Fitzpatrick’s brother eyes his seat, Dent unveils his latest fundraising numbers and a look at Governor Wolf’s first year. Good morning politicos, here’s the Playbook!
PA-8: Report: Fitzpatrick’s Brother to Seek Seat: It’s looking like Brian Fitzpatrick will try to succeed his older brother in Congress.
Wolf: Year One: It was a year of many downs, and not too many ups, for the businessman-turned-Governor.
PA-12: Larchuk Launches First TV Ad (VIDEO): The Democratic Congressional candidate introduces himself to voters.
PA-15: Q4: Dent Starts 2016 with $1.23M Cash On Hand: Rep. Dent’s campaign announces their 4th quarter fundraising efforts.
PA Dems Cancel Winter Meeting: The incoming snow storm caused the move.
SD-5: Boyle Endorsed by FOP: The Fraternal Order of Police is backing State Rep. Kevin Boyle in the Democratic primary.
PA-8: Duome Enters the GOP Primary: The neuropsychologist has jumped into the race.
Legislative Elections Update
SD-13: Lancaster County Commissioner Scott Martin is contending that the straw polls being touted by Iraq War veteran Neal Rice are not fully reliable, citing “irregularities”.
Neal also was absent from a recent debate between Martin and East Lampeter Township Supervisor Ethan Demme.
All three men are running against each other in the Republican Party to replace Lloyd Smucker.
The 13th district consists of parts of Lancaster County.
SD-15: State Sen. Rob Teplitz announced that as part of his re-election effort, he has now visited all municipalities in his district.
“When I ran for this office four years ago, I promised to be the most accessible and responsive senator that we’ve ever had,” said Teplitz. “That means being actively engaged in every community, no matter how big or small, or how near or far. I’m running for a second term to continue to give the residents of the 15th district the kind of hands-on representation they deserve.”
The 15th district includes parts of Dauphin County and all of Perry County.
HD-87: State Rep. Greg Rothman is running for re-election. Rothman won a special election to succeed Glen Grell.
“The budget impasse was frustrating, but I am proud to have been able to support a balanced budget that doesn’t require increases in tax rates,” Rothman said. “I will do all that I can to make sure Pennsylvania has a fiscally responsible budget on time next year without burdening our schools, social service organizations, families, seniors or businesses.”
The 87th district is located in Cumberland County.
HD-157: State Rep. Warren Kampf announced that he is running for his fourth term.
“Serving the people of the 157th District and working together with them to reach our common goals on issues like fiscal discipline, stronger schools, and economic growth is an honor,” the Republican stated. “Although the process of government can at times be frustrating, I ask for the people’s support so I may continue working for them and to meet the challenges we face.”
The 157th district consists of parts of Chester and Montgomery Counties.
HD-165: Alex Charlton revealed that he won the endorsement of Springfield, Marple, Radnor and Morton. He is running to replace retiring State Rep. Bill Adolph.
“Our Republican committee members do the hard work on the ground in a campaign — they go door-to-door with our candidates and volunteer to staff phone banks,” Charlton stated. “I’m honored to have their support for my campaign to serve the 165th District in Harrisburg.”
The 165th district represents parts of Delaware County.
Statewide
Capitolwire: Keystone Exams two-year delay on it way to Wolf for his expected signature
State House Sound Bites: Rural Hospitals Join the List of Budget Impasse Victims
State House Sound Bites:Torture Film Actor Returns For More Than A Cameo
StateImpactPA: NJ homeowners hire D.C. law firm to fight PennEast pipeline
Philadelphia
KYW: Pa. Lawmakers Advance Legislation To Crack Down On Unpaid Tolls
Inquirer: In busy first session of ‘16, Philly Council calls for making Eid a city holiday
Inquirer: Committee of Seventy seeks abolition of city commissioners
Inquirer: Judicial panel zeroes in on review of Eakin’s emails
CapitolInq: Rep. Fitzpatrick’s brother will run to replace him
WHYY Newsworks: Bucks congressman’s brother will try to succeed him in 8th district
WHYY Newsworks: Philly Council is back to work – and members are full of bills, resolutions
SEPA
Daily Times News: Nether Prov Democrat Marty Malloy announces bid for state Senate in 9th District
Bucks County Courier Times: Brian Fitzpatrick Announces Run For Congress
Bucks County Courier Times: Sestak brings Senate campaign, health care message to Doylestown
Bucks County Courier Times: Lower Makefield supervisors reopen budget
Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Lead crisis in Flint, Mich., raises question: What’s in our water?
