A large crowd of union workers, teachers and others gathered in Harrisburg yesterday to protest proposed spending cuts in Governor Corbett’s budget.
After a few weeks of “testing the waters,” Rick Santorum has set up an official exploratory committee to run for President. And unlike every other 2012 hopeful, Santorum has kept firing at President Obama despite the news about bin Laden.
Talk about timing. Rep. Pat Meehan had had a hearing scheduled on extremist threats from Pakistan for weeks before news broke of bin Laden’s death. The Congressman found himself chairing a much more relevant and news-making meeting yesterday.
In Allegheny County, the race for Controller has been overshadowed by the higher-profile Exec campaign. However, the Democratic candidates for that second-highest Allegheny County office are pounding the pavement and working to gain an edge despite a lack of TV ads. Just yesterday, Dan Onorato endorsed Valerie McDonald Roberts in the race.
And our former Governor has been named one of TV’s more accurate pundit prognosticators, according to a study by Hamilton College. Granted, they surveyed predictions in the 2008 cycle when predictions of “every Democrat will win” weren’t too far off. And granted, all of the top 5 were Democratic pundits. But still, it’s nice to make the top of any list… except this one.
Good morning politicos, and welcome to the buzz.
PoliticsPA Reports
Meehan Chairs Hearing on Pakistan Threats
It’s hard to get more topical than this. Congressman Patrick Meehan (PA-7) will host a hearing this afternoon in Washington, D.C. about the growing threat the U.S. faces from extremists in Pakistan.
Allegheny County Controller Primary Race Heating Up
Onorato endorses McDonald Roberts, Wagner has a near-sweep of labor support, and Matta goes on the radio in the Democratic primary.
Headlines
AP: Santorum Sets Presidential Exploratory Committee
Pennsylvania Ave.: Rep. Barletta To Make Immigration Reform Announcement
Early Returns: Onorato, Others Meet With Obama
Politico: Santorum still throwing punches despite bin Laden takedown
Pennsylvania Ave.: Sen. Casey’s View From Inside The White House
Times-Leader: For Carney, News Evokes Pride in U.S.
Fox Philadelphia: SEAL Team Founder Talks To FOX 29
One we missed from yesterday… Pa. House sings God Bless America (via Pa. Independent)
Early Returns: Corbett’s AG Pick Sails Through Confirmation Hearing
Fox Philadelphia: Maryland To Sue Over Frac Fluid Spill in Pa.
State House Sound Bites: DEP Abandons New Violation Policy
Fox Philadelphia: Pa. Student Dismissed From School Over OBL Celebration
Inquirer & Post-Gazette: Dinners and Tickets Among Gifts Reported By Pa. Lawmakers
Capitol Ideas: Gov. Corbett Official: We “Strongly Support” Vouchers Bill
Patriot-News: People Flock To The State Capitol To Protest Gov. Corbett’s Cuts
Capitol Ideas: Easton Teachers Union President: Governor’s Cuts Would Destroy School System
Commonwealth Confidential: Rendell Gets Top Marks Among Pundit Prognosticators
Patriot-News: Gov. Corbett Explains Reasoning Behind State Budget
AP: Gov. Corbett Cautions Against Plans To Spend Surplus
AP: Pa. Game Commission Details Gas Money Plans
WHYY Newsworks: Pa. State Sen. Farnese Legislation Demands Five-Year Minimum Sentence For Multiple Straw Purchases
PhillyNow: District Council 33, Still Without A Contract And Taking The Fight To City Council
PhillyClout: PICA Wants To Know Why City Council Won’t Hold Hearings On DROP
WHYY Newsworks: Stenographer Machines Stolen From City Council
Young Philly Politics: Young, Cohen, and Reynolds-Brown Get The Green Nod In At-Large Race
WHYY Newsworks: Council Candidate Says Former Ward Leader Tried To Sell Him An Endorsement
WHYY Newsworks: School District Meets With City Council Over Budget
Times-Tribune: Public Access Broadcaster ECTV Faces Tax Lien
AP: Congress may dock Pakistan aid
Citizens’ Voice: Former Judge Michael T. Toole reports to Minnesota federal prison
Standard Speaker: Locals uplifted by news of bin Laden’s death
Standard Speaker: Local experts: bin Laden dead, terrorism lives
Standard Speaker: Marcellus shale tax payments in spotlight
Opinions
Baer Growls: Mo Money, Mo Money
Citizens’ Voice: Our voice: With liberty and justice – for all
Citizens’ Voice: Bin Laden’s death part of larger fight
Standard Speaker: A triumph for the United States
Tribune Review Editorial: Don’t let bin Laden celebrations distract from Obama’s bad agenda
Patriot News Editorial: “Impact fee” is our best bet