Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz. Both congressional and legislative redistricting maps will move on Monday, but in between now and then we’re all looking forward to Pa. Society. Meanwhile, the Senate GOP has its new map version and Tom Smith is on TV.

On a personal note, thanks to everyone who has made my first year at PoliticsPA so great. How much has changed in a year? Check out my first story.

-Keegan

PA Society Cheat Sheet: Let’s face it, you can’t attend every reception at Pennsylvania Society (nor would you want to). Here’s are the top ten places you want to be this weekend.

PA Society Event List: It’s that time of year again – Pa. politicos have their sights set on the Big Apple for the 113th Pennsylvania Society festivities. Here is your one-stop shop for the marathon of receptions, dinners, cocktail gatherings and open bar events.

Revised Senate GOP Map Unveiled: Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi’s office released its updated map of new Pa. Senate districts Wednesday evening. The most dramatic change from the earlier draft is a reshaped 15th district, which no longer has the controversial horseshoe shape.

SEPA GOP Chairs for Rafferty: The Republican race for Attorney General will come down to the GOP state committee endorsement on January 28. John Rafferty got off to a quick start this week with endorsements from half a dozen of the party leaders in his native southeast Pa.

Smith on TV: Tom Smith, the businessman and coal industry veteran from Armstrong County, will launch the first television ads of the first Republican primary for U.S. Senate, PoliticsPA has learned. According to multiple GOP media consultants, the buy will total about $160,000 and comprise both broadcast and cable.

Schmidt for Welch: One of Philadelphia’s most popular Republicans has endorsed Chester County entrepreneur Steve Welch for U.S. Senate.

Ron Buxton to Retire: The Harrisburg State Rep. says this is his last term in office. City Councilwoman Patty Kim is the only candidate currently running to replace him.

Sandusky Re-arrested: Two more alleged victims of the sex abuse scandal surfaced, resulting in the former PSU coach’s re-arrest with a $250,000 bail.

National
Examiner: Ed Rendell lays out three points for Obama to win PA
Business Week: Banking firm to aid Pa. gov’s privatization group
Los Angeles Times: Arlen Specter says Pennsylvania “tough” for Obama
National Journal: Pa. GOP Chair Predicts Race Could Head To Convention
Huffington Post: Election 2012: Unions Back Casey, Florida’s Redistricting And Moe Warren Ads to Come
Huffington Post: Rick Santorum Disputes That People Die Because Of A Lack Of Health Insurance
Towleroad: Rick Santorum Accuses Obama of Tying ‘Gay Lifestyles’ to Foreign Aid
NewsOK: Rick Santorum campaign clears up Oklahoma filing problem
TPM: Rick Santorum Slams President Obama for Revealing Osama Bin Laden Died
Chicago Tribune: Santorum: National security could trump economy in 2012 election
UW Badger Herald: Obama’s approval rating indicates future
Good Morning America: Kathleen Kane on Good Morning America
Hill: Santorum: Iran nuclear program is top priority on first day as president
Hill: Gingrich, Bachmann, Santorum will attend Huckabee’s anti-abortion forum
American Spectator: Santorum’s Round-Trip Ticket
GlobalPost: Rick Santorum says gay sex is not ‘equal’ to straight sex
Examiner: Rick Santorum: People die because of bad decisions, not lack of health insurance
Early Returns: Daily Santorum: Gingrich Jr.
Pennsylvania Ave: As clock ticks, Casey continues payroll tax cut charge
Pennsylvania Ave: Hoyer: Obama v. Do-nothing Congress
Roll Call: Dominic Pileggi bursts his Senate trial balloon
AP, Washington Post: Pa. county commissioner, brother of MSNBC commentator Chris Mathews, charged with perjury

Statewide
Senate Republicans: Senate Committee Passes Rafferty Bill to Strengthen Arson Laws
Senate Republicans: Committee Approves Bill to Help PA Businesses
State Column: New payroll tax cut proposal faces challenges
State Magazine: Senate Republican Spend a Long Day Protecting the Courts in Order To Trash Them
RealClearPolitics: Central Pa. county DA running for attorney general
Capitol Ideas: Senate Democrats Roll Out Child Abuse Fixes
Patriot-News: Pa. Dept. Of Revenue To Online Retailers: ‘Do The Right Thing’ And Collect Taxes
Patriot-News: Study Says Pa. Could Save Millions By Implementing All-Electronic Tolling On Turnpike
Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett and Susan Corbett Light Capitol Christmas Tree
Carlisle Sentinel: Bill Will Expand Sunday Sale Of Beer In Pa.
Tribune Review: Ex-PSU coach Sandusky arrested on new sex abuse charges
Post Gazette: School Voucher proponents push for House passage
Post Gazette: Allegheny County Council OKs 1-mill property tax hike
Early Returns: Casey bill wont harm social security, agency says
Altoona Mirror: Sandusky jailed on $250,000 bond
The Morning Call: Payroll tax: Bob Casey plugging for legislation to extend payroll tax cuts
CBS Philly: Pa. Senate passes bill expanding use of DNA evidence
Delco Times: House discusses voucher bill, Piccola says sunset provision unacceptable

