More rumors about candidates in PA-06, Corbett’s campaign makes a mistake and McGinty releases her college affordability plan. Good morning politicos, here’s the buzz.

PA-6: Schwank and Trivedi Consider Run: The state Senator and the 2012 hopeful emerge as potential Democratic replacements for Rep. Jim Gerlach, as does Downingtown Mayor Josh Maxwell and several others.

McGinty Releases College Affordability Plan: McGinty campaign unveils plans to subsidize higher education and curtail tuition increases at state schools.

Corbett Uses Canadian Farmers on Website: Corbett’s campaign website uses pictures of Canadian farmers to promote Farm Families for Corbett-Cawley.

Hanger Releases New Video on Marijuana Legalization:New video shows the enthusiasm that the gubernatorial candidate has been able to create with his position on marijuana legalization.

Reader Poll: Who Should Democrats nominate in HD-164? With incumbent Margo Davidson facing two primary challengers we ask who you think the Democrats should nominate in House District 164.

Molchany and Sims Introduce Equal Pay Bill: Two state reps introduce new bill in the Pennsylvania Agenda for Women’s Health.

Reader Poll: Policies and Ideology Matter the Most in Gov Vote: Readers stated that policies and ideology are by far the most important factors to them when picking a candidate for Governor.

Legislative Elections Update:

HD-31: David Gibbon is seeking the Republican nomination for the 31st district of Bucks County. The former Marine is a Lower Makefield resident, and recently returned from Egypt and military service. Gibbon is a strong advocate for open space initiatives, higher education, and tax reform.

He will likely face incumbent Democrat Rep. Steve Santasiero.

SD-50: Michael Muha is running for the Democratic nomination in the 50th district. He grew up, attended public school, and owns and manages The Law Office of Michael T. Muha, Esquire, in Hermitage.

“I am very excited to start our campaign and meet the great people of the 50th District,” said Muha. “As your next State Senator I will fight to create an environment for family-sustaining jobs, for quality public education in Pennsylvania, and to promote innovative solutions to repair the economic and communal stagnation that affects many communities from Sharon and Meadville to Corry and Grove City.”

HD-80: Aaron Ritchey of Hollidaysburg and life-long resident of Blair County, will seek the Republican nomination for the position currently held by retiring Jerry Stern. Mr.

Ritchey is a long time business owner and current Hollidaysburg Area School District
board director serving in the third year of a four year term.

“Public service is not for everyone, but I feel compelled to answer the obligation of serving. I am running, not to gain power or wealth, but because I feel that I can make a difference,” Ritchey said. “I understand that by putting myself out there I am opening myself up to criticism and personal attack. However, I think that I can be part of the solution in Harrisburg.”

The 80th district includes parts of northern Blair County, including Tyrone Borough, Tyrone Township and Snyder Township.

HD-163: Attorney Vince Rongione announced he will run for State Representative, challenging incumbent Nick Micozzie for House District 163, which represents Drexel Hill, Clifton Heights, Havertown and Aldan. Many suspect that Micozzie will retire at the end of this term.

After working for a few years as an attorney, Rongione joined Admiral Joe Sestak’s first run for Congress, where he worked his way up to Deputy Campaign Manager for Finance. Since that time, Rongione has worked for State Representative Bryan Lentz and served on Capitol Hill as Communications Director to Congressman Chris Carney

“I learned early in life that public service is a privilege,” Rongione said. “Now is the right time for me to give back and serve the communities that have given me so much.”

SD-28: Zachary Hearn will seek the Republican nomination for the 28th senatorial district. He is the deputy director for claims for The American Legion in Washington, D.C. Hearn resides with his wife Tracey in Windsor Township. He is a member of Red Lion American Legion Post 543 and is a life member of the Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8951 in West York.

“With the same passion and energy that I have provided as an advocate for millions of America’s veterans and their families, I will bring to Harrisburg to advocate for policies that encourage private sector growth, job creation, pension reform, and a focus on Pennsylvania schools to ensure that the next generation of Pennsylvanians are provided with the necessary skills to succeed in a global economy,” said Hearn.

