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3/5 Morning Buzz

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the Buzz. We hope you had a good week, and that you got more sleep last night than Jason Altmire did.

Altmire Likely to Remain on Ballot: It’s been a nightmarish week for the Altmire campaign, and the Congressman had little to be happy about after Friday’s hearing. But whether the judge rules in his favor today, or the Pa. Supreme Court agrees with him on appeal, Altmire’s name is very likely to be on the primary ballot on April 24. Here’s a look at the relevant case law and statutes.

3/2 Ups & Downs: The culture wars take their latest victims in this week’s Ups & Downs. Plus, see what happened in Harrisburg and the congressional primaries.

Allegheny Labor Council Picks Critz: Rep. Mark Critz has consistently lead Rep. Jason Altmire in organized labor endorsements in the 12th district Democratic primary. This weekend, Critz picked up another big one.

PA-11 Hopefuls Court Shippensburg Dems: Gene Stilp and Bill Vinsko, each vying for the nomination to face Rep. Lou Barletta, railed against redistricting and other Republican agenda items in a meeting with local Democrats Friday night.

Waga Wins Tea Party Straw Poll in PA-4: Thursday’s candidate’s forum went very well for Ted Waga, a Republican running in the crowded primary to replace Rep. Todd Platts in the 4th district. The York 9-12 Patriots straw poll afterward showed Waga, a member of the group, with 101 votes (35 percent).

Gun Control Group Takes Aim at Murphy: CeaseFirePA, an organization that supports gun control measures, criticized former U.S. Rep. and Attorney General hopeful Patrick Murphy this week for a statement he made on the campaign trail – and his record in Congress.

Guide to the Pa. Republican Presidential Primary: It is mathematically impossible for anybody to secure the nomination before Pennsylvania’s primary on April 24, so Santorum’s home state is likely to play a major role in the Republican presidential race so we thought it was time to explain how Pa.’s delegates are allocated.

Cambria Dems Unanimously Endorse Critz: Two words: game change. That this news was not. Critz is the home town candidate and successor to the late John Murtha, Johnstown and Cambria County’s favorite son. But he gets a few points for pulling off a unanimous vote.

Could the Era of Judicial Elections Be Coming To An End? Members of the legislature are proposing reforms to the judicial selection process. A hearing in Philadelphia brought to the forefront what bills could move in the General Assembly.

‘Occupy’ Candidate Kleinman Strategy: PA-13 Write-in Campaign: Occupy Movement candidate Nate Kleinman, challenging Rep. Allyson Schwartz in the Dem primary, says he can’t afford a legal defense against challenges to his petitions. If the court declines Friday morning to dismiss the case, he’ll withdraw and run a write-in campaign. Update: the court did so decide.

Legislative Election Updates

SD-37: Corrrection. The Allegheny County Democratic Committee Allegheny County Labor Council recommended Rep. Mark Mustio (R) for the seat of retiring Sen. John Pippy, but also supported Mark Scappe (D) for Mustio’s House seat (for which Mustio is running concurrently).

HD-22: In the crowded primary to replace Rep. Chelsa Wagner (now Allegheny County Controller), the Council recommended Martin Schmotzer – the same candidate that the Allegheny Dem committee endorsed.

HD-24: The Allegheny Labor Council recommended Ed Ganey over incumbent Rep. Joe Preston in the Democratic primary. They join the Allegheny Co. Dems, who made the same decision.

HD-39: In the three-way Democratic primary to take on freshman Rep. Rick Saccone, the Allegheny Labor Council recommended Dave Levdansky, the man Saccone beat in 2010.

HD-51: Gary Gearing, Republican of Uniontown, appears likely to be knocked off the ballot. With a few questions remaining, he stands at 298 signatures – 2 below the required 300. The other GOP hopeful, Michael Cavanauh, was tossed off last week, meaning Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fayette) may end up unopposed.

HD-134: The conference to select a GOP candidate for this race will be Thursday, March 8 at the Lower Macungie Community Center.

HD-134: Rob Hamill picked up an endorsement from the Pa. Right to Work PAC in the crowded GOP primary field to replace former Rep. now Lehigh Co. Judge Doug Reichley. “Your staunch support for voluntary unionism, your opposition to “agency shop” forced dues schemes, and your support for other key worker freedom legislation is greatly appreciated,” the PAC wrote, and gave his campaign $100.

HD-134: Meet Wanda Mercada-Arroyo, one of the four Republicans vying for this seat.

