Schwarz proposes an expansion of voting rights, Speaker Smith seeks to avoid a primary, and Critz gets hit on his support from the NRA. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Smith Blasts Critz On NRA Support: Calls for better gun control laws in wake of Philly school shooting.

Reader Poll: Should the State Appeal the Voter ID Ruling?: In our latest reader poll, we ask whether you think the state will decide to appeal the ruling that struck down the Voter ID law.

Speaker Smith Defends Right Flank in Campaign Ad: House Speaker Sam Smith hasn’t officially kicked off his 2014 campaign yet, but voters in his district can already hear his re-election message.

PA-Gov: Schwartz Proposes Expansion of Voting Rights: The Democratic candidate announced her plan for repealing the Voter ID law and expanding access to the ballot box.

Republican Declares Challenge to Solobay: Republicans mount a challenge to Democratic incumbent in SD-46.

Reader Poll: Republicans Should Nominate Costello in PA-6: Our latest reader poll shows that you believe the GOP should chose Ryan Costello to replace retiring Rep. Jim Gerlach.

Legislative Election Updates:

HD-120: Borough Councilman Gary Mack has announced his candidacy for state representative in the 120th Legislative District. Mack, 55, is a Democrat who is employed as an eighth-grade math and pre-algebra teacher at Wyoming Valley West Middle School.

I want to begin an era of cooperation and collaboration. … We cannot have the parochialism that we’re having. We can’t have the ‘I don’t want to work with him because he’s from this town.’ Can’t happen anymore. One thing I have been very good at through my life is getting people together for collaboration purposes. That’s something I’d love to continue,” he said.

The 120th is vacant after incumbent Rep. Phyllis Mundy (D-Luzerne) announced her retirement.

HD-163: United Steelworkers Local 10-1 members voted unanimously to endorse Vince Rongione, candidate for State Representative of the 163rd District.

“Vince comes from a great union family and has a tenacious work ethic. Any steelworker would be proud to stand shoulder to shoulder with Vince in the fight for more and better jobs,” USW 10-1 President Jim Savage said. “Here at Local 10-1 we know what it means to fight for jobs and we know that Vince has what it takes to fight with us. That is why we unanimously endorsed him, and why we will work tirelessly to see him win.”

Rongione is challenging incumbent Nick Micozzie for House District 163, which represents Drexel Hill, Clifton Heights, Havertown and Aldan. Many suspect that Micozzie will retire at the end of this term.

SD-28: Much of the focus on the special election in Sen. Waugh’s seat has been on the Republican battle for their nominee, but now two Democrats have expressed interested as well.

David Colon of the Windsor area and Linda Small of New Freedom.

York County Democratic Committee members will vote to choose their candidate for the special election, but their meeting was snowed out Tuesday night and they have decided to email their selections.

SD-40: The 40th Senatorial Seat is recently moved from Western PA to a Northampton and Monroe counties. Democrats account for 45 percent of the district’s 174,045 registered voters, and Republicans 37 percent.

According to the Morning Call, Democrats considering a run include Northampton County Councilman Scott Parsons and Bangor Mayor Joseph Capozzolo. Republican names mentioned for the open seat are Reps. Mario Scavello and Joe Emrick.

Statewide
StateImpactPA: Corbett unveils energy plan for Pennsylvania
Capitolwire: Corbett administration floats liquor privatization ideas

Philadelphia
PhillyClout: Kenney bill would eliminate arrest requirement for pot
The Inquirer: Casey presses case for raising U.S. minimum wage
Axis Philly: Tax-appeal backlog is a nightmare
WHYY Newsworks: GOP backs Costello for Gerlach seat in 6th District
Phillynow.com: 8 Pennsylvania abortion clinics closed since 2012

SEPA
Daily Local News: Downingtown volunteers stunned by council cuts
Daily Local News: Casey calls for action on income disparity issues
Daily Local News: 1.5M Pennsylvanians live close to large amounts of hazardous ammonia
Delco Daily Times: Steelworkers endorse Rongione for 163rd seat
Delco Daily Times: Colwyn hires former Darby Borough mayor Paula Brown as borough manager
Delco Daily Times: Trainer councilman vows to oppose property reassessments by the county
Courier Times: Middletown Taxpayers United is now a PAC
Pottstown Mercury: UPDATED: Corbett nominates former Norristown police chief as Montco sheriff

Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Peduto to offer more changes to Pittsburgh’s early retirement incentive – Nick
Post-Gazette: Conservator asks to liquidate August Wilson Center assets – Nick
Post-Gazette: PennDOT offering private sector a partnership to fix bridges
Post-Gazette: Out-of-state health insurance no safeguard for Pittsburgh couple
Tribune-Review: Planning Commission approves new office building at site of former Reizenstein Middle School
Tribune-Review: Wilkinsburg-Penn Joint Water Authority faces ‘significant fine’
UrbanMediaToday: New Pittsburgh Public Schools Board President Speaks out on Student Achievement

Southwest
Altoona Mirror: Howsare stepping down as Bedford County commissioner
Altoona Mirror: PSU Altoona plans new police station
Beaver County Times: Allegheny County Health Department to monitor air near airport drilling
Beaver County Times: Borough considers legal options after scores of homes affected by power surges – Nick
Beaver County Times: National Weather Service warns of dangerous wind chills

NEPA
Times Leader: Local tax hikes add to burden around county
Times Leader: WVW teacher enters race for 120th seat
Times-Tribune: Area foreclosures climb 60%
Times-Tribune: Valley View School Board adopts new hiring policy
Times-Tribune: U.S. Attorney to oppose Musto appeal

South Central
York Daily Record: Two to seek Democratic nomination for the 28th Senate seat
AP: Pa. Ag chief names director of dog law enforcement
AP: Corbett unveils state energy plan for Pa.
AP: New attempt on fracking standards launches
Harrisburg Patriot News: Auditor general has widened the investigation into Susquehanna Township schools
Harrisburg Patriot News: Roe v. Wade: Technology swaying opinions about legalized abortions, anti-abortionist says
Harrisburg Patriot News: Dauphin County Commissioner Jeff Haste says upcoming NRA show is good for Harrisburg
Harrisburg Patriot News: State House candidate wants Pennsylvania to join in pressing for convention to amend federal constitution
Harrisburg Patriot News: NRA: Upcoming outdoor show signals victory for gun rights advocates
Carlisle Sentinel: Harrisburg mayor asks community to help finance city hall repair

Lehigh Valley
WFMZ: Lehigh Valley economy on upswing, economists say
WFMZ: FedEx angers Allen Township residents
Express Times: Easton zoning board approves exceptions for Gov. Wolf Building
Morning Call: Stroudsburg Area could close school buildings
Morning Call: Democratic candidates for governor to attend Lehigh Valley forum
Morning Call: New Lehigh Valley-Pocono Senate seat closely watched

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Titan Energy Park hopes to attract manufacturing with KOEZ status
Onward State: Penn State Applications Surge, Up 19 Percent
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Muncy council members table discussion on fire tax
AP: Activists, CSX concerned about derailed oil trains
AP: GOP businesswoman running for Pa. Senate’s 46th

Opinion
Reading Eagle: Editorial: School board takes first step in reorganizing the district
York Daily Record: Voter ID appeal a waste of time and money
Post-Gazette: Voter ID nixed: The sheer weight of evidence buries a bad law – Nick
Pottstown Mercury: Voter ID law struck down in Pa. for good reason

Blogs
Media Trackers: Pennsylvania Democratic Gov Candidates All Oppose Paycheck Protection Bill
Media Trackers: Corbett Labeled “Yellow” And “Chicken” by Philly Papers
Keystone Politics: Campaign Finance Reform: A Floor, Not a Ceiling
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: Allyson Schwartz Calls For Early Voting, Same-Day Registration, Vote By Mail
Keystone Politics: Philly Councilman Jim Kenney Wants to Give People Tickets for Marijuana, Not Arrest Them
John Hanger: American Petroleum Institute Sounds Alarms On Oil Trains, Attacks Lax Regulation, As Oil Train Derails