Incumbent Sen. Mike Waugh (R-York) is retiring at the end of this term.

Statewide
StateImpactPA: Chapter 78: A guide to the proposed oil and gas regulations
StateImpactPA: Exports keeping coal industry alive despite surge in natural gas

Philadelphia
Daily News: City’s grand-jury policy has positives, downfalls
Daily News: Dem lawmakers rally for marriage equality
Inquirer: Two different views of Phila. mob at closing arguments
Inquirer: Sandusky appears to make pension appeal
CapitolInq: Toomey, Casey split on unemployment benefits
CapitolInq: Trivedi “considering” a third run for Congress
Philly.com: Bucks County Judge Jeffrey Finley elected as president judge
PhillyClout: Contractor to reimburse PGW $2M for overcharged work

SEPA
Courier-Times: Bucks court names new president judge
Courier-Times: Morrisville will advertise for improvement project again
Courier-Times: Wrightstown employees get 1.2 percent raises
Montgomery Media: Two new judges take seats on Montgomery County bench
Montgomery Media: Delco jobless brace for expiration of long-term unemployment compensation

Pittsburgh
Tribune Review: Democratic lawmakers want voice in lottery, liquor, budget talks
Tribune Review: State leaders negotiating on possible new liquor privatization plan
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania’s oil and gas drillers to honor Act 13 buffers
Post-Gazette: State System schools mull Pa. weapons ban
Post-Gazette: Retirement panel official challenged for investing

Southwest
Observer-Reporter: Pa. Senate re-elects Scarnati as top senator
Altoona Mirror: Mayor, councilman take office

NEPA
Times Leader: Former NEPA politico running for office in SEPA
Times Leader: What’s future of Medicaid in Pa.?
Times Tribune: Scranton School Board rescinds McGuigan’s action, calls for unity
News Item: New Shamokin council has long list of challenges
Standard Speaker: Mundie to lead city council

South Central
Harrisburg Patriot News: Appeals court upholds Act 47 takeover of Harrisburg finances.
Harrisburg Patriot News: Zachary Helms is in, so Scott Wagner has competition in the 28th senatorial district.
York Daily Record: Michael Flannelly returns as York County solicitor after loss to Todd Platts.
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Congressman Joe Pitts pushes bill to protect healthcare.gov participants from identity fraud.

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Donchez’s cabinet gets the OK from Bethlehem council.
Morning Call: Mayor Kathleen Palmer’s obstinance towards property tax hike is overruled by Alburtis council.
Morning Call: Flip-flop Democrat Tom Muller becomes Lehigh County executive, and Republican John Brown does the same in Northampton.
Reading Eagle: A first: two women become Berks County judges in the same year.

North by Northwest
Erie Times-News: Erie’s mayor, Joe Sinnot, enters third and final term.
AP: In a time of no lawmaking, the Pa. Senate re-elects Republican Joe Scarnati as president pro tempore.

Opinion
Times Tribune: No need to rehear zoning case
Times Leader: Missing fuel case lingers too long
Inquirer: Reject boycott of Israel
Daily News: DN Editorial: Sisters act
Express Times: Gifts from lobbyists to politicians in Pennsylvania should be perceived as bribery, not goodwill.

Blogs
Above Average Jane: Local Politicos in the News
Above Average Jane: New Baby for Boyle
Commonwealth Foundation: Philly Schools Spending Crisis Set to Grow
Commonwealth Foundation: Video: Government Unions’ Political Power Cycle
Keystone Politics: Craft Beer Contributes $2B to PA’s Economy. It Would Contribute More if More Businesses Could Sell It
Keystone Politics: Community Environmental Legal Defense Fund: The Left’s Nullification Cranks
Keystone Politics: The Parking Chair-ization of Philadelphia Public Space Policy
Keystone Politics: Should Daylin Leach Run for #PA6 Instead?
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Sletvold PD Appointment Creating Judicial Headaches
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Brown Terminates Sheriff Miller
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Diacogiannis Wins Coin Toss in Hanover
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Nolan Takes Reins in Bethlehem Township
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Ferraro, Geissinger to Lead Northampton County Council
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Executive John Brown: I Am Here To Serve