry shifts focus
Times-Tribune: New law paves way for more pipeline inspectors
Wayne Independent: Toomey Talks ‘contract,’ supercomittee, more
Standard Speaker: Problems Plague Banks Township fire department
Pocono Record: State Rep. Peifer seeks re-election
AP: Northeastern Pa. Lawmakers refund COLAs

South Central
The York Dispatch: Asset test makes York residents lose funds

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Slattery Announces Run for PA House in Newly Redrawn District
WFMZ: Reading School Board Tackles Funding Issues
Express-Times: Republicans Seeking Dough Riechley’s Old Seat to Debate in Emmaus
The Morning Call: Redistricting becomes a major issue for the Lehigh Valley

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Obama Office in Erie to Open Thursday
Centre Daily: Anthony Lubrano, Major Donor and Critic, Wants to Run for PSU Trustees
Statecollege.com: Baldwin to Step Down as PSU General Counsel, VP

Opinions
Daily Local: Senator wrong about IDs for voters
John Baer, Daily News: Orie mess, with all its layers, represents Pa. politics as usual.
Philadelphia Daliy News: Stu Bykofsky: Showing his stuff, willy nilly
WHYY Newsworks: Our schools are in a world of hurt, and it’s our fault
Philadelphia Daily News: Baer Growls: What they say vs. what they do
The Tribune-Democrat: Make a pitch for Shell plant (mentions Bob Casey & Pat Toomey)

Blogs
Keystone Liberty: Financial Woes For Pennsylvania Turnpike Worsen
Keystone State Education Coalition: Schools Take Action To Alleviate Problems Students Face
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Human Service Groups To Protest Corbett’s Budget Freeze
NEPArtisan: Rupert Murdoch Supports SOPA
NEPArtisan: MLK Day, Civil Rights, And The People Who Won’t Change
NEPArtisan: SOPA Defeated As People Speak Out, White House Speaks
Lu-Lac Political Letter: MLK Day, Jon Huntsman Out and More
The Pennsylvania Progressive: Judge Moore Challenging U.S. Congressional Candidate Bob Brady For Pennsylvania’s First District
Keystone Politics: Santorum’s Earmark History
Keystone Politics: Though Chester-Upland District Goes Broke, Teachers Keep Teaching
John Hanger: Chinese Per Capita Carbon Emissions May Exceed New Yorkers’ Levels
John Hanger: Prices For Solar Energy Decreases To Fewer Than $4 Per Watt

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