It’s Valentine’s Day, and love is in the air.

State Rep. Jim Christiana (R-Beaver) set the bar for the holiday when he proposed to long-time girlfriend Jayann Freidhoff this weekend (let’s hope he wasn’t as fiscally conservative with the ring).

The state GOP fell in love with Cumberland County attorney Vic Stabile and Bucks County attorney Anne Covey, who each won endorsement on the first ballot for Superior and Commonwealth Court, respectively.

Marcellus drillers love politicians, and politicians love their perks. “It’s complicated” between Rick Santorum and CPAC attendees.

And you know it’s a special day, because even Arlen Specter is getting some love. The former Senator wrote an op-ed in defense of medical research spending (in light of proposed budget cuts), and Senator Bob Casey and columnist John Baer rose quickly in his support.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

State Rep. Christiana is Engaged
State Representative Jim Christiana (R-Beaver) in engaged to be married, the lawmaker announced via Twitter this weekend. (Includes a photo of the adorable couple).

Video: Pa. Republicans endorse Stabile for Superior Court
By a vote of 172-99-24, the Pennsylvania Republican state committee voted to endorse Cumberland County attorney Vic Stabile for the open seat on PA’s Superior Court. He overcame criticism from some committee members that his origins in the central part of the state would weaken the GOP ticket, compared to a candidate from the southeast.

Video: Covey Unanimously Wins Commonwealth Court Endorsement From State GOP
Anne E. Covey of Bucks County won the Republican party’s endorsement for the open seat on PA’s Commonwealth Court at this weekend’s state committee meeting.

Government reform measures passed by House, move on to Senate
With many state lawmakers in agreement that restoring government trust and improving transparency are vital issues across the Commonwealth, Gov. Corbett could cross off some items on his government reform “to-do list.”

Dent responds to explosion in hometown of Allentown
Allentown’s Congressman Charlie Dent vowed a thorough response to this week’s tragic explosion in his home town in an interview with PoliticsPA. “It’s tragic. I knew the homes. I know those people. In fact they were good supporters of mine, Dent said. “We have an obligation now to help the people who were displaced.”

Headlines
Times-News: New Pa. Gov.’s Cabinet Choices List Financial Ties
Centre Daily Times: Report: Gas Company paid for pol’s super bowl ticket
AP: Pa. Cuts to Require ‘Drastic’ Measures
Capitol Ideas: Gov. Corbett hints at more privatization to balance the books
Inquirer: Marcellus industry gives lots of politician perks, including Super Bowl ticket to Joe Scarnati
Times-Tribune: Corbett by the book
Post-Gazette: Pittsburgh Airport wants to ease congestion in NE airports by incentivizing airlines to have connecting flights through Pittsburgh
Post-Gazette: Former Pittsburgh Mayor Masloff Recuperating
York Sunday News: Bill in legislature to make it harder for schools to hire people with criminal backgrounds
Inquirer: Milton Street says ‘it’s going to be a crusade’
Patriot-News: Record turnout at Cumberland County Democratic Endorsement Meeting
Post-Gazette: McCullough joins GOP field for county executive race
Delaware County Times: Democrats announce city council candidates
Inquirer: Fired PHA Chief, Carl Greene, amends lawsuit against the agency
Tribune-Review: State prepares regions for 211 service
Newsworks: Getting the DROP on Councilman Rizzo in Philly
Times Leader: Geologist warns of fracking water
Citizens’ Voice: More NEPA wells fall flat
Citizens’ Voice: Home-rule transition panel split on consultant
Citizens’ Voice: Boroughs move to smaller boards
Citizens’ Voice: Two witnesses, two stories (Luzerne Corruption)
Politico: Santorum learns cost of Palin attacks
Times Leader: Focus turns to ‘kids-for-cash’ (Luzerne Corruption)
Post-Gazette: Pension solution for city remains elusive
Post-Gazette: Orie ex-staffers claim work included politics
Citizens’ Voice: Driller sues county over leases
Centre Daily Times: Business Matters: A report on Marcellus Shale drilling
Post-Gazette: Santorum looks to stengthen ties with GOP activists at CPAC

Opinions
Arlen Specter, Inquirer Op-Ed: Don’t cut research funding; NIH pays off in the long run
John Baer, Daily News: Arlen Specter is right, NIH is worth funding
Bob Casey’s Letter to Speaker Boehner: Cutting $1bn from NIH would hurt, not help economy
Times-Tribune: Santorum Finishes 9th in CPAC Straw Poll, but optimistically looks up
Post-Gazette: Good choice for AG: Corbett nominates a well-qualified successor
Citizens’ Voice: Steps being made for abortion oversight
Citizens’ Voice: Energy initiative has wide appeal
Inquirer: Ringside: Media didn’t ignore the Rendell rumors
Altoona Mirror Editorial: Reduce Congress’s Spending
Tribune-Review: You say you want a revolution…
Tribune-Review: No way to run a…
Centre Daily Times: Taxing shale drillers makes sense
State Rep. Mark Cohen, Young Philly Politics Op-Ed: Civil Unions Bill To Be Introduced with at least 41 Co-Sponsors