Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz.

Ups & Downs: Redistricting Edition: All last week we talked about the implications of congressional legislative redistricting. There are literally 272+ lawmakers who could get ups or downs based solely on their new districts. We’re going to try to dig a bit deeper for the Ups & Downs this week.

Murphy’s Got Chemistry: With the potential for a heated primary race in Pa’s 18th district, the American Chemistry Council is spending over $500,000 on a TV and radio ad buy in support of Rep. Tim Murphy.

Jane Earll will retire: The Pa. Senator from Erie announced this weekend that she won’t seek another term, setting Democrats up with their top pickup opportunity in the Pa. Senate.

Santorum on TV: The former Pa. Senator’s campaign, as well as a pro-Santorum Super PAC, are telling Iowa viewers that he is the true conservative in the race.

Statement Roundup: We have a round-up of all the statements from members of the Pa. Delegation regarding congressional redistricting.

National
Patriot-News: Congressional Redistricting Puts Pa. Congressman At A Distance
Early Returns: Pro-Murphy Ads On TV
Early Returns: Storylines in Race for PA-12
Pennsylvania Ave.: Casey, Toomey Author Bill To Create Medals Honoring 9/11 Victims
The Big Tent: Rick Santorum Promotes Social-Issues Record In Iowa Mail
Boston Globe: Santorum pursues Iowa crown old-fashioned way
International Business Times: Rick Santorum 2012: What Are His Positions?
Daily Caller: Santorum on the possibility of the US bailing out Europe [VIDEO]
ABC News: 17 Days Out: Good Morning Iowa
Hill: House members introduce cybersecurity bill
Hill: Reps. Altmire, Critz push for advantage in Pennsylvania Democratic primary
Insurance News Net: Congressman Fattah Introduces Bill to Spur the National Cooperative Movement
Pennsylvania Ave: Casey, Toomey author bill to create medals honoring 9/11 victims
Pennsylvania Ave: Specter: Life Among the Cannibals
Politico: Payroll deals seal through Senate 89-10
ITworld: 5 apps banned from Apple’s App Store in 2011
Mobiledia: NUTS: Samsung Gains on Apple, Microsoft Ramps Up for Windows Phones
Washington Post: Santorum makes steady progress as Iowa conservatives search for candidate, but is it enough?
Washington Post: Santorum’s Iowa moment
On Top Magazine: Mitt Romney Stunned By Rick Santorum Claims That Romney Advanced Gay Marriage
Concord Monitor: Little debate time for Santorum, Paul
Osceola Sentinel Tribune: Presidential hopeful Rick Santorum to visit Osceola
Slate Magazine: Negative Iowa Leaflet Hits Newt and Santorum
York Daily Record: Santorum pursues Iowa crown old-fashioned way
Citizens Voice: Holden among Blue Dog democrats
York Daily Record: Dems lose candidate to new senate borders (Teplitz, SD-15)

Statewide
State House Sound Bites: The Push Stops Here: Turzai Says Vouchers and Shale “Never Our Issue”
Early Returns: Onorato Takes Job At Highmark
Unionville Times: It appears the joke is on us
Patriot News:Congressional redistricting puts Pa. congressmen at a distance
Patriot News: Gloria Martin-Roberts to campaign for 103rd Legislative seat in House of Representatives

Philly
State Column: Rep Fattah Will Visit Two Philadelphia Laboratories
Public Record: POLS ON THE STREET: Rafferty Wins S.E. Republicans for AG
WHIO Dayton: Pa district makes pea for $18M state advance
Inquirer: Verna leads retirees in campaign cash
WHYY Newsworks: Philadelphia’s GOP: Insurgents Closing In
Inquirer: Philadelphia school board discusses finding new superintendent
PhillyClout: Council president prepares for new hires

Philly Burbs
Intelligencer: Redistricting Bucks gains, Montco pains
Daily Times: Eddystone recycling plant loses grant
Intelligencer: Local representatives, on the end of the war in Iraq
The Mercury: Council opposes making English the official language of state

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Group demands civilians to be in on process to hire police
Tribune-Review: A few facts are in order

NEPA
WNEP-TV: Reaction to Curley/Schultz Hearing
Standard-Speaker: Community comes out to see stars at Maddon fundraiser
Republican & Herald: Ryan Township supervisor, former Argall adviser sworn in as deputy secretary for state DCED
Times-Tribune: Holden among Blue Dog Democrats
Standard-Speaker: Redistricting bill at 1st step
Times-Leader: Redistricting cuts up county
Times-Leader: Step up as a patriot a stop gerrymandering Kevin Blaum in the Arena

