The PA House passed a tort reform measure yesterday, moving the legislation to amend our joint and several liability laws one step closer to Governor Corbett’s desk. It marks the first or a marathon of new bills which are expected to follow either in the House or Senate shortly, including school choice and right-to-work.

No one ever accused Philly politics of being nice, but did a sitting ward leader really shove an council candidate during a dispute in a church basement?

Marc Scaringi is continuing to show that he’s serious about his run for U.S. Senate. PoliticsPA saw him in Harrisburg on Saturday, he was in Pittsburgh on Sunday and all the way up to Erie yesterday.

And Rep. Gerlach got the kind of headline most pols dream about.

Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.

PoliticsPA Reports

Rick Santorum Wins Key Straw Poll In South Carolina
Former Sen. Rick Santorum won the straw poll at the Greenville County Republican Convention. He received 31 percent of the vote. Former Sen. Santorum has been to South Carolina more than any other early primary state.

Rep. Gerlach Earns Best Headline Of Any Politician Ever
The glass is looking more than half full for beer lovers in Pennsylvania, home of America’s oldest brewery. Rep. Gerlach’s proposal to lower taxes on brewers earned him the headline “Local Congressman Wants To Lower Beer Tax” on WFMZ.

Headlines
PA Independent: PA House passes tort reform bill
Early Returns: Fox May Force Santorum Announcement
Early Returns: Doyle: $149K On Hand
Pennsylvania Ave.: Rep. Barletta’s FEC Reports Released Yesterday
Times-News: U.S. Senate Candidate in Erie
Patriot-News: Poll Shows Pennsylvanians Favor Accountability Standards For School Vouchers
Times-Tribune: GOP Lawmakers Pivot On Corbett Budget
Post-Gazette: Teamsters Rally To Fight Pa. Right-To-Work Bill
Post-Gazette: Pa. Senate Hears Testimony On Limiting Legal Liability
Times-News: Republican Gehrlein Seeks Erie County Council’s 7th District Seat
Inquirer: Race for three city commissioner posts: Can Tartaglione be toppled
Inquirer: No City Council opposition surfaces to placing police in schools
Fox Philadelphia: Tastykake Sold to Georgia Bakery
PhillyClout: Mayor Nutter Calls Tastykake Sale a Good Deal
Newsworks: How to get past voter apathy in Philadelphia
PhillyClout: GOP Abuzz About Ward Leader Shoving City Council Candidate
Early Returns: Battle Over O’Connor/Rave ties cont.
Patriot-News: Natural gas from shale worse for global warming than coal, Cornell study says
Patriot-News: Adam Gingrich, Pat Braden, agree to new vote over chairmanship of Lebanon County Republic Committee
Citizens’ Voice: Aging natural gas lines a concern in NEPA
Times Leader: Registry for natural gas chemicals launched
Times Leader: Union-endorsed candidates meet public
Post-Gazette: State to declare open season on porcupines
Post-Gazette: State may build local facility to train Marcellus inspectors
Tribune-Review: State attorney general asks judge to overturn ACORN lawsuit

Opinions
John Baer, Daily News: Helpful Hints on Reducing the Legislature
Baer Growls: Citizen Mike
Patriot-News Editorial: Charter schools: Changing oversight could improve system
Patriot-News Editorial: PA Roads can’t handle heavier trucks
Citizens’ Voice: More clinics can cut drug treatment costs
Citizens’ Voice: There are better ways to deal with budget
Times Leader: Gelb presents intriguing list of qualifications
Post-Gazette Editorial: No merit in Wisconsin: Judicial elections make poor referendums on policy
Tribune-Review Editorial: Disserving vets: Shameful dereliction
Tribune-Review Editorial: Schools and spending