Eakin gets suspended, Johnny Doc is aiding Zappala and we ask who had the worst 2015. Happy Holidays politicos, here’s the Buzz!

BREAKING: Justice Eakin Suspended: The Court of Judicial Discipline suspended the Supreme Court Justice for his offensive emails.

Reader Poll: Who Had the Worst 2015?: We ask our readers which current elected official had the hardest time this past year.

Reader Poll: PA’s Republican Presidential Primary Will be Competitive: Our readers believe the April 26th contest will make a difference in who gains the GOP presidential nomination next year.

Dougherty Lending A Hand to Zappala: The influential labor leader is pushing the AG candidate behind the scenes.

Eakin Apologizes, Defends Himself: The Supreme Court Justice appeared before the Court of Judicial Discipline today.

PA-Sen: Sestak Visits Budgetless Harrisburg: The Democrat handed out food and supplies to struggling residents in the capital.

PA-Gov: State Supreme Court Upholds Wolf’s Death Penalty Moratorium: The Governor trumpets his legal victory.

Legislative Elections Update:

SD-9: State Rep. Tom Killion is seeking to replace retiring State Sen. Dominic Pileggi. Killion has represented the 168th district since 2003. There is some overlap in Delaware County with that district and SD-9.

Statewide
PLS Reporter: Reed: “We have to wait and see what the Senate does tomorrow” before House will take up budget bill
PLS Reporter: Gov. Wolf: “I’m pleased with the progress made in the House today”
Capitolwire: With apologies to Monty Python, the budget framework is not dead yet
StateImpactPA: State Auditor General to investigate where drilling impact money is going

Philadelphia
Heard in the Hall: Mayor Nutter signs off on franchise deal with Comcast
WHYY Newsworks: Heeding DOJ recommendations, Philly outsources review of police shootings to state cops
WHYY Newsworks: Eakin suspended while ‘porngate’ case proceeds
WHYY Newsworks: What’s in Gov. Christie’s stocking? Recommendations from NJ gun law commission
WHYY Newsworks: Nutter revises city policy on immigrants suspected of serious crimes
Inquirer: Two bills that would expand N.J. medical marijuana law debated
Philly.com: A Pa. budget deal for Christmas?
Philadelphia Business Journal:Pa. Supreme Court upholds Wolf’s death penalty moratorium

SEPA
Pottstown Mercury: $3.5M Upper Pottsgrove budge to raise taxes by 14%
Bucks County Courier Times: Relief from higher taxes
Bucks County Courier Times: $10.10 minimum wage benefits everyone
Bucks County Courier Times: Law capping school tax increases in need of revision
Bucks County Courier Times: Votes signal breakthrough in Pennsylvania budget stalemate

Pittsburgh
WESA: Court Strikes Down Pittsburg Paid Sick Days Law
WESA: Search For New Pittsburgh Schools Superintendent To Begin In January
Post-Gazette: House abruptly changes course on state budget
Post-Gazette: Pa.’s population grows slightly in last year
Tribune Review: Staffers in AG’s Office sue Kane, claim retaliation
Tribune Review: Ousting school superintendent could cost Moon Area more than buyout option, attorney warns

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Carmichaels council adopts budget with no tax increase
Altoona Mirror: Ex-lawmakers: Crisis unprecedented
Altoona Mirror: County voting board sides with residents
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown City Council adopts 2016 budget, with higher local services tax
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Johnstown Redevelopment Authority names new interim executive director

NEPA
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre finances move into red as year ends, but Leighton says there’s nothing to fear
Times Leader: Local legislators getting tired of the rhetoric in state budget impasse
Times Leader: Luzerne County manager selection committee plans search
Standard Speaker: HASD puts ban on middle school hoops
Standard Speaker: Mayor-elect Cusat presents top staff members
Standard Speaker: Interim police chief will serve part-time
Citizens’ Voice: Ongoing budget impasse angers school officials
Citizens’ Voice: Former human resources director sues Luzerne County
Times-Tribune: Jessup grants conditional use permit for power plant
Times-Tribune: Scranton School District OKs 2016 budget, still searching for $31.2M to avoid default
Times-Tribune: Globe building could be new Lackawanna County Administration Building

South Central
Patriot-News: Pennsylvania’s framework budget deal shows a pulse; but hard issues remain
Patriot-News: ‘Hundreds of new jobs’: U.S. Senator discusses effects of a new federal courthouse in Harrisburg
Patriot-News: Congrats, Pa., you just tied the record for the longest-ever #PaBudget standoff
Patriot-News: Finally, the Pa. House is ready to consider budget bill to end impasse
Patriot-News: Supreme Court Justice J. Michael Eakin suspended amid ‘Porngate’ allegations
Carlisle Sentinel: Dickinson Township chairman, manager resign
Carlisle Sentinel: High temperature on Christmas Eve could shatter 25-year record
York Dispatch: Accused Fairview Twp. cop released on house arrest, but guns seized
York Dispatch: Rabbit Transit bus using natural gas

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Allentown death row inmate granted new sentencing hearing by Supreme Court
Morning Call: Budget breakthrough in Pennsylvania House?
Morning Call: Kathleen Kane slapped with another federal lawsuit claiming retaliation
Reading Eagle: With warm weather and cheap gas, expect more traffic this Christmas
Reading Eagle: Plane crashes near Lebanon County airport
Reading Eagle: Kids in Pottstown Memorial Medical Center get gift of books from educators

North by Northwest
Times-News: County Council to discuss Fatica replacement Tuesday
Times-News: Casey postpones visit to Erie
Daily Times: College women plagued by aftermath of sexual assault, violence
Daily Times: Holiday travelers heading south expected to save at the pump
Daily Times: State College OKs pilot project to allow open containers at music festival

Opinion
Post-Gazette: Federal deal: A budget compromise comes with the usual plums
Post-Gazette: Closing Shenango: Steel’s downturn takes its toll on the coke plant
Observer-Reporter: Lumps of coal for state lawmakers
Beaver County Times: Budget agreement tied to re-election concerns
Times Leader: Lackawanna and Luzerne counties taking opposite approaches to government buildings
Tribune Review: A year later: Same-old Cuba
Times-Tribune: Help to deter overdoses
Patriot-News: A Hail Mary in the House – and a #PaBudget, if they can keep it
Patriot-News: Half of U.S. voters would be ’embarrassed’ to have President Trump – would you?
Reading Eagle: Once was enough; citizenship should not be an issue
Inquirer: Don’t let Eakin judge
Inquirer: Is climate deal smart policy?
Daily News: Term limits not an answer
Bucks County Courier Times: A Christmas wish for our lawmakers

Blogs
Keystone Crossroads: Pennsylvania power companies unscathed by hackers
Keystone Crossroads: Section 8 vouchers can help low-income renters, but finding housing is difficulty
Commonwealth Foundation: Moving on from budget gridlock