South Central
Sentinel: Near U.S. capitol a bright tribute to the Golden State
Post Crescent: Rev Wydeven: Fake drugs can still bring real problems
Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett’s first year; crisis management
Patriot-News: Congress remap would help discourage bipartisanship
Patriot-News: Congressional redistricting puts Pa. congressman at a distance
News-Chronicle: Rails-to-Trails gets final piece of Shippensburg puzzle
Sentinel: Few days remain before the House votes on congressional map
York Daily Record: Some legislators don’t think cellphone ban would pass
York Daily Record: York city council recount still not settled

North by Northwest
NorthcentraPA: Fall Commencement 2011
Erie Times: New congressional map could leave Erie County residents out of the running
Erie Times: Big changes in Pa.’s GOP-drawn congressional maps
Erie Times: After long wait, key Penn State witness took stand
Erie Times: Pa. deputy attorney general cites PSU ‘inaction’
Erie-Times: Penn St. coach says he saw, reported molestation
Courier Express: EOG fined for stream spill
Tri-County Sunday: Monitoring systems installed on watersheds
Centre Daily Times: Officials: Lack of prison input could cost Benner Twp.
Centre Daily Times: Senate OKs payroll tax cut, huge spending bill
Centre Daily Times: Video: Bargainers reach deal to head off gov’t
Centre Daily Times: Video: Optimism growing to deal to avoid federal shutdown
Centre Daily Times: Video: Senate leaders reach last-minute accord
Centre Daily Times: IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Grads reflect on PSU experience amid scandal
Sun Gazette: All is not settled for flood victim
Sun Gazette: Councilman red lines cop overtime hike
Sun Gazette: City reserves fund much lower than recommendation
AP, SunGazette: Judge holds Penn State officials for trial
Sun Gazette: Residents of Picture Rocks area talk about compression station proposal
Sun Gazette: Council concerned if city is adequately meeting parking needs
Sun Gazette: Councilwoman honored for service
Sun Gazette: Mayor vetoes tighter budget
Sun Gazette: County passes ‘12 budget with no tax increase
Sun Gazette: County officials review new energy plan
Sun Gazette: 2 Penn State officials eager to face charges
State College: Paterno Testimony Released at Hearings, Cites Awareness of ‘Fondling’ Claim
State College: McQueary Describes 2002 Shower Incident as ‘Extremely Sexual’; Charges against Schultz, Curley Bound over for Trial

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Leigh Valley group worry about split identity
Morning Call: Politics as usual
Morning Call: Senators betrayed residents
Reading Eagle: Spencer tops campaign contribution list in latest reporting period
Reading Eagle: New state districts all over map
Express Times: U.S. Rep. Timothy Holden ready to represent Lehigh Valley
Express Times: Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce asks lawmakers to oppose congressional redistricting

Southwest
Daily American: Safety, jobs and regulatory certainly the focus of Pipelines Bill
Daily American Online: Altmire pledges to represent voters, not party
Youngstown Vindicator: Johnson gets political cover
Beaver County Times: Republicans give Altmire an early Christmas gift
Tribune-Democrat: Dems maintain edge in new 12th

Opinion
Public Opinion: Hunters won’t have to wear licenses in Pennsylvania
York Daily Record: Kudos to Platts
York Daily Record: New number, same congressional district
Erie Times: Our view: Lord-LECOM deal produces many winners
Erie Times: City of Erie wastes money then demands tax hike
Tri-County Sunday: DuBois Council seat is open; which applicant is best?
Tri-County Sunday: No more pensions?
Centre Daily Times: Why can’t lawmakers see corporate contributions are corrupt?
Centre Daily Times: Sandusky case: If it’s true, it’s time to let healing begin
Centre Daily Times: Jobs a little too profitable
Sun Gazette: Gas impact fee: Maintain local rights
Sun Gazette: Will the new Postal Service plan work?
Sun Gazette: Killing me
Sun Gazette: The Gingrich pattern
Tribune-Democrat: Mark Singel: Redistricting hurts Cambria County- again
News Dispatch: Corbett bashing off base
Reading Eagle: Lawmakers do appalling job with new House districts
Express Times: Easton, Slate Belt burned in redistricting plan; Dec. 7 time to reflect – Dec. 17 letters to the editor
Express Times: Redistricting destroying democracy; Bush’s stamp on Iraq war – Dec. 16 letters to the editor

Blogs
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Dent supports $662 billion national defense spending bill
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: No transparency in Pa.’s congressional redistricting
Lehigh Valley Independent: Is Lisa Boscola eyeing #PA-15?
NEPArtisan: Various observations
NEPArtisan: PA worst state in 2011? update #2
NEPArtisan: Thoughts on an Occupy Scranton eviction
2 Political Junkies: The 1% already responded (in 1992)
Water Cooler PA: Gov. Corbett needs the courage to say no
Pennsylvania Progressive: Pennsylvania legislators shoot down pigeons – again
Pennsylvania Progressive: Janine Orie re-arrested
Keystone Progress: The wealthy protest in Harrisburg, “Don’t tax my jet!”
Keystone Politics: Turzai: Republicans don’t care about passing a fracking tax