Schwartz gains IBEW 98 backing, Wolf raises $2.9M and Sestak picks up a 2016 endorsement. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

CeaseFirePA Targets PA State Reps: The group is launching three hard hitting mailers against state reps who are not yet cosponsors on a bill that would require mandatory background checks for long gun ownership

Wolf Boasts Raising $2.9M: The number comes on top of the $10 million the York County businessman said he will contribute to his gubernatorial campaign.

IBEW 98 Backs Schwartz for Gov: The major Philadelphia labor union announced its support for Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz for governor on Wednesday.

PA GOP Hires New Comms Director: Megan Sweeney will return to the Pa. Republican Party to serve as its spokesperson.

Sestak Picks Up Another 2016 Endorsement: The Senate candidate received the backing today of the Council for a Livable World.

Reader Poll: Should PA Society Be Moved to PA?: We ask our readers whether the annual PA political get-together should actually occur in PA.

Reader Poll: Pension Reform Most Likely Next: Our readers predicted that pension reform will be the next major item brought up by the General Assembly.

ICYMI: The Full 2013 PA Society List of Events: It’s that time of year, politicos: Pennsylvania Society! Here’s a rundown of all the events at the weekend-long marathon of receptions and cocktails.

Legislative Election Update:

HD-46: Jason Ortitay, owner of the fundraiser Jason’s Cheesecake Company, 29, of Bridgeville, is seeking the Republican Party Nomination for the 46th district, which is made up of part Allegheny, Beaver and Washington counties. Democrat Jesse White currently represents the district.

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: Senate passes thorough human trafficking law
PA Independent: PA Dems take swings at Corbett with revenue and savings proposal
State Impact: Industry study shows oil and gas development lacks gender diversity
Capitolwire: Commission issues special education funding formula recommendations.
Capitolwire: Doctors say more needs to be done to keep young physicians in PA

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Lawyers spar over ‘sacred data’ used to convict former Sen. Orie
Inquirer: Witnesses now warriors against hunger
Big Tent: IBEW Local 98 to give Schwartz $100k contribution
PhillyClout: Council advances major changes to business taxes
PhillyClout: Prison healthcare workers threaten strike
PhillyClout: Schwartz lands Local 98 support, Wolf raises $12.85 million
PhillyClout: Baer: Dems for guv and the union label
Philly.com: Change.org petition garners wide support for rehiring Holy Ghost teacher

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: Phoenixville council OKs budget with no tax hike
Bucks County Courier Times: Public vents frustration over proposed income tax
Bucks County Courier Times: Fitzpatrick warns of ‘Obamacare’ impact on volunteer firefighters
Bucks County Courier Times: Sen. Casey warns of rising flood insurance costs
The Intelligencer: Bill Cranford resigns from Pennridge School Board
The Intelligencer: $113 tax hike for Richlandtown residents
The Intelligencer: No tax increase for Haycock residents
Delco Daily Times: County council passes 2014 budget, including a 2.8 percent tax hike
Delco Daily Times: Drug crimes bill passed in Senate
Delco Daily Times: Chester Heights won’t increase taxes in 2014
Delco Daily Times: Haverford adopts budget with 4.89% tax hike
Delco Daily Times: No tax hike for Folcroft; EIT discussed
Bucks Local News: Newtown Borough Council to consider open space preservation options
Daily Local News: County passes no-tax-hike budget

Pittsburgh
AP: Same-Sex Marriage Activists Kick Off Pa. Campaign
Urban Media Today: Smith Announces Legislation to Provide Healthy Working Conditions for Pregnant Women
WTAE: Mayor-elect Bill Peduto says city needs to be proactive in fixing snow fleet shortage
City Paper: Big environmental challenges face incoming Peduto administration
Early Returns: Perry on Politics: Man Against the Machine
Early Returns: Council squeezes a few more onto the budget committee
Tribune-Review: Bridgeville man announces candidacy for State Representative
Tribune-Review: Peduto announces revamped early retirement incentive program
Post-Gazette: Pennsylvania updates PSSA and Keystone scores for schools statewide

Southwest
AP: Pa. House advances child-abuse reforms
New Castle News: No decision yet on 2014 county tax rate
Indiana Gazette: Economic promotion team salutes commissioner
WTAJ: Pa Enrollment in ACA Near 12,000
WTAJ: Local Man Scheduled For Execution
WTAJ: State Police Issue School Safety Report

NEPA
Press Examiner: Wyoming Co. lays out budget
Times-Shamrock: Cabinet nominees grilled on Shale oversight
Republican Herald: DA election challenge remains alive
Daily Review: County commissioner: ‘Misconceptions’ about gas industry likely hurting tourism
Pike County Courier: Pa. Medicaid plan panned by health care advocates
Citizens’ Voice: County council passes budget with tax hike
Citizens’ Voice: Former county court official McGarry dies
Times Leader: Musto lawyers again seek trial delay
Times Leader: ‘Kids for Ca$h’ trailer released

South Central
Patriot-News: Influential conservative group tells GOP to oppose Corbettcare
Patriot-News: Cumberland County commissioners begin analyzing cost-saving ideas from consultants
Patriot-News: Lemoyne woman named new chief clerk of Pa. Senate
Patriot-News: Attorney General Kathleen Kane investigating allegations against pension system chief investor
Lebanon Daily News: South Annville board OKs budget; no tax increase
Lebanon Daily News: Hersheypark holding job fair

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: State panel: Change special education funding formula
Morning Call: Lehigh Valley lawmakers leaning toward budget deal
Express-Times: Easton City Council passes 2014 budget without additional tax hike
Express-Times: Allentown receives grant to help clean up neighborhoods

North by Northwest
Go Erie ’13: Wolf raises nearly $3 million from supporters
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: 2014 budget approval on commissioners’ agenda
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: No-tax-hike budget gets approval
Williamsport Sun-Gazette: Wellsboro council bids retiring mayor and councilman farewell

Opinions
News Item: Online voter signup needs final push
Times Leader: Anti-crime success depends on us all
Altoona Mirror: Reassessing becoming only option for county
Post-Gazette: Budget on ice: County council is blocking critical projects
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Still the life of the party?
Patriot-News: Congress gets a budget deal, but hands a lump of coal to the long-term unemployed
Pottstown Mercury: Montco sale of Parkhouse property raises questions
Bucks County Courier Times: Budget negotiations play small ball
Delco Daily Times: A union-management relationship worth emulating

Blogs
Media Trackers: Unions drive up Upper Dublin Taxes for 14th consecutive year
Keystone Politics: SEPTA not getting totally destroyed now a ‘gamechanger’
Keystone Politics: City tax shift: Bill Green’s doing it wrong
Keystone Politics: Give us the PA Society grift
Keystone Politics: Time to reconfigure Philadelphia’s Broad Street with dedicated bike lanes
Jon Geeting: The new burbs