The House tries to reduce the size of the legislature, Santorum voices his support for Corbett and a bipartisan group of legislators proposes an extraction tax. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

House Passes Bills to Reduce Legislature: Bills that would shrink House from 203 to 153 and another that reduces the Senate from 50 to 38 both passed the House.

Santorum Rallies Conservatives for Corbett: Former Pa. Senator Rick Santorum sent an email to supporters today soliciting donations to Corbett’s reelection campaign.

Bipartisan Bill Proposes Extraction Tax in PA: State Reps proposed a bipartisan bill to institute a natural gas drilling extraction tax in the state.

McGinty Adds Three to Campaign Team: The Democratic gubernatorial campaign announced the addition of three veteran political operatives.

Paid Sick Days Bill Nears House Vote: Rep. Grove’s bill would make paid sick leave uniform and could be voted on this week.

Book Review: “Making Ideas Matter” by Dwight Evans: The powerful State Representative takes a look back at his 30 years in politics and the lessons to be drawn from them.

Legislative Election Update:

HD-199: Jill Bartoli, 68, a retired college professor living in Carlisle, will seek the Democratic nomination in next year’s primary election for this Cumberland County seat, currently held by Republican Stephen Bloom.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Megan’s Law will remain in place despite recent state Supreme Court Ruling
StateImpactPA: Safety concerns arise over cross-state natural gas liquids pipeline
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania is fastest-growing state for natural gas production
StateImpactPA: Sunoco will move out of Philadelphia to new headquarters in Pa. suburbs
StateImpactPA: USGS study: methane common in groundwater of New York’s Southern Tier
State House Sound Bites: Rinse, repeat: lawmakers propose shale severance tax
State House Sound Bites: State launches prescription take-back program
WITF: Mayor-elect Papenfuse pushes for safe city, audit of schools
AP: Judge in PA same-sex marriage suit nixes state appeal
AP: Reading man objects to checkpoint survey request
AP: Judge opts against testimony in Penn State case

Philadelphia
Philadelphia Business Journal: PR expert Jeff Jubelirer joins Bellevue Communications
Inquirer: New census data: Poverty up in lower Northeast, down in S. Philly
CapitolInq: Pa, NJ Sens split along party lines on budget vote
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. Megan’s Law provisions intact despite state Supreme Court decision
WHYY Newsworks: Severance tax on natural gas drilling pushed in Pa.
PhillyNow: Meet potential Green Party gov candidate Paul Glover

SEPA
Montgomery News: Acting Pennsylvania secretary of education visits Souderton Area School District
Montgomery News: North Penn School Board hears charter school proposal
Montgomery News: Transportation bill will fund projects in Montgomery County
Montgomery News: Toomey, Meehan hold press conference in Whitpain opposing federal regulations that could impact first responders
Daily Times: Meehan, Brady back federal budget deal now headead to the Senate
Levittown Now: Fitzpatrick: New Healthcare Law Threatens to Scold Volunteer Firefighters
Levittown Now: New $86.5 Million Courthouse Project Moving Along

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: More than 1,500 apply for 32 spots in Peduto’s administration
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council wants say in park drilling deal
Post-Gazette: Peduto gives Obama team a wish list
Post-Gazette: Obituary: John Damon Andrews / W. Pennsylvania political fixture made his mark behind the scenes
WPXI: Mayor-elect Peduto makes peculiar request to President Obama

Southwest
Beaver County Times: Corbett announces prescription drug take-back program
Beaver County Times: One-time special tax for Rochester here to stay
Beaver County Times: State audit finds issues with Darlington Twp. pension aid
Beaver County Times: Rothfus to host meet-and-greets this week
Altoona Mirror: Council says no to Friday racing
Altoona Mirror: Gov. appoints officer to commissioner spot

NEPA
The Times Leader: Lake-Lehman board rescinds position after arbitration ruling
Times-Tribune: Scranton council fails to override mayor’s budget veto
Times-Tribune: Scranton mayor-elect says he misspoke
Times-Tribune: PA launches drug drop-off program
Wayne Independent: Pike County turns 200 in 2014

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Harrisburg officials advance five projects
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. House takes historic step toward shrinking size of General Assembly
Harrisburg Patriot News: GOP rift could be Klingon Civil War Xmas play

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Emmaus approves budget with 17-percent tax hike
Morning Call: Macungie adopts new zoning plan
Morning Call: Macungie Council OKs budget with 20 percent tax hike
Express-Times: Nazareth Area School District officials investigate finding of loaded gun clip
Express-Times: Sands Casino tops Pennsylvania’s table games revenue in November, report says
Express-Times: Phillipsburg reluctantly gives Norton Oil Co. an $11,000 tax refund

North by Northwest
Sun-Gazette: Fundraising now underway for MLK service day next month
Sun-Gazette: Muncy school to get AP psychology course
Daily Times: County OKs 2014 operating budget with no tax increase
Daily Times: Ex-Penn State lawyer kept off witness stand during hearing
Daily Times: State College school board goes for referendum maximum of $85 million

Opinion
Daily Times: Needed: Leadership on climate change
Courier Times: Free ride must end
Tribune-Review: The NSA ruling: Some fresh air
Tribune-Review: ObamaCare attacks volunteer fire departments
Post-Gazette: Drill, carefully, drill: The county must meet the natural gas challenge

Blogs
Keystone Politics: What is Wrong With Democratic Ticket-Splitters?
Commonwealth Foundation: More Than Their Fair Share
Above Average Jane: State Rep. Roebuck gets LOOP-y
Above Average Jane: Jared Solomon Campaign Announcement Video
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Will Colonial Regional Police Remain Regional?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Controversial Deputy Leaves NorCo Employment