Philly
Philadelphia Magazine: Rick Santorum + New Gingrich + Donald Trump = TV Gold
Inquirer: 19 Occupy Philly members seek trial on charges of failure to disperse
CBS Philly: Philadelphia officials eyeing safer pedestrian practices during Dilworth plaza rebuild
CBS Philly: Philly digging in on its tree planting mission
CBS Philly: Philly zoning code overhaul moves forward in council
CBS Philly: Nutter lobbies for state action on city reassessments

Philly Burbs
Montgomery Media: Montgomery County Commissioner Jim Matthews charged with perjury
Courier Times: No tax hike on budget
Bucks Local News: Bucks county commissioners welcome budget input from residents
Burlington County Times: Freeholder for a day

Pittsburgh
Tribune-Review: Hazelwood mortuary problems long known
Tribune Review: Feds: Pay attention to fracking in PA, elsewhere
Tribune Review: Franco reinstated as chairman of Pittsburgh Promise
Post Gazette: Preliminary hearing opens up for SCI-Pittsburgh guard Nicoletti
Post Gazette: Former tax administrator sues, saying his firing was political
Early Returns: Promise board rebuffs Ravenstahl

NEPA
Times Leader: No Barletta in proposed district
Times-Tribune: Casey bill at forefront of tax cut debate
Times Tribune: Scranton tables budget
Citizen’s Voice: Fire chief stole 15k from the local fire company
Wayne Independent: Borough ignores personnel request
The Daily Review: Athens school board reorganizes
Go Lackawanna: Mohegan Sun fined $80k
Standard Speaker: Bill would help states, municipalities meet road sign mandate

North by Northwest
Erie Times: Sandusky arrested on new sex abuse charges
Erie Times: Sandusky faces another accusation of sexual abuse
Erie Times: Millcreek supervisors approve preliminary budget with tax increase
Erie Times: We still remember Pearl Harbor
Erie Times: News briefs from around the region
Erie Times: Erie County Council approves appointed officials’ salaries for 2012; pay frozen at 2011 levels
Erie Times: Slot-machine revenue at Erie casino dips in November
Erie Times: Today in History
Leader-Vindicator: County defends employee pay raises
Leader-Vindicator: Bridge repairs lead to major detour
Leader-Vindicator: Rimersburg leaders wrap up 2011; bid farewell to longtime official
Courier Express: Clearfield Co. adopts no-tax-increase budget
Courier Express: No tax increase in Elk Co. next year
Courier Express: Gas royalty payments not as much as thought
Jeffersonian Democrat: County will host Just for Jesus meeting in Brookville
Jeffersonian Democrat: No tax increase in Brookville
Jeffersonian Democrat: Brookville Superintendent provides ‘state-of-the-district’
Centre Daily Times: The Second Mile announces plans to lay off some employees
Centre Daily Times: Bill will expand Sunday sale of beer in Pa.
Centre Daily Times: University likely won’t meet NCAA deadline
Centre Daily Times: PSU: Paterno still tenured, could teach
Centre Daily Times: School: Sandusky denied job after background check
State College: Sandusky Arrested on 12 New Counts, Jailed in Centre County
State College: Report: Man Says Scream for Help from Sandusky Basement Went Unanswered
State College: Erickson: Penn State to Create Center for Child Protection

Lehigh Valley
The Morning Call: Norco’s last chance to pass budget
The Morning Call: Occupy Bethlehem agrees to get permits for tents
The Morning Call: Emmaus proposes 2 percent property tax hike
WFMZ: Entire Olumpus board may quit amid scandal

Southwest
Indiana Gazette: Lauber hired as director of Foundation for IUP
Daily American: Somerset County close to finalizing deal with unions
Daily American: Windber Borough passes next years budget, secures low interest loan
Tribune Review: Fayette elections board signs off on results
Beaver County Times: USDA assisting with dairy investigation

Opinion
Erie Times: Editorial Cartoon
Erie Times: 70 years later, we remember Pearl Harbor
Erie Times: Paterno didn’t fall from God’s grace
Erie Times: Will: Obamacare to hurt restaurants
Courier Express: No justification for starting was against Iran
Leader-Vindicator: A reason for hope?
Centre Daily Times: It’s the media’s fault
Centre Daily Times: Beloved coach was scapegoated
Centre Daily Times: Elect a new board of trustees
Centre Daily Times: Education efforts can prevent fires
Centre Daily Times: Transcending the scandal
Centre Daily Times: Courtroom rules for Sandusky hearing may shock national media
Public Opinion Editorial: Overdue Movement On Kids In Casino Parking Lots
Baer Growls: Saving Can Be Costly
Times Tribune: Washo has right idea at the wrong time
Intelligencer Journal Editorial: End The COLA
Intelligencer: A simple, much needed reform to curb executive power
Post gazette: Middle class relief: Congress should extend payroll tax cut
Digital Journal Op-Ed: Does Santorum’s Campaign Need Anger Management?

Blogs
Commonweal: Rick Santorum accidentally makes strong case for individual mandate
Commonwealth Foundation: Educrats fight for system
Above Average Jane: Montco Grand Jury notes
Young Philly Politics: PA Liquor Privatization findings are too good to be true
CasablancaPA: He doesn’t understand the law
Third and State: Tax breaks for the wealthy?
Pennsylvania Progressive: PSU Faculty has no faith in probe
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Corruption in Montco
Gort 42: Pennsylvania Congressional Redistricting