National:
Tribune Review: Ohio, ‘microcosm of America,’ key to GOP’s Super Tuesday
AP: Santorum: Conservative vote could beat Romney
Times-News: Gov. Corbett: Undecided on Presidential Endorsement
Philadelphia Inquirer: In Tennessee, callers work to dial up a win for Santorum
ABC 6: Santorum’s tax returns show rise in wealth
Pennsylvania Ave: In Ohio Santorum slips but still in lead
Pennsylvania Ave: Romney uses Specter in Santorum attack ad
Politico: Obama pushes Israel record and warns of Iran
Politico: FEC’s bad rap getting worse
Politico: Mitt hits Gingrich on gas prices
Politico: Santorum lowers ‘Super Tuesday’ expectations
Politico: Super Tuesday: Mitt, Rick sprint statewide in Ohio
Politico: Mitt makes it five straight with Washington
Politico: Newt says he’s ‘taking Santorum’s advice’
Roll Call: Eric Cantor endorses Romney ahead of Super Tuesday
Roll Call: Business community split on corporate tax reform
Roll Call: D.C. supporters look to boost Santorum
Five Thirty Eight: Romney could win majority of ‘Super Tuesday’ delegates
Five Thirty Eight: Washington keeps Romney on winning track
Real Clear Politics: Romeny-Santorum: Head vs. heart choice in Ohio
The Hill: Santorum: ‘I agree’ with Obama, students should have options for education
The Hill: GOP: Fight high gas prices with more oil drilling, Keystone
New York Times: From ‘nominal Catholic’ to clarion of faith
New York Times: John Harwood: 10 questions for Rick Santorum
The Caucus: Four candidates, the next four months
Pro Publica: Super donors: Our reading guide to the top 10 super PAC givers
Pro Publica: New York court affirms towns’ power to ban fracking
USA Today: Romney: Obama failed to explain Afghan mission
Slate: Why a win isn’t a win
Early Returns: CMU prof to co-chair ‘Women with Newt’

Statewide:
Capitolwire (Paywall): House Speaker, Elections Bureau Say April 24 Special Elections Are On
State House Sound Bites: Health Care Advocates Look To Federal Exchanges In 2014, See Relief For adultBasic Enrollees
Capitolwire (Paywall): Not Much Agreement Between House Democrats, Corbett Administration Regarding UC Fund Insolvency Solutions
Capitolwire (Paywall): Castille Proposes Hiking Driving Fines By $13.50 To Hike Funding For Courts, Legal Aid Funding
Philadelphia Inquirer: Pennsylvania law banning texting by drivers to take effect
Philadelphia Inquirer: City of Harrisburg could go bankrupt after all
Philadelphia Inquirer: State official insists he’s blameless in “egg-gate” flap
WHYY Newsworks: PA may reassess judicial selection process

Philadelphia:
Philadelphia Inquirer: Behind the facade, troubles rose for Fattah son
Philadelphia Daily News: Union blasts Nutter in TV ads, demands fair contract
Philadelphia City Paper: Hall Monitor: Campaign treasurer found to have violated campaign law now a deputy city commissioner
PhillyClout: Occupy Congress candidate drops ballot bid for write-in try
Philly Now: Philly XP responds to Mark Segal’s “Homophobia” accusations
WHYY Newsworks: Latino group fumes over PA redistricting standstill
WHYY Newsworks: Philly councilman has sights on bad neighbors
WHYY Newsworks: HUD chief blasts proposed PA cuts to human services

SEPA:
AP: PA school aid confused by competing math
Philadelphia Inquirer: Felony perjury charges against Montco’s Matthews dropped
The Intelligencer: Fitzpatrick: Produce it, refine it and keep it here
phillyBurbs.com: Twitter problems for Fitz’s daughter
phillyBurbs.com: Former township manager pleads no contest to tampering with records
phillyBurbs.com: Perjury charge dismissed against former Commissioner Matthews
Delco Daily Times: Delaware County to shuffle deck on district judges
Delco Daily Times: Chester Township council member resigns post
Delco Daily Times: GOP Senate hopeful makes stop in Haverford
Bucks Local News: Charles H. Martin becomes longest tenured commissioner in Bucks County annals

Pittsburgh:
Tribune Review: Local donors get plenty of PennDot’s federal stimulus  aid
Tribune Review: Orie sisters ordered cover-up, former aid testifies
Tribune Review: Same-sex partners to get Allegheny County benefits
Tribune Review: Nursing homes, patients’ families fear further funding cuts
Tribune Review: Defense grills Sen. Jane Orie’s former aid about memos
Tribune Review: Critz questions Altimire staffer’s legal place of residence
Tribune Review: Casey questions Air Force’s economics regarding 911th
Tribune Review: Former Orie chief of staff says she never signed forged documents
Tribune Review: Opinion sought on Pittsburgh transportation
Early Returns: Allegheny AFL-CIO backs Critz
Early Returns: Repubs rally at keystone dinner
Early Returns: Altimire ballot decision Monday
Early Returns: Friday heds
Post-Gazette: Parents decry state education cuts
Post-Gazette: Sen. Orie says politics was kept out of legislative office
Post-Gazette: Ex-city councilwoman offered PWSA job
Post-Gazette: Key witness against Sen. Orie spars with defense over notes
Post-Gazette: Judge expects to decide Monday if Altimire can stay on the ballot

Southwest:
Beaver County Times: Challenge to Altimire’s petition  hinges on staffer’s home
Beaver County Times: Liquor control board gets app
Daily Courier (Fayette County): Judge yet to rule on Uniontown councilman’s primary bid
Daily Courier (Fayette County): Dunbar considers mandatory collection
Observer-Reporter: Public hearing slated in Cumberland
Observer-Reporter: Commissioner Trader addresses Stover scholars
Johnstown Tribune Democrat: Counties likely to OK fees for Marcellus gas
Altoona Mirror: Ultrasound bill tabled
Altoona Mirror: Tyrone Borough manager  resigns for own reasons

