President Obama visits Pittsburgh, Leach rallies support in Montgomery County and we have a complete wrap-up of local responses to the SOTU. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Obama Excites Labor Crowd in Pittsburgh: Surrounded by supporters, the President capitalizes on the pro-worker momentum from last night’s State of the Union address.

House Democrats to Hold Tweetup Response to Corbett Address: The House Democrats announced today that they will hold a Twitter conversation next week after Gov. Corbett’s budget address.

PA-9: Shuster Attacks Obama in Latest Ad: The GOP Congressman, currently facing a primary challenge, blamed the Obama Administration for the closing of a coal plant.

PA-13: Leach Receives Slew of New MontCo Endorsements: Support grew following his performance in Sunday’s debate.

PA Politicians React to SOTU: Unsurprisingly, the Republican members of the Pennsylvania delegation were not pleased with the authoritative, forceful nature of last night’s speech.

December Jobs Report: Unemployment Falls Again: The Pennsylvania unemployment rate fell below 7% for the first time in five years.

Pelosi To Hold Fundraiser For Parrish and Strouse: The House Minority Leader will raise money for three Democratic candidates in Philadelphia on February 6th.

Legislative Elections Update:

HD-74: Harry Lewis, the former principal of Coatesville High School and something of a legend as a high school track athlete — and later as a coach at Coatesville — announced he would seek the Republican nomination for the state house seat in 2014, which moves to Chester County from Clearfield County in 2014. Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell will face three-term Caln Township Councilman Joshua Young in the Democratic primary for the seat.

HD-174: Limerick Township Supervisor Thomas Neafcy announced his plans to run against Mark Painter for the Pennsylvania House of Representatives in the 147th Legislative District, which will include Perkiomen Township and Trappe Borough after the 2014 election.

HD-175: Sean Sullivan will announce his candidacy for the 175th House District at a campaign kick-off on Sunday. He previously served on the board of governors of the Philadelphia Bar Association, as vice-president of the Brehon Law Society, and as the board president of a small Philadelphia opera company. He will face incumbent Mike O’Brien (D-Philadelphia) in the primary.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Corbett to again propose tapering public pension payments as part of state budget plan
Capitolwire: Tobash’s hybrid public pension proposal ‘holds lots of potential’ as pension reform talks continue
Capitolwire: Lottery ready for Keno, but might hinge on other changes
PA Independent: Union workers pack Capitol to protest paycheck protection

Philadelphia
Daily News: Pa. state rep.’s criminal charges prompt another to fire his own sister
Inquirer: Filmmaker Shyamalan talks about improving schools
Inquirer: Could public comment be allowed at hearing for Bill Green’s nomination to head SRC?
Philly.com: Ex Delco councilman charged with alleged $3M theft
Philly.com: Casino Revolution stresses commitment to South Philadelphia
Philly.com: Montgomery County lawmaker proposes using Pa. horse racing funds for education
Philly.com: Double-decker train cars for SEPTA?
PhillyClout: Good & bad news for state Rep. JP Miranda

SEPA
Courier-Times: Corbett wants to give top schools $1M to help low-performing ones
Courier-Times: Bristol jumps into the fight against an incinerator
Courier-Times: Infrastructure upgrades planned for Bristol Twp. in 2014
Montgomery Media: Sale of Montgomery County Human Services Center in Norristown finalized
Montgomery Media: Whitemarsh supervisors OK development plans

Pittsburgh
Early Returns: Murphy 4th Q: $587K in cash
KDKA: US Steel Work Proud To Be Mentioned In President’s Speech
City Paper: Future Travel: Is $200 million for Downtown-Oakland BRT the best public-transit investment?
WTAE: Small business employees react to life changes necessitated by Affordable Care Act
Post-Gazette: Allegheny County Council committee moves tax-increment financing forward for Westport projects
Post-Gazette: College and university endowments jump in value; Penn State’s soars 66 percent
Tribune Review: Obama pitches retirement savings options at U.S. Steel’s Irvin Plant
Tribune Review: Marcellus shale responsible for $1.14B in deals
Tribune Review: Hempfield farmer to challenge for state House seat

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: North Strabane officials still deadlocked on new appointments
Beaver County Times: Some on Economy Council cite spending concerns, potential fraud
Beaver County Times: Does flood insurance crisis affect your home or business?
Beaver County Times: QV superintendent intends to retire
AP: New Pa. law on sports pool betting raises dispute
Altoona Mirror: Gamesa plant closing; 62 jobs lost
Altoona Mirror: Topper wins 78th District state House seat
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: City makes its case for ‘commuter tax’

NEPA
Times Leader: Critic questions Tigue’s seat on judicial conduct board.
Times Leader: Group hopes to make clean energy a campaign issue
Times Leader: Luzerne County moving to elected tax collector
Citizens Voice: Council introduces ordinance to revisit budget
Times-Tribune: Northeast Pennsylvania legislators praise, pan President’s address
Times-Tribune: Opposition to Lackawanna County government change is forming
Times-Tribune: Scranton audit of 2012 shows revenues lagged projections
News Item: Shamokin Area must address $3M deficit in 2014-15 budget
Standard Speaker: City council OKs budget with big changes

South Central
Lebanon Daily News: Farm bill passes House after years of disagreement
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Hample will kick off campaign for 97th District
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Crocamo will run as Democrat for 98th District seat
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Most local lawmakers see State of the Union as ‘missed opportunity’
York Dispatch: Gov. Corbett visits Red Lion, gives awards, previews grant plan
Harrisburg Patriot News: Toomey opposes Obama minimum wage initiative, but sees opportunities on other fronts
Harrisburg Patriot News: Toomey shows bipartisanship by hosting Democratic York mayor at State of the Union
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania Revenue Secretary touts Keno as part of Lottery’s growth plan

Lehigh Valley
Pennsylvania Ave: Potential ’16 rivals Toomey and Kane working together
Morning Call: Toomey, Kane agree on protecting children
Morning Call: Obama promotes retirement savings plan during Pa. stop
Reading Eagle: Mayor says state of city is rising
Reading Eagle: Don Spatz: Your tax dollars at work

North by Northwest
Centre Daily Times: Obama touts wage hike, creates ‘myRA’ savings plan
Centre Daily Times: Obama executive omissions leave some allies angry
AP: Obama executive omissions leave some allies angry

Opinion
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Making college safe for women
Daily News: DN Editorial: ‘Have to fix that’
Times Leader: Mass transit can get region moving
Citizens Voice: Make medicinal marijuana legal
Campaign ‘14 Blog: State analysts list 5 key factors in Democratic governor’s race

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Should Public Resources be Used to Collect Political Money?
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: Allyson Schwartz’s Pitch-Perfect Response on the Blackwell Center
Keystone Politics: #PAGov: Katie McGinty is the Best Choice for Environmentalists as of January 2014
Keystone Politics: Failing Cyber Schools: The Internet Porn Theory
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Muller Names Kim Makoul His Lehigh County Public Defender
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Hanover Goes For Regional Recycling Grants