Speaker Smith takes a shot at CAP, the GOP goes after Wolf and Josephs will wage a primary battle with Sims. Good morning politicos, here’s the Buzz.

Gov Announces “African Americans For Corbett-Cawley”: Corbett unveiled the support of a new group today in his re-election bid.

PA-Gov: GOP Now Targeting Wolf Campaign: The Republican Party is questioning Wolf’s beliefs on self-financing, which suggests that the party sees him gaining traction.

PA-3: Joswiak Drops Out: Citing family issues, Rob Joswiak dropped his challenge to Rep. Mike Kelly.

HD-182: Babette Josephs to Primary Brian Sims: Sims supporters say Josephs will seek a rematch of the 2012 primary – at the urging of some of Sims’s colleagues.

PA-3: Kelly Announces Re-Election Bid: Promises to keep asking the “tough questions” in Washington for NW PA.

Ironworkers 401 Indicted: Campaign Contributions In Flux: Members of Philadelphia’s Ironworkers Local 401 have been indicted for the use of intimidation and brute force, candidates that they supported are put on the spot.

Speaker Smith Fires Farewell Shot at CAP: Shortly after announcing his retirement, Smith sent a farewell letter to CAP.

Legislative Elections Update:

Delaware GOP: The Delaware County Republican Party announced that Republican committee people in the 163rd and 164th Legislative Districts met last night and formally endorsed Upper Darby Councilman Jamie Santora for State Representative in the 163rd Legislative District and Saud Siddiqui for state Representative in the 164th Legislative District.

Lancaster GOP: The County party backed its slate of candidates, including in the contested open primary for state Senate. State Rep. Ryan Aument overcame Rep. Gordon Denlinger and newcomer Robert William for the endorsement in SD-36, where incumbent Mike Brubaker is retiring. After the vote, Denlinger said he isn’t sure if he will continue to campaign for the job without party support. The committee also endorsed in the two open House districts: Brett Miller in HD41 (Aument’s seat) and David Zimmerman in HD99 (Denlinger’s).

SD-44: State Senator John Rafferty (R-Montgomery) announced yesterday that he will seek re-election to the Pennsylvania State Senate. He will likely face Democratic Chester County Commissioner Kathi Cozzone in the general election.

HD-134: Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) announced his bid for reelection last night. Mackenzie was elected to the 134th House District in April 2012 when a special election was held to replace the Hon. Doug Reichley, who became a Lehigh County Judge. He was then re-elected to a full, two-year term in November 2012 with nearly 60% of the vote, according to his release.

HD-161: Rep. Joe Hackett (R-Delaware) has a Democratic challenger. Democrat Leanne Krueger-Braneky, 37, is the director of fellowship and alumni for the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, a nationwide, nonprofit network of 30,000 businesses that promotes strengthening local economies. Hackett was elected in 2010 when incumbent Bryan Lentz sought a seat in Congress.

HD-166: Republican Sarah Armstrong will announce her bid for this seat on Saturday at the Skatium in Haverford Township. She’s the Chief Financial Officer of a global software company. The seat has been held by Rep. Greg Vitali (D-Delaware) since 1993.

HD-202: State Representative Mark Cohen (D-Philadelphia) will kickoff his reelection campaign to continue representing the 202nd legislative district this Saturday. Cohen has represented the district since 1973, but this year he has a challenger, Jared Solomon, who’s been endorsed by fellow Philly Rep. Brian Sims.

Statewide
Capitolwire: Interest in tavern gaming licenses not even close to expectations
Capitolwire: Bigger in Texas? DEP says proposal means more gas inspectors than Lonestar State
PA Independent: Lawmakers have appetite for pension reform, but menu options vary
PA Independent: In twist, poll finds union households in PA support paycheck protection
StateImpactPA: Remains found at site of southwest Pa. gas well fire
StateImpactPA: Pennsylvania shale production continued to grow in 2013
StateImpactPA: DCNR questioned on plan to expand leasing of state park and forest land

Philadelphia
Inquirer: Katz quits PICA, maybe to open mayoral bid?
Inquirer: Corbett’s final health plan: gentler, but still an outlier
Inquirer: Bars slow to take a chance on new betting law
Daily News: Nutter asks biz to help get schools money
Daily News: 10 Ironworkers arrested, accused of violence against nonunion work sites
Philly.com: New Comcast tower gets unanimous approval from Planning Commission
PhillyClout: Katz resigns as PICA chairman
PhillyClout: Former state Rep. Babette Josephs attempts a come-back

SEPA
Courier-Times: Plans for incinerator put on hold in Bristol Township
Courier-Times: Upper Makefield looks to form financial committee
Courier-Times: Bucks County task force could define American goods
Pottstown Mercury: Spring-Ford approves $137.4M preliminary budget
Pottstown Mercury: Legal settlement will allow completion of Upper Pottsgrove development
Pottstown Mercury: 2 new members named to Royersford Borough Council

