The budget mess, trouble for Dems in PA-6 and Murphy wins confirmation as Undersecretary of the Army. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz!

PA-BGT: Who Wants What?: A look at the Wish Lists of all sides in the state budget battle.

PA-BGT: Capitol Games: The budget standoff is becoming a bit of a chess match between House Republicans and the Governor.

PA-6: DCCC Giving Up on Parrish?: A new report suggests Democrats are looking for an alternative to Mike Parrish.

Murphy Confirmed as Army Undersecretary: The former Pennsylvania Congressman is joining the Obama Administration.

Breakdown of PA Delegation’s Votes on Omnibus Bill: See how your representatives voted on the $1.1 trillion appropriations legislation.

Statewide
Capitolwire: House GOP tees up another stopgap plan for passage ahead of Christmas break
Capitolwire: Pension bill fails in the House, placing ‘framework’ agreement in limbo
StateImpactPA: Royalty advocates applaud Chesapeake lawsuit, seek more legal protections
PLSReporter: House moves along emergency funding measure amid governor’s promised veto
PLSReporter: VIDEO: Reed on stopgap budget: “This at least gets money out to those folks who need it”

Philadelphia
Philly.com: Court backs Wolf in Phila. death penalty case
Philly.com: Eakin tearfully apologizes for offensive emails
Inquirer: Montco Rep. Todd Stephens to run for AG
Inquirer: Justice argues against suspension in court email scandal (AP)
KYW Newsradio: Hearing held on Supreme Court Justice Michael Eakin’s possible suspension
WHHY Newsworks: Still no agreement on NJ casino expansion referendum bills
WHYY Newsworks: Families moved from immigration detention centers in Texas to Pa., advocates say
WHYY Newsworks: Wolf tells Pa. House he’ll veto any stopgap budget plan
WHYY Newsworks: Borgata seeks $62 million tax refund from Atlantic City

SEPA
Daily Local News: Land groups, legislators, praise budget passage
Delco Daily Times: Federal Judge won’t dismiss lawsuits against Southeast Delco
Bucks County Courier Times: Riverkeepers blast state Department of Environmental Protection fracking study

Pittsburgh
WESA: Allegheny County Looking To Develop 150 Acres Surrounding Carrie Furnace Site
WESA: House GOP, On An Island, Readies Stopgap Budget
WESA: In Pennsylvania, It’s Legal To Deny Someone Housing For Being Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Or Transgender
Post-Gazette: Wolf says he would veto stopgap budget plan
Post-Gazette: After pension overhaul collapse, Pa. legislators regroup in battle to pass budget
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh City Council votes to decriminalize possession of small amounts of marijuana
Tribune Review: Supreme Court upholds Gov. Wolf’s death penalty moratorium
Tribune Review: Emotional Justice Eakin testifies about reputation, media circus
KDKA: Congressman Predicts Congressional Action On Drones

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Tips on welfare fraud saved state $21 million last year
Altoona Mirror: FAA changing unmanned aircraft regulation
Beaver County Times: Suspended Moon superintendent sues district, board members

NEPA
Times Leader: In Focus: Wilkes-Barre Mayor-elect Tony George and his team search for the city’s financial truth
Times Leader: Luzerne County can’t select an outside candidate to be temporary manager, attorney says
Times-Tribune: More gambling waits in wings
News Item: Local reps split on bill
Wayne Independent: Controversial figures return to council
Standard Speaker: Three depart Luzerne County Council

South Central
Patriot-News: Despite governor’s threatened veto, House moves ahead with plans to consider stopgap Pa. budget
Patriot-News: A closer look at the Pennsylvania House Republicans’ latest stopgap funding plan
Patriot-News: Supreme Court Justice Eakin’s ethics hearing focuses on private lives of judges
Patriot-News: Supreme Court supports Gov. Wolf’s stance on executions
Patriot-News: Six months without a budget, House GOP leader sees stopgap budget as “the right thing to do”
Carlisle Sentinel: FDA proposes ban on indoor tanning for minors
Carlisle Sentinel: Young Midstate Muslims talk faith in open forum
York Dispatch: York slated for its warmest Christmas Eve ever
York Dispatch: York County eyes larger tax hike

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Former Allentown Cabinet official charged in FBI case
Morning Call: House bill would decriminalize cross-border liquor purchases
Morning Call: Lehigh DA touts enhanced gang-tracking computer system
Reading Eagle: Former Allentown finance director charged in ‘pay-to-play’ scandal
Reading Eagle: Pottstown cuts ribbon on new $4.1 million public works complex at Rice and Prince streets

North by Northwest
Times-News: Erie School Board OKs borrowing $47 million
Times-News: County Council to discuss Fatica replacement Tuesday
Daily Times: Bellefonte Borough Council approves balanced budget

Opinion
Times-Tribune: Mitigate city stormwater with grants
Citizens’ Voice: $1T budget represents nature of compromise
Pocono Record: Suspend Pa. Justice Michael Eakin immediately over ‘porngate’
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Superfund law has led to cleaner, safer nation
Post-Gazette: Empty warnings: The city schools must keep better track of revenue
Post-Gazette: Safety in the skies: Registering small drones is a step forward
Tribune Review: Another VA crock: Coddling retaliators
Patriot-News: A high school football player dies a hero- We’re past the tipping point
Patriot-News: With the holidays coming, the House stages its own #PaBudget Christmas pantomime
Morning Call: U.S. can meet challenge of climate change agreement
Philly.com: Obamacare’s ‘Cadillac tax’ will swamp municipalities
Daily News: Exorcise your rights
Bucks County Courier Times: Pentagon business via private email

Blogs
Above Average Jane: Another PA budget embarrassment
Keystone Crossroads: Tax credits help build affordable housing, but they expire. Should Pennsylvania worry?
Commonwealth Foundation: Framework dead, time for a no-tax hike spending plan