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3/24 Morning Buzz

Did you hear the rumor that former Governor Rendell might be President Obama’s next Commerce secretary? Turns out they aren’t true. Rendell never talked about it, never heard about it and doesn’t want it, says spokeswoman Dr. Kirstin Snow.

The GOP side of the Allegheny Exec race has gotten a bit simpler. Tea Party leader Patti Weaver dropped her bid, leaving County Councilman Chuck McCullough vs. businessman and Mt. Lebanon Commissioner D. Raja. Based on Raja’s personal investment in the race, and McCullough’s pending legal issues (allegedly defrauding a widow for campaign contributions), PoliticsPA is calling Raja the front runner. But then again, McCullough has beaten the odds before.

In a significant change in tone, Governor Corbett yesterday opened the door to a local impact fee on Marcellus shale drilling. It may not sound like much, but it’s a significant from the “no means no” vibes previously coming from the Governor’s office. He also picked a Secretary of DCNR with some environmentalist cred.

Yesterday was the 1-year anniversary of the health care reform bill, with both Republicans and Democrats seeking to score political points on the issue. Check back later today for a more detailed report.

And in his latest Daily News column, Rendell blasts GQ for calling Philly fans the worst in America. Maybe the folks over at GQ ought to put down their lentil and arugula vegan wraps, order a south Philly cheese steak, and actually come to a game.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

Rendell Quashes Commerce Sec Rumors
With all of the new jobs held by Ed Rendell, perhaps it’s easy to see why yesterday’s buzz that the former Gov might be President Obama’s next pick for Commerce Secretary caught on so quickly. But there’s nothing to it, Rendell’s spokeswoman told PoliticsPA.

Updated: Weaver Drops Out of Allegheny Exec Race, Raja Emerges as Front Runner
Tea Party leader Patti Weaver has dropped out of the race for Allegheny County Executive, making businessman and Mt. Lebanon Township Commissioner D. Raja the front runner for the GOP nomination.

Pileggi DNA Database Bill Draws Fire From ACLU-PA
Introduced by Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi (R-Delaware County), a new bill seeks to increase PA’s DNA collection by requiring samples from those charged with any felony and some misdemeanors. The Pennsylvania ACLU opposes the legislation, warning that the constitution does not permit such invasive practices.

Daily News Wonders, “Was Dwight Evans A Bully In MLK Charter-Operator Choice?”
New Jersey-based Foundations, Inc. — a charter operator with close ties to State Rep. Dwight Evans — will continue operating Martin Luther King High School in Northwest Philadelphia, despite the fact that the School Reform Commission and parents agreed that another company, Mosaica, should take over.

Headlines
State House Sound Bites: Corbett may “sit down and listen” on a drilling fee
Capitol Ideas: Gov. Corbett Calls on WH to Send Health Care Lawsuits to SCOTUS
Philadelphia Weekly profiles some of the Philly Council candidates, and, hilariously, DROP recipient Marge Tartaglione
Commonwealth Confidential: Rendell, Bond Analyst Weigh In on Gov. Corbett’s Higher Ed, Shale Tax Decisions
Early Returns: Corbett Makes Conservation Pick
Times-Tribune: New DCNR Head Has Luzerne County Ties
Capitol Ideas: Gov Corbett Opens The Door to A Impact Fee on Shale Drillers?
State House Sound Bites: A Flurry of Bills Before the State Senate Education Committee
ABC Scranton: Scranton Police Warn of Deep Cuts If Gov. Corbett’s Budget Passes Legislature (h/t Capitol Ideas)
Patriot-News: Pa. Hospitals Brace for Cuts (h/t Capitol Ideas)
Times-News: Erie County Nonprofits To Hold Town-Hall Meeting Thursday on Budget Cuts
State House Sound Bites: Prisoners Sent to Michigan Coming Back to Pa.
WHYY Newsworks: Lawmaker Seeks Surcharge To Pay For Pa. Pipe Replacement
Centre Daily Times: Lt. Gov. Cawley Touts Shale Commission During Visit
PhillyNow: Jaime Foxx Gives Shout Out to M. Nutt
Heard in the Hall: Poll: Philly for Stop-and-Frisk, Despite Concerns
Heard in the Hall: State Sen. Street, not Milton, Running for Mayor
PhillyClout: Milton Street On 2nd Chances, Compares Himself to Moses
Philadelphia Weekly: Get To Know Your City Council Candidates
PhillyClout: Candidates in DROP allowed on ballot, Judge rules
Heard in the Hall: Candidate Lazin Calls on Rizzo to Retire
Daily News: It’s Unanimous: FOP won’t back Rizzo (h/t PhillyClout)
PhillyClout: Nutter Administration Hopes To Get More Prisons Savings
Early Returns: Judge Keeps Wagner, Matta On Ballot
Early Returns: Tea Party Candidate Weaver Drops Exec Bid
Early Returns: Dem Chair Got PWSA Side Work
ABC Philadelphia: Breathalyzer Mistake Affects 1000+ DUI Cases in Philadelphia
ABC Philadelphia: Ex-Pa. Town Official Denies Stealing Checks
Post-Gazette: Group Pushes Pittsburgh City Council On Clean-Air Bill
Times-News: Brennan Seeks Erie City Council Seat
Times Leader: Victims of juvie crime can seek payments
Times Leader: Casinos healthy, says panel, so keep number at 10
Times Leader: Toole sentencing rescheduled to April 8, hearing set for Friday
Times Leader: Wilkes graduate to be nominated to lead DCNR
Post-Gazette: Corbett opposes Medicaid expansion under health care law
Post-Gazette: Corbett names pick for Conservation and Natural Resources
Post-Gazette: Process begins to redraw legislative districts
Tribune-Review: Health care law faces big hurdles
Tribune-Review: University students mobilize against budget cuts

Opinions
Ed Rendell, Daily News: GQ all wrong about Philly fans
Baer Growls: Happy Anniversary!
Dick Polman, WHYY Newsworks: Libya, the political football
Times-Tribune: Failure to Reform Continues Tradition of Gerrymandering
Philadelphia Weekly: Republican Candidates Betrayed By Their Own Party – All In the Name of the PPA
Times Leader: Open the books on public spending
Citizens’ Voice: Redistricting: Here we go again
Standard Speaker: Tobacco suit cash should go for health

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