3/25 Morning Buzz

Before you do anything else, check out this week’s list of who was up and who was down.

Senator Casey has a long leash, alleges a report by Politico yesterday. The story details the slack that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid is giving to Democrats up for re-election in 2012, including Casey. The calculation is, it’s better to have disunity now in exchange for maintaining the majority next term.

In case you’ve been under a rock, the health care law remains nearly as divisive today as it was when President Obama signed it one year ago. This week, Democrats celebrated by reminding people the new benefits they enjoy under the law. Republicans celebrated with a high-profile field hearing in Harrisburg that featured Governor Corbett and explore ways to dismantle the law in piecemeal fashion.

It used to be that Pat Toomey and Joe Sestak only agreed on two things: one of the candidates in their Senate race was an extremist, and Arlen Specter was the meanest, baddest person ever. Now Toomey and Sestak have a third point of consensus: Obama is mishandling the situation in Libya. Each man has criticized the President in recent days, meaning both of them also agree with Rick Santorum!

And a judge ruled that Philly candidates in the DROP double-dipping retirement program are allowed to remain on the ballot. Take that, taxpayers!

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

PoliticsPA’s Ups & Downs: 3/25
An interesting mix in the ups/downs this week. Once and future Senate candidates, a Congressman, a State Rep and more.

On First Anniversary of Health Care Reform, Democrats Celebrate
Health care reform is still a big… deal if you ask Pennsylvania Democrats, who weren’t ceding any political ground on yesterday’s anniversary of President Obama signing the Affordable Care Act into law. Dems called up familiar arguments and tactics in a series of events across PA.

On First Anniversary of Health Care Reform, Republicans Repudiate ‘Obamacare’
Republicans continued the PR battle over health care reform yesterday on the one-year anniversary of President Obama’s signing the bill into law. Rep. Joe Pitts chaired a field Health Subcommittee hearing in Harrisburg, in what was primarily a rehash of familiar arguments.

Hamilton, Yoo, Burns to Headline National Constitution Center’s Civility Forum
Former Congressman Lee Hamilton, former DOJ counsel John Yoo and Emmy-winning filmmaker Ken Burns will visit Philadelphia this weekend to headline a civility forum hosted by the National Constitution Center.

Toomey, Sestak Agree: Obama Mishandled Libya
On the campaign trail, Senator Pat Toomey and his opponent Joe Sestak couldn’t have held more opposite views. Lately however, they’ve both sounded fairly similar in their criticism of Obama’s response to the situation in Libya.

Penn State President Spanier Faces Conservative Criticism
More than 2 weeks after Gov. Tom Corbett released his budget that resulted in chagrin and anger from the heads of state-affiliated universities, Penn State President Graham Spanier is facing accusations from Corbett, Lt. Gov. Jim Cawley and the Commonwealth Foundation that he’s crying wolf and unwilling to cut out superfluity in his own budget.

Headlines
Politico: Harry Reid Lets 2012 Democrats Off the Hook (Such As Sen. Casey) (h/t Early Returns)
Philadelphia Weekly: Does Santorum Approve of Pres. Obama’s Libya Adventure? Hint: No.
State House Sound Bites: A year later, health care law still a partisan wedge
Capitol Ideas: New poll shows support for shale tax
Capitol Ideas: New DECD Pick Gets Tough Questions From House Panel Over Tobacco Fund Transfer
Commonwealth Confidential: DPW Chief Channels James Madison in Pep Talk Memo
State House Sound Bites: By and large, lawmakers oppose SSHE cuts
PhillyClout: Candidates in DROP Allowed to Stay on Ballot According to Judge
Heard in the Hall: Dem Party Picks Candidate For Judge
Heard in the Hall: 2nd District Council Race Down to Four
Early Returns: Fightin’ Words in Controller Race
Times-Tribune: Federal Judge Asked to Move Cordaro/Munchak Trial to Scranton
Delaware County Times: Education Supporters Hold Rally at Cheyney University
Times Leader: Petrilla blasts websites, says she’s undecided about her future
Standard Speaker: Resident: Gas-spill settlement unfair
Post-Gazette: Corbett says he’d support impact fee on drilling
Post-Gazette: Energy consultant selected for DCNR
Post-Gazette: Structure of Liberty Loan Fund discussed in hearing
Patriot-News: Lawmaker wants to limit space between Marcellus drilling sites
Patriot-News: Two-thirds of Pennsylvania voters support tax on gas from Marcellus Shale
Post-Gazette: Corbett: Expanded Medicaid too costly for PA
Tribune-Review: Orie seeks judge’s recusal
WFMZ: Proposed buget cuts hospital funding
WFMZ: PLCB moving forward with changes; privatization still possible

Opinons
Dave Davies, WHYY Newsworks: Come on, kids. Half of Philly candidates fail to comply with ethics rules
WHYY Newsworks: Does the Archdiocese of Philadelphia Owe Lynne Abraham an Apology?
Times-Tribune: PA legislature shouldn’t waste time on stunt anti-immigrant bills
Citizens’ Voice: Ditto
Standard Speaker: Infrastructure bank an idea that can work
Patriot-News Editorial: Stacked Deck: Marcellus Shale Commission has a chance to do good work– if it plays fair
Patriot-News Op-Ed: PSU can set a national example
Post-Gazette Editorial: Course of treatment: One year on, the health care prescription is in the flux
Tribune-Review Editorial: A Supreme Rebuke: 9th Circuits Backfire

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  • Will tonight's U.S. Senate debate affect your decision?


    • No. I've already decided on how to cast my vote. (81%)
    • Yes. Anxious to hear from both candidates (19%)

    Total Voters: 27

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