Tribune Review: Justices Baer, Dougherty among Pa. judges who received offensive emails
Tribune Review: Grand jury judge investigating Kane’s ‘unauthorized’ email leak to special prosecutor
Post-Gazette: Kane deputy says she lacked authority to order email probe
Post-Gazette: State system finally approves budget for its 14 universities
WESA: Wolf Declares State Of Emergency As Weekend Storm Approaches
WESA: Johnstown’s Pension Plan Liability Continues To Grow
Pittsburgh Business Times: Home listings, sales up in Pittsburgh region
Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Gov. Wolf to talk jobs Friday at LifePoint opening
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Rothfus supports GOP’s five-point plan
Altoona Mirror: Bedford County, jail facing lawsuit
NEPA
Standard Speaker: Lawsuit against former 911 director thrown out
Pocono Record: Pocono Township Residents Petition Court to Oust Deadlocked Board of Commissioners
Times Leader: Luzerne County to develop written Susquehanna River flood response plan
Times-Tribune: Lackawanna County commissioner files lawsuit seeking firing of top county officials
Times-Tribune: Power plant opposition group withdraws lawsuits against borough, developer
Times-Tribune: Senate passes school closing bill
South Central
Patriot News: ‘I will know what the reality is on the day I give my speech,’ Gov. Tom Wolf says of second budget
Patriot News: Rep. Fattah can’t pay for defense in racketeering case
Patriot News: Justice Eakin’s trial for offensive emails could bring scrutiny for other judges
Carlisle Sentinel: Tallman announces bid for re-election
York Daily Record: Education secretary ‘confident’ in York plans
York Dispatch: Pa. Rep. Phillips-Hill seeks 2nd term
Lancaster Intelligencer: US Rep Joe Pitts endorses Scott Martin for state Senate
Roxbury News: Heidi Eakin: I’ve seen all the emails
Lebanon Daily News: Educator seeks Pennsylvania’s 101st House seat
Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: What Allentown councilman Julio Guridy said before the no-confidence vote
Morning Call: Allentown Mayor Ed Pawlowski’s statement to City Council on no-confidence vote
Morning Call: Kathleen Kane deputy says she lacked authority to order email probe
Reading Eagle: Kutztown University student: We want our campus polling place back
North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Rep. Ami Bera’s votes leave Democrats debating whether to support him
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City Committee endorses hiring 2 police officers
Opinion
Carlisle Sentinel: Political correctness taking over Philly
Erie Times News: Erie City Council cheated in filling vacant seat
Post-Gazette: First things first: Wolf should forgo a big splash on the next budget
Altoona Mirror: Legal smoking shouldn’t start until age 21
Beaver County Times: County’s fiscal mess raises many questions
Standard Speaker: Protection for the insured
Pocono Record: Going for the jugular in Harrisburg
Times-Tribune: Sound action on methane
Inquirer: Wrong time to slumber
Blogs
Citified: Lawmakers Fight for Muslim Holidays to Be Recognized in Philly
Citified: Fix It: The Old, Forgotten Police Barricades Littering Philly Streets
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: City Council Wants Fed Ed to Resign
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Hunter: $50 MM LOC Remains Untouched
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Did NorCo Council Committees Violate the Sunshine Act?
2 Political Junkies: Meanwhile Outside… (Despite Pittsburgh’s Snow, It’s STILL Getting Hotter)
Above Average Jane: Josh Shapiro on “Inside Story”