Pittsburgh
City Paper: Legal fight reflects uncertainty for same-sex couples who get married out of state
Post-Gazette: Brentley to challenge Wheatley for House seat
Early Returns: Peduto staffs up: Parks, BBI, etc.
Tribune Review: Four housing groups claim city defrauding federal government
Tribune Review: School director will challenge Metcalfe
Tribune Review: State Rep. Evankovich to seek third term
Tribune Review: N. Versailles pastor wants rematch with Doyle for 14th House District seat
Tribune Review: Toomey, Hickton highlight toll of prescription drug addiction in Washington County

Southwest
Johnstown Tribune-Democrat: Council deadlocks on vacancy
Beaver County Times: Corbett sends Medicaid reform compromise plan to feds
Beaver County Times: Democrat challenging Christiana quits the race
Beaver County Times: New contract to cost Friendship Ridge 120 positions
Beaver County Times: State audit cites Bridgewater for underfunding police and employee pensions
Altoona Mirror: Barron’s era at PSU begins amid challenges

NEPA
News Item: SASD gets grant for armed security staff
Wayne Independent: Transportation plan provides more benefits
Standard Speaker: Winter storms depleting city overtime budget
Pocono Record: Pa. bridge fixes fast-tracked
Times Leader: City Planning Commission OKs Sherman Hills to put up gates
Times Leader: Supreme Court sets conference date on Ciavarella petition
Times Tribune: Susquehanna still home to most productive Marcellus Shale wells
Citizens Voice: Potential Barletta challenger lost law license

South Central
Carlisle Sentinel: Shippensburg Borough Council considers tobacco ordinance
Carlisle Sentinel: Corbett’s Medicaid plan filing could be ready
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pennsylvania’s million-dollar earners can be found in unusual places
Harrisburg Patriot News: Pa. expected thousands to want small games of chance licenses. Six do. That’s a problem.
AP: Corbett expected to release proposal changing Pa. Medicaid services
York Daily Records: York County commissioners plan to move forward with $27 million 911 radio project
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Now we know: Pretzel that choked President Bush in ’02 came from Hammond’s in Lancaster
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Community health leader will run as Democrat for 41st District
Lancaster Intelligencer/Era: Aument wins GOP backing for state Senate seat
Lebanon Daily News: Lebanon County gas pipeline project announced

Lehigh Valley
Morning Call: Corbett submits Obamacare-required Medicaid waiver to feds
Reading Eagle: City Council, mayor have competing charter law amendments
Reading Eagle: Eliminating school property tax Rozzi’s priority in re-election campaign
WFMZ: Emmaus Council accepts $50K state grant for business facade program
Express Times: Sen. Pat Toomey, ahead of Allentown rally, argues against minimum wage hike
Express Times: Northampton County Council committee kills $715,200 financial consultant contract
Express Times: Pa. state Rep. Ryan Mackenzie launches campaign for re-election in 134th District
Express Times: Consolidate Lehigh Valley governments, improve local workforce, study says
Express Times: Pa. state Rep. Dan McNeill kicks of re-election campaign for 133rd District

North by Northwest
Erie-Times News: Pa. state Rep. Dan McNeill kicks of re-election campaign for 133rd District
Erie-Times News: Erie City Council vote expected tonight to override Sinnott veto
Erie-Times News: Erie School Board hears charter pros, cons
Erie-Times News: Kelly announces bid for third term in Congress
Williamsport Sun Gazette: City tries to get funding for study to redevelop

Opinion
Tribune Review: Pittsburgh’s land-banking idea requires better vetting
Times Tribune: Be aggressive on royalties
Harrisburg Patriot News: Corbett approach to Medicaid expansion is ‘legal but stupid,’ Dem guv candidate McCord says: Politics as Usual
Erie-Times News: Guest Voice of State Rep. Greg Vitali: Corbett budget hurts conservation
Inquirer: Inquirer Editorial: Hite plan gets muted response
Daily News: DN Editorial: A good call

Blogs
Commonwealth Foundation: Plagiarism: Union Style
Commonwealth Foundation: Union Spokesmen Still Lying About Paycheck Protection
Keystone Politics: #HD182: Worst Philly Democrats Cooking Up Challenge to Best Philly Democrat
Keystone Politics: #PA13: Brendan Boyle Won’t Return $10K Donation From Suspected Arsonist Ironworkers
Keystone Politics: Bob Brady’s Base Is Going Down Rico-Style
Keystone Politics: Politics Moves Slow and It Sucks But You Have to Do It
Keystone Politics: Tipped Minimum Wage Reform Must Be Paired With Liquor License Reform
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: How I Almost Missed Brown’s First News Conference
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Brown Blasts NorCo’s Failed Leadership