NEPA:
Times News: Hearing on proposed cargo airport continues
Times News: Carbon officials question specifics of state’s Marcellus fee
Go Lackawanna: County rehires 14 in top positions
Go Lackawanna: Obama office opens
Pocono Record: Both sides of voter ID legislation heard at Pocono debate
Times Leader: Wilkes-Barre financial situation a concern
Times-Tribune: Property tax hikes hurt wide spectrum
Citizens Voice: New county manager sits down to daunting task

Lehigh Valley:
Reading Eagle: Independent launches bid for U.S. House (PA-16)
Reading Eagle: Woman seeks GOP nod in HD-134
WFMZ: Beverage bottler to create 110 local jobs, Guv says
Morning Call: Judge tosses out Ballot challenge to Obama

South Central:
Lancaster Era: 5 county establishments cited with liquor violations
Lancaster Era: Elanco officials evaluate effects of Corbett’s budget
Lebanon Daily News: Palmyra council to reduce own pay

North by Northwest:
Erie Times-News: Erie Water Works to spend $43.9M on capital projects in 2012
Erie Times-News: Erie jobs go unfilled as employers look for qualified workers
Erie Times-News: Statewide ban on texting while driving takes effect this week
Erie Times-News: Reassessment leads Erie County executive to study nonprofits
Erie Times-News: Gov. Corbett tells higher education to control costs during Erie visit
Sharon Herald: Locals look to Super Tuesday vote
Sharon Herald: Charter school costs mount
Sharon Herald: Training center taking shape
Sharon Herald: Trade ruling causes uproar
Sharon Herald: State reps talk county cuts
Sharon Herald: School funding tops chamber discussion
Centre Daily Times: Proposed Ram community facility is the Centre of dispute
Centre Daily Times: Builders group, nonprofit collaborating on home project
Williamsport Sun Gazette: Gas exodus?
Williamsport Sun Gazette: ‘Aggressive’ plan to replace span put into motion

Opinion:
Erie Times-News: Opinion: Romney’s extremism masked
Erie Times-News: Opinion: Santorum’s pandering snobbish
Erie Times-News: Opinion: Bishops will likely file suit ‘to protect our religious liberty’
Centre Daily Times: Opinion: Transportation severely underfunded
Philadelphia Inquirer: Karen Heller: In this court, he stood out
Philadelphia Inquirer: Monica Yant Kinney: Health chief’s ego trip to federal court
Politico: Obama, Netanyahu can’t afford fight
Politico: Fight to hire veterans
Citizens Voice: Romney’s opposition of auto bailouts an odd choice of targets
Lancaster Era: Tax reform’s promise
Lancaster Era: Putin and power
Pottstown Mercury: Budget numbers often depend on whose numbers they are
Pottstown Mercury: Fireproofing Pennsylvania’s economy
Pottstown Mercury: When government encroaches on religion
The Intelligencer: Congresswoman fighting to protect H-H impact aid
The Intelligencer: House speaker’s criticism of court is misdirected
Tribune Review: Pennsylvania’s tax burden: slay leviathan
Tribune Review: Sunday pops
Tribune Review: Military health care, heroes dishonored
Tribune Review: Greensburg laurels and lances
Post-Gazette: Paws on the ground: A revived  city program helps with animal control
Post-Gazette: Forward on reverse: A federal rule on rearview camera’s makes sense
Post-Gazette: The GOP race continues, and Republicans continue to grouse about their choices

Blogs:
Keystone State Education Coalition: Legislators join Partners for Public Education forum calling for action on public school cuts
Lehigh Valley Ramblings: Is Obama Anti-Israel?
NEPArtisan: COLTS, Vacula, & the God of controversy
NEPArtisan: Raped by the state of Pennsylvania
2 Political Junkies: Two local boobs on the wrong side of history
2 Political Junkies: Local member of Congress embarrasses himself
2 Political Junkies: A Brief Note RE: The Trib
Lu-Lac Political Letter: Charles Murray’s “Coming Apart”/Rush says ‘I’m sorry’/Murphy says Kane not able
Pennsylvania Progressive: Sandusky’s victims molested on campus?
Pennsylvania Progressive: Rush to judgement
Pennsylvania Progressive: Lets get blunt: Senator Casey votes with the Pope
Pennsylvania Progressive: White House community partnership summit
Above Average Jane: Obama Montco office opening
Keystone Politics: Democratic Party trickery forces Kleinman off primary ballot
Keystone Politics: Cambria County Democrats endorse Critz
John Hanger: Stunning fact: 331 coal units closing
John Hanger: Rolling Stone magazine sadly regurgitates NY Times greatest gas ‘hits’
Citizens’ Call: Voter ID fight coming to an head Monday in Harrisburg
North Pittsburgh Politics: Did Rep. Eli Evankovich break House rules?

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    • Yes. It's a national security risk. (60%)
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    Total Voters: 30

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